This afternoon, as I was leaving for elsewhere, Little Goldie trotted up the steps to the porch (aka dining room) followed by 4 smaller versions of her--except they were the standard raccoon gray and black.

Nice to see them. The two who were playing on the tree a few days ago were probably from this group.

And, when I made my inevitable stop at WalMart this afternoon, I made sure I had plenty of critter food in the basket.

It hasn't rained (so far) so the afternoon cooling has not really occurred. Of course, when rain cools the air it also humidifies it, which doesn't mean much change in the comfort index.

And today is Moon Day, in case you have been out of touch with the world.

As one who grew up with science fiction (thanks Dad) and a grandfather who urged creative thinking (he was a colleague of Rudolph Diesel--of the diesel engine) it meant a great deal to see what had been part of my imagination since childhood come to pass.

Not only that, but to have been a part of it, albeit a very small part, when the missiles were being developed for possible intercontinental warfare.

I can't help but feel a sadness that far too many people were content to have a human (and an American) actually set foot on the moon, and failed to follow through with more explorations.

Yes, there is a space station, but the United States no longer has the means to get there other than on a Soviet vehicle. And there are no plans for any future manned exploration.

I doubt that I shall see humans leave the Earth again in my lifetime.

I wonder if my children will.