Latest deck photo and Stu is off…

We’ll tackle the “Stu is off” part first. He left yesterday on the motorcycle and will be gone two weeks. Two family birthday celebrations and two fire department related motorcycle events to attend. He’ll be missed, but I hope to get some writing done on my next book. (Missed that announcement? Read it HERE…)

Stu got several days of work done on the deck before leaving…a bit disappointed that the perfect weather had arrived (but that was good for his ride, too). He did get the decking ordered and it is due to arrived just after he returns home. Here is what the deck looks like now.

Cooper misses Stu and their daily romps around the yard and the time spent in the pole barn. It’s been nice enough to sit out on our covered porch in the early mornings and he’s kept me company there.

Several times during the day I’ll see him sitting in the living room staring at the garage door, just waiting for Stu to return. Then he does this….poor puppy!

Or this…

But all in all, we are fine. He goes out to the mailbox with me every day. Yesterday got a bit scary. Just after we walked outside, I noticed two cats across the street. Gulp! Not sure how he would respond to my commands, we walked to the mailbox with my holding his collar. Fortunately the cats disappeared…

The orange daylilies (at least that’s what I think they are) are in full bloom. I grabbed this photo from the side yard. We have a bunch more in the back pasture but I don’t walk there. It’s tick heaven this year…UGH!