Storms and pups and pockets

 Last evening Gary had to be out without Billy the Pup, normally his constant companion, and asked me if I'd go over when it got dark make sure Billy was in and close the patio door, left open a  bit for her to come and go. When it starts getting dark, crickets come in. 

I'm sure he knows I'd do what I did, go over earlier, play with her and later close the door and leave her safely indoors. We'd had storms and I wanted to see she was okay.

Playing with her involves being climbed on, scrabbled at, yanked about and licked, all at the speed of light. I held her firmly to massage her ears, and try to get her to slow down enough to be petted.

I think she really needs a companion puppy, but I don't think I'll mention it to Gary. I don't think he's up for another handful. She seems to be trying to get humans to be honorary pups. 

Today it was finally cool enough to drive to the next town to the  library and return the  Nigel Slater, which I really enjoyed and got good ideas from.  

I tend to lose my driving nerve a bit when I haven't driven for a couple of days, so I had to force the issue to do it this morning, very wobbly. Home again and I was, as  always, glad I'd done it.  I am a good driver, just a reluctant one. It's better for the car and me to get out regularly though.

Anyway here's today's weaving progress, almost at the end of this panel, two more to go.

And a baby cucumber, from my neighbor, grated and mixed with malt vinegar as a salad.

I don't like cucumbers much but fresh picked and in best vinegar, okay.

I hope my thanks were courteous but not effusive enough to encourage her to offer ten more 

Then here's today's Pocket Progress

Cut out, assembled, now pinned in place ready to make this skirt a lot more useful.

And though I'm usually winnowing, here's a buy that just arrived. 

I have finally, after decades of using folded blankets, invested in a real, 100% New Zealand wool ironing blanket. I pressed the new pockets, and what an improvement on improvising. 

The old blankets can be dog rescue blankets, if I can get a YouTube taker.

 Happy day everyone, sometimes you need the real thing, not a substitute. This idea can work in a number of contexts, left to your imagination..

And I expect you know the puzzle answer was

SP!

At the beginning of each word.