Summer Solstice

Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day and the shortest shadows of the year.  I couldn't think of a better way to start it off than an early morning call from my daughter (not on the cellphone so no problems there).  However, I did interrupt with some expletives when I saw the same two stray dogs, the pug and the Pom, come trotting up the driveway before the sun was fully up.  Animal Control does not come out on Sundays, it obviously is useless to call the owner, and I hadn't yet gotten dressed.  Phooey.  After some first-class ranting, I decided to ignore the dogs who were running loose here for the third time in less than two weeks.  They hung out here for the better part of an hour.  I hope they made it home okay.

Licorice mint is prolific, spread by seeds to nearly every pot on the deck.  Bees and the hummers love the tiny purple flowers on tall stalks.  On my morning walkabout, the bees were already hard at work.  I can only imagine what that honey must taste like.  I've also got lemon mint, but it hasn't come into bloom yet.  Crushing a few leaves from one or the other as I go past perfumes the air.

I've got this hot-diggity machine that will transfer VHS tapes, direct television, or DVR stuff to DVDs.  It takes some concerted effort with a couple of remotes to accomplish the deed, but I've got the manuals and plenty of time.  Yesterday I copied a great film, "The Man Who Would Be King," (1975) with Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and Christopher Plummer.  Michael Caine's exotically beautiful wife, Shakira, to whom he has been married for 42 years, had a small but integral part.  It should come as no surprise that I am a fan of old movies.  It was a great way to spend a long afternoon on the longest day of the year.