Today is a delight. The sun is in all its glory framed by a blue sky with a few puffy clouds. Today is flannel shirt weather at 41˚. I went out on the deck with the dogs, did a little trash clean-up and watched Nala run the yard with a bone in her mouth. Both dogs have been in and out all morning.

Last night I spent quite a while with Jack. I had my iPad and tapped that with one hand while I scratched and patted Jack with the other. After quite a while of non-stop pats, I think Jack got bored. He decided to lie down on the other end of the bed. I then cleaned the litter box and left Jack asleep. He was purring the whole time.

Yesterday I went to the dump. My trunk was so filled with trash I had trouble closing it. The backseat was filled with boxes, newspaper and cans.

I am watching the worst movie, Battle of Los Angeles. Aliens have attacked the city for the second time since 1942, their first assault. I haven’t seen an alien, but I have seen their small fighter ships taken down by hand guns belonging to seven soldiers, the entire cast aside from the dead soldiers, all killed in dramatic fashion. The heroine with a katana sword jumped off a building, landed on the scout ship and thrust the sword through the top, thus disabling the ship which subsequently blew up. She is from a secret defense group with underground headquarters. I do not know a single actor. I did recognize a stolen line from Independents Day, ” I got to get me one of those.”

When I was a kid, I loved science fiction books and black and white science fiction movies and serials on TV like Buck Rogers and Gene Autry’s The Phantom Empire from 1938. I watched every episode on Saturday mornings. I always figured there were aliens and some lived among us. I’m thinking of a neighbor who used to live down the street.

Today did not have an auspicious beginning. I slid out of bed. The topper had moved beyond the mattress. When I was helpless on the floor, both dogs came after me for their morning pats and scratches. I was a bit overwhelmed by their attention and couldn’t get off the floor. I was stuck. It took me a little while to pull myself up off the floor with two dogs licking me while I struggled. When I got up, the dogs were disappointed. Meanwhile, Jack was meowing for attention. He got it.

The rain started yesterday and continued into the morning. My clean floor disappeared under the onslaught of wet paws. The prints go from the kitchen door all the way down the hall. I’ll wait until the rain stops to clean.

It was early for me, 8:30, when I went to get the paper. I was amazed at the warmth despite the rain. It is 41˚though the day will get colder as it passes. I don’t care. I am staying home today. I have no errands or appointments. The dump is closed on Tuesday so that will wait until tomorrow.

I feared I was being gaslighted. Crooked pictures are one of my bugaboos, and I found many about the house yesterday. After giving some thought to it and disregarding ghosts, I realized my cleaning lady was the culprit. When she dusted the frame rims, the pictures got crooked, and that’s where they stayed until I went through the house straightening them all. I also went about the house returning objects to their original spots on tables and such. When Maria dusts them, she just puts them down anywhere on the table. I figure at least they’re dusted.

When I was a kid, the living room was where we spend the most time. That’s where the TV was, that giant cabinet with a tiny screen. The couch was on the longest wall. My father always read his paper while sitting on the comfy chair near the picture window. I usually sat on the floor to watch TV. I thought it was the best seat in the house even though I was flirting with going blind.

Yesterday two real person came to visit for bit. I think I chatted non-stop. I gave a play by play of life on the inside. She too lives mostly inside, but we’re both okay. We have our books which keep us content and wonderfully fill our time. My second visit was quick, a handoff of the most delightful gift. My neighbor brought me the most amazing chocolate cake. I swear it weighted pounds with all the frosting and the layers. It quenched my hunger for chocolate.

I love my neighbors. I get messages from my neighbor across the street offering comfort and any help I might need. The chocolate cake neighbor also shoveled me out last week. I don’t see people often but I don’t feel alone. I have folks who give me happiness with their words and their mighty gifts.