Nightmare

R.I.P. sweet Cleo

I last posted in 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. Little did I ever guess that, two years later, we would be still battling this virus.  The virus is only part of the mess: climate change, voters' rights at risk in the US, an attempted coup orchestrated by the previous crooked president, and democracy being threatened are all part of the mix these days. It is hard to believe what is happening, and I am not particularly hopeful for the future. I'm glad I'm old and was around for the good years. What a mess!

And my dog died...

Not So Much

My high hopes for 2020 have pretty much hit the skids since the virus appeared on the scene in March. Actually it was here long before, but we were unaware. Once the country did finally wake up, it was too late and opportunites to defeat it were lost. Now, months later, we are still at war with it. Who knows how this will end? 

My calendar is blank, and I spend much of my time alone due to public health guidelines. However, there is still some joy. I found myself going to grandson John's graduation via a uTube live stream. I always assumed I'd be there in person, but that was not to be. 

Another source of happiness was the long awaited opening of the community garden in late May. We all scrambled around to get the grounds back in order, ridding the garden of waist high weeds that were so plentiful the paths between garden plots had disappeared. Within a week, all was back in order and our wonderful weed-eating sheep arrived to finish the job. 

And now fire season approaches while the daily virus numbers go up. I had high hopes for 2020. Not so much anymore. However, half the year is still left. I remain hopeful... and thankful that it hasn't been worse. It has been a devastating time for so many.

On we go...

Let It Be Sweet

Twenty Twenty! A new year begins. Here's the sweetness, personal and global, that I'd like to see this year...

• The Defeat of Donald Trump
• A Healthy Personal Profile
• Planet Well-Being*
• Good Fortune for Friends & Family
• More Kindness & Tolerance in General in the World
• The Rise of the Middle Class
• Continuing Loving Relationships (and maybe beginning some new ones)

*if it's not too late

Amen

My Greenish Thumb

This is how it all began way back in April when I began my first garden attempt in many, many years. A weed patch.

 With lots of hard work and help from my grandsons, it morphed into this much improved version of a spring garden. Tomatoes, radishes, chives, cucumbers, and zinnias began to fill my small area. However, that cucumber trellis looks ridiculously empty, the tomatoes don't look much better, and slugs are after my zinnias.

On it goes...

until it magically transforms into...THIS!

And THIS!

Started from specially ordered seeds, this Queen Anne's Lace is my garden favorite. I know it is a weed that  grows wild and free along country roadsides, but I have always loved the bloom on this fabulous plant, so lovely in bouquets.

Now it's August, almost September, and the cucumbers have overgrown their trellis, the tomatoes are spilling over the top of the wire guard, and my once tidy garden is beginning to look a bit like a green tangled jungle, though still producing marvelous treats for the dinner table. 

What a fun adventure it has been, worth all the hard work.

Good Move

And so...another chapter begins.

Adios 1400. I loved you.

Hello, 153! I have high hopes.

Bucket List

NOLA...I finally made it. I have wanted to go for years, and I was not disappointed. As if that weren't enough, we did Memphis and Nashville, too... getting a sampling of great music as we went from place to place. However, there's still no place like home.

Undecking the Halls

It's time. The holiday decorations must come down for another year. Why is it that it is so much fun to put them up and such a bore to take them down? 

It was a good holiday, spending time with both branches of the family. It gets harder and harder to get together with everyone as the family gets more spread out. Who knows what it will be like next year, with part of the family now in Bend, OR and Santa Rosa homes being put on the market, mine included. So, it's important to enjoy the good holiday that was.

My Great Nieces

Jane

Presents!

Good memories. And, now, I am going to force myself to undeck these halls!