IN Carmel

                                An unnamed butterfly seen this evening. The big guys are still around. The morning came early but I stayed in bed till six.  No need to hurry the day.  But I did do a bit of that when I realized I needed to eat breakfast before seven given that order came from the Scan Guy.  That was one thing I had forgotten even after having a number of scans in the past.  So, out of bed and breakfast eaten as it should have been.   I cleaned the cage this afternoon and these are the chrysalis that will be wintered over till next spring. I'm not sure how this will work but it's worth a try.  One chrysalis left on the patio table connected to a rock was eaten by something.  This protector wasn't working.                             The little black speck ...

                      Finally there is a touch of marigolds.  They should be easy to grow but NOT this year.                                                                                       Maybe I need a refresher course! Halfway through the week or so I call Wednesday with B Blues coming through.  The driver always waves to me when I'm in the garden.  Today I got to ask him his name.  Chuck it is and he told me he's been getting my garbage person for seven years.  He deserves a big, big wave for sure.  Nice man he is.           Another great zinnia.  I'm waiting for two more to bloom for the ...

 Today started in the 5 am hour.  But the night began around 10 last night so I had a few winks.  I watched a little TV to start the day.  It's not necessarily a good start but that's the way it is these days.  It was a dark morning and one that probably will be repeated more than once this week.                            I enlarged a section of Susan's mandala and you might be able to see more detail.                                                                                            There is a lot of twill work. I checked my computer mail and found a note from Darren sending an essay he had read for...

                                                                      Pumpkin time among the zinnias.  It was a take it slow Monday morning.  I snipped flowers for the table.  I say they look a little pumpkiny. with orange.  I did another larger arrangement with big grown-up zinnias for neighbor Kathy.  There was a misty feeling in the air and eventually it did rain during the day.  What a gift to the plants trying to make it through the fall.  I rolled some chicken wire that wasn't needed any more.  That was the extent of the morning garden work.                            My guy of the garden Saint Fiacre with his shovel ready to work. When break time ...

                                            A mandala crafted using quill pieces with color. Made by Susan A wonderful slow in so many ways to start the morning.  Nothing more than eating a healthy breakfast, fetching the paper and sitting for a spell.  And soon after we were on our way to church.   But before I go farther let me add that when feeling like I need something, music is the filler.  It's usually a great vocal group singing something that has good words. I was asked the question soon after we left the choir we had sung with for more than 55 years...what do you miss?  My answer was the words.  The words we sang were more important than I had thought. So, a few days ago I heard the Concordia Choir sing Day by Day.  I played it over and over again.  The words made the music stay with me.  I had both....

                                                         Seasonal change is evident.  Here's the proof.                                     Looking like late fall with green grass now moving fast to dormancy.                                                   We heard thunder far to the south with the promise of rain coming almost daily next week.                                                      ...