I'm celebrating freedom from constant physical pain. Recovery from hip replacement is going well.

We're not free from the heat here. It's 4:00 AM and there's zero breeze, 80F (24C) 90% humidity which creates a heat index of 83F. Yesterday was the hottest ever recorded temperature for inland parts of the State. Plus there's already been a massive hurricane in the Caribbean, which is waaay early. And it's not yet August. September is usually peak hurricane month.《this is my concerned face》

I'm 53 years old. I'm sitting in my underwear, eating junk food and watching Gilligan's Island. (The one with "the Mosquitos," is on next.)

Life hasn't really changed much since I was 7.

I am 60 years old and therefore I know which episode of Gilligan's Island that is.

Finally faced facts that Maine summers aren't getting any cooler and had a heat pump installed. It's amazing; in fact it keeps the house TOO cold and I'm still trying to figure out the right temperature and fan speed settings.

My elderly kitty Victoria has kidney disease and a limited prognosis and so I am trying to give her more pets and snuggles and just generally appreciate her as much as possible. And her sister as well.

We have a collegiate summer league baseball team in my town this year, and except for the 3rd baseman they are . . . . awful. So awful that it's almost enjoyable. Their record is something like 2-11? 2-12? I've lost track and the league doesn't pay much attention to updating the standings online. It doesn't quite make up for having been born too late to see the '62 Mets, but it's still kind of fun, and I love going to a game that's only 10 minutes from my house and only costs 5 bucks and they hit so many foul balls into/over the stands that they ask you to please give them back so they don't run out.

I am 65, in relatively good health (other than old-lady medication for high blood pressure and a daily statin). I am delighted at the election result, other than the five Reform MPs who should fall into a burning pit.

All is well here, Rudi had a fang removed last week and is on antibiotics and fancy cat pate until he's all better.

I just hope the weather picks up. This is the coldest, wettest summer I can remember. I am sitting here in my thick Land's End winter fleece pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt and a thick chenille sweater. It's barely stopped raining. We've had a few warm days, but no sustained period of good weather.

It's played havoc with the garden - none of my veg have germinated, berries aren't ripening, it's been a bonanza for slugs and snails, plants come into bud but then the rain and cold stop the flowers from opening, and I've hardly seen any bees at all. Friends all over the country have reported the same. The dearth of bees is worrying, we can't survive without them.

Next week I'm going to a Retreat at a a country house in Lincolnshire. It looks amazing - yoga, meditation, art and pottery, walks in the forest, a pool, a spa, lovely food.

Well, Little Lord PateFace is ready for his next serving (this time with hidden antibiotics) so I'd better tend to his needs ...