Ending the month on good news.

I've received confirmation that not only will my job go through the end of the summer, it's going at least until the end of the calendar year. As someone whose job history tends to be in fits and spurts, with the knowledge there's going to be an end to things - if not soon, then eventually, and it's always coming - it's a relief to know it's a while before I need to worry about its arrival.

It started out flat and cloudy today, with the sun breaking through the clouds while I was out on a bike ride. I'd thought about taking a shorter ride today, and with the sun, I thought better to make it a long one. I saw a hawk try to catch something, fail, and take off from the ground to try again. I saw two pigeons doing some beak-kissing on the ground, clearly enjoying each other's company.

I also made this cake in a nine-inch springform pan instead of a small bundt, leaving off the glaze, and it smells fantastic. I've got enough lilac blossoms left over I should do something else with them. I'm thinking scones.

I have them because last Friday at the market, a flower and apple stand was selling late lilacs, with blossoms having fallen off the branches and onto the table. I asked if I could buy some, maybe five dollars for a bag, and they shrugged and let me sweep up whatever I could carry for free. So I did. And felt an obligation to them, so I bought some peonies, which they might well have been expecting. Not that I mind. Both peonies and lilacs smelled wonderful.