It has taken all these years for me to appreciate Stevie Ray Vaughn. Just by chance, I found a tape of his Montreaux performance on cable last night and couldn't walk away. What I heard before was noise, but what I heard last night was wicked and wonderous.

Today on The Mountain, and for the next few days, they are having a Tom Petty extravaganza in preparation for his performances next week.

Mm-mmh!

This morning we walked east on Upland with the world all to ourselves. As Roxie was taking a sniff, Sugar jabbed at me and directed my attention toward the sunrise. 3 young bucks were crossing the over down the street. Then a 4th came through the trees. Unusual, since we normally see only 1 buck with does or with a family.

Roxie and Hansel have been showing us the world that is our neighborhood. Mornings are best but evening walks with spectacular sunsets over the Front Range aren't bad either.

I can hear the crickets outside now. It's a cloudy late summer morning along the Front Range. Recently we found a great little solar water fountain at Plow and Hearth and it's changed the feel of the front yard. We just filled a galvanized tub with water and plunked it in - when the sun came out the next day, it started up. If it drifts into the shade of the fence post, the spray stops. Then starts right back up when it drifts back. I think about 1/2 inch evaporates every day.

This has been a year for garden projects. We cleaned out and mulched the front walk (well, we're half way done), finished the front fence, put the fountain in. Sweetie put in some pavers on the west side of the house that look nice and we put in a little fountain that I got for half price at King Soopers. We found a way to install a garden umbrella so we have a some shade on the front terraced area. Planted a grape for Sweetie and a Mountain Mahogany. I think I have a Rue bush out back - there was no label. If it is, it'll come in handy to ward off curses on the home. Oh, and hollyhocks - planted 3 of them after visiting the Hollyhock House in Hollywood. We expanded and neatened up the compost pile in the front yard.

I found a great garden center in Lafayette that has some amazing plants on sale. Last year I got a garden mirror there that I love. Had it up by the front door, but the high winds knocked it down so I brought it inside.

The other great pleasure of the summer has been long walks with the pups and swimming.

All in all, a great summer - lots of production.