Hot and getting hotter . . . Another homeless house cat has surfaced in the neighborhood. In addition to the gray mentioned earlier we now have a tabby. Both are obviously accustomed to being indoors . . . Faithful readers will remember my fascination with Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who just wanted a chance to go professional. Well, we all know she got it on Britain's Got Talent. Just got the latest copy of my bi-monthly Scottish magazine and learned she is now worth a modest thirteen million dollars . . . Got an eye-opening e-mail from Diane Neiper that reminded me that our American presidents come and go but that "Long Live the Queen" is a truism. The article was accompanied by pictures showing the Queen entertaining every one of our presidents since Harry Truman! . . . Work is underway on the new office building at Second and State but there is still time for local photographers to get some nice shots of St. Patrick's Cathedral facade . . .

People who have been catching up on the blog tell me that it wasn't iris but peonies that we probably took to the cemetery for grave decorations on Memorial Day. That is a good possibility since the drive down into the garage at my grandparents was lined with peony bushes . . . Todays visitors via the TripAdvisor site were from Louisiana by way of Dillsburg. One of them will be heading for a greater vacation in Paris soon . . . Another of the walking wounded: Chris Lingus had arm surgery--rotary cuff or whatever that is called . . . The soap order has arrived. Plenty of cucumber mint to keep you cool through the summer season . . . Well, the silly season has begun: Rick Santorum wants to be president . . .

Took several short naps, finished a book and went for a long walk . . . I don't know how the Midtown Cinema is faring business-wise these days, but the building certainly does look forlorn. I think it could be easily spruced up if someone weeded out last year's dead plants and put in some new ones. Would be quite an asset to the neighborhood and perhaps a lift to the business as well . . . But wait--doesn't the Friends of Midtown beautification committee hold its monthly meetings there? Maybe there is a worthwhile project right under their noses that they haven't noticed yet . . . My friend Jon joined the rest of us by undergoing surgery on Friday; his recovery period is one to two weeks. Seems our sidewalks are now littered with a lot of older men who are trying to combat the effects of hospital visits . . . Maybe we should form a club and perhaps our care-givers could do the same . . .

Another nice day with late afternoon showers. Not a lot of news, however. All our visitors have been in a happy mood and eager to get outdoors . . . One item you do not want to overlook is our new cookbook, just $11.50 . . . Still having trouble with posting on this site. Please stick with us; surely Google will find a cure . . .

Warm days and cool nights. Very pleasant though Bob gets angry with me since I find the evenings chilly and need a jacket . . . A gray cat is on the loose in our neighborhood. It is well groomed and appears to have been a house pet. If you have lost one of the family, come visit in the area . . . Spent time this morning looking over our stock of things for the patio. Still have some neat decorative items, some sets of bamboo place mats (four mats, $15) and jar candles that are marked down . . . Heard that the turnout for ArtsFest was not as large as last year . . . Rumor has it that the mayor wants to move the Fourth of July celebration to Reservoir Park. This is just a rumor, folks. Please, no comments like we see on PennLive . . .

Rose early this morning to find a September-like nip in the air; that didn't last long, but the day was pleasant and breezy. Certainly would have expected to sell more than two cards, but that is the way it goes some days . . . Went to Roxy's this morning for one of their now-famous (thanks to the Pa. Secretary of Health) egg sandwiches. The order elicited a giggle from the other patrons, of course . . . While I am still getting back on my feet, I believe I am well enough to begin opening the store at 11 a.m. I am going to try during the month of June. I will admit that my energy falters in the afternoon, but by that time Bob is here to take over . . . Have been cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and offered free to the public about ten mismatched coffee mugs of various sizes. Lined them up on the stoop this morning and as of 4:30 this afternoon I have only three left . . .This curious-at-first photograph is by Al Holliday of Camp Hill, the publisher of Pennsylvania Magazine and a fellow co-worker at the Department of Education way back in the early '70s. If you study it a bit you will discover that it is the Market Square cityscape as reflected in the sculpture in front of City Hall. Pretty neat I would say . . . You can catch more of Al's photos at http://beyondsecond.com/ . . . Lots of interesting stuff there . . . And as I always remind you, click the photo to enlarge it . . .

Much too hot for news today. Up in the 90s but supposedly falling to the 50s tonight or so. Sounds refreshing to me. Our air conditioner is now up and running in the store but the overhead apartment is all but unbearable . . . The proposed parking lot next to the Midtown Cinema is now under construction . . . Placed an order for goat milk soaps and lotions and learned that the company has obtained some more of the cucumber mint and glycerin soap that has been so popular at $3 per bar. Bought a lot of it. Also ordered oatmeal soap for those of you at work in your gardens . . . Have heard nothing but good reports about the new restaurant at the end of Green on North. A bit pricey, however . . .