Blogal warming (Shirley’s title)

It was a real scorcher today. The lake was the main attraction for most of us. Even here up north, a cool mountain breeze was hard to come by. Birch Point gradually filled up with weekenders as the day unfolded, looking hot and bedraggled, ready to jump in the lake after sizzling all day in the city.

Gilly had what I’d call a relatively good day. The heat never bothers him. He even went so far as to remove his shirt, shoes and socks for awhile. He ate a fair bit (starting off with Grandma Shirley’s nectarine pancakes). We took a short walk after breakfast and he did a little ‘ball’ work after lunch (the bare minimum required). He stole a late afternoon nap for 45 minutes (in his estimation; 1 hour and 45 minutes in Susie’s) out on the porch while Liylah and Buddy entertained the rest of us at the beach. He has very little energy, but I’m guessing it’s the tapering of the Decadron so I’m not overly concerned.

It was hysterical to watch Liylah, quite large with white and black fur running along the shore chasing and barking at the waves, with teeny tiny Buddy following her, neck and neck, his hair as white as snow. They made a beautiful moving picture with the greenery, blue sky and bluish green water as their backdrop. Every move Liylah made, Buddy copied, yelping all the way. My mother called them Mutt and Jeff; they couldn’t be more different from one another, but have become fast friends (although Liylah’s still not clear on what all the yelping is about. She’s too busy chasing waves to care, though). They will both sleep well tonight. I may find it rather sticky; it’s that hot!

Susie and Joey were here for Shabbat. I noticed that the only thing missing (besides Gilly’s strength, of course) is our children.