IN Carmel

 The garden walk happened this morning after a big bug spray job over and under my clothes and more.  I decided the big now overgrown wild violets in one spot needed to be pulled. Violets produce thousands of seeds after blooming and that is something I don't need. The garden cart was pulled out of the garage and on the way to the violets I found more stuff that needed to be removed.  After all that happened I went on to the violet spot.  Out they came easily with ground still soaked with water.                  We'll start with a pretty pink begonia.  I'd love to have more but I'll let someone else buy! Then it was on to the area around one of our big huge pine trees.  At one time ivy grew up to the top of that tree.  Not any more with effort to eliminate anything close to the base of the tree.  Today that happened which is quit a job.  I ended up with a cart load for the big blue. ...

                                             More baby pink Holly Hocks.  I'm thrilled to have them.   Today was a quiet day.  I checked the garden this morning and the last night rain was another beater enjoyed by most but not by all.  I did some clover pulling but not much.  The morning was sticky and I knew heat was on the way which proved to be correct.        Cucumber plants thrilled to have the rain.  They seemed to have doubled in size these last two days. I hung up my CPap machine very early because the nose piece came loose and I was to lazy/sleepy to insert another  before falling back asleep.  The lack of that extra sleep support proved to be my undoing.  Today I made sure the CPap machine is ready for tonight.  A long pause in breathing just doesn't feel so good w...

                                                                                A little bit of lavendar. The day started with time on the patio.  A peaceful morning with the birds.  Then a clang on the trap meant a trip to the woods with a customer.  Yes...another early morning chipmunk that ran around my feet and found the trap.  I did the Uber this morning.   Then I was off to church to finish the sanctuary decorating for Pride month.  Not on the liturgical calendar, but a very important month for North U M Church.   It was a new idea for the month bringing about a visual that says you belong here. Heidi and I worked it out and those who passed through the sanctuary approved.  This will remain throu...

                                                                   Baby pink I call this flower color. A workday for many although some people work the weekend as well. So, Monday isn't like Monday 80 years ago for sure.  It was Wash day in the cellar at our house.  Clothes on the line took care of drying in the summer.  They hung in the cellar in the winter. Moms didn't work outside the home.  There was plenty to do at home.  Many of our children have no concept of clothes on the line or what a wringer on the washing machine could be.  Times have changed and will continue to change.  But for now, it's Monday 2026.                                   ...

                                        Number one is showing off.  There will be more competition soon.   Another morning of worship.  We were off to church again around 10 and bumping into the minister around 10:30 was asked to be a part of the welcome moments for our new minister of music.  Of course I said yes.  So, I had a line or two about a metronome keeping us in time in the welcoming remarks.  Fun, fun.  An unexpected moment that comes naturally at times at North.  We hope Theo is with us for many, many years having great musical skills that are a good fit leading North in worship.   A friend who knows Theo well working with him at Anderson University said he struggled wondering if his life should be one of ministering in the pulpit or music.  He chose music but certainly will now be ministering in ev...

 Pictures today were a little sparce so I'm including some sent from the Michigan Russell's Saturday.  It started with their usual run to the doughnut shop and coffee.  Then it was on to race watching Jacob and Abi at the starting gate.                                                                                            Ready, Set, Go!                They finished but how far did they run.  That question hasn't been answered as of tonight.                                         I would say that picture is interesting.  See...