There is a small black raspberry bush in the midst of all the strange weedy stuff that grows around our weeping willow stump. That area gets a lot of direct sun. The day before yesterday, I discovered some berries were already ripening. They are so, so good. I ate them as I talked to Don on the phone, hoping he would forgive me for having them all to myself.

I did the usual sort of errand running yesterday; groceries, post office, and then I decided to buy two more hanging geraniums for the porch. Since I’m going to be gone for a while and my usual choice of hanging plants need to be watered every day as they get a lot of direct sun on the porch, I thought the heat-tolerant geraniums would be better. I don’t want Noble to have to stop by every day to water them. I will now find a shady place for them, someplace where they’ll catch the rain and won’t dry out so quickly.

As I was puttering around the porch, Don called and we chatted a bit and then I had to run in the house, so I told him I would call him right back. The porch was so beautiful, there was a lovely breeze that helped to cut the humidity, the wind chimes were tinkling, and when it was time to call him back, I plopped myself on the glider and hit Face Time. Believe it or not, this is the first time we’ve used Face Time since he left for the West Coast.

Ah! There  he was. We sat there talking to each other and we couldn’t stop smiling. I was so happy to see his dear face. He seemed to be equally happy to see mine. It was simply lovely, that time together, with the breeze blowing and my love right there on my phone. Eventually, I got up and took him on a tour of the gardens, so he could see what was happening back home.

I know it seems silly not to avail ourselves of Face Time more often, but I’m sort of happy we didn’t, because it made this all the more special. One week from Monday I will be winging my way out to San Diego. I cannot wait to see him in person.

It rained during the night and now the sun has come out. Two bunnies were dining when I looked out the window of the kitchen door, though I had to gently remind them that the garden was a no-no. They ran off, white tails bobbing. The same for the beautiful deer that was feeding right outside my kitchen window yesterday evening. I ran to get the camera and as he moved, I moved to the den to see if I could get a photo. Much to my surprise, he walked right up to my butterfly bush, clearly eyeing it as a possible meal choice. So I knocked on the window, he looked up, right into my eyes, we studied each other for a minute – and then he ran off.

It’s a special day today. Don turns 66 years old. Little Z turns 6.

Isn’t that perfect? 66 and 6.

I love that they share a birthday, these two boys. They have a special bond and their shared birthday makes that bond even more precious.

Last year at this time, I was unveiling the mini studio that I made for Don. This year we’re apart but we know we’ll be together soon and we’ll celebrate then. He told me he didn’t want a card or a present, that he would prefer that I buy him something that he discovers and falls in love with on our trip across the country. Sounds perfect.

He has two shows today and two shows tomorrow, so he’ll be busy.

Happy Birthday to my big love and Happy Birthday to my little love. Two of my favorite guys.

Happy Saturday.