Sundials

Last Friday night at our house began as a quiet evening, with Dan finishing up a late-afternoon project.  I took the pup for a walk and when I returned, my honey was just finishing up in the shower and he arrived in the living room wearing his grey corduroy pants and a decent long-sleeved shirt.  I, of course, thought this meant we were leaving the house.  

With no dinner-making ideas in mind, it may have just been my stomach doing the thinking.  So I coyly suggest how about some soup and grilled cheese.  (It had started to rain - I went the comfort food route.)  But to my surprise, he didn't take the bait (or, he took the bait?).  Whatever.  He said that sounded great.  No burrito run, I gather?  For an encore, we figured it's about time our garden/landscaping plans got some attention.

We sat squished in the living room chair.  Luna just sat there looking like it was MY fault that it was raining.  So we started working on a to-scale-but-neither-or-us-is-measuring-it drawing.  At least this time we're starting with actual real boundaries and angles, relative to the house exterior.  From there the questions came in rapid succession. Can you put the fruit trees there or will they cast shadows on the raised beds?  Where should the compost bin be for adequate sun exposure? Where does the sun set in the summer? If you're in Alaska, what pattern does the sun follow in the sky?  Which one is closest, the tropic of Cancer or Capricorn?  What is the angle of the Earth's axis tilt (excluding the 4 centimeter change after the earthquake in Japan 2 weeks ago)?  Is "due east" in Santa Barbara the same as "due East" in Uganda?  Or New Zealand?  

But really, we only knew the answer to one.  Well, I knew it, but Dan wasn't convinced. (23 degrees).  And we didn't have a globe in front of us.  And we were actually wedged in the chair together.  So, rather than go open the Encyclopedia Britannica (are you kidding me, we aren't in the stone-age: we have it on CD-ROM), we spent about 90 minutes drawing and thinking and trying to figure them out.  

Obviously, pencil and paper is the most practical.  This is what we concluded:

Glad I could clear that up for ya.  Both sun position and our geekiness.  yeah.

After helping in the toddler room this morning, I went to church with poo on my shirt. Makes the meet and greet slightly #awkward.

Dan: "For dinner I just feel like I need something I have to chew." ..he's having roasted asparagus with his (s)moothies and popcorn in honor of O-boy. :)

Inventory of Luna intake: dog food, rope (shredded), leather otter ear, grass, bark, daddy long legs, sausage treats, chips, her own hair, water ...yesterday

Real Up

More story here.

Luna

Last Friday we brought home a furry, four-footed friend!  Luna is adjusting to our home and we are adjusting to life with a third member of the household.  We are becoming a pack.

These days have seen small steps of progress for this sweet girl, who probably missed out on some key socializing in her first few months of life.  But she's been well-loved over the last few months and it shows!  Taking treats from us, accepting small doses of affection, going for walks, chasing her tail, checking out the yard:  each of these is an adventure for Luna and every step forward shows us that in time, she will learn to be a confident and friendly dog.  We know she is sweet and smart, both of which are firm foundations!!

We adopted Luna from K-9 PALS, the volunteer organization who handles the adoptions for the SB County Animal Services. When we met her, she was enjoying pack life in a foster home as she recovered from surgery to correct a floating knee cap.   You wouldn't know it now, except for her coat finishing its regrowth. Bring on the playdates - this girl misses her doggie friends!

Last night she was featured on the local news in a segment about the need for foster homes.  She clearly loves the camera.  =)

Five

Happy Anniversary to my sweet, funny, thoughtful, handy, dashing mate.

You are my favorite.