IN Carmel

 Another day to work on easy things and hard things.  The Living Strong group is working on solving some R issues.  I don't want to call them a problem.  It's an issue that needs solving.  R has not responded to anything as I write this.  So, visiting is a must to see if conversation will stimulate the mind once again.  We know bits and pieces about R but the puzzle is still a puzzle.  So, we're working. This morning once again was a beautiful morning to sit on the patio to watch the birds and think about the day.  The Cairn idea remained fresh in my mind and I wanted to shake that loose. Somehow, I wanted to create a Cairn with what I had in the garden.  And I did when I thought about changing what I had, using it in a new way.  A Cairn is a trail marker. It might mark a burial spot or be a boundary marker.  In modern times Cairns may symbolize meditation, balance and Zen. It is a Scottish Galic term meaning heap of rocks. Now...

 Thursday began with the realization this was a day that needed nothing to happen.  So that's what I did from time to time.  NOTHING.  Those days come along every once in a while.  Today was a once...                                                             Something unusual is going to happen. A few years ago, well quite a few years depending on who is talking,  June 4 was a very exciting day when the first baby for the Russell household was delivered.  Happy Birthday, Eric.  You have been a blessing.   I sat on the patio listening to the birds along with hammers pounding putting together a deck that was splintered by a tree falling at the neighbors.  There was the noise of a big truck going in reverse unloading another load of tree clippings at anothe...

 When walking the garden tonight, you will realize I picked different flower colors to photograph. WHERE SHOULD I START!  Yes, all capital letters.  It was a day like none other.  Really, not even close to something close to familiar.  Well, maybe.  No not maybe. So, where should I start? As you might have remembered, there is a class at the Y for folks with cancer.  I was invited to be a part of that group.  And I was.  I'm taking a break now for the next 12 week program but will probably attend in the winter.  One of the members is from Trinidad.  She has 3 children, none of which live in the area.  One is in Tenn. One in UK and I think maybe the third is in Canada.  She is looking forward to Cataract Surgery in a few weeks.  Currently, she is receiving treatment for active cancer.  I volunteered to do some driving for her.  Today was the day and Uber Lela was on the road to many places for many reasons....

                                                              It only gets better. Perennial Sweet Peas.   Are you wondering how anyone could spend so much time in the garden and still have more to do.  I'm wondering the same thing. I would think what's with you if you weren't me.  Morning after morning, day after day and then weeks and all the summer months.  There always is more if one wants to do more.  When more wears out then finished happens.  I'm waiting for finished at some point.  But then it's fall clean up.  I'm guessing finished might never really happen.  Did you follow me on that trip?  It's my place of escape.  Everyone needs a place no matter what the place might be.  Doug's is reading and old cowboy movies.  Ugh.  ...

            I get excited even when I see a Dahlia bud.  This is a big one on a Kathy plant started very early. Monday, Monday.  Another day of doing.  I was off to do church work around 8:45 stopping at Rita's house for labeled clams used for carry out food at Bread and Bowl.  Then on to church were the crew was at work.  It was time to put Pentecost back in the box for another year.  And we closed the box only to get a few Pride things up for the month of June.  There is a wedding at church on Friday which curtailed some of what we wanted to do.  We'll finish next week.  It's another one of those month activities.  Then comes the green ordinary season with no changes for five months.  Woo.  We need that space.                            I even watered the mulch with the hope it stayed where I put it.  S...

 Sunday again.  I didn't do much walk around stuff before we left for church.  The choir was rehearsing when we arrived and that was a huge treat.  Summer choir starts next Sunday with our new director of music in charge.  This Sunday was Trinity Sunday and the service was planned around the trinity with a wonderful sermon with a lot of depth of thinking.  Hymns about the trinity were sung.  Just a great inclusive service.                       Mullin in bloom.  A regal shape and texture added to the garden in two different spots.                                                                        Beautiful for a while and then it is time to move on.  The prom...