Actually, it’s not over! At least not here in the USA. Happy Labor Day, folks. Unless you are in food service, retail, or public service, you probably have the day off. We have no real plans. For me, it’s just another Monday. Which means I’m sitting here on my computer doing what I normally do on a Monday–sipping coffee and silently cursing my characters for not falling into line and doing what they’re told. The happy news is that our less-hot weather is still in place. Yippee. Labor Day weekend tends to be one of the hottest of the summer in these parts. The weather gurus are saying 70s and 80s for highs all this week. Yippee.

In wildlife news, I’m thinking permanent cool might be early this year. The birds, squirrels and hummingbirds are votracious in their eating habits. There’s constant traffic at the hummingbird feeder and I could fill the bird feeders twice a day and they’d still be emptied by sundown. Same fore the squirrel feeders. This keeps up, I’m gonna go broke. Permanent cool works for me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fan of cold weather but cool? I’m all over that!

In writing news, I’ve added new words. Wednesday’s Words were fun to write but I’ve also managed to rather mundane words that I hope aren’t too boring to move the story along without doing one of those irritating (in my mind) jump cuts. I really need to get myself in hand and get this damn book written. Sadly, since my health issues, trying to get back on track has been a total PITA.

Speaking of PITAs, Toby has a new nickname. He is now PITA Pup. That said, he made his public debut Saturday evening. The family gathered to celebrate LG’s belated birthday and Uncle FixIt’s upcoming birthday. Since PITA Pup can’t be trusted at home alone, he is now officially in Service Dog Training. He has a vest and everything. And yes, I am seriously training him. Jake is 10 now. He’s slowing down. When we rescued Toby, it was with the idea that he’d be trained too, as back up and then eventually, step into Jake’s harness when he retires. Anyway, Toby is starting to understand heel and work on a leash but “sit”, “down,” and “stay” are beyond him. 🤣 With seven people, one in a wheelchair, and now two LARGE service dogs, it’s an adventure to eat out as a family. We went to Loui’s on the Lake and sat on the patio. They allow non-service dogs out there because it literally has a gate that opens onto one of the walking trails around the lake. Jake went down and stayed as usual. Toby was up, sit, down, up, sit, down constantly and he only barked at passing dogs a couple of times. Progress. He’s still chewing inappropriate items but I did wake up Sunday morning to nothing untoward. That’s progress. I’m hoping he has a strong constitution and things “pass” easily.

Pete and Toby have entered the Cold War phase of their relationship. In the meantime, Loki is playing Spy vs. Spy. He’s the black hat obviously, since he’s a black cat and Toby has white fur. It can be amusing to watch.

In reading news, I’ve mostly finished off the Elder Races series. I’m currently working on the Fogg Lake trilogy by Jayne Ann Krentz. The books are set in her Arcane Society world. Two of the audio books are “on loan” through my Audible membership, but they are due back by September 9th. The middle book is available from the library. I own a LOT of her books but I’d go broke buying all of them LOL JD Robb’s newest drops tomorrow. It’s on the list for later.

On that note, I need more coffee. The next chapter waits for no writer. Or something like that. Anyway, off to work I go. Enjoy your holiday and have a great week!