All did not go well. The interlibrary loan vehicle has not arrived at my library with my requested book. 15 days and no book. Grumble. To top it off, I hear a chainsaw in the distance.

This morning in the dark forest, damp air settled in my lungs. It clung to my t-shirt. It soaked my brow. Then I got caught in a downpour. My t-shirt became a toddler, clinging.

I was delighted that my question got answered on the INK blog this morning. If all goes well, I should get a call from the library around 4PM that my book is here. Fingers crossed.

My librarian rocks! Got a call saying she called the library, they searched, they found it, and the book is on its way. Hallelujah!

Hydrangea and Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan)

Tech editor#1 edits are complete for the ChemMatters article I'm still revising. I'm currently waiting on a library book just to verify the copyright page. This AM, I spoke to the librarian about this book that was requested almost 2 weeks ago. She had no idea what was going on and promised to look into it. The book is checked in at all three libraries that have it yet no one is processing the request.

I've posted more garden photographs. Why does a lovely hydrangea have to hide so low to the ground under big wide leaves? If ever there was a flower that could give you "the petal" this naughty Black-Eyed Susan is certainly capable.

No sign of my ILL book requested on July 15, 2009. Twelve days have gone by and the thing is not even in transit. Is it lost? Since it's soupy out......

Gone swimmin'

Purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, Asiatic lily and coreopsis

I put another iron in the fire this morning. I think this one is a long shot, but you never know unless you try. Try. Try. Try. Try. Try. And keep trying.

Today, I posted pictures of purple coneflower, Asiatic lillies, and coreopsis.

pink astilbe, asiatic lily, statice, and daisy

I'm still working on an article that will be published at the end of the year. I made some tiny revisions this past week and now I'm waiting for an ILL book--again. It's the third time I've requested this book. I've been contemplating whether I need to add a chapter to the other state-of-the-art science project I've been working on. I'm thinking I do. Thought I'd post some more garden pictures. The first is a very stiff Asiatic lily like the kind you find in flower arrangements. If you touch the stamen in the center, it stains your hands orange. The pink flower is statice and the bottom is pretty obvious.

I spent a good portion of the day at the Beardsley Zoo with my daughter. The Prairie Dog family was very happy to pose. I was quite amused when one little boy asked if you could keep a wolf for a pet. Yes, they do look like doggies. The Brazilian Ocelot was born via artificial insemination, one of only three in the world. It was called the "miracle kitten." Too bad I didn't see it last year when it was very tiny. It looked so cute.

Daylillies and coreopsis

The proposal I was working on is done, but I want to verify one thing before I submit it. Hopefully, I'll get the answer I'm looking for.

Last night and today, I got started writing about some state-of-the-art science material. As usual, I picked a challenging subject. But I think it will be a captivating topic from start to finish.

Yesterday, after receiving an email reminder, I had a change of heart. I've shifted gears and now I am scrambling to put together a proposal that's due very quickly. Thankfully, I knew exactly what I wanted to go for. If not, I could never meet this quick deadline. I'll pass on the second opportunity I mentioned in a prior post.

I'm currently trying to identify what pieces are needed to finish Ch1 of the project I've now returned to. A fresh look made me realize it was a little light on content so I'm trying to select what's best to add. There's a ton of research papers and online material out there, but not a whole lot of books, unfortunately. I'm also formalizing questions. My poor librarians. I keep them so busy with constant ILL requests. I also need to make a snap decision on whether to pursue two other opportunities that have to be worked on immediately. I think I will pass on those. Three weeks to research and write an article hardly seems adequate to do a quality job. I really don't want my name on anything half-a#&.

This morning I woke up and rigor mortis set in after playing frisbee yesterday evening. I stalled getting out on the trail this AM and it cost me 10 degrees at the start and 18 at the finish. Despite about two weeks of lousy 3-milers I managed a 6 mile run so I'm happy with that. When I stop research/writing, my thick head of perseverance starts thinning right out. There is only one cure - get back to that outline and get moving.

White astilbe, iris', day lillies, and clematis

I took a break for 4 dental cleanings, 2 parties, a double birthday dinner for twins, and a bunch of dishes that I had to make. Suddenly I feel one million miles away, like a helium balloon drifting skyward.

It's time to post photographs of the delphiniums which promptly blossomed then fell over by the weight of their own beauty. I think I'm partial to blue flowers: lobelia, delphinium, and hydrangea. The bottom photo is clematis. I'm still waiting on an ILL book that should be here today or tomorrow. Hopefully, it will have the one quote I'm looking for so I can pass the article back to the editor.