Awesome August Rain!

I should be painting today, but we received 2 1/2 inches of rain during the night last night and there is a good chance of more rain today.  The thunder and lightning was so loud it woke me up during the night, and the wind was howling also!  It reminded me of some of the times it stormed just like that last year while I was on my hike and I was in my tent, praying that I would not get blown of the top of the mountains!  Last night I was so thankful to be indoors!

Yesterday, a year ago, I met these two happy guys up in New Hampshire!

This is Jerryatric and Peppermint!  Jerryatric lives in Ft.Worth, Tx. and Peppermint lives in Nashville, Tn. and they are both college professors.  Jerryatric began his thru-hike six years ago and has been back each year since then to do another section in his attempt to complete it.  He made it to Katahdin last year and summited  the day after I did!  Peppermint fell, just before the Kennebec River in Maine, and broke his ankle and had to be rescued and had surgery, so he still lacks a little finishing his hike.  I could not keep up with these two guys, however I would catch up with them sometimes at shelters or in towns.  Tom and I have met up with Jerryatric and his wife , Jane, for dinner a couple of times since our hike.

 I think I have eaten my weight in watermelon this summer!  They have been so sweet and juicy and delicious!  On a hot day, there is not a better snack that a big slice of  ice cold watermelon!  My horse, Tex, loves the watermelon rinds, once we've eaten all we want out of it!

Mary Ann and I are still meeting twice a week for a 7+mile walk, and yes, BooBoo is enjoying walking again!

Had lunch with my Saddlebag women friends on Thursday.  There were 13 of us at lunch!  Do you think maybe because we were all talking at one time, it got a little loud??!!

Evie and Mary W. apparently think so!!   What great fun and fellowship it is with these gals!

Wow! Only 24 more days to get ready for Ireland!