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| SUDDENLY SUMMER, LIAM OUTSIDE |
Liam's first rollover of 2013 happened this week, the second full week of April. A surprise. Happened earlier this year than prior years. We had the coolest March since 2001 and April has had wind chills in the thirties. Yet for three days this week we had a bit of summer and Liam did his happy roll.
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| SECONDS BEFORE THE ROLL |
I recorded it on the second warm day. I missed it on Monday-Liam was so quick. I did not expect it. Unexpected also are the new noises and happenings of this spring.
The gnawing whir of tall oaks being cut down. Solid heavy logs falling from above as workers lower the pieces to the ground. Yellow crime scene tape cordons off broken sidewalks, the drone of drilling and hammering is the background noise of the season. Dozens of tree trunks are dug out and carried away each day leaving rounded dirt mounds. The skyline of New Hyde Park is very different. Since the last sitting-outside days, the landscape has changed due to
Sandy and subsequent storms. Trees and bushes that remain are bent and misshapen with branches cracked and pointing like weapons at passersby.
Healthy trees are being taken down so their owners can live free from fear of crushed houses and downed power lines. We have homes being razed and replaced by strong taller structures. As I look up I see only sky and clouds. The sky used to include the tops of oaks and maples. Many gone.
The still leafless trees allow a strong sharp sun to bake the grass and heat it to a pleasant temperature. I set up two lawn chairs in the center of the yard ignoring our not-ready-for-the-season patio furniture next to the house. I want to be right on the warmth.
I know I have to grab this time because the weather will soon change back to chilly norms. Liam knows also and is eager to roll. I am camera ready and off he goes.
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| YOGA UPWARD FACING DOG? |
I snap and shoot. Cannot help but smile at this joyful tradition
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| LIAM IN THE FULL GLORY OF HIS ROLLOVER |
On Wednesday night the weather changes with a fierce booming thunderstorm. Unexpected. It was supposed to skirt our area. No time to wrap Liam in his thundershirt and he hides under the PC table as we finish writing this week's LiamLicks. Later, as a second round hits, Liam joins us on the couch for
Survivor-seems like a fitting show to watch as a pack of three.
Today we hear that
Sandy has been retired as a usable name for Atlantic storms. See link below. The first name ever retired was
Carol in 1954. I waited for years to have my name thrown back in the mix until I realized my name had been forced into early retirement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_retired_Atlantic_hurricane_names
For now, goodbye to summer and to any more rollovers this week
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| ENJOYING THE LAST DAY OF WARM GRASS |
Woof, Woof
The gnawing whir of tall oaks being cut down. Solid heavy logs falling from above as workers lower the pieces to the ground. Yellow crime scene tape cordons off broken sidewalks, the drone of drilling and hammering is the background noise of the season. Dozens of tree trunks are dug out and carried away each day leaving rounded dirt mounds. The skyline of New Hyde Park is very different. Since the last sitting-outside days, the landscape has changed due to Sandy and subsequent storms. Trees and bushes that remain are bent and misshapen with branches cracked and pointing like weapons at passersby.
Healthy trees are being taken down so their owners can live free from fear of crushed houses and downed power lines. We have homes being razed and replaced by strong taller structures. As I look up I see only sky and clouds. The sky used to include the tops of oaks and maples. Many gone. 
The still leafless trees allow a strong sharp sun to bake the grass and heat it to a pleasant temperature. I set up two lawn chairs in the center of the yard ignoring our not-ready-for-the-season patio furniture next to the house. I want to be right on the warmth.
I know I have to grab this time because the weather will soon change back to chilly norms. Liam knows also and is eager to roll. I am camera ready and off he goes. 
