The August Break - August 11th A Late Bloomer

I kinda identify with this beautiful flower.  I don't know what it is, but it is currently blooming in my neighbor's front yard.  It rises up alone, no leaves, just a stalk with pretty lily like flowers on top.  Rather a late bloomer considering all other flowers except for the fall mums and asters have pretty much finished blooming.  Oh there are still some black-eyed susans and heliopsis (I like that word, it just rolls of your tongue nicely) blooming and will for awhile, but this lily-like blossom so reminds me of those early blooming lilies that we might associate with early spring and Easter.

Why do I identify with this flower?....well, I consider myself a kinda of a late bloomer and since my sweetie is no longer living at home I am standing tall on a lone stalk.  We are beginning our 2nd year with my sweetie living in a Memory Care Facility while I am still at the home we shared together for over 30 years.  I am alone, but I am not lonely.  I find plenty to do to fill my days whether it is with friends or by myself.  A late bloomer because I found a passion late in life that has filled my days with joy, photography.  My day is not complete unless I take a photograph or two or three or.....

Do you identify with a flower?  I would love to hear what your favorites are.

"Know what you love and do what you love.  If you don't do what you love, you're just wasting your time."  ~  Billy Joel

Until next time.....

August 10th - The August Break - Flowers on the Porch

Wow, I really did take an August break yesterday....I didn't even post.  But I was busy with photos...busy editing, gathering and having fun with all the images I took at last Saturday's Family Reunion Photo Shoot. What a great time and a great family.  They made my first "official" shoot a truly wonderful experience.

And today I am back again, finishing up the editing so I can present this fine family with some really fine photos of their wonderful day.  But....before I get back to business, I wanted to post one little pic.  Yesterday we had a cool front move thru and today is glorious with the sun shining and temps in the 70's....yes the 70's.  I wandered around the back-yard and clipped a couple of flowers to sit on the back porch while I enjoy this marvelous weather.

God is good!!

PS...to see just a little more of me, please hop over to my collaborative blog, Focusing On Life, where I am musing on "taking a ride in the country".

Linking to Leanne's Flower Art Friday....

"Each of my days are miracles.  I won't waste my day; I won't throw away a miracle."  

     ~  Kelly Vicstrom

Until next time....

The August Break - August 8th - Little Indulgences

Almost every week of the year, on each Wednesday, I meet with a group of women that are absolutely the best antidote for whatever is on your plate at the moment.  Whether it is illness, or a complaint, a need for information, or a time to share both good & bad news, Wednesday morning is that time.  We can gather up to 12 women or as little as 2, but whatever the number is it is a rejuvenation that is good for my soul.  We have been thru the good, the bad & the ugly (ugly had to be the talk about bras).  Summer is almost over which means that our Wednesday mornings at Barnes & Noble will come to a halt until Christmas break. Instead of meeting at B&N, we will begin a new Bible study at church.  But wherever we gather, whether it is at B&N or at church for Bible study, these women are precious and dear to me.  They are my weekly indulgence for myself (along with a mocha frappuccino with chocolate whipped cream on top).

"For many people in this world, life is cold, lonely and hard.  If they had one friend, their lives would not only be different, but happier.  In the plan of God, a friendship is a touch of heaven on earth.  And we can all bring a touch of heaven into someone's life." 
 ~  Rev. Mark Connolly 

Until next time....

The August Break - Aug. 7 - A Walk in the Garden

A walk thru the garden in the early morning hours is one of my greatest pleasures.  To catch that early morning light, the stillness before the winds begin to blow, and that fresh look on the faces of the flowers before the heat of the sun begins to wilt their petals....priceless.

Linking to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday where "It's Anything Goes"....

"When the world wearies, and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden."  ~  Minnie Aumonier

Until next time.....

A Ride in the Country - The August Break, Aug 6

After taking my sister-in-law to visit my sweetie one more time before she leaves in the morning, we took a little ride in the country.  It was a gorgeous day, the sky was this incredible blue, the sun was high in the sky, and the temps were in the 80's.  What could be more perfect.

Joining Trish's Barn Charm.....

"Weather forecast for tonight.....dark."  ~  George Carlin

Until next time.....

August 5th - The August Break ~ A Good Day

Today was a good day....beautiful weather and special times with my sister-in-law.

"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life."  ~  Albert Einstein

Until next time....

August 4th The August Break - The Visit

My sweetie's sister is here visiting from Ohio for a few days....there is such love between the two of them.

"Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet."  ~  Vietnamese Proverb

Until next time.....

August Break - Looking Toward the Sun

What is more August and more summertime than sunflowers with their drooping heads and their golden petals?  It is definitely August.

Linking to Leanne's

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what sunflowers do."  ~  Helen Keller

Until next time.....

Angels Come With Trimmers

Have you seen an angel lately?  Do you know what they look like?  Well I have one that came with an electric trimmer, clippers, work gloves and a rake.  My angel decided after trying to make her way through the over-grown bushes along my front walk that something definitely needed to be done.  A quick e-mail asking me if she could come and trim my bushes was a wonderful surprise.  How many women/angels say they really "enjoy" trimming bushes and it would be her pleasure to take care of mine?  After tackling the remodeling projects in my home and realizing this woman (me) just can't do it all, I decided to say yes.  Now, 6 months ago, or last year, or 2 years ago when friends would offer to help me I would always reply, "no thank you, I can handle it."  But now I know that there are angels placed here on earth to help and today she came with trimmers, clippers, work gloves and a rake.  Thank you, my angel, I have been blessed.


"All God's angels come to us disguised."  ~  James Russell Lowell

Until next time....

The August Break ~ August 1st

I have decided to join Susannah Conway's August Break.  I was so new to blogging last summer that it went un-noticed in my corner.  But this year, thanks to one of my blogging buddies, Rosie, reminded us that today began The August Break.  Apparently it can be words & pics, just pics, just words whatever...

However, I can't let this day go by without thinking and remembering that one year ago today, my sweetie began his new journey at a Memory Care facility.  It was the most difficult decision I have ever made in my entire life, but probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.  He is happy, the care is excellent and my life has, albeit quite different, settled into a new way of living without him.  And despite it being a tough decision, it was the right decision.

"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you are alone with."  ~  Wayne Dyer

Until next time....