SUMMER RESUMED

July 19.  Today was hot at the Retreat, around 98 degrees, but a light breeze and shelter in the shade under the trees made it tolerable.  The grasshoppers are back in full force, after a few days of wet weather. I didn't spend too much time outside other than spreading an organic bait for grasshoppers in the early morning.  Andy worked on mowing the yard and then went to town to do some "paid" handyman work.   We have lots of baby zucchini on the plants, some baby eggplant, a few green tomatoes, and some flower buds on the pepper plants.  The "bait" takes about two weeks to work, so I'll continue to watch the garden for evidence of grasshoppers eating the leaves.  So far the basil is unaffected by the varmints and I'm ready to harvest another crop in the next day or so to make pesto. 

Last night the Community Band put on a nice program.  The band consists of not only local band students but musicians from surrounding towns, alumni of Watonga band program, former and current band directors.  Our high school band director Brian Pope and former band director Chris Bordelon have done a great job in getting this group together.  I hope they continue to put on the concert every year. The community certainly did support it with good attendance. 

As for the Oven, the fireplace side is now finished and Andy is ready to start curing the inside of the oven.  There is still some "construction" to be done -- putting on the rock facing and digging out the yard for seating space -- but I'm hopeful it may be ready in a month.  Andy has been working hard on the project in spite of the heat.