THE LAST OF SUMMER, MAYBE

 October 4 evening-81° supper on the deck.

Buddy at his Pepperville outpost. The pool heater cover to his left is the Eastern outpost.

Perhaps the final day with temps in the 80's. Here in Michigan, we have a ritual in the Fall where we ask "Is this the last day of summer warmth until April?" Later on in the month, we may get some nice days but rarely 80° or more. And, if it's after a frost, this is known as Indian Summer.

C was standing on the deck picking some cherry tomatoes to go with her supper and commented "this is a nice organic vending machine".

We have found that Buddy's version of cat crazies go beyond the typical tearing around the place at high speed. We were eating supper and I saw him jump down from Pepperville to the East. He gave a weird, high pitched meow while charging the calla lilies, then pivoted back, twisting in the air, hitting the ground once then leaping atop the Eastern outpost-in one motion. "Wow" said C, "he gets the "flash cat crazies". "He's a budding Baryshnikov!" I replied.

Spaghetti western showdown at the Diner:

Play .55 second snippet below