The theme of my pictures this week is family. All the photos shown here were taken by family, for family, at family events. There is a hodgepodge selection. We haven't had a baby in the house for almost twenty years. My only grandchild was born almost twenty years ago. All the dog photos are a reflection of our delight in having once again a baby in the house. The new family member is a beautiful, though slightly unruly puppy. Perhaps that is the definition of puppy: unruly.

Last week I came across a curious bit of information: There exists an apparent correlation between a bat fungal disease and infant mortality. The correlation has been observed in many areas of North America, where bats are perishing in large numbers from white nose syndrome.

I introduced our new dog to this community almost two months ago, in a blog. In that blog I suggested there was tension between the family cat and the new puppy. This has not resolved as I hoped it would, and it is still a work in progress.

"But it's not fair! I don't have a choice."The complaint echoed in the cavernous space.A grey man, with grey hair, grey face, grey shoes and grey caftan replied, "You've always had a choice, Subject. The scheme of life is governed by choice. While there may be the appearance of randomness...in the end it is always a chosen path that leads to a particular consequence."

August is slowly coming to a close. I hear the cicada at night, so that means fall is in the wings. I'm not ready for winter, although I guess without the contrast of winter summer wouldn't seem so glorious. The pictures I'm contributing to #LIL today represent recent events in my family. We have a new dog, a beautiful puppy. He is white and young, and lively. We also have a cat, a 16-year-old cat. This gent is still spry. The dog wants to dominate, but is learning that the cat has claws for a reason :)

My Granddaughter Climbing Down the Rocks on the Isle of ManMy daughter and granddaughter were traveling together in the UK last week. They were on a very special mission. My granddaughter is going to spend a semester abroad this year, and my daughter was helping her to get settled.