It's a New Orleans jazz kind of night at the lakeside bar.
 
Between thunderstorms, the music and ambience are breathtaking.

I wonder if anyone listens to Johnny Mathis these days.
In my mind, his music is among the most sensuous I have ever heard. Tonight I daydreamed by the lake at dusk with the beauty of his songs.

Soggy socks and this stash of backyard rocks brought a smile and a tear and a wash of pleasant thoughts.
Today was wet and rainy. Cool - downright cold for mid July - and just perfect for a cigar and bottle of wine in my basement corner we call the Havana Lounge, an out of the way, neglected piece of the house, hidden by treasures Mary calls junk, but that I think we might want some day. It's a pleasant place, out of sight, out of mind more or less, with a window looking out over the lake.
Partway though my quiet session of smoke and spirits this afternoon, nature nudged me for the inevitable call to action.
Stepping ouchie-barefooted outside, rejecting the stair-climb to the main floor bathroom, I stumbled upon this pile of rocks in a rarely visited part of the yard.
My girl Rosie, Springer Spaniel, spent her life digging rocks from the lake bed and presenting them to us. I have never been able to use a lawnmower because of her gifts in the yard, and never really appreciated her offerings of hard stones on my pillow.
But, a pee in the rain today kindled kind thoughts and warm memories.
"Rosie, you're going to wreck your teeth - and my lawnmower. Put that stupid rock down."
Wish I could see her wagging tail and smiling face one more time.

It's a Van Gogh sky tonight.

Tonight's view from the Palace. A dream come true for me - celebrating my 49th year as a Canadian resident and my 44th year as a Canadian citizen.
Happy Canada Day, my friends.
And Happy Fourth of July my U.S. family and friends. I will never forget, nor regret, my beginnings.