It rained all night, and has been cloudy all day. The mountain areas on the western side of Colorado are supposed to get 10 inches of snow tonight. With luck, we won't have a freeze overnight, but I'm covering my tomatoes and zucchini just in case.



The raccoon or maybe a bear got into the trash can at the fishing parking and scattered the contents last night. Usually the lid is too tight on the can for them to get it off, but someone left it ajar.




There was a big story about our fishing club, Rocky Mountain Angling, in The New York Times this summer. The story didn't cover my property, which is probably just as well. If the club as a whole gets more business, so will we.

The retaining wall and steps are done, it's good to have it done with. This picture isn't quite the final, but close.



I pre-paid for my propane this season, had to guess at how much I'll need, and it's a use it or lose it situation: whatever they put in between October 1 and March 31 is already paid for, and if I don't use as much as I paid for, it doesn't roll over, and I don't get a refund. I guessed high, so am enjoying the luxury of 68 degrees instead of creaking around in a 60 degree house wearing lots of clothing layers to keep warm.

The propane delivery guy had hip replacement surgery last month, but he plans to be back making deliveries by October or November. He will be surprised at the new stone steps alongside the house because the wooden ones that were there were in bad shape, a real safety hazard. I just hope these don't get slick with snow. I'm going to put a covered bucket of sand out there just in case.

Mr. Troutbend had a free room at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, one of the newly redecorated rooms with laminate floor. He said is was very echo-y in there.





The new decor really looks ugly in the pictures, but maybe it's better in person.

See that scarf thing on the bed that stands in for a bedspread these days? I received an email from the hotel supply place that says they are selling top sheets with that band of color woven into the polyester sheet (or maybe printed on) so the hotel doesn't have to invest in those separate scarves or bedspreads. It sounds tacky, and I don't think the high-end hotels would do it.

The fox was here today, maybe because it rained and he wanted some comfort food.