The catalpa tree is in bloom, which has nothing to do with this photograph, except for the fact that is so gloriously beautiful yet hard to capture in a photo. It’s huge, for one thing, and what the human eye sees as tons of white flowers doesn’t quite come across digitally. I keep trying, but this morning’s attempt was a failure.
Our huge spirea is full of pink flowers. It’s so lovely.
We have about 30 milkweed plants in the front of the house. They used to self-seed in the back forty, but I guess they decided to move front and center. Many are in the front garden bed near the spirea and the rose bushes (which I threaten to yank every year.) And the rest are on the far edge of the big garden bed near the driveway. I do my best to protect them, even mowing around the plants that are growing in the lawn. As long as I’ve been observing the milkweed plants, I’ve only seen the caterpillar that becomes the Monarch butterfly once. I’ve been looking and I see eggs on the underside of the leaves, so I’m crossing my fingers that we eventually get to the butterfly stage.
I’m very lucky they grow wild here. If they didn’t, I would plant some. I love Monarchs and we need to protect them.
Don’s playing his guitar while I write this. It’s stopped raining, thank goodness, and it’s a rather cloudy day with a strong breeze. Maybe we’ll mow a little today. It’s time to begin the three-day mowing process yet again. Don’t worry. We really like mowing!
Confession: I know what’s going on in the world. But I can no longer watch the news or MSNBC. I am rarely on Twitter. An activist by nature, I find I can’t completely engage any longer. Or at least for a while. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t step up if needed, for I despise the actions being taken by this administration. But my health and my sanity, as well as my inner peace, must be of paramount importance. I can no longer live in a state of rage, which is where I was living for much of the past two and a half years. It isn’t healthy. Even though I used to find it maddening when others would disengage, I understand it now. Don’t get me wrong, I will fight for what is right – but on my terms. Don says something that has a ring of truth in it: It’s time for the young people to take over this battle. I think he’s right. I feel like I’ve been battling for 50 years, starting with the War in Vietnam and the fight for Civil Rights. I need some peace now. I want a simple life.
Just my thoughts today on that particular subject. They’re subject to change.
Happy Friday.
Peace and a simpler life sound so good right now. That state of rage is wearing on all of us, it seems to me. I need some blue skies and songbirds about now. And butterflies.
Me too. All of the above! xo
agree/feel the same way (and watch maybe fifteen minutes of news each week, mostly for the weather). take good care of yourself, just like you do all those plants!
maybe you don’t want to calculate it and i know it’s a labor of love for you, but how much time would you guess you spend on gardening, mowing, etc. each week? (my little plants take less than ten minutes each weekend). whatever it is, kudos to you … your gardens and lawn look beautiful! and thanks for sharing those bits of nature that bring bits of peace to me 1,000-plus miles away.
hope everyone has a great weekend!
kathy in iowa
I have no idea. It varies. If I’m cleaning out the garden, adding mulch, weeding and planting it’s many, many hours. Now, when I just weed a bit and water and mow, it’s less. Thanks, Kathy.
I can relate. In fact, I’ve gone to the extreme (for me) step of just staying off-line for days. Sometimes it’s easier, like when I’m feeling under the weather. But other times I just have to tell myself a quick news fix just isn’t worth the unhealthy stress. So, I’ve missed your last couple of posts and am catching up this morning. I don’t like to go too long without looking at your amazing flower pictures. I do the same thing, roam our gardens and beds with my camera and a tool for digging weeds. Because it’s been such a cool, rainy spring – and we live so close to Lake Michigan which adds to the “coolness” – the flowers are emerging slower than usual. But I’m retired now and I have more time to be patient and really appreciate them when they do finally appear. Our Korean Lilacs have just opened and I smell heaven when I open the garage door. My friends living in the western suburbs are astounded we’re just getting them.
This area is seeing a boom in housing development with more and more woodland and open fields being torn up and turned into subdivisions. I can’t blame the critters for seeking new stomping grounds, but, gosh, has my ongoing battle to keep the deer from eating my potted flowers ramped up this spring. Now, to add insult to injury, I woke up this morning to the sound of something much larger than a mouse scrabbling in the wall behind our bed. So the exterminator is coming today to set some traps in the attic, Never a dull moment.
Lilacs are here for such a short time that I envy you experiencing them now!
We have deer always. I saw a beautiful young deer walk up to a garden bed that is right by the kitchen and chomp on my plant. I had to politely ask him to leave!
I also had to disengage from what’s going on as I was on the brink of losing myself. Part of my self care is to only tackle what I can handle. I was telling this to my daughter Ashleigh and she said yes Mom, It’s time for US(her generation) to take over the fight. So the younger generation will have to step up now. There are more stresses and physical limitations in my life now and so I will always do what I can, I will always care and I’m around just not as vocal. Hugs!
It IS time for the younger generation to take over the fight. And good for Ashleigh, who has realized that. xo
Yes, I well remember the state of rage. I, too, have moved away from the “dark side”, as I call it, a while ago. It’s much better for my mental and physical health. It is time for the younger generations to take over. I still watch the news…but try not to dwell on it. Mainly, I’ve been staying off Twitter…that is a rabbit hole that is hard to get out of once you are sucked in!
The best antidote to the “dark side”, is to immerse myself in gardening. Your pictures, and posts definitely help with that. Your spirea is gorgeous. Guess I’m going to have to sneak into my neighbor’s yard to see their catalpa tree in bloom. Now, that all the leaves have filled out on the trees, it’s nearly impossible to see anybody else’s back yard. Which is great…lots of natural privacy for sure. But…you miss things like a neighbors beautiful blooms.
I sprinkled some milkweed seeds around last fall in hopes they would ‘ve come through…but none did. Then I read about the whole refrigerated ritual I should’ve done, too late. Fortunately, a lot of my neighbors are very successful Monarch butterfly enablers.
It’s sunny, but very windy here today. Hope you enjoy your day! ;)
Yes! That’s why I stay away from Twitter, as well.
Gardening has helped me enormously. Taking time to notice what’s growing and blooming on our property helps enormously. Thanks, Donnamae.
Being french, I do not know what is happening . I guess there ist something to do with Monsieur Trompette !?
As you said, at a certain age, we need peace and enjoy the beauty of nature, the beautiful things around us as long as we have eyes to see them.
Bon weekend et merci.
Yes. Every day there is a new atrocity coming from the Oval Office. It’s ongoing, Helene.
Beauty, peace, nature, flowers – all of it! I’m so glad to hear from you again, Helene. I just replied to your email.
Claudia, I completely agree. I’ve had to disengage, too. I especially don’t like watching live news. I read news online to keep informed, and that way I can choose what to “see.” I think it’s much healthier for us!
That way you can control what you see – a good idea! Thanks, Jenny!
I have developed some serious health issues due to this horrid administration. It sounds crazy, but internalizing the rage has about done me in. It is definitely time for the youngers to step up as we did for Vietnam, etc. I was listening to some of the music of that time just recently and mentioned to my husband that music isn’t paramount with this newer generation as it was for us. Or maybe I am longing for some protest songs, some sort of rallying that doesn’t seem to be happening. There have been huge rallies, but it is the small things we did on local campuses, in the neighborhoods, that truly seemed to bring us together. But we didn’t have the ability to sit home and hammer out twitters thinking we were actually doing something from a phone. We actually had to go out and face what was happening. I don’t know. It is hard, after a lifetime of being news-connected, to be in this dark place. I do know that 6 more years of this insanity will likely kill me and many others. The sad part is that we finally know that checks and balances do NOT exist in our government, and everything is truly done for the money and the power and NOT for the good of the people and this planet. That reality has been heartbreaking.
You make great points. We had to get out there and DO something. No social media, no Twitter. We had to take action.
Yes, it’s heartbreaking and disillusioning. I thought we were better than this. We are, but there’s a large segment of the population that simply isn’t. That doesn’t care. That thinks lying is just fine. That isn’t bothered about collusion – and of course there was collusion – with a hostile foreign government. That doesn’t care about anything but airing their intolerance of anyone and anything that is different than them. Oh, I could go on and on. I think we were fooled into believing we were in a better world when Barack Obama was elected. But it’s just as corrupt as ever.
This is not what I wanted to see or acknowledge as a reality in my later years. I’ve had to withdraw into my little world of good and kind people who actually care about others. I understand. You must take care of yourself, Chris. That’s what matters. You deserve better, so withdraw and protect yourself, my friend.
I backed away many months ago. I didn’t talk about it that much. people don’t understand.
but I had malignant hypertension. actually STILL have it. it could result in a stroke at any time. your blood pressure spikes to unbelievable heights. and I swear. I am NOT going to DIE because of the idiocy all around me. I had to tune it out and find MY LIFE.
I finally had to realize like you and the others here… I have done my time of protesting. (also Viet Nam… especially with my brother having to be there. and also Civil Rights.)
now I can’t march. and I can’t watch the liars. it is up to someone else. someone healthier and younger just like Don says. he’s wise. and I’m glad you are on board! xo
Good for you, Tammy! Take care of yourself – that is the most important thing.
I completely agree Claudia, both about passing the torch to the young and also not paying attention to the news. I just do not want that level of nastiness in my life. After all, I would never invite a nasty person to literally come into my home, so why would I turn on the tv and invite nasty people into my home that way? Nope. I want to focus on goodness and kindness and growth and learning and looking around I see so many good people to celebrate, I focus there.
Exactly. I would never put up with that sort of behavior in my home. So I’m locking them all out. No entrance allowed!
And you’re right, Cindi, there are SO many good people and it’s easy to forget that with all of the mean-spirited people in the news.
Oh Claudia, I know exactly how you feel. I got rid of twitter a month ago at the same time that I told my husband not to discuss any politics with me. Even the mention of our prime ministers name(we live in Canada) gets my blood pressure shooting up. If he wants to say something about a situation involving that man, he quotes Harry Potter and says “he who shall not be named”. I also deleted any Instagram and facebook pages that weren’t uplifting and helpful. Its small things but they help.
Good decision, Eileen! Small things add up and they certainly contribute to our well-being. Good for you.
Agree 100%. I find I can’t watch the news anymore, and I go online only to check “Ravelry” and on line yarn stores – I am a knitter after all; so I’ve got to follow what DOES keep me sane. I hear from a lot of other makers (and that includes the lovely gardeners and photographers) that they turn to their crafts to help them cope with this atrocity that is our reality (I can’t bring myself to say president – he is SO NOT my president). Blue skies, flowers, sunshine and deep, healing breaths. Many hugs!
I can proudly say I have never called him president. I vowed not to and I’ve stuck to that.
Many hugs to you, too, Melissa!
Oh have you hit this awful issue on the head. I keep telling my hubby to shut off the news! I’ve become so saddened & depressed with this terrible time in US history. My hubby does remind me every so often, though, that Good will rule over evil. I SO hope he’s right!!! Things have GOT to turn around.
I love your yard & I love reading daily!! Keep it up, it boosts my spirits!
Your friend from OB!!
I think your husband is right. Good will triumph. I just wish it would happen sooner rather than later! Hang in there, Priscilla.
Claudia
Have you heard of the book called “The Overstory” by Richard Powers? I haven’t read it . Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize. Novel about 9 Americans whose unique life experience with trees brings them together addressing the destruction of the forest. Sounds interesting.,
Yes, I’ve heard of it and I asked my local bookseller if he enjoyed it and he said yes. I want to read it. It’s on my list, Trina!
I completely agree with your thinking Claudia; when I started to dream about
that monster, it was definitely time to unplug for health reasons. Lots of gardening and reading the past month instead of Nicole, Rachel and Lawrence. Gave up on CNN
during the campaign. 🇨🇦
I did too. I haven’t watched CNN in years! Thanks, Lea.
I understand the need to disengage. I told myself I would volunteer to register voters so at least I am doing something without getting overwhelmed and angry.
We all need to take care of ourselves whatever that looks like.
Exactly. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself, my friend.
I understand your new point of view. You will find more peace. If the younger generations won’t take up the call, we are screwed anyway. It’s like letting the kids learn to walk on their own.
Yes, and hoping they’ll take off and fly! Thanks, Tana.
As usual, Claudia, WELL SAID; you echo my thoughts completely but say/explain it better. I’ve been in this transition since about last November. Priorities. Balance. Self-care. I just think that so much, including emotions, gets harder as we age. I have discussions with myself about 90% withdrawing and disengaging from everything around me but that doesn’t make me happy either. So it’s this continual assess/reassess thing. Learning to be content. A host of things.
Absolutely. Assess/reassess.
Though I have a fantasy about going somewhere and living off the grid. It won’t happen, but the thought of completely disengaging has its appeal nowadays.
I get it, really get it. I have tried to stay away, but I can’t yet. However, I am on summer break, so I plan to immerse myself in chores that have to be done. Hoping that will do it. My other hope, we all just emerge from our cocoons (sorry, couldn’t help myself) and just vote the ass out. Until then, nature and friendship is the answer!
Yes, indeed! You are so right, Tina-Marie. Thank you!
I’m immersing myself in learning about the candidates, their platforms, strengths and weaknesses. It keeps me focused on the future rather than mourning the (current) absence of morality and character of both legislators and citizenry.
I refuse to let them make me disengage, however I do cherish those vacation moments when I’m offline. It makes me realize how peaceful life can be.
Meanwhile…gardening, grandkids, doggies, art. Stay sane, everybody!
Oh, I won’t disengage enough to not know about the candidates. That I will keep up on. Don and I were just talking about them yesterday.
Thanks, Roxie! Yes, we must stay sane.