108 degrees

It has been hot, hot, hot here.  On Saturday the temp in the van read 108 degrees F.  According to the news the official high was somewhere in the 90s, but it definitely felt hotter than that in the sun.  Anywhere in the shade was significantly more comfortable.  After growing up in Georgia, the idea that 108 degrees won't melt your eyeballs and that one can actually find respite in the shade is still very strange.  But it is true in California!

Laina and Ian brought the dogs over on Sunday afternoon, so we hung out in the backyard with a bucket of water (Beatrice's "pool") and ate popsicles.  Beatrice was so happy to have Macaroni ("Mah Mah") in the backyard with her.  She was happy to meet Billy / Rigatoni, Laina and Ian's new dog, as well.  But "Mah Mah" is her first love.  She has talked of nothing else all day today.

So today dawned a bit cooler, but it warmed up by noon enough to try out the new pool.  Beatrice enjoyed splashing and looking out at the yard, pointing, and reminding us that "Mah Mah" had been there this weekend.

Saturday we also went up to Laina and Ian's for shrimp BBQ.  Yum.  Beatrice did pretty well, even though we kept her out past her bedtime and it was HOT HOT HOT up in the mountains where they live.

Finally, this one is for you, Uncle Graham, for your birthday.  A rat on a cat on a dog on State Street in Santa Barbara.  They also walk up and down the street with their owner/trainer/insane guy who does this to them, but I managed to catch them in rest mode.  Happy Birthday (next week)!