There is always something interesting and fun; sometimes there are so many things I don't know which to choose!

On my walk today I thought of asking my "Leafsnap" app to identify a couple of trees, one of which I knew (it's a fig tree, watch out where you step!) and the other unknown to me. I took a picture of a leaf against a white background (sidewalk OK) and it searched its database and told me it was a plane tree. So now I know.

Everywhere I go, I have my iPhone with me. One part of me is always on the lookout for interesting pics. Interesting to me, anyway. I know how to upload a picture to Facebook, but I really wish I could learn how to send it to my laptop and then post it here. Maybe I need to sign up for a class at the Apple store.

For other amusement, there are the finches and hummingbirds at the feeders. Often I'll spot a shy oriole at the hummingbird feeder, but they are very skittish and any little hint of movement or sound sends them away, not to return usually until much later. The hummers and finches are much calmer in temperament and return almost immediately to the feeder after being startled into flight.

Away from home I have another free app, Dropwords, to play. Don't get started: it's addictive, but a great way to pass the time in boring situations (waiting in the doctor's office comes to mind). Also the NY Times crosswords puzzles, which are published daily. I'm way behind in solving Monday's, let alone today's. I usually do the Sunday puzzle, because it is often clever and witty, full of puns. Punishment.

Here at my computer I play "Mahjongg Dimension" from the AARP website (free), Klondike solitaire (also free) and Words With Friends. Nice break from answering email (usually church business or personal contacts).

Then, of course, there are books to read, both dead tree and on my Kindle or iPad. And I get to potter in my garden (admiring the exuberant tomatoes) in the cool of the early morning (when it's cool, that is).

So much to enjoy...so little time. I mean time available after all the mundane stuff like cleaning the house, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, paying bills, mostly made tolerable by listening to NPR or to music.

Je m'amuse.

Life is good, and my gratitude goes beyond mere words.