The last two days have been pretty stressful for me, and this morning I was so looking forward to sleeping in (which for me is like 8:00).  Alas, it was not to be.  My two cats decided they wanted me to get up.  Of course, looking around my living room, it almost looks like I have a cat rug, since they are both sprawled out and snoozing to their heart's desire.  Ahhhh, to be a cat with a home like mine. 

 

I have started taking a water aerobics class.  It is wonderful.  If you ever get the chance, take one of these classes.  I always get there a few minutes before to swim a couple of laps and enjoy the feeling of the water enveloping me.  I love the water, always have.  I wish I had found these classes sooner.

 

There is a woman in the class who spends her time in class thinking about what she is going to eat when she gets out, or how many calories she can have when we are through.  I focus on Christmas and seeing my sister again.  I want to be fit and firm the next time I see her.  A little bitterness?  You bet.    But that story is for another day.

 

My youngest cat has a thing for Chlorine.  I don't understand it.  I noticed it when I would clean something with bleach (my favorite cleanser for that do it all in one day cleaning).  Here she would come acting like she's on catnip.  I've never seen anything like it.  So when I come home from the pool, she goes nuts.  If I have any of the chlorine on my body, she will start to lick and then nip me with her teeth.  My older cat could care less.  I'm not sure what the deal is for my younger cat.  Weird is all I know. 

 

Today I purchased some stuff for cats and dogs that are being brought to a temporary shelter they are creating here just for Hurricane animals.  A local vet is donating the use of his old clinic, and they have asked for donations.  So, I gave a little bit.  Thought of all the money I spend on my animals and knew I could do it.  (as the little one rolls over on her back, showing her white belly, and stretches....)

 

It's football Friday night here in Arkansas, and I have to watch the sports to see if the high school team my brother coaches won (it did-42-0).  Tomorrow my beloved Razorbacks play their first SEC game, and I'll watch the crowds wander by on their way to the stadium. 

 

It's dry here.  Really dry.  No rain predicted.  No rain in sight.  Of course, then I think of the Gulf.  When will we not think of the Gulf? 

All the choices I feel obligated to make now that I've taken the leap are staring me in the face.  Favorite books, movies, music, and such.  wow!  Being a literature professor, I rarely have time to read for fun.  But when I do read for fun, I like to get as far away from real literature as possible.  Cheap detective thrillers wait for me to have that spare moment between grading and preparing for classes.  They tease me as I look through piles of books for the one I need for class.  I find myself shrugging my shoulders, reaching over the Henry James books, and grabbing up a James Patterson book filled with mystery, drama, and thrills.  Late nights become reading marathons as I push forward to see if I have indeed figured out who the bad guy is.  ahhhh, I knew it!

 

And the grading waits for me, peering over my shoulder, gently tugging at me to return to the task at hand.  Final grades are due for the last summer session.  And grade entry deadlines do not wait for any man/woman.  But, damn!  Those mysteries call me...and I am weak.

 

I woke up to rain today.  It's the middle of August, and it was raining this morning; a very light gentle rain.  Now, a few hours later, there is a steady rain and the air is cool.  It is a most delightful day for August.