It’s August, it’s hot and dry here in Maryland. Normal right? Well, except for the 100 degree days, but the dryness? That’s becoming typical too. We are down about 8 inches here from our normal rainfall, but compared to some of the other states now experiencing record drought conditions, that is nothing. As we hear of farmers and ranchers selling off stock they can’t feed and the Mississippi is down 20 ft in places, along with Lake Michigan recording a water temperature in the 90’s, I think Maryland is getting off easy comparatively speaking. But we will feel it, make no doubt about it. Higher food prices, higher costs in transportation, we are all woven together. A small ripple here becomes a tidal wave there.
So I would like to think that the Olympics in Great Britain are generating tidal waves of good feelings that are crashing upon the shores of many nations. I love watching athletes from all over the world competing and (mostly, what was with those badminton teams?) giving it their best. Did you see that rower from Niger? Never been in a boat, never rowed before, came in dead last and grinned like crazy! And then there is Michael Phelps putting on a show of remarkable physical ability, great team spirit and a happiness that I will remember for some time to come. So many wonderful moments this week from the women competing whether it was gymnastics, swimming, Judo, weightlifting, or women in head scarves running like the wind. I am just glued to my set and don’t see that changing until the very last whistle is blown and the torch goes out. How about you? Are you watching?
So this is what I have been reading in between watching the Olympics:
Monday: The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane
Tuesday: When Forever May Not Be Long Enough by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael
Wednesday: The Florist by Serena Yates
Thursday: Priceless by M.A. Church
Friday: Suicide Point by Georgie Leigh
Saturday: Brook Street: Thief by Ava March
Now on to this Sunday’s Feature Cocktail. In a nod to the British Olympics, here is the recipe for a Pimm’s Cup. This recipe is for one drink. Make as many as you like!
Pimm’s Cup Ingredients:
About 1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) Pimm’s No. 1
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) ginger beer or ginger ale
1 cucumber slice
1 sprig fresh mint (5 to 6 leaves)
Directions:
Fill highball glass with ice. Add Pimm’s, then top with ginger beer, garnish with cucumber slice and mint sprig, and serve.
Now I am off to watch the Olympics and finish Megan Derr’s Poison, the 4th book in the Lost Gods series.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
We’ve definitely been watching TV a lot. It’s been great to see all the athletes and watch their responses. I’m very impressed with the British team’s performance. I do feel badly for the athletes who seem to be expected to win gold and then are roundly thrashed by the media and others when they don’t. It’s better it seems to be the underdog, sadly. Still, fun to watch it all.
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Sometimes I think half the drama and supposed athletes feuds are media induced. Just look at all those happy to be there and then someone asks a Silver Medalist how they feel about losing! Come on. That’s ridiculous.
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