Where Did Summer Disappear?

It’s like we blinked, and summer vanished into thin air. One moment, we were basking in the glory of sunny days, and the next, we’re reaching for our umbrellas and turning up the thermostat. Today, the weather has decided to throw a tantrum, and all we’ve seen is rain, rain, and more rain. To add insult to injury, the temperature has taken a nosedive, prompting emergency heating boosts. I’m telling you; I almost had to wear my winter coat indoors.

The Bike Escape

Thank goodness for small victories! I managed to squeeze in a bike ride yesterday afternoon before the heavens opened up. Dodging raindrops, I pedaled away, thinking I could outsmart the impending winter invasion. Little did I know, the elements had other plans. It’s a good thing I didn’t procrastinate and left the biking for today—I might have needed a canoe instead of a bike.

M and E Drawings: A Tale of Woe

Now, transitioning from the sweet laziness of summer to the grindstone of work has been like waking up from a dream. I found myself knee-deep in M and E layout drawings. For those not in the know, M and E might as well stand for “My Enthusiasm” because, frankly, I’ve got none for these layouts. What started as a generous two-day offer to help a colleague turned into a three-day marathon last week. And guess what? There’s a sequel scheduled for this week. As I drown in technical drawings, my usual CAD work is building up like a neglected inbox.

International Guests and Rain-soaked Pies

Amidst this whirlwind of work, we had a visit from across the pond. My Dad’s cousin and her ex-daughter-in-law jetted in from California, expecting a taste of English summer. What they got instead was a Manchester welcome—rain, rain, and more rain. They popped by on a Saturday for a quick lunch, where we introduced them to the culinary masterpiece that is Wigan pies. Nothing says “Welcome to the UK” like indulging in a pie, or three. After a soggy weekend in Manchester, they embarked on a grand tour to Scotland to visit another cousin, Ann. The rain didn’t dampen their spirits, and Terri’s husband Rick even joined the party midway through the week.

Farewell, Cousins

Now, as their UK adventure nears its end, they’re making their way back to Manchester. A couple more days with Dad and Mum await them, and Michele and I are penciled in for a farewell on Tuesday evening. Michele and Terri have hit it off splendidly, probably bonding over their shared plight of enduring our erratic weather. Come Thursday, it’s back to the U.S. for Pauline, Terri, and Rick. Let’s hope their trip was a delightful escapade amidst the unpredictable British weather.