Mossy Walk

With all the rain, heat and humidity the moss and mushrooms are taking over the farm.
The good news, the ferns that Rick got in the woods and we planted in stone planters out front are thriving.  As I fed everything in planters this morning, I realized our walk way to our front door has become a mossy path.  The moss and the ferns out front give everything a fairy like quality.  I like it.
Be kind tomorrow, stay well.

Today

We got three inches of rain yesterday. Suddenly the moss and the mold and mushrooms are every where.
This morning was heaven, only 68 degrees.  That's a rarity by Wednesday it will be around 75 for a nighttime low and a daytime of high of 96, and oh yes the humidity will be a guest at the party.

It's been a slap hazard sort of day.  You know, one of those when you start something and then you have to do something else and then it becomes like a train wreck of dominos or like those circles on the log in my photo tonight.  You take a deep breath, do what you can do and figure out the rest tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, be kind and be well.

Sunday Thoughts

A day of rest today for both of us.  Rick overdid  it in the heat yesterday and I think became dehydrated.  So for him it has been rest and lots of fluids today.
For me, I have read and worked with some new water color paints that I bought.  I love them, they are very vivid and luminous, made in France and get this, have a honey base.
Storms moved in and this afternoon has been so much cooler.  But this is only mid-July and I am sure there is much more heat and humidity to come.
A brand new week.  Our numbers here are still rising daily, so are our deaths.  Wear your masks, keep your distance, wash your hands and please be kind.

French Marigolds

I write about the zinnias so much, but I also love French marigolds.  This year I grew mine from seeds and they are lovely.  I am one of those strange ducks that loves the scent of marigolds, and like the zinnias they bloom until frost.  These tonight are some of my favorites.

Mail

I have spent the past couple of days painting our new mail box and our street address sign.
We are known for our blueberries and our bees so that's what I painted.    I didn't realize until I started  but the mail box is not smooth, it is covered in tiny ridges.  It is always interesting painting on texture and a black background.
Hot humid weather ( dog days) hit this week, low to mid 90's  and heat index of 100 or more.  It is summer time in Alabama.

Ya'll be kind, stay well.

A Pitcher of Limoncello

A pitcher of limoncello sunflowers, the perfect bouquet for summer.  Every time I see this on my kitchen table, I smile.

Take care of yourselves, stay well.

Bob's Zinnia

It was Christmas in July at our house yesterday.  Our friend Pamela Whitworth from Tennessee sent us two books by Douglas W. Tallamy, "Bringing Nature Home" and "Nature's Best Hope."  Tallamy writes about conservation starting in your own back yard.  Cannot wait to read both these books.

Then our friend Robert H. Miller ( Bob), from Scottsdale, Az sent me the most beautiful piece of art.
Bob is a gifted artist who has so kindly given us pieces of his art since we first met.  I have a painting of one of our roosters that Bob did several years ago that hangs on the wall above our dinning table.
Yesterday he gifted me with "Zinnia".    He will never know how much his gifts mean to me.
His talent is so amazing and I an honored that he has shared his works with us.

I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of these two friends.  We met Bob through the blogging world, we met Pam in Nashville through our music.  I love that life brings blessings when we least expect them.  I think that is what blessings are, gifts of love when we need them most.
They don't always have to be actual gifts, sometimes they are hugs, smiles, a call, a note but they show up out of the blue and they leave you with  a better appreciation of the human race.

This life is short no matter how long you live.  It can be difficult but it can also sweep you off your feet with joy.  It's important and now more than ever that we all reach out to each other. That we share our blessings daily.  I believe there is only one race, the human one and we need each other to survive.  Kindness and service to each other will keep us alive and help us to thrive.