Finches

Mom snapped this nice picture of one of our visiting friends.  Each August she allows the Black-eyed Susans to grow and remain by the front porch so that the finches can come and visit for a free meal.  You can hear them in the trees in our front yard, waiting to swoop down and grab a snack.  Mom was watching from inside looking out the front door windows there and it's a nice view.  She also so this little guy, one of my Georgia residents that we sort of take for granted, but they really are pretty cool.

It was a nice day today, a much nicer day given the weather outside.  It was in the low eighties, and it was just more pleasant outside, especially during those times it was overcast.  We had some rain late, and rain early, and things were just wet for a good part of the day.  But given the dry, extreme heat and humidity of last week, we're all definitely ready for a shift.  Of course, in Florida there's a lot more going on now, with the first big hurricane of the season bearing down in the Gulf area.  

This morning we were off to school without incident.  It's been busy, the drop-off times at school.  I imagine if we got there earlier it would be not so bad, but Maddie generally tromps down the stairs at about 8:08 or so, what we all affectionately call "Bob Time."  Anyway, we take a picture and then we say our prayers, pack our lunches and that's it - time to head out and join all that traffic at the school.  It moves along in the parking lot, and there are officers that direct traffic on the main road, so usually it is timed so I can escape well enough.  So I got back to the house, and that's when Maddie usually sends her Wordle update to the group chat online, and we all try to get the word of the day.  She's been doing really well at it!

We were writing a bit for the Christmas production, and doing some other plans too for Camp FCY and other things.  It was a standard day at work, although Mom had packed some mighty good sandwiches!  It was Taco Tuesday, so we had a few of those tonight, and then there was ELA homework and a tiny bit of time for Luigi's Mansion, where we raced through a couple floors in search of Boos.  Finally at 9pm, it was time for Ahsoka, and we enjoyed this next episode a good bit.  We also watched yet another episode of "Monk," because Maddie is now thoroughly addicted to the show.  

The plush entourage was down in my room for reading, and Meadow the large purple squish mallow cow was waiting in the bathroom with a jedi robe on.  We read there tonight, another harrowing chapter from "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents."  It's a story with a bit of edge to it, certainly in regards to the darker themes of animal cruelty.  We're at the bit where the rat catchers are getting a small comeuppance, at least something humorously abusive.  Anyway, it's a good read.  I'm also reading another Terry Pratchett book simultaneously, so it's certainly a theme of the month.

Prayers were said afterwards, and the plush entourage migrated down the hall where Maddie got tucked in for another good night's rest.  It's been a good day today.