Goodness. What beauty there is in a flower. I watch and observe my flowers all of the time, but seeing them through the lens of a camera is another thing altogether.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your wise, compassionate, loving comments on yesterday’s post. And thank you for letting me know it’s okay for me to write something like that and post it on this little spot on the web. We’re here to help each other and to love each other. When I write something from deep within my heart, whether it’s happy or sad or frightened, it not only helps me but it seems to help you. There is a huge comfort in knowing we are not alone. Oftentimes, it’s easy to think you are the only one who feels the way you do. But you’re not. So I thank you for sharing your wisdom and for being there for me. I knew you would be, just as sure as I knew the sun would rise and set today and tomorrow. We’ve tried most everything you suggested – believe me. It ain’t easy to find any kind of work when you are our age. Especially around my neck of the woods. I have to believe that the work I am doing is what I’m meant to do. Sometime, I will list all the ‘other’ jobs I’ve had in my life. There are many. You’d be impressed.
I will freely admit to a tear or two coming to my eyes as I read through all your comments. You are a gift – all of you. Having this blog has been an amazing experience for me for many reasons, but the chief benefit has been the blessing of your friendship.
Let’s have a mini garden update. I managed to snap some pictures in between the rain and thunder that will be with us for the next seven days. Between the impossibly high temperatures/humidity and the rain, I’ve been feeling cut off from the outdoors. I mowed part of the lawn yesterday in an atmosphere that can only be described as a sauna, just to get outside again. I was a wet noodle at the end of it all.
Some of the bee balm has bloomed.
The various white coneflowers that I planted last year have just started blooming.
The spirea’s first bloom is coming to an end.
Just plain pretty.
Can Sedum Autumn Joy re-seed? After 8 years here, I’m seeing a few little babies cropping up. There’s one in the lower left hand corner of the photo, as well. What a wonderful surprise. Ignore the weeds.
My little buddy. Taken through the kitchen window. He sat in this position for at least ten minutes.
Let me leave you with a couple of reminders. I wrote a book review 2 days ago and I’m giving away a copy of the book. You have until Sunday night to be entered. Just leave a comment on that post.
Remember that Google Reader is no more as of Monday, July 1st. If you read your blogs through Google Reader, you’ll need to transfer your feed. There is a lot of information out there as to other readers. I’ll leave that to you. I transferred mine to Bloglovin and I’m quite happy with it. You can also follow me on Bloglovin. There is a follow widget on my sidebar.
I’m trying a new font for my post titles. I love this blog design and I’m perfectly happy with it. I just like to change a little something or other every once in a while.
Happy Friday.
Claudia, you are one of the blessings of the blog world. I hope you know how you bless our lives. So glad e met.
XO,
Sheila
Me too, Sheila. I’m thinking of you during this difficult time.
We… I’m up and trying to type as as not to wake Mr. Magpie. xo
I hear ya on the humidity….ugh. I have no motivation to do anything when the heat is this oppressive. Today bodes better in our area, hope it moves toward you soon.
ps…got your package out yesterday, so hopefully it arrives tomorrow :)
Thank you, my friend.
Claudia I too love the uplifting friendships I’ve made here in blogland! I know you and Don mean so much to me. I feel your struggles and like you said, it helps to know we are not alone. With my move I am increasing my cost of living but feel the benefits outweigh the cost. Still it’s scary to wonder ‘will it all work’ ! It does on paper, now for real life. Your photos are uplifting also. I hope you have a wonderful day. Sending you hugs!
Linda
Sending you hugs, too, Linda. Have you already moved?
Just wanted to tell you, as others have, that we love you, Don, and Scout! I consider you a friend, although we have never met in person and probably never will! I don’t have happy times always and sure do not expect you to either. I hope and pray your Money Tree blooms soon. But if not, we will support you in bad or good times. Friends are like that, even just Blogland friends.
Thank you, dear Dottie. That means so much to me.
I too have never felt so much loving support as I have here in Blog Land. As I have always said: the readers are the wind beneath my wings. There is so much sisterly love here. A miracle of sorts in a place where we don’t see each other except through words and photos. You know that I WILL always be here for you. Just an email or a phone call away.
Brenda
It is indeed a blessed miracle.
I just read yesterday’s post, and I want to give you a big hug. You are real. and you share so much with us – beauty, creativity, sadness, worry, and joy. Thank you.
Thank you for being there for me, Sylvia.
Hi Claudia, I have followed your blog for a while now but have never left a comment. Your post on Thursday struck a lot of chords for me as I am in a failry similar situation as you. My partners business of 15 years went bankrupt in April and we now have to sell our much loved home to pay off all his business debts. Everyone keeps telling us “home is where the heart is” and yes, it is BUT it’s still our home to me. It’s where we live, it’s where we brought our adopted daughter home to. It’s where our cats prowl the woods that surround the house, it’s the lovely views from every window of all the different trees and foliage that surround it…..something I took for granted until now. We are also dealing with personal debt, one car has been taken off the road as it’s broken down and we can’t afford to get it fixed, my old cars’ exhaust is tied up with copper wire as we can’t afford a new one and it will have to be scrapped at the end of next month. We are living hand to mouth, constantly worrying about what life will throw at us next. My partner started a new job…for a bank of all places and is finding it hard to adjust to working a “normal” job. During all of this we still have to maintain a “normal” life for our daughter and attend nursery concerts etc., for her, all with a huge knot in the pit of our stomachs. Our house has been on the market for a while now too. We sold it one day and the next day the buyer withdrew their offer!!! Time is running out for us selling and we have no idea what we will do if it doesn’t sell and we can’t pay the business debts. During all this I am trying to take time to enjoy and appreciate the little things like my daughter feeding the birds in the garden and a trip to the beach (when we have enough petrol) but it’s so hard I just need to pressure to be taken off.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your troubles, Heather. I pray that there is a positive resolution to all this for you and your family. Leaving this house would break my heart, so I can very imagine what you are facing. I will hold you and yours in my thoughts,
I like your blog design too! So sorry to hear about the rain…we had 6 days of rain, and lots of flooding around the city, and some in the city! Got a reprieve yesterday, and the humidity has finally left! Rain is always better than drought, but too much has it’s problems too. Enjoy your weekend! ;)
Humidity, humidity. Today, so far, no rain. Cross your fingers. I was able to mow some more of the lawn, but the humidity wipes me out.
Your roses up there are just lovely! Sedum will definitely spread. I missed yesterday’s post, but I think I got the gist today. Best wishes as you find your way. :) Great photos. Oh, and send us some of that rain okay? ;)
Thank you. I wonder if the sedum is spreading because we’ve had so much rain this year? I’ll be happy to send you some rain!
Claudia,
I didn’t get to comment on yesterday’s post. I just want you to know that writing is therapeutic and write what you may. Life can get overwhelming sometimes and you just write away if it helps. I consider you one of my “blog friends” and look forward to your daily posts, the positive ones and the not-so-positive ones. Hang in there! I lost my job this past March. I also was sick in February and fainted and had a bad fall resulting in a concussion along with mouth & facial injuries. Ended up in the hospital for 3 days- the indignity of it all! I am still recovering from that and the job loss almost put me over the edge. I am looking for another job, but at age 58, it’s not looking good. Between the rain showers (I live in Central Mass so same crazy weather as you) I get out into the garden and work my hard on my beautiful garden babies. I don’t know what I’d do without my gardens! And dear husband too! I don’t “do” Twitter but I do subscribe to the twitter feed at @mindfuleveryday . I get mindfulness affirmations all day long and it really helps me get through the days. Check it out when you get a chance. Other than that, I have no use for Twitter but this I find helpful.
Check out my blog for updates on my garden. Take care! Luanne
Oh my goodness, Luanne, you have had more than your share of troubles this year. I hope that your worries ease and that you find a job. I will definitely check out that twitter feed. Thank you. I love Massachusetts, you know!
Blogging buds are the best…our rabbit buds are such fun to observe and I see my fav beebalm flowering there…still waiting for blooms here. Remember the best posts are those that come from deep inside. We love reading them.
Thank you, Donna. Knowing that you all are out there, with kind hearts and a sympathetic ear makes me very happy.
Your flowers are just beautiful. Just think what they will be after all of the rain and then probably sunshine! I want to order one of Don’s CDs, but I want to wait until he is home and have him sign the cover, OK? So, just let me know when that is. I think you said he was going to be gone 5 weeks???
Enjoy your gorgeous flowers. Give Scout a little hug for me.
Judy
He’ll be home at the end of July, Judy. I just hugged Scout for you!
You are one of the kindest most gentlest souls I have every met..your love and respect for all living things amazes me and touches my heart..I feel honored to have you call me friend..Hugs
The honor goes both ways, my friend. Thank you.
More people are right there with you than you will ever know. Understanding beauty, life, and being loved go much further than money. (I say that over and over and over . . .)
Pretty flowers and font.
Ahhh Claudia, I didn’t comment yesterday but I did read your post. I empathize…I’m feeling scared about finances these days. Something I haven’t had to deal with for about 15 years but being off on disability pay has wiped out my savings. I can’t bury my head in the sand any more. I wish I had a magic solution for both of us. I wish the world worked like that.
I bought my lottery tickets again today.
I don’t know if it helps to know that I listen, I empathize and I care. I pray for us all
Yesterday I watched a story on the news about artists in the US explaining that their work isn’t valued like it is in Europe. The public feel they shouldn’t have to pay a living wage for people who work in the arts like you. One girl was saying she hears people say you love what you do so you’ll do it no matter how much you’re paid. It’s so wrong to have that attitude. Hearing things like that make me angry. I guess I want an utopian existence. J