While Hiking the Stratford Shores, I Lucked Out with a Free Mini-Library at the End of Someone's Driveway

It was overcast, with no rain, and Karal and I spent her birthday hiking for 90 minutes along the Long Island Sound. Someone built a miniature library since last time we were there and I scored Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, a book Kris, Dave, and Isaiah highly recommended. Something tells me I'm going to want to listen to this one as I hike.

Karal was like, "Why are we stopping? What's that paper apparatus you have in your hand?"

Ah, it was a lucky treasure to find and I can't wait to dig in. I think I'll go back tomorrow and drop off a few books in exchange. Now I want to build a free library of my own, especially with the middle school books I have so that kids walking to and from school can get free reads instead of handing them out at Halloween.

At night, Dominik and Kaitlin had us over for homemade Polish kielbasa and a bonfire. Everything was delicious and the firefly firework display was spectacular. 

The day wiped me out, however. I hit the pillow early and will kick off my day with more yard work and then the England/Italy Euro-Cup this afternoon. Sorry I missed that yesterday was Karal's birthday until halfway through the day. Her paperwork said July 10th, but somehow I didn't put two and two together until a little kid asked me on our walk how old she was. I asked him, "What's today?" and when he said "July 10th," I said, "I believe she's 1 year today." I was right. 

Happy belated birthday, Karalynne Carrot Karma Caramel Cake.

I've only had her a couple of months, and I'm still shaking my head that other families returned her. I don't know why. She has loved every second on Mt. Pleasant and fell into a routine quite naturally. She's mastered numerous tricks and she seems to desire more each and every day. A little petunia, this one. I love that she has a big-dog personality, but is still cuddly and small enough to curl in a lap.

And just like that it is Sunday again. Ah, work weeks. How you manage to ruin a weekend.