July 2010
Daniel Taylor
July 2 (Friday) 5:00 am

Did I mention "summer doldrums?"  The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us.  Perhaps the doldrums
today are due to the fact that this week we are not working with TVA.  No biggie -- we put in quite a few days
the previous three weeks -- enough to sustain us for now.

Buddy, Sasha, and Patrice made a recent visit to the vet.  Buddy has allergies really bad, and Sasha and
Patrice need their "business" taken care of.  Patrice cannot get fixed right away -- she required her shots
first, but Sasha got left behind and should be coming home today.

July 9 (Friday) 5:30 am

Did I mention "summer doldrums?"  Oh, yeah; I already asked that.  Yesterday was once again a sweltering
one.  Not a thing of interest to report today.  Even television has hit the doldrums.  The Willow Oak crew
continue to be healthy and happy.  I am taking to exposing Ethyl to Sasha and Buddy, little by little, and in
time I hope to be able to let all three roam more freely.  Sasha returned from the vet in good shape and is
doing fine.

July 10 (Saturday) 9:45 am

Overcast and a bit cooler today, but I have been out since 7:00 working on the dog kennels, and I am
drenched in sweat.  I wouldn't mind a few cooler days for a change, but I do not dare complain: it has been
much hotter.

I've allowed Buddy and Sasha more freedom the past few days, but I am not quite ready to turn them loose.  
There is a grated partition between the dogs and the cats, and it is very interesting to watch Buddy lying on
the floor staring at Grace who is lying on the floor just opposite only inches away with the grate between
them.  It is as though Buddy pines for the canine company.  Buddy spent several years as a vagabond in the
woods that surround Willow Oak, but he looks quite contended in his current surroundings.

Sasha likewise shows much interest in the canine crew.

I took the following pictures today:
Lu Lu lounges on the bricks
I stole a candid shot of Patrice in the grass
The largest and smallest creatures at Willie Oak: Oscar and Patrice
Ethyl migrated from her room into Buddy and Sasha's room.  She seems to be relaxed in Buddy's presence.
Long,hard, patient work.  That is what is required to rehabilitate previously lost and abandoned vagabonds.
 Here is Ethyl slowly and timidly allowing herself to be seen by Clyde, Willie, and Grace, as Buddy looks on.
 These are the moments that I work for; that I long for; that I LIVE for!

July 23 (Friday) 8:55 pm

Nearly two weeks have passed since I last visited my journal: it has been a busy time.  Today I worked in 98
degree heat, but got in 8 hours of good work.  The TVA job continues to be sporadic, but it is there.  I am
very tired right now, so perhaps I shall write more tomorrow.

July 25 (Sunday) 5:30 am

5:30 am and sweltering.  Surely I experience the summer climate in the southern United States every year,
and have done so for years,  but this summer does seem to be a little hotter.  I do not recall saying that
about past summers.  Maybe it is hotter.

I have had a few requests recently for my book, of which I still have around a dozen copies.  When those
are gone I shall either have to order some more, or if someone wants one he will have to order a copy from
Amazon.com.

I have been contemplating my position: I do enjoy doing the TVA work.  It is totally different from what I have
done for several years, and the pay more than compensates for the miserable conditions, as does the
scenery; but I am beginning to have a hankering to return to the classroom and teach.  I have put out a few
"feelers," dropped a line or two into the water, and should I receive a bite -- who knows?  Perhaps I may
return to teaching.  My teaching experience is not long -- only 10 years: 8 years of public school and two
years on the junior college level; but teaching is a very entertaining way to make a living.  Could I go back
to computer programming?  I don't know.  For now that does not appeal to me.

The Willow Oak crew surrounds me this morning demanding my attention.  I must answer their call.
Some more Alabama scenery: near the Bankhead National Forest.

July 28 (Wednesday) 9:15 pm

A little past my usual bedtime, but I can stand it.  No TVA work today, but I am scheduled to work near Tupelo
on Friday, and hopefully a few days the week after that.  In the meantime the chipper requires some
maintenance, which I shall perform tomorrow.

Patrice is in heat.  I have not had her spayed yet, but at least all the other dogs have been fixed.  It is cute
to watch her play with Fred, who finds her to be very interesting.  Horace and a couple of the others show
her some attention, but Fred shows the most interest.  Alas, there is nothing that Fred can do about it.

I have recently allowed Buddy, Sasha, and Ethyl to begin mingling with the other cats and so far they are all
getting along fine.  Even Boots and Buddy get along, and Boots and Smoky -- two former mortal enemies --
are getting along a lot better.  What a relief that is.

I have some very sad news, and although I must mention this I cannot dwell upon it.  I have not seen
Thumper for about two weeks.  That is all that I can say about that.