It was a fluke

Just when I thought there was a chance of salvaging this vacation, I found cat pee on one of the dog beds this morning. After my shower, the dogs and I went to the house to do some laundry. I thought about bringing the cats instead and leaving them there, but I had this crazy thought that they will adjust in time. And I didn't want to go home tomorrow to find that they'd peed on the sofa again! I came back with cleaned dog beds and a bottle of Feliway, a cat pheremone that is supposed to relax them. I've sprayed it around, but who knows if it will affect them.

On my way back, I tried to remember that I was on vacation. So, I made a slight detour for this:

Mmmm! A blueberry/pomegranate ice cream cone! I thought about the chocolate with peanut butter, and it was a tough choice, but I think I made an excellent decision.

On the way back I stopped for a photo op with my knitting. That photo will be the next contest on the shop's facebook page. I made the first one easy on purpose, in the hope that it would generate interest. This one may not be as easy, but it sure is not too difficult.

I have been doing some knitting, now that my hands are back to (almost) where they were before the injury. We are doing a mystery sock knit-along in the shop now. I know the pattern and I release a clue each week to the participants. I have been able to do both socks to the point where I had hoped one would be. SockAmy is as complete as she can be. I think the other four are well behind. That's OK. I don't have a deadline. They will have the complete pattern next week, and can finish the sock at their leisure. I am really enjoying the yarn. I had signed up for WhimzyPinzy's Sheepless Sock Club last year. Each month a different member would develop the colorway. I call mine "A Night In" and it is supposed to evoke thoughts of tawny port and chocolate. I have tried to turn it into several socks and failed. This is the right one for this yarn and I am thrilled with how it is working up!

I have been reading Greg Mortenson's book, Three Cups of Tea, at Bill's suggestion. This book is an unbelievable read! I have a lot of trouble putting it down. I am depressed by the conditions under which people try to live, the outrageous neglect of the government, and the fierce spirit of the people. I am uplifted by his accomplishments and astounded by the way the Wahhabi can build hundreds of extremist madrassas and erase his schools' efforts in the blink of an eye. I am riveted by the story. I can't wait to get to his other book, Stones into Schools, which details Mortenson's efforts in Afghanistan (the other book is about his efforts in Pakistan). I love that the culture is so ingrained in the people. I can't think of any American customs that we have that are similar. In a way, that is sad. I remember from living in Japan that there were certain customs that had to be observed. Even something as simple as not pouring your own drink and waiting for someone to pour it for you.

I have let my fitness fall by the wayside lately. I don't think I have done anything since my "fastest two miles" last week. I had fully intended to do some running this vacation. I brought running gear and CrossFit gear. Too many sleepless nights and steaming hot mornings have crushed my desire. Tomorrow I am taking the cats to the vet for urine tests. I am going to leave them there for as long as it takes to get a collection. I will renew my commitment to fitness on Tuesday. I have a 5k in less than two weeks, so I need to get back to training soon! I really want to keep this up and make it a lifestyle change. I want to do it, but there have been some obstacles this week. I hope next week will be far less eventful.

And I will leave you with the view from the campsite. This should have been a relaxing vacation, but sadly it was not.