Summertime

It's 83 degrees out and not quite yet noon. Just finished mowing the lawns. It was 75 when I started and it's suppose to hit the mid-90's before the day is over. Tried to balance rising temp with the fact that it is Sunday morning as to when to start lawnmower.

When I was cleaning up, washing off the mower, sweeping the driveway I could hear the sounds of kids playing in the distance. The yelling and screaming. I can't see them, but imagine them running through a sprinkler and splashing in a kiddy pool set up in the backyard as they chase each other around, burning off some of the boundless energy that kids have. I could also hear some crows scolding the kids, adding their voices to the the sounds echoing over the neighborhood.

I put the mower away, that chore done for at least another week, and go rest with my feet up, a cool drink and the tv remote. What more could you ask for?

Yesterday was the second annual Portland Pen Show. We went last year and got good deals on some very nice pens. This year was no different. I scored a Visconti Opera Club fountain pen, Summertime color. Check it out


Looks nice and writes like a dream. A new favorite....

We also got a Namiki fountain pen with a dragon hand painted on the barrel. It will take a bit more practice with the camera to get pictures that do it justice.

Back to work tomorrow. Last two weeks of the fiscal quarter for us. The usual scrambling. Our ISO auditor is scheduled to visit for a couple of days at the end of August. We have started preparation meetings. Time to dust out the cornors, double check to make sure that we have the evidence that shows we follow our procedures. It is also review time. The managers have until close of business this Friday to give us our reviews. Not having anyone working for me, I don't have to worry about giving reviews. I only have to worry about receiving one. The first rule of reviews is "No Suprises". This will be my first review from this boss. Always a little apprehension before a first review.

This Tuesday, besides a staff meeting, and an ECO Review Meeting I'm scheduled to give whole blood after lunch. The Red Cross comes to Etec three or four times a year to harvest. I've been lucky the last several time in that the whole blood donation date fell in the middle between my monthly hemaphersis donation appointments. I believe I'm working on my 21st or 22nd gallon of blood products donated. All I know is it's a lotta time with needles in my arms but for a good cause.