flowers — Page 129

Flowers, Books, Ants

September 12, 2018 at 10:20 am by Claudia

A non-fading zinnia.

Nothing all that exciting to report on my end. I drove to the bookstore and got my copy of Bob Woodward’s new book. I’m going to start in on it today. I went grocery shopping. I cleaned.

I fought ants again. I swear, I have never seen so many ants over such a long period of time. Usually, I get them in the spring and then they fade away. But they have been a presence off and on all spring and summer. And now they’re back again! I’m so friggin’ sick of them. I don’t know why they are so bad this year – the crazy weather? So much rain? The last time our pest guy was here, he said they come inside when there’s too much rain because the rain destroys their ant hills. We had a lot of rain yesterday and we have more today. Sigh. I almost wish for winter just to get a break from these guys. Almost.

I bought two hollyhocks this year. One has flowered nicely. The other? A big old dud. I saw two blooms a while back and it was if they were the miniaturized versions of a real plant. Every other bud has died. The leaves are fine. Just no flowers. Very disappointing.

Nice to know that the faux-president thinks he did a bang-up job with Hurricane Maria, which resulted in 3000 deaths, many of them due to neglect, no water, no supplies, no electricity, no nothing from the U.S. government. Or that he plans on building more Detention Camps. Or that he took money from FEMA and moved it to ICE, right in time for hurricane season.

I could go on and on. I try not to write about IT (my new pronoun for that man) very often, party because we all know what’s going on and most of us are horrified.

And my blood pressure.

But sometimes I just have to. Yesterday he arrived for the Memorial Service in Shanksville, PA pumping his fists like he was at a rally. Completely and utterly clueless, without compassion, dumb as a post, corrupt, traitorous, narcissistic, racist, bigoted, vile. I have to stop there because I keep thinking of more adjectives and at this rate, I’ll never stop.

Back to regularly scheduled programming.

A fading hydrangea. So lovely.

I think today calls for reading – alternating between a novel I’m reading and the Woodward book. Maybe some hot chocolate later because it’s coolish out. And some deep breathing for some semblance of peace.

For those of you in the path of the storm, take cover, evacuate, whatever is necessary. Stay safe!

Happy Wednesday.

Fading Beauty

September 11, 2018 at 10:25 am by Claudia

I find aging flowers to be beautiful in their own right. Such texture, beautiful fading colors! Some of the first-to-bloom zinnias are fading now.

Aren’t they lovely?

We had a great time with Rick and Doug yesterday. They’re leaving on Friday and we’re driving them to the bus station. Doug knows a lot about travel and all the little, helpful details that we should know and he shared them with us. Today, we booked our trip on the Eurostar from Paris to London. Each time we do something like this, I get really excited.

This is my dream trip. It’s a dream come true. We were never able to do this before now.

I’m so friggin’ excited! With all that’s happened recently in my professional life, knowing that this trip was on the horizon really helped. Screw ’em. I’m going to Europe!

Today’s idea: go to bookstore and buy Bob Woodward’s new book. Oh, yes. I’m going to settle in with that book – a book I know is driving someone mad. Or madder than he already is.

Remember that little framed print I purchased recently for $10. I found the perfect place for it

In our half bath upstairs. The frame is the same color as the one on the other print. That was my grandmother’s. It’s very fragile and evokes such a strong sense memory of being in her house. I wonder if it was her mother’s? I’m not sure. Anyway, I think they look splendid together.

Okay. I’m off to get ready for the day.

Happy Tuesday.

An Early Monday

September 10, 2018 at 7:17 am by Claudia

I’m writing this post earlier than usual because guess who has been up since 4:30 am??? Not one, but both of us! I have absolutely no idea why we both woke up so early. We just did. But it’s too early and my brain feels foggy and my eyes feel stingy.

Some nap time this afternoon, please.

It’s raining quite heavily and will be raining all day long. We’re having brunch with Rick and Doug later this morning. We want to see them before they leave for Europe and I have to get my instructions for taking care of their plants while they’re gone. No sooner will Rick get back than we’ll be taking off on our trip. So we won’t see each other very much for the next 6 weeks.

A little rose blooming yesterday.

Morning glories from my early bloom plant. The Heavenly Blues have yet to sport a single bud and I’m getting very impatient.

I’ve never had so many zinnias! Ever. More and more blooms every day. I don’t know why this year is different. But I’m very grateful!

I forgot to mention something yesterday. The 1-2 punch involves two separate incidents, which is why I used that term. In one of the incidents, I contacted someone and received a phone call right away and that person apologized profusely and sincerely. I have no doubt about the sincerity. It doesn’t change what happened or how it left me feeling, but I do want to make sure I make that known.

Two incidents. Two jobs. Quite a bit of expected income lost.

Moving on.

Don has downloaded the Babbel app and is learning some basic French words and phrases. He’s so darned cute. I can hear him listening and repeating words as I write this. I took four years of French eons ago and a lot of it is coming back to me, but I think I could use some Babbel myself.

Okay. More coffee needed.

Happy Monday.

Flowers, Books, Ants

Fading Beauty

An Early Monday

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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