Inaction speaks louder than words

So much to do...so little energy to do it.


I'm not sure what's come over me lately, I fret about all the things I need to do and then just sit down and fret until I can't stand it and go to bed.  Hmmm.  This is not the usual take charge person I know.


However, when I do finally make myself get outside I have a great time and can work through all but heavy thunderstorms, covered in mud and smiling all the while.


I hit these little roadbumps in life once in a while and have learned in the wisdom of my later years that it's okay to do nothing.  Sitting around and reading a good book on a lovely day is just fine...the chore police will not arrest me.  Because let's face it...there's always something you should be doing.  Nobody is ever finished with everything.  Unless they are at their own funeral.


So, I will be self compassionate today and allow myself to ride the waves of self indulgence for a while yet and know that when this passes I will hit the ground running and tackle all those to-do's that are waiting for me.


It is the Sabbath after all - and G-d wants us to refresh and recharge on a weekly basis, so off I go....to do nothing.


Long Live the Sloth Queen

Now THAT was refreshing!

After working hard all day yesterday in the yard, weeding and mowing I took a nice hot bath, an Aleve and tumbled into bed.
I awoke this morning feeling refreshed and ready...but still achy, so off to the hot tub I trundled. 


After soaking my tired muscles and relaxing in the soothing hot water I noticed that the bird feeders needed filling again and the water level in the pond was low.  There's always something to be done.


I decided that I could run the hose into the pond while clad in my towel and then sit in the arbor for a spell while it filled.  This was a good plan...it just didn't go that way.


Being too lazy to put the hose into the pond and then walk back to turn on the water, I decided to turn on the water first and walk quickly with the gushing hose to the pond and stick it in.  Good plan...it just didn't go that way.


Once the full force of the water filled the hose it reared up at the loose end like a cobra.  This was pretty amazing and kind of funny until it turned to blast me in the face.  I swear sometimes I feel like I'm living in a "I Love Lucy" sitcom.  Well, this took me by surprise to say the least and with eyes clamped shut I reached blindly with one hand for the end of the hose while holding the hose with the other.  Ooops...that's two hands now holding hose and none holding the towel.  Must not scream and draw attention to myself!


So, I tossed the hose to the ground to regain control of the towel.  Now it's become a twisting angry serpent spewing water every which way.
  
Keeping one hand firmly on my bunched up towel I grabbed the end of the offending hose with the other hand and wrestled it into the pond.  There.  Now I can go off and relax while the pond is filling...and let my heart rate drop back to normal.


I had been treated yesterday by my eye doctor for dry eye.  I'm not sure if he'd approve of my cure this morning, but they definitely weren't dry during the battle of the hose!


Long Live the Queen of the Pond

Rainy day reflections

I had really hoped to pull weeds today.  Well, not really hoped...but it needed to be done.  It's so hot in the full sun portion of my yard, which thankfully is the smallest area, that one needs to get out there at first light to work before it's blazing hot.

But, it's raining today...which is good, the plants need the water, but now I'm off schedule.  So I started to pluck off the spent blossoms and dead leaves of the African violets by my window.  As I did this mundane task I reflected on how we all need to pull off the dead, useless parts of our life to look our best and develop to the fullest of our abilities.  Instead of bemoaning the dead blossoms, focus on the new bright ones yet to come.  This little zen like task inspired me to go back downstairs and finish...yes, actually FINISH...my basement project.

After sweeping the floors and putting away the last of the few items laying about, it is done and looks great.  Everything on a shelf, nothing tossed carelessly on the floor.  What a good feeling.  After finding takers for the last of the unwanted items, I will clear out the garage and that job will be done also.  What a rush!  

Then I will be able to tackle those weeds and empty the composter and have that squared away.  But, by this time again the dishes are overflowing the sink, the laundry has piled up and I need to run the vacuum   Can it ever all be done at one time?  Are we meant to always live in chaos of some sort?

Long Life the Queen of the Balancing Act

Forty hostas - what was I thinking?

As you can see by the photo the Pagoda Dogwood and forty hostas filled the car.  The man helping me load them never even blinked at Zelda sitting in the back.  She had hostas at her feet and all around her.


The forty hostas are lined up right now by the canned ham, where some of them will go eventually.  But right not they are just bunched together for ease of watering.  Many will go here and there to fill in areas that need something to keep weeds out.  They're actually large enough to divide, so I may split them when planting - but then again 80 just seems to many to deal with, so perhaps they'll just get dumped into the ground the way they are.


As I pulled weeds this morning I was thinking about how I found them before the funeral and I had a little "conversation" with Nancy.  I could hear her asking me "what the hell are you going to do with forty hostas?" and I answered "it seemed like a good idea at the time" and I could feel her smile.


One of my plans is to overwhelm the deer with the sheer numbers of them so they see it as an "all you eat buffet" and decide it's just too much and move on.  We'll see how that works.


During my visit to the neighbors for my cat watching duties I see that they prepared a surprise birthday party for me with cat treats and a gift.  I showed amazing restraint in leaving the gift there as it's not really my birthday yet.  But...I am very curious as to what Yada and SCZI got me, so I may have to open it tomorrow.  Those kitties! They are so sweet!


Long Live the Queen of Anticipation

Everything's coming up roses

The summer heat has brought the roses to life.  


The Julia Child just makes me smile.  It has a nice scent, but not overpowering.  Yellow is such a happy color.


I never thought I'd enjoy roses, but I keep wanting to add more and more.

I added these rambling red ones to the archway trellis a year ago and they are still getting established.  


The left side seems to be doing better than the right, most likely as it gets more light over there.


Then there's the smaller ones I have tucked in here and there.  


One is by the front door so I walk past it on the way to the mailbox.


This little one is in the meditation garden and has smaller flowers, very dainty and sweet.  It's in one of the little sun pockets in that shadier garden.


Long Live the Queen of the Roses