Cliff and I were in Melbourne, FL for three days spending time with Mark and Jen, two greyhounds and a black cat.  We have no pictures of proof.  Never thought of it.  Time with them was kind of scrambled.  Jen spent the first of our visit with her mother in the hospital in Gainesville and Mark had to fly to Texas Sunday morning for a 6-week concentrated course for his new job, but they still wanted us to be there.  We walked the beach, ate too much, walked the dogs daily, laid around and relaxed, and most of all spent time laughing with family.  Mark finally found employment since moving to Melbourne last October.  During the Christmas rush, he worked for UPS making deliveries in a golf cart wearing shorts. (The golf cart was not wearing jeans!! Mark was,but not going to edit this!) He found it a hoot and enjoyed a no pressure job after so many years working in a job he hated out in Kansas City, MO.  When he interviewed for a position at Comfort Pro HVAC, the owner immediately saw his potential and with Mark's permission, sent him to a 6-week crash course in Texas.  We figure Mark will soon be the owner's right-hand man in the company.  We'll take pictures during our next visit, which will probably be Christmas.

This morning I renewed my friendship with the garden.  I'm no longer angry at the voles.  On a positive note, they have aerated the soil making it easier to pull weeds and work in the garden.  After coffee, a little after 7 am, I wandered down and spent some time weeding to find herbs and flowers thriving between the weeds.  Nature is funny.  There's a weed that mimics the holy basil herb but it can't fool me.  The holy basil leaves have a distinct aroma so I quickly plucked the weeds and chucked them into the woods.  It seems there are no new vole holes but we need to remain alert throughout the summer and fall.  I think I'll try a fall garden this year.