More catching up

Busy lately, and that's something I rarely say. My great nephew is back for the summer. He's staying with me one night a week. This summer, I'm teaching him how to play backgammon, the fine art of sarcasm, and introduced him to Sherlock. He's growing up, and we're having fun together.

I'm still volunteering at the charity bookshop when I have a good day. It's wonderful to get out for a few hours, but when I return home, I have to sleep away the rest of the day. It's too easy to overdo things.

I've begun making backgammon boards. These first ones aren't very fancy, and I'm still learning the process. I'd like to get good enough at making them to sell someday. So far, they look like an elementary school art class project. Still, it's a nice hobby, and I enjoy it. Using the lighted magnifier to work on them can only be done for a few minutes at a time. I'd love to have a more powerful one, but have had no luck finding any.

My gentleman friend took me on a cruise, and also to South Texas to see my Dad. We had a lovely time. I got some Christmas ornaments to add to my collection from various ports. We're planning another one soon. It's his vacation of choice. I liked it, but I'd prefer to go someplace and explore, like a city or a resort. Still, I expect that we'll have a wonderful time.

Speaking of Dad... He turned 84 yesterday. My sister and her husband moved Dad out to their home near Reno recently. He's settling in well, especially now that he has his baseball package on cable set up. I'm glad he's living with them. He's not driving anymore, and there's a lot of family out there to take him to doctors and shopping.

I'm listening to a show on super massive black holes. Fascinating to learn about. Would love to see what they're showing. Not enough sight to do more than guess, so I'll listen.

Overdid it by cleaning house this morning. I'm planning on sipping cocoa and taking a nap. Should be human again by evening.

Last overnight with the great nephew. We've baked chocolate banana oatmeal cookies, drank too much root beer, talked for hours, and are currently marathoning Doctor Who. I'm going to miss him when he returns to Fort Worth for the school year. We've become friends as well as family over the years, and I treasure that.

Enough for now...