My Flower is Ephemeral

My rose bushes have begun blooming again. Here is the latest flower to appear. This picture was taken on Wednesday.

Same bud on Wednesday.

Here's the rose today (far right). It looked pretty for a few hours this morning, but by this afternoon it was past its prime. I should probably pick the two new buds in the back tomorrow if I want to enjoy them in the house instead of in the flowerbed.

Game Room Kitty

Nigel likes to sleep in the game room next to an open window. I think he likes the love seat better without the paisley cover.

Comfortable?

Nigel might be the only one who is truly comfy on the futon that acts as my sofa. Here he's among the Newsweeks.

The Look

Nigel likes to glare at me over his shoulder. I see this face many times a day.

Secret Toy

Nigel has always liked playing with ponytail holders. I try to keep them out of his reach, but he can sniff them out. Once he's done playing with them, he puts them in his food bowl. I'm not sure why.

Burn Notice

I do a lot of baking so I'm careful around hot surfaces. I have potholders and oven mitts that I use regularly. Also, I'm quick to snap back if I accidentally brush something hot. I work around the oven's inherent risks. I don't get burned that often.

Today I got an unexpected burn on the tip of my right ring finger. But not from the oven. From my toaster.

All I was doing at the time I got burned was taking the toast out of the toaster while not looking. I guess my finger got too close to the metal that is stupidly on the top of the toaster. Maybe I should invest in some toaster tongs to prevent future injury.

iProblem

My poor radio tuner that enables me to listen to my iPod Touch in my car has been dying a slow death. I don't abuse it or manhandle it, but my general use has worn down the plastic and exposed and cut the wires contained in the housing.

First, the charger stopped working, which was really inconvenient if I wanted to listen to my music but forgot to charge my iPod. Now, the reception is starting to get bad. It sounds static-y most of the time. Sometimes if I twist the wire correctly it sounds fine. Sometimes it helps to hold the wires and sometimes it helps to let them go. It's a game I don't like playing, but I suffer through it because it's better than listening to the radio.