In between rain showers yesterday, I managed to snap a few pictures of some of the flowers in our garden. Of all the ones I took, this is my favorite. The name of this flower is Lavandula stoechas aka French Lavender, Spanish Lavender or Butterfly Lavender. It is often used for essential oils or potpourris. My husband refers to these flowers as ‘fishing lures’ because of the uncanny resemblance.
May 21, 2021 – Unclean Hands
Before I begin, I wanted to share that I received my 3rd Covid-19 vaccination yesterday. Yes, you read that right. It’s my third time around the block. I’ve been staying up on the research for immunosuppressed individuals (such as myself) and how many are achieving the desired results (antibodies) after receiving an additional dose/vaccine by a different manufacturer (when the first and/or second vaccination made no difference whatsoever). As I was perusing the health section of ‘headline news’ the night before last, a story was featured about a doctor who was also an organ recipient. Apparently, he achieved the same results I did after the initial two doses of a vaccine. And by that I mean nothing happened (aka it didn’t work like it was supposed to). However, after getting administered the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, his body actually responded as it should and started creating antibodies like nobody’s business.
Continue reading “May 21, 2021 – Unclean Hands”May 20, 2021 – Photo
On a summer’s day several years ago, my true-blue friend (also an artist) invited me to meet up with her and do some plein air painting. We settled on a location just over an hour from where I live. This photo really doesn’t do the area justice as it is filled with history. The basalt formations in the background are filled with caves that were created as a result of the Great Missoula flood. Early native people used the caves as shelters. During our outing, I never did manage to put brush to canvas; however, I did manage to snap a few photos.
May 19, 2021 – At a Crossroads
As my mother often says (or used to say before dementia entered the picture), “I don’t know up from sic ’em.” Seriously. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going these days. It isn’t just me, however. My husband seems to be suffering from the same affliction. We had a long heart-to-heart this evening about what makes us both happy. We thought moving to this new community was the answer but after being here for nearly seven years, happiness has eluded us. It shows up periodically but only on the rarest occasion and we’re beginning to wonder if a move is in order. This community has so much to offer but it seems to be lacking in the two major categories we find critical to living a fulfilling life, friends and family. The job market is also less-than-desirable as the town is quite small (approx. 35,000 population) and most of the job opportunities center around working in retail or at a restaurant. I checked both of those boxes when I was young and full of energy, but if I had to choose between working in either of those two career fields or jumping off a bridge, I’d probably jump off a bridge.
Continue reading “May 19, 2021 – At a Crossroads”May 18, 2021 – Photo
What is it about birds that is so fascinating? I could watch them day and night and never get bored. While vacationing in Florida nearly 15 years ago, our family spent an afternoon at the beach (on the Atlantic side). It was either Cocoa or Daytona Beach, not that it makes much of a difference in the photo. As we ate lunch, a flock of seagulls took a keen interest in our ‘food stuffs’ and made a point to hang around and see if we were willing to share. I absolutely love this photo. It always makes me smile.
May 17, 2021 – Trouble in Paradise
What is it about beautiful places that brings out the worst in people? More times than I’d care to admit to, I’ve witnessed people coming unglued and acting like animals while spending time in exotic locations (or places intended for rest and relaxation). Sometimes couples leave for destinations like Mexico or the Bahamas and only one person returns because while on ‘the vacation of a lifetime’, an argument ensued over something insignificant and one half of the couple cut off the oxygen supply to the other half. I say this because ‘strangulation’ is often determined to be the cause of death (if the body is ever recovered). I cannot say much because I totally get it! My husband and I have nearly killed each other on several of our getaways. By far, the worst it ever got was on our European vacation (to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary). Either he wanted to kill me or I wanted to kill him in nearly every country we visited, with the exception of France. I didn’t kill him, of course, but I very nearly divorced him. The ‘D’ word came up at least a dozen times.
Continue reading “May 17, 2021 – Trouble in Paradise”May 16, 2021 – Photo
My husband and I went to yet another park today and enjoyed the afternoon with our daughter. While sitting upon folding chairs on a grassy area near the water, and taking in all of the sights and sounds, we heard several distinctive ‘chirps’. When I went to investigate where the sound was coming from and what was making it, I happened upon a marmot. I didn’t even know they existed until I moved to this part of the country. They’re everywhere! I call this photo, “I Spy.”
May 15, 2021 – Revenge is a dish best served cold.
When I was around the age of 10, I got an opportunity to ride on a horse for the first time in my life. We lived in a residential neighborhood but the covenants and/or the city allowed people to keep a horse (or two) on their property. My family didn’t have the means to own a horse, plus I wouldn’t have had a clue how to care for one even if they did; however, one of our neighbors did. The name of his horse was ‘Charlie Brown’. I couldn’t tell you much more about it other than it was quite gentle in nature and didn’t seem to easily startle, even when standing in close proximity to a number of rambunctious children. I was fascinated with Charlie Brown. I’d had plenty of exposure to cats and dogs and squirrels, but never a farm animal. I yearned to ride on that noble steed and pleaded with our neighbor on several different occasions for a chance. When the day finally arrived that he gave his consent, I was practically beside myself!
Continue reading “May 15, 2021 – Revenge is a dish best served cold.”May 14, 2021 – Photo
I took this photo last weekend. It’s called ‘Siblings’. There were actually four baby geese but I only managed to capture three in the frame. Because they were moving by at such a rapid pace, I had a heck of a time getting a clear image. This was the best of the bunch. Enjoy!
May 13, 2021 – Being Human
Have any of you been watching the most recent season of American Idol? Spoiler alert, I just found out that Caleb Kennedy left the show. Caleb is 16 years old and hails from a small town in South Carolina. Just a few days ago, he was voted into the Top 5. I asked my husband about his departure from the show and he said that a video had surfaced that shows him sitting next to someone who is wearing a white hood (like in the KKK). Sigh. I have to tell you, I love Caleb. He is adorable, with the sweetest baby face, and he has so much incredible talent. But I am disappointed. I don’t know what he was thinking or whether he was thinking when he decided to take a video of himself (under those circumstances) and post it on social media. Clearly, it wasn’t a good call. I don’t know what his personal beliefs are. It’s easy to make assumptions by watching the video. I imagine that most people take from it that either he is racist or that his friend is racist, or both. I really hope that’s not the case.
Continue reading “May 13, 2021 – Being Human”
