Monday

The day started as it usually does. I opened my eyes, looked at my watch and declared silently of course that it was time for me to greet the day.  And it was another wonderful hello to what the day would bring.  There was a very quiet breakfast on the patio. Then came a trip to the dryer retrieving the two flannel sheets who were folded and stored for the cooler months of sewing.  

This is what I saw this morning when I opened the door to the patio where coffee and yogurt with blueberries and almonds were my breakfast once again.  If it isn't broke, don't fix.  

With coffee beside me I watched a little TV and at 9 received a text that the sheep judging was about to start.  So a move to the computer with accompanying good luck I found the Midland Fair site and the sheep barn.  Doug and I attended the fair a few years ago to see the kids in action so I knew that I was in the right spot to see Eli.  There was a lot of texting with questions and answers that flew back and forth all morning.  In the weight competition Eli was second in his group but when both groups in that weight competition were judged together he lost that spot that removed him from competing in the grand championship contest.  Yes, 4-H competition teaches one how to win and loose graciously.  That's a sure thing.  We watched all the competitors from the youngest, being boys and girls weighing around 60 pounds wrestling with 120 pound sheep.  There were adults there to help when things went not as planned. The judging took about 2 hours for all the groups.  I reported we had great seats and the fans were keeping us cool.  That was not the case in Midland.  The sheep owners while showing are required to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts while in the arena. Eli was ready to change clothes. 

                So perfect in so many ways. Only God can make a tree.  Zinnias are not far behind. 

The early afternoon saw another good sleep.  I guess watching the sheep judging with all the apparent work happening before my eyes, made me pretty worn out.  So I took it easy for the rest of the day.  Why not.  It was a rather warm day with a lot of fluid drinking along with preparing more Hibiscus tea.  Tomorrow I may clear the bush of opening flowers again since the number of flowers are fewer.  If I want more tea, this is the time to make good on preparation.

I walked the garden finding that the garden would surely love a drink of water.  That should happen this evening.  But before that happens, it's our monthly Mcalister's dinner with the North gang.  A few always there folks will be missing because of trip taking but the group attending, I'm sure will have a great time.  

                                        Not many but a few tall Zinnias are showing up.                                                                                  The topiary zinnias sculped by the bunnies have yet to appear.  

No Fever tonight but there will be a game tomorrow night.  

                                        I snapped a picture of the black swallowtail this afternoon.                                          This morning the Tiger Swallowtail made an appearance.  That was about it for butterflies today. 

So the day was rather quiet with not much happening.  Some days are like that even in Carmel. That's more likely to happen when the temperature is around 90 or higher.  That seems to be the case, lately.

A big drift of B E Susans along with Butterfly bush.  Purple and yellow are such good colors to be found together.  There are so many things in the garden to support butterflies.  This year there are not many takers.  I'm happy with what I see.  I understand that California is over loaded with Monarchs.  It's closer to Mexico.