Simplify

Today's quote on my board.

" Our life is frittered away by detail.  Simplify, simplify."
-Henry David Thoreau

This is what I'm striving for, working for.

Look Up

Normally when I open the front door, I look straight ahead or to the left or right.  This morning when I opened the door I looked up.   Towering above me was a persimmon tree that was only about 6 feet tall when we built our house.  Beside the persimmon tree is the first Christmas tree we ever planted, a white pine.  That pine stands about 40 feet tall now.

Looking at those trees made me smile.  Those trees stand tall and strong and they are beautiful year round.  They give food and shelter to many of the critters who live here.  They give us precious shade on these hot humid days.  We love our trees.

It has been a wonderful laid back weekend.  We both have spent time together, apart and doing things we enjoy.  I hope this new week starts with much love and kindness for us all.

Morning Taz

Taz loves to sit on the back of the sofa while Rick and I have our morning coffee.  She appears to be related to a cat.  The higher she can perch, the happier she is.

Often she climbs up on her blanket, and catches a morning nap while we sip coffee.  Hearing her snore is so funny.  Little dog, big snore.

We went to Jordan's district swim meet today.  He qualified for state competition on all 5 categories.
Our great-niece Breeze qualified in 2.  Looks like we are going to state!

Me Time

It has been awhile since I had a "me" day.   I gathered some flowers for bouquets this morning, walked the dogs, chatted with my sister and niece.  This afternoon I spent a couple of hours at the hair salon.  I can tell you this, I needed a "me" day.  For the first time in a few weeks, I actually feel rested and refreshed.   WooHoo!

I teach self-care daily, but it is difficult for me to practice.  I am doing much better than I have in the past.  Old habits die slow.

The rest of the weekend is agenda free.  I cannot remember the last time our calendars were empty.
The weather guys say tropical rains are headed our way for the next few days.  I hope with the rains the temps drop a few degrees.  But there have been times in the past the rains came and the heat never backed off.

I hope you all have the opportunity for "me" time this weekend.  It feels really good.
Be kind, be grateful, spread some joy.

Plow Memories

You can tell looking at the picture that the old plow doesn't get used much anymore.  These days  most of our gardening is done in containers and raised beds.  It's just easier on the joints and with the two of us, we don't plant the field like we did when my parents were alive.

I love that old plow.  The last time I saw my dad down in the field, he was teaching Rick to use the plow to harvest sweet potatoes.  It's one of those memories etched forever in my brain.

My dad picked up one of the sweet potatoes, laughing as he told me, " I'll make a farmer out of that boy yet."  Little did I know in six months my dad would be dead.

Sometimes when I walk by that old plow, I swear I can still hear my dad laughing.

Worth

The following quote has been on my board for a couple of days.  It has started many conversations.



" Two signs of not knowing your worth, you settle and you tolerate."

I wish I knew who said this, but a friend sent it to me and she didn't know.   It is a powerful statement.   Knowing and understanding your worth is life changing.

Pretty in Pink

Every spring when I resow the flower garden I just mix all the seeds together and sow them with wild abandon.  I never know what is coming up, where.  I buy several packs of mixed seeds so there  are always surprises.  This year I have had some of the most beautiful pink zinnias.  Each one seems to be more beautiful than the next.  I had to share them tonight.