Last night I set up the little tent even though rain was predicted for early this morning.  I don’t mind the sound of a bit of rain when I’m camping, but Katie is definitely an anti-rain girl, so she stayed inside with her Dad.  I spent the night listening to the bullfrogs, traffic on the freeway a mile away and the breeze in the trees.

Sometime during the night I woke up hot, and sat up to unzip the window coverings.  Outside, across the yard and under some trees were dozens of fireflies!  These were the first I’ve seen this summer and there were seemingly hundreds of them – dancing among the branches and in the long grass of the dark night shadowed lawn.  I watched and held my breath – they looked just like magical fairies  dancing in the night and I was entranced.  Finally sleep claimed me again and I didn’t wake until I heard the gentle patter of morning rain on the roof.  I lay there and enjoyed that too, wallowing in this opportunity to sleep past 6:30, Katie’s normal “got to get going Mom!” time.

When I finally ventured back into the house, about 8 a.m. I found Katie curled on the sofa, nose hanging over the arm, facing the front door (waiting for me to come home?) sound asleep.  Such a guard dog.   I snuck right up on her and she only had time for a quick yip before she was all wiggles and tale wags and licky-licks.  As I was petting her I suddenly realized that Katie had an appointment this morning!  She was supposed to be at the groomer…like right NOW!  As soon as I started to quickly move around the house, getting myself dressed Katie realized what was up and went to hide.  Silly (smart!) girl!  She shook all the way to the groomer and was visually shaking when I handed her over to the groomer.  I felt so bad I apologized to her, which probably made it worse.

While Katie was getting a bath, and probably talking ill of me to all the other doggies, I got a lot of gardening done.  Husband has planted more than a dozen trees and they all needed watering, there were weeds to grab, and a bed of wildflowers to plant.  All done without interruption, because chief interrupter was off getting groomed.

I was going to sleep out in the tent again tonight.  But thunderstorms are predicted, so I guess I’ll sleep inside.  Good thing, because as gusty winds came up this afternoon my little tent rolled across the back yard.  Guess I should have staked it down.

Katie is now back from the groomer.  She looks pretty!

She’s a bit mad at me, but was willing to do a bit of recall given I had treats!

Now she’s sleeping, the better to keep me up tonight when it’s thundering.  A Sheltie has to be prepared at all times you know.