Where did the summer go?

I finally realize that Labor Day is just a couple of weeks away, and can't believe the summer is almost gone.  Of course we in Sacramento don't see any break in summer weather for a while.  I moved in late spring, but haven't done any summer activities such as camping and getting out in nature that I've enjoyed all my life.  I guess my dog and my garden are all the nature and wildlife I get to experience this summer.

The dog is getting much better although he will be a puppy for a while yet.  He breaks down when someone comes to the door, and then he wants to show his pure love and enjoyment by jumping all over them.  I don't know what I can do to ease that situation, and can only hope that time will help him settle down a bit.   (I do have an e-collar that I put on him when we go for a walk, and sometimes when someone comes to the door.  The vibration option usually works on the walks, but nothing can calm him down when we get a visitor at the door.

My garden is still producing although I've pulled out a couple of tomato plants that dried up, and am trying to decide if I should pull up some of the squash plants as well.  I still get one or two squash/zucchini a day, and they are a big part of my daily diet.  I build my meals around them and wonder what I'll do at the end of the season.  I'm getting out seeds that I hope to get into the ground this coming weekend, although I can only do any gardening after the sun moves over the house and to the west.  Even then the temperature is still hot, and I often wait until 7pm or so to do any work at all in the garden.  The marigolds are really nice and I'm glad they finally decided to bloom - at least a few of them have.

I think I posted that Donald has cut a section of noodle for the killer bed, but didn't have a photo of it.  Here it is:

My passport expires this November and I'm thinking about renewing it.  I hope it isn't too much of a hassle or else I won't bother.  I've had a passport for 30 years, plus l the one I got when I traveled on official business.  I almost certainly will never travel out of the country again, but one never knows.  I might not ever travel outside the state of California again either!  It breaks my heart when I look at the photo on my first passport compared to the last one, and I know the next will really show me as an old hag!  I no longer wear make-up but am thinking about buying some to see if it might take a few years off!

I visited the opthmologist today and it seems that everything is pretty good with my eyes, although what I actually see is deteriorating.  If that is the way it's to be, then so be it.  He once again assured me that I won't go blind.  The waiting room was crowded and I watched people come in and go out supported by walkers, canes, etc.  Dang, I don't want to have to do that.  But I don't want to fall again either.  Right now I'm icing my knee and wish I could get some relief from the pain.  It's not excruciating, but it is still painful.  I try to weigh the fact that I'm falling apart physically, against all the knowledge and experience I have gained along the way of my life.  I've had a wonderful life and hope to continue for a while, but darn, I wish I could be young and pretty again for even one day!

It's time to start preparing my dinner, which is going to be a baked, marinated wild salmon filet, with a side of - ????? - you guessed it, zucchini!