One of the hens is cackling, so we might be getting an egg. Somebody tried to crow this morning, so it won't be long before one of our young Buff Orpingtons goes away. Not sure which one yet. I will be sad, but I can do it. 

I ate the last of the cookies yesterday, so had to make more. I started to mix the dough, but put it in the fridge overnight. I thought of it pretty early this morning, but it was too hard to work with for an hour or so. We had breakfast and went for a walk and then I had to come in and bake cookies. It was really a little too hot to have the windows open, but sometimes you just have to bend the rules a little. There not really rules, anyway, just guidelines! They are oatmeal-raisin cookies and they didn't really turn out right. They spread and stuck to the pan, so it was hard to get them off in one piece. They're not very pretty. But, I just had one and they taste pretty wonderful. I used butter instead of Crisco, in the name of using less processed and packaged things. The weather probably didn't help, but if I had put in a little more flour, they would have held together better. Fortunately, they are not for any special event, but for me! (and my Dad). 

I watered the big garden last night for almost an hour, so that was good. There are a couple small zucchini and some cucumbers I left for my Dad to pick. Most everything looks pretty healthy, except those *C**c>?>< broccoli. I guess we should just dig them up and plant something else. I dug up the garlic this morning--they are maybe the best ever, beautiful big heads. They're drying on the front porch now. I'll get my Dad to pick out the best ones to plant in the fall. The potatoes are ready to dig too. 

Yesterday, Gini came for me to help with her computer. We downloaded Quicken from the App Store and she is excited about it. They have a new (used) Prius--and a new Credo iPhone...copycats! 

Last night was a small potluck and choir rehearsal. I made a lentil-apple-potato salad that was pretty good. I think there's some left over, too.

I picked two pounds of blueberries yesterday and two pounds of yellow beans. When we came back last night, I had to cook and freeze them, so we got to bed kind of late, especially because the episode of Miss Fisher that we watched was a little more intense than they usually are. 

I probably could have picked more beans this morning, but the cookie baking took up some of my best outdoor time. That bed was in sun by the time I got out again. The three blueberry bushes near the house were still shaded, though. I picked another pound and a half--amazing! And a few blackberries as well. They are all really beautiful this year. 

Picking the blueberries is almost a meditative activity for me. The birds are singing, Cameron is nearby. Sometimes I hear a chicken noise. I have to focus and refocus to see the ripest, blue-black berries among the green leaves and brown branches. There are clumps of light-green small hard berries. One or more may be turning pink or even dark purply-red. I check the ones that might be ready by pulling gently on them. If they resist, I leave them until they are riper. The sweetest, tastiest blueberries fall into your hand when you tug the slightest bit.