Noticing the Sunrise

Today, I woke up early so that I could see the sun rise, which I rarely get to witness.  As I drive to work during the week, I get a glimpse of the spectacular show that we are given every day and wish that I had my camera with me at all times.   

I, also, drive past fields where the morning mist has settled behind a rusty gate offering a look of romance and softness, daydreaming that a horse would suddenly appear and its rider is a cowboy sitting tall in the saddle.   

And the field flowers are glistening with the dew as the light begins to slowly rise over the horizon.  I look on with admiration of the beauty of it all. 

A leaf that has been the breakfast, lunch, or dinner for insects is unusually beautiful as I pass by, knowing that its days are very short. 

The Hollyhocks are blooming until the end, which is an admiral thing to do.  I want my life to be like this until there is nothing left of my existence...going to the grave blooming.

Not only did I get to see the sky and all its beauty but the other forms of it is all around as I meandered back home.  I am reminded of the scene from the movie, "The Color Purple" where Shug Avery and Celie are walking through a field with purple flowers.  Then Shug says "I think that it pisses God off when we walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it." And I think so too. 

The signs that summer is soon coming to a close.

This evening, I went for a walk, it was a very long one.  There are lots of flowers everywhere.  While strolling along, I listened to the sounds of nature with each step that I took. The Cicada's are already singing their song that winter is coming soon.  I dread to hear that same melody which is sung every summer, even though it sounds lovely as I pass by.  

Insects and bugs are out in abundance, especially the mosquito's because of the excessive amount of rain we've had. My steps took me to the park and as I strolled through the gardens I saw the flowers above with metallic like bugs sitting two by two on the head of a flower.  I am not sure if they were mating or exactly why they decided to pair up in this way. The flower has seen better days, but I am sure that its job is complete before the season is over. 

I noticed a modestly covered angel that was bathed in the sun's golden light and surrounded by hostas. I tried to stay in the moment as I looked at it.  Isn't that what we are told to do?  But is is hard.  My mind focused on the future.  I have noticed that the nights are getting shorter.  Winter is coming soon, I said to myself. Enjoy this while you can. At that moment, I wanted time to stand still.  I wanted every day to be just like today, where the air is cool, with lush green grass everywhere, and the outdoors is an overall place of enjoyment. Life is but a dream...

I should have brought you flowers...

He emerged from the car with a gift. You don't see men carrying these around much. I watched as he made his way to her with his offering of love. All women love them, even if they declare that they don't. He found a vase and put the delicate flowers gently in their new home. They are beautiful. If only she could see them. The sweet perfume of the flower wafted on the gentle breeze to my nostrils but the one they were intended for could not smell them. Did he give her flowers before this? I hope that he did. I continued watching as he stood there talking to her. He looked around to make sure that no one noticed that he was conversing with the invisible. Did she hear him? I felt like a thief observing this intimate encounter. Afterwards, the man turned and walked back to his car. We live between the two eternities, birth and death. She has gone to hers and is patiently waiting for him.

Raised flower beds, colored bottles, and fire pits

I have been doing a lot of work outside this spring and summer and have accomplished several projects.  Cooking in outdoor spaces really appeals to me.  The smokey flavor that permeates the food as it slowly cooks over an open fire is well worth the wait.  Last year while visiting my brother's family I noticed that he had made a small fire pit in his back yard.  It was simply made with bricks.  He told me that he burns leaves in it and also has a tripod and often cooks meals as well.  I went home and thought about how I wanted mine to look.  I dug a hold about a foot or two deep and surrounded the hole with bricks. Once I got the bricks the way that I wanted them, I glued them together with landscape adhesive. Then I cooked a tagine on it.  Oh how heavenly! More than this, I didn't need a man to help me.  

Then I decided to put a raised flower bed in front of the fire pit.  For years I have wanted to grow tomatoes, but didn't have the time or energy to do it.  I had a little extra money this summer and on a whim I decided to just do it.  I went to the store, bought the wood , about 20 bags of dirt, and commenced on this somewhat simple project.  After returning to the store a couple of times for more supplies the bed was done.  Then came the cats.  They thought that I had built them an extra large litter box.  I tried sprinkling cinnamon, which failed after it rained. Then I decided to use chicken wire and lay on the beds.  At this writing I am waiting to see what happens with the "poop" situation because I laid the chicken wire today. Again, I did this project by myself.  Afterwards, I felt like I was going to die, but instead I lived to put in two tomato plants the next day. 

Last but not least, I really like green and blue, especially cobalt blue.  I have been collecting a few bottles to make a bottle tree of sorts.  It is very popular here in the states. Initially I bought some dowels, cut them in half and placed the decorated bottles on top.  I wasn't really crazy about the look. Last year I bought four metal trellis' for moon plants that I had in my flower bed at the time.  This year I didn't plant them.  The trellis sat there bare.  I was laying in bed thinking about my garden and it struck me that I could hang them on the trellis'.  When I hung the first one, I quickly added the rest. I had to decorate them of course! They give the garden a bit of color and maybe a little break from the ordinary garden look.  

Before 

after

So, when people tell you that it is impossible to do something, I think you should accept the challenge and show them otherwise.  More projects coming up. 

Orchids and Journals of Anais Nin

This winter my orchid plant was dormant. A friend gave it to me last year,it was blooming and ever so lovely.  In the fall, the flowers dropped and all that was left were two green but barren sticks protruding from the ground.  I had contemplated throwing the plant away. Instead, I kept watering and feeding, thinking that maybe it is resting. Look at what has bloomed so unexpectedly!  I am thrilled. 

Don't you think that is how we are?  Sometimes we go for long periods of time without making any kind of progress, or so we think.  Then buds come out of those barren branches and our lives take a turn. Then we bloom like we have never before.  

I am currently reading Linotte, the first in a series of Anais Nin's journals.  She started writing in her notebook when she was 11 years old and had just arrived in the States. She knew from that age that she was meant to be a writer.  It was in her blood. She couldn't see herself working in any other career.  For a child, her writing was very good. She has a lot of witty sayings, of which, I have written in a small notebook that I carry every where. I am going to leave you with this:

I am a leaf that isn't on the right tree. I fly, I run, I search, but why keep looking on this tree when my happiness is hidden in another?

Summer and Camera Envy

Today,  I went to the park and took just a couple of pictures.  Even though the pictures turn out fairly decent I am having camera envy.  I want so much to be able to take those crisp pictures that I see everyone else taking.  Several times a friend has asked me to take photographs of them and the quality is just not what I am wanting. I am looking at getting a Nikon D90, which is a bit pricey but I think it will service me well for the blog.  By the way, I love the shot below.  I think it is gorgeous.

Regarding the picture below, there is a place at the park that I have taken a picture in the same spot for nearly all the seasons except Fall.  I am not happy with this photo because of the washed out look to it.  The sunshine washes out the leaves.  I like the shot just not the outcome.

Every time I look at it I tell myself that I can do much better than this.  So, hopefully I will be able to find a part-time job soon to help me buy the camera of my dreams. 



Spring, Glorious Spring

I love this time of year.  Everything literally comes alive.  I went to the park on Sunday and it was packed full of people wanting to look at the flowers and enjoy the sunshine. I, too, had to join in. I packed my camera and off I went.

Where is was once bare, has now come to life.

I saw a sea of tulips

A blooming tree with bright pink flowers

There was a garden of tulips, getting ready to open up.

Flowers coming out everywhere.

This is my view of spring.

The Scent of Lavender

Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to grow lavender. I wanted to have lavender soap, shampoo, and the scent bags to put in the dresser drawers.  Now, I have the joy of growing it in my garden. Sometimes, I like to rub my fingers on the leaves and then inhale the wonderful scent.

If I am lucky and diligent, I will dry some this year and enjoy the fragrance all winter.