The end of the peony.

What can I say? The heat has been unbearable with heat indexes of up to 108 degrees. We are thankful for the A/C but it doesn’t stop the lethargy that has taken over both of us. Our brains feel like mush. I run outside to water everything in the morning and afternoon. I keep adding water to the birdbath, which has been very busy lately. And, of course, I water the pots on the porch.

One more day of this. The weather advisory has changed from “Extreme Heat Warning” to “Heat Advisory.” I don’t know that there’s much difference in the end. Tomorrow, the temperature will drop 20 degrees and relief will come. I know so many of you have been dealing with this. Hang in there, things will soon change.

Don didn’t want to do anything but hang out on his birthday, and frankly, that’s all we could do with the heat. We’ve decided no more presents from here on out. We don’t need anything. Whenever Don asks me what I want to do on my birthday, I respond “Just be with you.” And that’s the truth. He feels the same. So that’s what we did. The ice cream at the end of the day was extra special and we really enjoyed it. I sang Happy Birthday to him, adding a candle to his piece of apple pie. I am, of course, always happy to celebrate this man who unexpectedly came into my life 31 years ago. That guy completely turned my world around! I’m so happy I get to live this adventure with him by my side.

He is the best.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

This little rose emerged, a bit battered by the rain. I thought I should take a photo of its resilient beauty.

Everything needs to be weeded around here. It’s completely overgrown. But with all the rain, there’s been no time to really get at it. And in two days we are entering what the weather app calls an Extreme Heat Warning. It will be 99° on Don’s birthday – which is Tuesday. Heaven knows what the heat index will be! This will go on through Wednesday and then we’ll get some relief. I’m going to run to the grocery store this morning to stock up since we’re not going to be running errands during the heat wave. And I’m going to try to weed whack the area around the secret garden. It’s like a tropical jungle back there.

Right now, the windows are open and I can hear birds singing. I saw a bunny rabbit first thing this morning. So darned cute! We do have a groundhog the year, but I’ve only seen him about 3 times. Lots of little chipmunks, and squirrels, and birds at the birdbath. I expect the birdbath will be very busy for the next several days.

This will be a short post, as I have to get going early.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

The roses that grow next to the porch are blooming. In the past few years, they’ve started to poke through the railing. I love that.

And right around the corner from the rose bush, these guys are about to take off.

Of course, it’s been raining – yesterday, today, and tomorrow – let’s hope the rains are gentle so they don’t fall over.

I know some of you who are in drought conditions, and you’d love rain, but we are sick of it. We’ve had way, way  too much rain. The secret garden is a swamp and there are permanent puddles of water all over the property. I screamed “I am so sick of all this rain!!!” yesterday, no doubt alarming Don.

I honestly don’t have a lot to say. I could say a lot about the administration and the horrors taking place every day. I could say a lot about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Evil is everywhere. As Don said this morning, “As evil as you think they are, they’re worse.”

Truer words were never spoken.

On these rainy days, it’s harder to avoid the news. When the weather is dry, I can go outside and do some chores and/or mow and I can escape for a bit. Rainy days? Almost impossible to escape. And I want to know what’s happening because I feel we all need to bear witness. It’s imperative.

I’ve said this before, of course. It’s something that both Don and I keep wrestling with. We used to say, “How do we find balance?” But frankly, there is no balance right now and I don’t think there will be for a while.

And yes, I know about the dollhouse and reading and all the other things I could do. At this time, if I have one day a week in which I’m mildly distracted by any of them, it’s a win.

Anyway, I’ve said it before and I don’t mean to lay it on you again. I’m simply being somewhat transparent. Believe me, you don’t want completely transparent.

Sending lots of love to all of you because I know you’re dealing with the same challenge.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.