The garden is getting lush — peonies, sweet william and foxglove are out. I planted a bunch of stuff on Sunday. Luckily the gray weather stayed one extra day to give everything a chance to get better established.

Yesterday we met my violin teacher and her husband, Ashley and Damir, for a walk at Dewey’s. The idea was to introduce their dog and Cammy so that we could dogsit Pancho next week. It seemed like a good idea, but Cammy was completely uncooperative. I was sad and embarrassed that she snapped at poor little Pancho. He was quite brave.

It was hard to stay mad at Cammy today because she’s quite sick — probably from eating something completely unsavory at Dewey’s last night. She woke us up at 3 AM and made further sleep impossible. I watched her closely all day and finally called the vet at 3 PM. I’m sure he thinks I’m a nut for worrying about my dog so much, but it also keeps him in business. She’s still quite unhappy, but she’s got some meds that seem to be helping with her “Garbage Gut”.

Apart from the dog fiasco, we had a nice evening with Ashley and Damir. They’re a sweet and very talented couple, but I’m afraid they will not want to stay in Vermont too much longer. It’s not an easy place to be young–and the opportunities to play serious music here are somewhat limited. I don’t think I could have lived here when I was in my twenties. It’s exactly what I need now, but I wouldn’t trade any of the other places I’ve been to have gotten here any sooner. If they move on, I will miss them — especially Ashley because she is such a good teacher — but I’m sure they’ll do well wherever life takes them.

Tonight was Dave’s Marshland Farm acoustic evening. I missed last week because I was so sick. It was apparently quite the hootenany (does anyone say that any more?). Tonight was low key but good. Kerry came to sing and play guitar. Geoff and Jed showed up later. Kerry has a fabulous voice. We were outside on the porch. A lovely evening.