It was a great day today as it was cool and a great garden day! I did some trimming and cleaned the filter of the Koi pond. The family was at the bookstore so all the work was up to me, I mowed the entire side and backyard and did some minor weed pulling. It was so exciting I harvested my first Macadamia nut today. I tried hitting it with a hand can opener and it ricochet all over the kitchen. Next, I got a hammer and tried to open it , you know just a little crack, but nothing. Then I got really smart and put it in a large vice grip. Its was really good, fresh sort of like a pecan, but smaller. While mowing I noticed that I have several small Carambola, also known as Starfruit on many trees. One large fruit was on the ground but flawless. I think it will be ripe in two days, I have several varieties but they were not labeled when I got them so I can't tell you their names. I did find it interesting in the past that some varieties in the past were not quite the classic tart taste which is very pleasant. I just love that fruit and so does the rest of the family. I spent some time looking for new locations for more small Lychee Nuts here at the house but I still have not decided as it is a big tree ultimately and I want to make a responsible decision as these trees could be here for 50 or more years.

Last night I think was a full moon or at least a very bright evening so I did not sleep much but that's the way it goes sometimes.

We are going to a fabulous Halloween party tonight where our friends have the most elaborate display of freaky things that you've ever seen. She is also a fabulous cook and everyone knows how I like to eat so it should be fun. We always look forward to going to their parties as there is lots of laughing, and the decor is outside and inside so you never really see it all.
I had a call today from a very brave friend of ours, Vicky who has a very rare form of cancer called, Thymus carcinoid. It is so rare and she has been through so much in the last 4 years but she is still hanging in there. She has gone to MD Anderson but they could not help her. She is now trying an experimental treatment so we will pray that a miracle can happen. Vicky has been the most inspirational person for our family, we became friends when she was our regular server at a restaurant we frequent, truly a brave hero. It especially saddens me as my own mother died of a rare form of cancer too so I know the feeling of deep and dark despair and I wish to never have those feelings again. It was bile-duct cancer which is pancreatic related, and they have not made big progress with this disease. I guess this is just a reminder that each minute counts, really counts so we all have to enjoy all that we can. I did not mean to end on a sad note, it's just that family and friends are important!