OK, I have a few minutes to download and post a pic from our vacation. This is the Allegheny River. When first introduced to Yankee place-names, I kept calling this the Ah-LEG-ah-knee, instead of the AL-uh-GAY-knee. Willow is in the foreground, our friend Wendy is attending Arabella out into deeper water. I know the horizon is tilted and there is a finger shadow, but I liked the composition.

On Sunday A and I got home from a birthday party to find that the lawn had been mowed, but that Daddy had a weed whacker accident, and his left wrist now looks like he has been trying to gnaw it off. If you want details, you have to ask the Man, as it requires a demonstration. His leg looks a bit better than the wrist, since he had his jeans on, and his hand wasn't injured since he was wearing leather work gloves.

Yesterday was Arabella's first day at her summer preschool / daycare, and she really enjoyed it. At least she said she did, but as we were leaving and saying we would be back later in the week, she asked the administrator (Mrs. W-) who brought her out "Maybe no nap next time?" When we got home (I spent the day at the factory working on a project) I was so tired and unhungry that I left dinner up to the Man, and of course he ordered pizza. The last time he ordered pizza, the delivery guy didn't give the Man change, $6 on a $15 pizza, so this time, he declined the delivery charge plus tip, and took Arabella to pick up pizza. I took a nap. I was just falling asleep when someone started banging on the door -- the Pizza Delivery Man! Apparently they decided he really meant delivery when he said pick up.

This morning M told me the clothes dryer died. I can't be too upset. It was free dryer, we got it off Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/), and it has worked pretty well for the past two years. We are not too demanding, as long as it drys clothing, we're happy. Any suggestions for a good gas dryer? We can switch to electric, there is an outlet for either, and the way gas prices are going here, that might be a good idea ...

I have finished knitting all 5 baby sweaters, 4 green and one gold and black (Pittsburghers) and am now knitting a mini-sweater for Arabella's babydoll, to match the one for the Bean. And a year after everyone else got the fever, I decided I want to knit a Clapotis scarf. But not for myself. I called Mom to tell her about it, and to ask if she would settle for a cheaper yarn alternative, but she liked the description of the wool/silk blend, and orderd some that was only $27.95/skein (4 skeins) and is having it shopped here. I can't wait. I'm looking forward to knitting it as much as she is looking forward to getting it. If I like it, I may make another for myself, but I'm looking at an alpaca/silk blend that is not as pretty but much cheaper.