For people concerned at Marmalade’s absence from pictures, I started the day taking a picture of him when he came to breakfast. He rarely misses a meal. And this evening, he came closer to me than he has before, so I took another picture.
Breakfast 
Supper
Mistletoe has been unable to see her personal hairdresser, Carol, who has moved on to parts unknown. So, incapable of tolerating her shaggy mopdom any longer, I took clippers to her. It needs to be a two day project, but we definitely got a good start. She was very well behaved, but it is tiring for her, so I decided to give her a break and will tidy her up tomorrow.
Harry was interviewed on the radio today, on the Charlie Brennan and Amy Marxkors show. It concerned sculptures, of course, a popular subject these days, but was mostly about the controversial Chuck Berry Statue in the Delmar Loop. Harry acquitted himself very well, handling a few calls with aplomb. Here is a link to the show if you want to listen to it. Harry came on at 10:20 this morning https://kmox.radio.com/media/audio-channel/whine-line-snoots-statues-july-6th-2020-10-11am
I listened to the program in my car, parked out behind the barn, so as not to distract Harry. He did the interview from the studio. I thought he was very eloquent. As I listened in the car, I realized I had company – the tiniest grasshopper I have ever seen. I took a picture, but it’s not very clear. The grasshopper was impressed, too!
Today I came close to a good “in flight” pileated woodpecker picture! Too bad about the distracting willow background. The quest for perfection continues…
Cats, especially the Maltese cat, Roscoe (the King of Cats) are easier photography subjects.
Mornings are hard for Roscoe 
Roscoe destroys a beautiful feather 
Roscoe is watching… 
…a hummingbird! 
Skittle approaches 
Skittle closeup
Common birds are still beautiful.
Nuthatch 
Contemplative goldfinch
Rebecca came to help with the garden today, laden with flowers and eggs and other delicacies, as always. It’s amazing that she doesn’t get sunstroke, and she never complains. Meanwhile, I am bitching constantly about the heat and sweat. Good thing we are socially distant, or she wouldn’t be able to stand it. Such a wonderful smile, even out of focus (her request).
In focus, here is Harry with a plate of lunch and Rebecca’s lovely flowers on the counter.
Later, Harry and Roscoe relax on the couch.
Oisin splashed in the water tank when I turned the horses out this evening. I thought about joining him…
And finally, there is one good thing about July heat and humidity in Missouri, and that is chanterelles. Here are some on the trail in the woods.
Stay safe, stay well, stay grateful.
Hey, thanks for sharing Harry’s interview! Good to hear his voice and reason. Chuck Berry, bad boy and rock and roll icon! His flaws made him human but his accomplishments, woweeee! Statues are not here to be worshipped, they serve to help us keep our history alive. Without knowledge of our history, we lose our identity and do the same stupid stuff over and over again. It makes me sad to see statues come down. The idea that Chuck’s gotta go is just the voice of willful ignorance. There is the real pandemic of our age. Willful ignorance. We might rather consider revamping educational signage and promotional materials around great works of art. The average citizen suffers a sad lack of knowledge about the rich history that made us. Or the time and study and talent and work it takes to record a memory in bronze, sheeeesh. Education beats destruction when destruction obliterates the truth. Thanks for the rich life you share with us and the safe space to rant. Felt good. Love, L
Oh oh oh and Mistletoe looks marvelous ❤️
Marmalade is moving in, and he will love you, Anne! Cats, they’re smart, right? Good job on Mistletoe, although I prefer O’ Naturel. Plus, Mistletoe looks rather French anyway. LOL Great shot on the woodpecker! Nuthatches are the cutest little birds. Skittle’s markings are wunderbar! I’m multi-lingual today. I love seeing these photos! Let’s see who am I missing, Harry looks great with lunch, and on the couch. Nice haircut, and that million dollar smile. My God, I think you grow smiles at Bronze Fox too! I haven’t listened to the interview. What’s going on with Chuck B? I thought they were just taking down “white folk” statues.