BEAUTIFUL BONFIRE

What amazing memories this photo brings to my mind.  All our lives we loved camping and picnics, and the centerpiece of both was the campfire.  Thank you, Robin, for sharing your recent back yard bonfire.............

Just look at the sparks flying upward.  There's something about bonfires that mesmerizes, almost puts one in a trance.  

A bonfire, to me, means it's time to get out a pack of hot dogs, a bag of buns, the ketchup, mustard, relish and onions.  Cut a stick, and with a pocket knife make a sharp point to poke through the hot dog(s).  And, I love mine charred to a crisp.  

No picnic is complete without roasted marshmallows, with or without the graham crackers and Hershey's candy bars.  This girl is good with just the marshmallow, toasted to soft perfection, charred on the outside.  Gotta say my mouth is watering as I think back and type my edible memories.

Gathering around a bonfire with friends is about the ultimate, in my world.  Summer evenings are apt to cool down, and that's when the fires feel toasty.  There's usually one person who tends the fire, adds more wood, but I prefer roasting my own dogs and mallows.   The little kid is always alive within us.

The bonfire, like all earthly things, holds within it a lesson for us humans.......

Obstacles can arise from good as well as bad circumstances, but they should never deter or overpower you.  Be like the earth, which supports all living creatures indiscriminately, without distinguishing good from bad.  The earth is simply there.  Your practice should be strengthened by the difficult situations you encounter just as a bonfire in a strong wind is not blown out, but blazes even brighter.  ~Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche  

Thank you, Robin, for sharing another of your inspiring photos!

LAPTOP WOES

 To all my "lovies" who sent birthday wishes to little old me......thank you from my heart.  Each and every one added to the joy of my life.

My laptop is giving me fits.  The plug is worn and not functioning with power.  Spent one entire day typing my Montaigne notes to take advantage of a 3-day 40% discount offered by the company who prints my blogs into books.  The offer expired at midnight of the third day, and at 10 o'clock EST I pressed the key that shipped my notes to New York for printing.  This is how I retain the notes of my studies.  Anyway, that took priority even before my posting here.

Cuddy went back home the day of my birthday.  His daddy came in the door carrying a dozen long-stemmed pink roses.  He said to me that Cuddy had called him the night before and asked him to buy me flowers just from Cuddy.  Awwwww........

Roses from Cuddy

Have been watching YT videos of the Parkland, Florida, shooting trial and of the interrogation of the shooter right after it happened.  Stayed up until 3 a.m. watching night before last.  Seeing is believing, that's all I gotta say.  Am appreciative for the opportunity to witness the interrogation, the actions of the shooter following such a horrific massacre.  Now, he's waiting for the sentencing trial which gives the shooter two future options.......life in prison without parole or death.  

We all have our personal opinions on these major decisions, but, my humble thought is that if I was on the jury, my vote would probably be life in prison.  For what he did, death would give him the perfect peace he seeks.  Life would make him suffer every second the nightmares and the reliving of what he did to innocent children.  Before the shooting, he attempted suicide at least two times.  He deserves to live the rest of his life in living hell.  

Don't know if it's okay for me to share my thoughts on stuff like that, but we all have our own slant on things.  Don't know as though I could live with myself if I voted for the death of anyone.  Life is much harder than death.

Boyfriend just requested a hair cut this morning.  Am worn out with little get-up-and-go.  As Montaigne would say, "We must hold on with all our strength to the enjoyment of the pleasures of life, which our years tear from our grasp one after another."  

Am blessed beyond words to be able to enjoy, and ponder upon, the little things.....like watching tiny hummingbirds sip nectar from our feeders, sitting in my new Adirondack chair with a book in my hand.  Today is a gorgeous summer day, it's a joy to look out the patio doors onto a tasseled cornfield, a freshly mowed lawn, and flowers blossoming in the beds out front of our unit.  Contentment is a gift that I do not take lightly. 

Am back to reading Krueger's second book, Boundary Waters.  Great read, like his first of the Cork O'Connor series.  

Hard to believe we're about to flip the calendars again to August.  School will restart.  Thank heave there's no wee ones in our charge to send to school.  Knowing me, there'd be heavy thought on virtual learning for kids of ours.  Despite what we think about learning to live with other kids, the risk of them getting shot outweighs all else.  I know kids who have been home schooled and are beyond other kids in their lives.  It's a personal choice, and I don't envy parents having to choose where to send their kids.  My heart truly goes out to the children of our world.  

Our garden is producing cucumbers, zucchini and green peppers.  Our next door neighbor gave us two large zip-lock bags of green beans.  Can't wait for the tomatoes to ripen.  We enjoy green beans mixed with cubed potatoes and ground pork or beef mixed with cream of mushroom soup baked in the oven.  We don't preserve our garden goodies, but enjoy them fresh and also share with those who don't have gardens.

Be safe this weekend.    

DAKOTA MEMORIES

Severe storms last night with damaging winds took trees down, ripped roof-tops from homes, and our friends' barn housing a valued tractor collection was torn down.  The rain gauge by the Venny garden showed 4-1/2 inches of rain.  Some of the corn fields were damaged, oat fields flattened.  Thank you, Great Spirit, for sparing us.

Have had my nose in the book most of day.  Actually fell asleep once with pencil in hand.  The wee one aroused us from sweet slumber at 6 o'clock this morning.  Electricity had been out overnight, so at first didn't know the time.  Appliances simply blink until reset.  

A darling little hummingbird is dipping his needle-like beak into the feeder hanging on our deck.  Try to imagine how a creature so tiny can have a heart and all functioning body organs, plus have the wherewithal to fly back and forth thousands of miles.  Surely humbles humans.  Think of what we require in mapping and GPS to get us from one place to another.  Sorry, but I can't help but challenge the theory that man is the dominant species.  

The boyfriend made a batch of refrigerator pickles with our garden cucumbers.  They're positively delightful.  Gave some of our bounty to Venny friends this evening.  Garden goodies make wonderful ways of telling others that we care.  When they call Venny a Family of Friends, they're spot on.  

More pictures from Cuddy's parents in the Dakotas make me yearn to be there.  What is it about that landscape that transcends the norm?  We have memories starting on our honeymoon of that area, and with each additional visit, our heart has grown more attached to the rock formations and cathedral-like spires.  Couldn't help but go back to our photos taken in Custer State Park, and the little girl in me about wet her pants when we came upon the famous begging burros......

 This visit was right after our precious little Emma's life ended.  Emotions were bloody raw, only Nature's balm could soothe.  My phone was in hand able to capture this next one....

 Probably the prince of pictures is this one.......

The word "regal" comes to mind when I look at this captured moment.  Often makes me fathom how we could've been at the right place at the right time to have seen this creature in the wild kingdom.  It's for reasons such as this that my heart believes and trusts in a Power that governs our Universe and monitors the pulse of its billions upon billions of inhabitants.

Tis difficult to render an opinion as to #1 photo op, but this next one of Momma Buffalo and baby rates right up there, too.........

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

ADIRONDACK CHAIR

My beloved Adirondack rocker/chair arrived unassembled yesterday.  Thank high heaven that the boyfriend is a master of assemblage and reparation.  He took it upon himself to have it put together and in our unit same day.  It's awesome!

However, what I didn't read on its description was that the foot rest is not recommended with the rocker element.  So, overnight I pondered what rates higher....foot rest or rocking?  This morning my answer is clear.....can't live without the foot rest.  The 'rockers' are easy to remove, according to he who did the assembling.  Am one who's most comfy with my feet elevated.  Better for the circulation, as well.

Weather is sorta uncertain today.  Storms are forecast, along with the high temps.  Got a text message from Cuddy's parents who are out in the Dakotas, and yesterday's temp reached 108 degrees.  We made sure to keep Cuddy inside most of the day, although the two of us sat on the deck for a short while toward evening.  Even then, was too stuffy.  

Doesn't look like my Christmas Cactus segments are going to take root in the potting soil.  Should've put them in water to grow roots before doing that.  

Corn in the field adjoining Venny is showing tassels.  We've had our first and only meal of sweet corn thus far.  The event rates right up there with spotting the first robin in the springtime.  Tender, sweet, juicy, enhanced with butter and salt.  One of life's finest treats.  

Gonna stay quiet and cool today.  We have a weather alert radio that blares like a siren when there's storm in the area.  No doubt it will scream its song toward evening, the time of day bad storms arrive.  

We're up and at 'em since 6:30, when the mutt needed to be taken outside.  Now he's tucked in his little bed, sound asleep.  Think he's having a fun vacation with us.  Am already dreading giving him back.  Like a lot of things in life....it's bitter-sweet.  

GRASS SPIDER

Photo by Debbie

My sister-in-law sent me this photo of a Grass Spider Web she took out in their pasture.  "They're easy to identify because the spider will still be in there!  Grass spiders rarely leave their webs and like to hide in the funnel shelter part of their sheet-like web.  These funnel-shaped webs are flat and have a funnel or tunnel located to one side of the structure.  Viewed from the top, they resemble a black hole."

What does a Grass Spider look like?

Grass Spider

MONTAIGNE

Am sure my followers weary of hearing about my study of Montaigne's essays, but, for me, it's a big deal that needs to be written about.....cuz, this is the story of my life.  Day by day.  

Sad part is there's no children or grandchildren who will want to read about my life.  Actually, don't know anyone who would undertake to read all the books that are already in print with my name as the author.  My mind fears the thought of them being auctioned off of a hay rack for a few cents.  But, that's life, we have very little control over anything, really.  What happens after me is really not a personal worry, nor should it be.   

Anyone who hears a voice urging them to write down life events, or even the day-to-day hum-drum, blogging is the easiest way.  Every year I alert a company in NY to publish one edition of that year's postings.  Tis that simple.  Price is very reasonable, plus they toss out discounts every once in awhile.  

Back to the essays.......finished reading book #1 and have pages upon pages of handwritten quotations that I intend to type up into my Blogger format for publication.  Did that after finishing the two large volumes of Thoreau's journals.  In that instance, I merely separated the philosophical stuff from the botanical and kept the philosophical.  

The words of Montaigne have stretched my mind and planted fresh paths of thinking.  Unbelievable how a few words can jolt the brain and instantly one can understand why some thing is the way it is, or why some one is the way he/she is.  

So, who was this guy Montaigne?  Born in France in 1533, died in 1592.  By today's standards, 59 is quite young for a life's end.  His essays formed a new literary form.  He chose to write about himself as a way to write about man and the human condition at that particular time in history.  His grandfather and father established the family in the administrative nobility of France.

He was home tutored, exclusive use of Latin, which was the international language of educated people.  He learned French when he was six.  Montaigne continued his education first at the College of  Guyenne and eventually at the University of Toulouse, where he studied law. 

Following the death of an intensely close friend, is when he began his writing, to fill the empty void left by the irreplaceable friend.

Michel Montaigne statue
at the Louvre

He later married, not for love as much as duty.  Had six daughters, five of whom died in infancy.  One daughter survived him.  One finds it challenging to imagine these famous philosophers as real people, but they were.  They were born with curious minds about this unexplainable adventure called life.  Am personally grateful for what they left behind for we, of another time, who were born with curious minds.  

Doing a study like this is made easier with the use of the internet language translators.  Whether Latin or French, it's simple to translate these ancient words into English.  Ahhhhh, the luxury of today.

So, it's on to book #2.  Both books together total 1,529 pages plus a handbook.  

Our today was spent lounging around, mostly engulfed in our laptops, each focusing on our interests.  Kinda makes a person wonder what we did before the internet.

Kids growing up today will hear about the pre-internet time of history and will wonder how that was even possible.  Kinda like we wonder about the world before electricity. 

Many societal changes today, some amazingly wonderful, some frighteningly negative.  Each generation has its views and conceptions of the NOW....for us seniors, an unfamiliar and daunting land is emerging, whereas, for the younger generation, a world is emerging filled with wonder and anticipation.  None of us knows how others feel, but I do know that the world I've known is growing smaller and more in the distance.  Leaving me in a lost zone.  Perhaps this is what happens to each generation as it reaches its conclusion.  

Despite the predictions for extremely hot temperatures, today we enjoyed the openness of a slight breeze.  Not as bad as we anticipated.  Understand that England and other countries are experiencing dreadfully hot temps.  Also wildfires.  

Tonight's supper consisted of leftovers.  Now we settle in for the duration of the evening.  We received a text message from Cuddy's parents with photos of their poolside evening, winding down from a long day's drive.  Cuddy's quite content, having had his supper and treat, cuddled on the couch beside his favorite pillow.  

Sun is beginning to set, dusk setting in.  The peaceful time of day in between daylight and nighttime.  The table lamps are lit and evening contentment settles in.  Sweet repose to all. 

Today is a lazy hazy crazy day of summer!  Boyfriend trolleyed to the grocery store for sale items, which included a watermelon and whole chickens.  Bought sweet corn from a vendor on his way home.   

Fried chicken, sweet corn on the cob and watermelon for supper.  A fresh cucumber salad chills in the fridge.

Can't help but be drawn into the Uvalde camera footage.  Watched the entire CBS airing of the School Board meeting held tonight, where parents of the deceased children questioned and demanded.  Can't imagine the parental rage, when I at home get riled.  Am a law enforcement proponent, but the approx. 400 officers who responded to the May 24th massacre showed themselves to be Barney Phyfes.  

Sounds like hot weather is ahead.  Temperatures predicted in the 90s and 100s.  Good days to stay indoors.  Again, we count our blessings being able to do just that.  

ADIRONDACK ROCKER/CHAIR

Have been away from the keys once again.  Have had interesting and fun-filled days since last writing.

Got it in my head that for my birthday I wanted an Adirondack Rocking Chair for the deck, 'specially for me.  Not the wooden, original Adirondack, but what they call the poly, made out of recycled materials.  We drove to where they're sold, I found the one that suited me, only to find its cost $550.  Well, my post-Depression upbringing couldn't possibly fall prey to such robbery, so we bid the retailer farewell and went on our way.

Stopped at an Amish farm, where we bought garden fresh green beans, a freshly baked peach cobbler and a head of cabbage.  Two adorable little Amish girls were helping their Momma cut up green beans.  The smallest of the two was a twin.  Seven other kiddies were in the house napping.

Made a big batch of Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw, with fresh onions from our garden.  We were happy to share it with our special supper guests last evening.  Told the boyfriend that there's nothing like sharing laughs with the girl who laughed with me as a teenager.  My heart feels refreshed for having laughed like that and about the memories we share.

Am happy to say that our Cuddy is back as of 9 o'clock this morning.  He's ours until the 27th of this month.  He's had his spa day, as we call his visit to his groomer.  Also has treats that are medicinal for arthritic joints.  Wonderful knowing how our pets are cared for, just like we humans.  The minute Cuddy came into our unit, he went to the patio doors, sprawled himself comfortably like he belongs here.  

My brain is immersed in the Essays of Montaigne.  As I read, I write the passages that I want to retain.  What I'm learning must be kept available to me.  As life presents itself, so must my approach and response.  Only the classic thinkers of the past offer the best interpretation and application to life and its challenges.

Weather here is summer wonderful.  

Okay...........to continue on with my search for my perfect deck Adirondack rocker.  Well, following my boyfriend's suggestion, typed in a Walmart search.........and, guess what I found?  Yup, the answer to my prayer.  It's an Adirondack rocker, able to be converted to a chair, with pull-out foot rest, a place for a bottle of wine, and place for a glass of wine.  Only thing missing was my name boldly imprinted on it.  

At my age, I want for little.  However, when there's something that really tugs at my heart, well, I want it, but not at an insane price tag.  Leave it to WM to offer just exactly what I want.  Of course, my chair of choice will require assembly, but my boyfriend assures me it's a piece of cake.  Not only does this chair convert to a rocker, but it folds for easy transportation.  

That's a glimpse of what's been going on in our tiny corner of the universe.  The two of us floating along the river of life, thankful for every single blessing along our way.  

Till tomorrow, ta-ta, and nite-nite. 

DEBBIE'S CLEMATIS

Took time out to prepare and submit my contribution to the July Venny Newsletter.  Am also embroiled in my study of Montaigne's Essays.  Two volumes and handbook ordered on eBay.  Must say that it's not only enjoyable, but thought-inspiring.  Baffles me how words written in the 1500's are relevant in today's world.  Those individuals lived beneath the same sun and moon as we do, their human relationships involved the same emotions as ours.  Montaigne, the philosopher, left his writings for those of us who are thirsty for understanding.  Am grateful to be able to learn from the classic thinkers.

The day we celebrated with family the Fourth of July, my sister-in-law and I went for our usual golf cart ride around the farm, checking the cattle and their new calves.  I asked her to stop to admire the two climbing clematis..........

Aren't they beautiful?

Remember back when we were kids on the farm, Mom had a dark purple clematis that grew up a white trellis.  My memory saved its beauty and my admiration, even as a little girl.  My sister-in-law is known for growing bountiful gardens and beautiful flowers, and over the past 50+ years, I've been the lucky recipient of many large bouquets of her hand-picked and arranged bouquets.  

Tonight's supper, we're each going our separate ways.  The boyfriend is having a hamburger sandwich, and I'm having a taco salad with my hamburger.  We have fresh lettuce and green onions and tomatoes from the produce, so the timing is perfect for one of my favorite meals.  

Harvested a few cucumbers and a green pepper from our garden plot.  Tomorrow we'll most likely fix a cucumber salad with onions and pepper.  Summer yumminess!   

This One's For Tall Cottage

This Iowa Wild Rose is just for you, Tall Cottage.  Sending my love, dear.

Not too happy right now, cuz the fuzzy one will be leaving us at 5 this afternoon.  My saving grace is that he'll be returning for another stay next week.  Shared custody is no fun.  Migod, how do parents do this with their little children?  

Placed our online order for groceries at local Fareway Store.  Pickup time is tomorrow between 1 and 1:30.  Gonna treat ourselves to Chinese lunch before picking groceries up.   

More angst in our world.  Japan's former PM assassinated yesterday.  He leaves a void in a country that revered the man.  No details are being shared, as I monitor the news on national concerns.  Also see where Boris Johnson resigned.  Lots of turmoil and discontent everywhere.  Just saw a news briefing from San Antonio where hospital staff discovered a female patient in her upper 80s deceased, along with her husband, also in his upper 80s.  Preliminary details indicate a murder-suicide situation.  Can one imagine what that elderly couple endured to come to such a decision?  

Rained lightly this morning, now it's kinda overcast.  Sun goes behind clouds and then peeks itself back out.  Think the corn's growing by inches each day.  Having the cornfield in view from our deck is a way for us to monitor its growth.  Wasn't long ago and we were commenting how we could see the rows of corn pop up through the ground.  

Boyfriend's working on the garden gate with another guy, so it's me and the putz.  Nothing eventful going on, as we like it.  Just watching the clock before we have to pack up Cuddy's bed, toys, food and treats and turn him back to his rightful owner.  The fuzzy one follows me around like a shadow, to the point where sometimes I turn around and trip over him.  When he's not here, it's a definite emptiness.  

Don't know if I mentioned that I've planted a few helicopter seeds to see if any of 'em will sprout.  Just a little experiment that's sort of a challenge.  Just think it would be amazing if I'd get a maple tree to grow.  The minute I see a sprout, my screams will be heard across the whole county......an indication that it sure doesn't take much to make me happy!!!!!

Also saw where someone saved pits from fruit and throws them out their car windows when they drive around.  It's a way for nature to take over from there.  Kinda like birds that leave seeds behind.  Trees are one of nature's most valuable resources, so many of them being cut own like blades of grass.  We who see the beauty of creation take this seriously.  Don't think Our Creator meant for us to destroy all He made for our benefit.  

Gotta lift my thoughts higher and not allow life to bring my spirits down.  It's good to be concerned and do what's within one's grasp, but, after that, best to tend one's own immediate concerns.  The world is just too darned big to fret about everything and everyone in it.  

Think am going to have one of my Smart Ones meals.  So handy.  Pop one in the microwave for 3 minutes, stir, then put in microwave for another minutes.  Especially like the chicken oriental and the spaghetti.  Controlled portions are a necessity for my ravenous appetite.  

Can't think of anything else to chat about.  Another weekend is here, not that weekends are any different than the other five days of the week.  Ahhhh, the glory of retirement.  So nice not to dread five of the seven, repeatedly, over and over and over and over.  Now, we're just sailing into the sunset.  

Ta-ta for today. 

Darkness will soon set in, closing the doors on another day.  Have busied myself this day reading Roe vs. Wade.  Want to finish so I can dive into Montaigne's Essays.  

Goulash was tonight's supper, made with curly noodles rather than macaroni.  Am still using chopsticks, and gotta say slippery noodles are not the easiest to maneuver with metal sticks.  They're fun and find myself eating slower.

Got a message from Cuddy's Mom saying they're back in the home state.  Unfortunately, her luggage got lost in London.  Can't imagine the airport chaos these days.  They'll pick Cuddy up tomorrow around 5 in the afternoon.  Boo-hoo.

Nothing spectacular took place in our world the last 24 hours, and guess that's a good thing.  The boyfriend spent part of the afternoon in the workshop.  He and another guy are making a gate for the Venny garden.  Speaking of garden, we're enjoying radishes and green onions from our garden plot.  Saw a recipe on Pinterest for pickled radishes.  Just might try making them one of these days.  

Think it's time I find a movie on YT and watch that.  Ta-ta for tonight.

Am back to the keys, after a few days reprieve from posting.  Fourth of July is in the rear-view mirror.  Sadly, loss of innocent lives and injuries were thrust upon innocent parade-watchers in Highland Park, Illinois.  

It's worthy of mention how we, as a nation, are growing accustomed to seeing breaking news alerting us to these horrific mass shootings.  Personally, I'm one who keeps watching updates and news briefings to keep current on situations as they unfold and the whole story shared with the world.  

This has to affect all of us psychologically.  It all feeds into the fear porn that rains down on us every day through social media.  One can wonder why one doesn't just extricate oneself, but there's the element of curiosity.  

It's difficult writing about pleasantries while other lives are torn to shreds or are completely obliterated.  It's getting to be a struggle keeping focused on the good and the positive.  Keep wondering how our country has taken such a massive nosedive in one short lifetime.  

Our little Cuddy is still with us.  His parents were held over in Norway because of the airline strike.  Last we heard, they'll be flying in tonight around midnight....barring no more flight cancellations.  

Saturday we spent with family, which was a lot of good fun.  That was the holiday celebration for us.  We made a point to grill hot dogs for supper on the Fourth.  

Last evening we were under a severe thunderstorm warning.  Got 2-1/2 inches of rain, which the gardens and lawns and crops truly appreciated.  Today is overcast, with possibility of more rain.  The arthritis in my lower back is living proof that the barometric pressure plays havoc on the body.  Even Cuddy is limping, favoring his hind leg.  Canine family members suffer from the same malady as we humans when it comes to arthritis.  

Following the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe vs. Wade, I ordered a book on eBay about the issue.  Am reading that now.  Back in the 1960s, my life centered on marriage and career, and paid no nevermind to political issues.  That's why am now familiarizing myself with abortion and its history going back to biblical times.  It's not that I intend to get involved in discussions pro or con, it's simply for my personal awareness.  The book is not an easy read, so am reading it in spits and spurts and doing a lot of underlining.  That's how I can go back and read the critical parts.  That's also why I like having my own books rather than from a library.  All my books have my handwriting, highlighting, underlining, and personal notations on their pages.  

Lost my bid for the Montaigne volumes due to my own carelessness.  Simply forgot to watch the bidding, which ended when last checked.  Drat.  So, went back on and ordered a complete 2 volume set with handbook.  Paid more for this, but still reasonably priced compared to others on eBay.  That's gonna be my next study...a fine way to immerse my mind into the thoughts left behind by a classic philosopher.  Try to read and stretch my perspective in as positive a direction as possible.  Last thing I want is to trudge on through the stagnant and murky waters.  Need fresh, clear water going forward.

Don't know if any of that makes sense to anyone but myself.  So little in life makes sense to me as I walk the last inches of my life ruler.  For those of us who have functioned our entire lives with common sense as a guide, we must admit that our world grows more foreign and fearful for us by the day.  I take comfort in the words, "Don't be afraid of being scared.  To be afraid is a sign of common sense.  Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything."  ~Carlos Ruiz Zafon  

MAPLE HELICOPTERS

While sitting out on the deck last afternoon, noticed a maple tree helicopter seed was wedged next to the sliding door.  These whirlybirds floating in the air intrigued me as a kid and still do.  

Got me wondering if the seed would grow if I put it in ground.  Went on YT and found where a guy puts the seed end in the ground with the top part out of the ground.  Watered it and put a plastic glass on top, forming a little green house over the seed.  As an experiment, am going to try it. 

Learned the technical term for these seed helicopters is samaras.  Like all parts of Nature, the helicopters have a special grace to their design.  Kinda reminds me of the swirls on seashells.  When one thinks about it, Our Creator left His fingerprint on all things he created, each unique.  Since a little girl, I've looked closely at things like leaves, pine cones, seashells, rocks, wild flowers, and all else, admiring the shape, coloration, intricate design that's replicated in all of its kind.  

It's easy for me to be a doubting Thomas about lots of things, but Nature is the one and only reassuring element in life that never stops astounding me.  Mother Nature nurtures us just by being Herself.  

Neither of my thumbs are green, nor has gardening been compelling.....until now.  The boyfriend brought me potting soil from the workshop, and today will plant a few more Christmas Cactus segments to start new plants from the 100-year-old plant.  Have successfully started two now.  Don't want to even think of something happening to my big one that I salvaged.  

Have a babysitter lined up for tomorrow when we trolley out for the day to be with family.  The boyfriend wants a haircut sometime today, have a poppyseed cake to bake, and that's about today's agenda.  Finished reading Iron Lake, and have to say the Cork O'Connor series has me hooked like a fish.  Couldn't put the frickin' book down and spent yesterday reading until my eyes couldn't see anymore.  Literally had to put eye drops in and rest 'em.  The print was relatively light, and that added more eye strain.  Found the second in the series, Boundary Waters, and have ordered that on eBay.  Am sharing the books with my reading buddy out here, and that increases the value of a book, in my estimation.  If two people read a book and enjoy it, well, that's a win-win.  Love sharing with those who are appreciative.  

Appreciation goes a long way in life.  Without it, one lets go of the caring string, realizing one's efforts don't mean anything to the other.  Learning the art of appreciation is more important than any accredited course.  Growing up not having a lot made me appreciate what was mine.  When someone gave me something, I wouldn't have dreamt of returning it for something else.  Migod, that would've been an awful way to treat a gift chosen by someone else.  Common courtesies are necessary, 'specially in this time of division and polar opposites.  

Received more photos from Norway.  The trip is going by quickly, and am starting to dread giving Cuddy back.  Both of my boys are snoozing now, cuz they were out on the necessary walk early this morning.  

Tomorrow lots of places are holding their Fourth of July celebrations.  The Fourth of July isn't just about fireworks, Little League games and watermelon eating contests.  It's the day to spend some time appreciating our freedoms.  We are incredibly blessed, even though the tendency is to act otherwise.  

Stay safe.