Looking Forward

Do you ever experience times when the days topple, one upon another, and the month is over? We had one such month in July. Mostly all good except for that unfortunate 10 days when I had to take Flagyl three times a day. It was hard to keep the timing straight, so I would set out three pills in the morning and hope I saw them enough times to take it. It was oh happy days, when this happened.

I've finally gotten my cardiac clearance to go off my blood thinner for three days before the dreaded colonoscopy appointment on, get this, our 53rd wedding anniversary!! Every day is a celebration around here, so I'm really just being silly! Hopefully, soon, we can put this whole unpleasant experience behind us and look forward once again. 

So, let's talk potatoes! I know what you are thinking, they had a bonanza crop of potatoes and if so, your thoughts would be misguided because here's the haul.

And, yet, I was pleased as punch. Haha, that reminds me of our wedding reception; cake and punch was on the menu. Does anyone still do that sort of thing? I think not! Anyway, as a first experiment, while in a sunny spot, the ground is hard, so we will try again in more forgiving soil. Tasty as well which is not always a guarantee is it? 

Look at this sweet pin my friend Robin got me!! Out of the blue she gifted it to me and the focus ring even moves! (my trusty camera bag)

A shout out to our daughter-in-law Michelle who gifted this t-shirt to Bruce. Remember how I told you we were decked out for 4th of July? I took this just before we left the house and I need not remind you of what happened next!

Is it any wonder I have held fast to this beautiful man? (both inside and out)

We made a second trip to Freddy's sunflower patch, if you can call it that because it is so big, but anyway, I got a kick out of this picture when I got around to looking at them. Do you see what I see?

It did my heart good to see that even Freddy's tomatoes have early blight. Not that I would wish that on anyone, but he's a pro, so if it happens to him, why shouldn't it happen to me?

What so fascinated me having the sunflowers in the house, 

basically everywhere that I could find a spot, 

was how much pollen dropped to the surface below. I cannot really remember that from any that I have purchased in the past, but then again, you know my memory. 

Have you read Theo of Golden yet? If not, get your hands on a copy and get to it because it is one of the most beautiful books you will ever read which I know sounds crazy, but it really is. Anyway, the curious Gail has done a little reading up on this gentleman author and in an interview he said that "his memory was like Teflon, nothing sticks." That would be me! Here's a link to a short visit with the author. 

Friends we have had some storms of late. 

Check out the Japanese Maple in early August. Finally it turned partly green but just you wait, before we know it, the color will be shockingly beautiful. Generally the rainstorms happen overnight, or if in the daylight hours, mild rain. Not so the last few weeks. 

One would think the drought would soon be a thing of the past.

Hydrangeas have been slow to show up but when they do, by golly, they are beautiful!

Adding to my sunflower story, which I know I keep going on about, but it has been one of the highlights of summer, so much so I was caught in a torrential downpour because my curiosity got the best of me. I felt the early drops but kept going to the riverbank when those few drops became, well, how many raindrops fall in a torrential storm anyway? Any ideas?

Actually it's kind of fun getting soaked.  The Boy Scout in the family came to my rescue with the huge umbrella he keeps in the car. :) It should be noted that I am writing this two weeks or so after that visit and the sunflowers are done for the year, in part because of so much rain. Proving you've got to get anything wonderful while you can!

Once it stopped we drove down Harshaw Road a bit because no summer is complete with seeing these beauties in a yard filled with plenty more flowers. It's really just a joy.

Oftentimes it is hard to convey size in a photograph so just believe me when I tell you the blooms are HUGE!

Well what have we here?

After a slow start, hummingbirds have been coming like nobodies business. While we love having them on the feeder, it's pretty darn wonderful seeing them going after the flowers planted just for them. 

Should you be wondering about the hardware cloth here's the scoop. We are trying everything to thwart a roaming cat from going after our birdies! To date, the cat is winning.

Can you even believe the color of the center plant? Would you call it fuchsia? SO vibrant. 

It is exciting seeing it thrive in what was once a very messy bed.

Going back a few weeks let's talk a little about VBS. Here is our new pastor, Evan, looking all giddy about being in Murphy! That would be David leading the older kids back for the closing assembly. He taught school forever and knows what he is doing!

David also, with a little help from his friends, created this bubble arch for the kids to come into the fellowship hall.

It so impresses me that the children are fed before things get going. Volunteers donate both the food and their time, including this sweet couple,

and I'm pretty sure you recognize these folks below, one of whom cooked and provided the food, and the other was the kitchen help.

Our friend Kerry, another former school teacher, was the puppet and did a marvelous job.

Each year that I have helped I look forward to what Liz, another former school teacher, is going to do with her science lessons. This one was so fun to watch the kids reaction, and mine too, for that matter.

Watching the beads tumble out of the container after the slightest touch to start them was so much fun for the children who got to do it themselves. I can't explain the golf ball experiment very well, but it had something to do with Isaac Newton. 

Crafts, stories, and of course the playground.

Much to everyone's surprise, no rain fell on those nights. A wonderful time was had by all.

Here we are..we've made it to the present! When your car won't start, well, in our case, you have to get a new battery. Turns out, after having had to be jumped twice, we discovered it was the original battery.

During the time we had no power to the car, if that makes sense, the tire sensors went out so that is where Mr. Peck is as I type, getting that fixed. 

While I still have much to say, if I keep you tied to this, there will be no time for reading the above acclaimed novel! 

These are dahlias, both pink and yellow in the background. I, little ol' me, started them from seeds!!! 

As much as I have gone on about it, one might think that I was the first to plant seeds wouldn't one? I know it seems crazy, but boy oh boy has it been fun!! 

May your weekend have more fun than you can stand and may you look forward most of the time!!

your friend,

Gail