Here's Bobbie literally holding down the fort at Bob's Beach Books yesterday. It was so windy in Lincoln City that vendors would periodically need to throw their own bodies over their wares to keep them from escaping with the wind. It was a gorgeous day in spite of the big wind and we ended up selling many books. It was our first time to market the new pika book so we were extra excited about our sales. Coincidentally, the Oregonian featured a story and big photo about pikas and how they are reacting to climate change in Friday's paper. You can see the laminated article in the lower left corner of the above photo. Also notice Bobbie's hand protecting the pika books while her hair blows in the brisky wind. We celebrated with a little dinner at Kyllo's. Bobbie loved her fish tacos and I liked my clam chowder and salad a lot. We topped the day off by sharing some darn good marionberry cobbler and I still managed not to exceed my powerpoints allowance for the day. Yay! (A Fitness report should appear within a few days.)

A Boobs Clea Summer

My grandgirls have been Barbie obsessed for the last two years. They have an embarrassing number of the anatomically exaggerated dolls and drawersfull of their accessories in addition to the amazing Dream House that Grampa and I gave them last Christmas. There are also Barbie cars, campers, and airplanes to transport all the Barbies and their Liv doll friends anywhere around the bonus room they may wish to go. I'm glad the girls are smart, artistic, brave people who have many other interests in their lives in spite of the fact that they always seem to fall back on dramatic play with the army of Barbies.

The extended Barbie family greeted two new members this summer. They are, I think, Liv dolls and their names are, uh, Boobs Clea and Boobs Clea. They are fraternal twins. One is Caucasian and the other is African American. They both have long flowing hair and blue eyes. Last I saw of them they were both naked from the waist up and it's easy to see why they received the names they have.

The girls are perfectly serious about these dolls. They are not being disrespectful with their choice of names. They explain to me that the girls were actually named Clea by their mother but as they grew up (they're 19 now) , their friends were impressed with their looks and started calling them Boobs out of admiration and respect. Oh, and by the way, their mother named them both Clea when they were born because she really liked that name.

Amy (Mary and Alicia's mother) sometimes has to explain the origin and birth of the two Cleas when the girls are engaged in play with them. They make several references to them that anyone in the play area can hear so guests get that puzzled look on their faces when they hear someone calling for Boobs Clea. Amy then feels obligated to explain.

I didn't play with Barbies when I was young. I think they weren't around in the 50's when I was a kid. And I never really understood their charm, if you can call it that. They always seemed like overdressed, over mature girls who went to the Prom too many times. But I tell you what: I sure am intrigued by the advent of Boobs Clea.

The Wellness of August

Creaky bones and joints; stiff muscles and a touchy back; too many large portions with cheese this and chocolate flavored that have all done so much damage over time that I have declared August to be my personal wellness month. I dragged myself back to Weight Watchers last week where I happily learned that participants get more points than ever and all fruits and most vegetables are now "free" all the time. What a deal. So as I get hungry (now for instance), I can dig around for some berries and carrots anytime I want to. Not that I think those make the best snacks, but I'm trying to do the re-thinking required here. I thought I would be bothered by the amount of Weight Watching thinking that I have to do, but as my daughter says, "When are you NOT thinking about food anyway?" That's just way too true. So good-by regular cheese and hello to reduced fat Tillamook! So long butter and mayo and greetings to mustard and tomatoes! One month. One month at a time.

Another part of the Wellness of August is the personal trainer. Her name is Angie and she is the big buck item in this project. I had my first hour session today and survived with minimal sweat and still able to breathe comfortably. I'm sure this will change as she gets to know what my body needs to get itself running more smoothly but I really like having a live person to help me understand my aging body. No hiding in the back row of the aerobics class here! She is sensitive to my recent arm injury, gets it about my bad back and doesn't laugh at my work out outfits that aren't really outfits at all. Rather, they are just a practical application of old shorts and a clean everyday t-shirt. No fancy shoes either. I'm in this for the long haul and want to spend my health dollars on nutritious food and sound exercise instruction.