Good to be home.

I've been trying to get back into the swing of things since returning from a week visiting my daughter and her family. It's been a long time since I had to keep up with a 2-year old. I'm sure that my walking improved my endurance in order to better cope with the terrible twos temper tantrums. Whew!

I enjoyed my walk along the river but I am wondering if the plantings there are supposed to be some kind of eco experiment. It looks like a wheat field along the flood control banks. The begonias and salvia plants provide an attractive display in the median planters. No sign of the little ducklings on this trip though.

At Tanglewood Mall the former jewelry store is now just some blank walls. The new store, Raquela's, has a window display but the glass is still covered with paper. The sign above the store doesn't really describe what they will be selling (if indeed they are actually able to sell enough to stay in business.)

Since my husband and I have started the project of painting the outside of our house, my walks may be more limited. We shall see.

Summer has arrived!

I'm glad that I got my walk in at the park on Monday because today it was just too hot. I walked around the outside of Tanglewood for one lap and then opted for the air-conditioning inside. It was earlier than usual and I'm glad that I finished up before 10:00 when JC Penney opened. Even with their entry doors closed, I could feel the heat radiating from the store as I passed by. I was there over the weekend and wanted to take advantage of a sale that ended at 1:00. I took some things into the dressing room to try on but before long I was dripping with sweat and could not wait to get out of there. I can only imagine how hot it is on the upper level.

As predicted, Charlotte's Trinkits is gone, and Crystal Cottage has closed for the rest of the summer and will reopen November 1st. The new store next to Merle Norman still has paper in the windows. The layer of dust continues to build on the display items in the MLC Furniture store entryway. The Game Stop appears to be getting a new sign over the store (unless they are either leaving or moving) and the former jewelry store is under construction.

My parents usually visit the K&W Cafeteria each Sunday and took notice of the reduced crowd this past Sunday. I sign of the times perhaps.