Hot time, summer in the city country.

Back at the Aerie the last two days after busting my hump cutting firewood up at the Bolt Hole. Mark and I made good headway getting trees on the ground and cutting them into lengths for the splitter. Now we just have to haul them up to the barn to be split and stacked for drying.

It's been bloody hot here in the Northern Tier. Yesterday's afternoon high was around 92 and today promises to be just as hot.Despite that, and not having an AC at the Aerie, the nights have been comfortable as the temps drop down into the low 70s. The trick is to keep the hot air out during the day while letting the cool air in at night. Done right, it never gets above 80 inside the log home.

Darn birds woke me up at 5:30 AM yesterday and again today. I imagine they are demanding their food. (We've had to take in the feeders at night or the young bear that is in the neighborhood will take them apart for the sugar water and sunflower seeds.)

Speaking of the bear--it was back again this morning at 7 AM. It wandered up from down the hill passing right through my milkweed patch. I tried to get it to stop for a photo but it booked on down the trail when I called out to it.

Went up to Arnot Mall in Big Flats last night for dinner at the Olive Garden and to do some shopping. The cats have outgrown their litter boxes and we needed deeper trays to contain their output. I wanted a hand truck to haul stone around as some of it is quite heavy. And we did a little tour of the Barnes and Noble for some light reading.

I'll be heading back to the Bolt Hole to haul the trailer to get service on a refrigerator recall. It'll probably be just a two day trip, up and back, with no time to do any more with the wood.

I've got to do some running around today to order some block and stone for the retaining wall. Plus, I have to pick up the five chainsaw chains I dropped off for sharpening yesterday. Don and the boys will be working on the stain and stone again today. Much of the former is done and a good portion of the chimney stone is up. (That's a little slower since Don doesn't want the weight of the faux stone to push those below off. Plus he's pointing the stone--adding mortar to the joints--as he goes along.)

TIme for another cup of jumpstart (as GuyK would say) and then it's off to work. Damn but retirement is a busy time!