Phyl, Dave, Chris and I went to the E Street Gallery in downtown Sacramento this evening for an art show

because one of the featured artists was Dave and Phyl’s son, Jon Thompson.

Jon upcycles metal barrels and cuts it with a plasma cutter. He’s been doing this for about a year.

It’s been fun to see his skills expand and evolve.

L-R: Greg (brother), Chris (brother), Kate (girlfriend), Jon, Phyl, Dave.

L-R: Alexa (niece), Phyl, Beth (sister).

Yay, another friend came to visit and have dinner and drinks – Val Sills!Fun!

for putting together shelves in the garage. Hurray for a helpful son!

And Carson giggled up a storm.

Linda and Adrienne brought the coffee and I made blueberry scones! Fun.

Val Lilienthal came over this afternoon. One of her first questions was about the nocino we made last June. Rarely would I ask a guest, “Would you like to agitate the nocino?” She gave the jar a good sloshing around.

In the past 24 days, Phyl and I have walked 3.5-4.5 miles sixteen mornings – at sunup usually because it’s been so hot. This morning, Phyl had something else to do so I was on my own. How to change things up a bit? Hmmm .. carry water in an insulated cup.

The star thistle really encroach on the sidewalk in this section.At 2.8 miles, I hit the pause button and stood in line for 15 minutes. This has to be one of the busiest Starbuck’s anywhere and no drive-through.Unpause. This multi-use trail winds along a canal for about a mile, from Arena Blvd to Del Paso Road.The trail comes to a lake with two names. On maps, it’s called Fisherman’s Lake (no fishing allowed) but the signs say Westshore Lake. Heritage Westshore (where I live) is on the other side of the lake in this photo:Most of the walk around the lake is open to the public, until you come to Heritage Westshore, then you need the gate code. It’s curvier in this sectionwith great glimpses into back yards.Almost home.6 miles. This could become my standard non-Phyl walk.