On the first day of his week vacation, I put Mr. Astor to work finishing the cleaning of leaves from the pool that I began yesterday. The brief tropical storm on Friday had managed to put every available leaf into the pool, and we had to clear it out before it all jammed the filter. It was a lovely afternoon: clearing the leaves, sipping rum and Cokes, and just being silly.

Summer brings in the rainy and growing season. While Mr. Astor worked on the pool, I clipped overgrown plants threatening egress into the back yard.

Still, although most of our northern friends avoid visiting in summer because of the heat, humidity, and hurricanes, we find the lush, tropical setting just fine. The heat and the Latin boys mix oh, so well.

And, when I did decide to join Mr. Astor in the pool, I made sure to protect that delicate, Yankee skin of mine. The two of us had a fun time and will be off to visit Susie at Twist's BBQ at six.