"Labor Day - Wars - Reading" or "More Rambling"

Happy Labor Day everyone who labors at something.  My laboring is minimal at best....in fact my yard and gardens have really suffered because of the lack of laboring that occurred this past summer.  I could blame it on the weather, but we have had really nice weather this summer, I could blame it on the fact that when the workers installed my new fence last summer they ruined quite a few of the bushes, which in turn kinda ruined the look of the front garden.  And I am sure I could come up with more reasons, but truth be told I think I was just lazy and I don't have quite the oomph nor my sweetie around to help.  Sitting on the back porch reading and relaxing had far more appeal to me this summer than weeding, mowing, trimming etc.

And now with this holiday upon us it really marks the end of summer.  Oh I know it will still be warm and there will be plenty more days of relaxing on the porch.  But somehow when Labor Day comes it is like saying goodbye to summertime.  The kids are back in school, the pool officially closes today, I will hear the cheers from the football stadium and the bands playing not too far from my home, the sun is beginning to lower in the sky and darkness comes earlier.

But with the beginnings of early Fall, my hydrangeas are exploding (see above) and my neighbor's sunflowers have burst into bloom.  I could see the bright yellow from across the street, so naturally I grabbed my camera and wandered around the pond snapping about a kajillion pics of the sunflowers.  Sunflowers have to be in my top 5 fav flower, especially growing.

Today not only is the US celebrating Labor Day but the day is also distinguished as the official end to World War II, VJ Day with the Japanese finally admitting defeat after 2 Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the Japanese avoided our attempts at peace.  After reading "The Girls From Atomic City" a non-fiction narrative of both the building of the city of Oak Ridge, Tn and it's purpose, to build the atomic bomb I have become more aware of what this world must have been like during the late 1930's thru 1945.    It involved more than 100 million people and more than 30 countries. Horrible, devastating war, but we don't seem to learn....war continues somewhere every day.  Another great book, fiction, involving the destructive effects of the war on a personal level is "All The Light We Cannot See", superb read!!

I am currently reading "The Invention of Wings".  The story of slavery and the bonds that are formed between the white daughter of a plantation owner and her black slave....which ofcourse eventually leads to the Civil War.  I seem to be stuck on wars today.  But since I now read almost 100% on my two kindles, one my original and one a Kindle Fire, I can tell you that I am 25% into the book, or I am on page 96, or there is 7 hours and 53 minutes left according to my reading speed.  Don't ya love it!!

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who never reads lives only one." 
                    ~ George RR Martin

Linking up with Tamar from Random-osity for her

                                                                 
Until next time....

It is Coming......

Well, the kids are back in school, Labor Day is upon us, and shortly the leaves will begin their yearly burst of oranges, reds & yellows.  I gotta admit that I have a hard time choosing between spring and fall as my two favorite times of the year.  Altho based on the fact that winter follows fall I will have to go with spring.  We all know I did quite a bit of moaning and groaning last year, alright let's call it like it really was, I bitched about the long, cold & snowy winter and I keep hearing that it will repeat again this year.  So prepare yourself for more bitchin' if that does indeed come to fruition.  I just hope that I handle it with a little more grace than I did last year.  A great way to handle it would be to leave for a warmer climate....say January thru March but that ain't gonna happen.

OK, enough already....one indication that Fall is quickly approaching are the little crab apples that are constantly dropping off of the tree in my side yard.  Now if I was really ambitious maybe I could use these little fruits in a jelly or jam but instead I will just use them as props for a photo.

I love this little hand-painted cup.  My Dad's sister was an artist and she painted this in 1962, over 50 years ago.  I love that I have a rememberance of her and her talent.  PS...the reason that bokeh looks so weird is that I took this on my back porch and that is the screening in the background.

Another reminder is the latest blooming hosta is now sprouting her final show

And finally, and this has absolutely nothing to do with fall....the kids went to the beauty shop and got their hair and nails done.  Aren't they adorable.  I just love those two....

And one last thing....I am joining Good Fences, TexWisGirl's weekly meme.  I know this isn't much of a fence, but I promise it is, an 8 foot one that obviously is used by many a bird to perch on.   And again this has absolutely nothing to do with Fall except that the sparrows never leave, Fall or Winter they stay no matter what.  I wonder if they bitched as much as I did last year??

"But the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise...And happiness has its own way of taking its sweet time. " ~ Gary Allen

Until next time.....

The Glorious "Give"

Whoever introduced stretch into capris, jeans, and slacks should definitely be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  I rummaged thru my summer drawers this AM looking for what to wear and pulled out capris that I had not worn all summer.  Needless to say they did not have the glorious stretch and the peacefulness of my morning was gone in a flash....struggle struggle to zip and snap.  And after finally reaching my goal, they were so uncomfortable that off they came with more of a struggle.  Now some of you probably can't appreciate that "give" that I'm talking about, that's because you probably are of a decent weight, flat tummy and are perhaps thin enough to wear skinny jeans, which is not even in my vocabulary.  But those of us that are not of the perfect weight, that may have a little more around the waistline that is needed or wanted can appreciate that wonderful give to our bottoms, again Nobel for those responsible.  Just sayin....

And speaking of glorious there are a few things that stop me dead in my tracks and beckon me to grab my camera and snap.  Among these glorious finds are.....

Interesting ducks at the pond across the street.  These are Cormorants, I have seen them in other parts of this area but never in our neighborhood.

Hawks absolutely fascinate me....

Sunflowers, they take my breath away....

Interesting faces, especially if they let me take their portrait.....

I guess I probably don't have to mention barns, especially old red ones....

And the beauty of a butterfly in my back yard staying still long enough to take a snap just makes my heart happy....

And then there are always horses....especially ones that are nuzzling.

And speaking of nuzzling, today is my sweeties birthday.  I am heading off to the care facility to deliver his birthday cards, give him birthday kisses, and throw in a few nuzzles too.

Have a happy, blessed week!!

"But the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise...And happiness has its own way of taking its sweet time."  ~ Gary Allen

Until next time....

A Little of This n That....

My youngest grand, Brie, is headed off for her senior year of college.  OMG where in the world does the time go??  It wasn't but a couple three years ago I was enjoying her kindergarten picture. Now 21 years old, old enough to drink and vote both done responsibly I am hopin'.  

Spent her last day at home with her on Monday, seeing a movie (Lucy, interesting concept and definitely her choice) and enjoying dinner together before she headed to Iowa State on Tuesday morning. It will probably be October or maybe even November before I see her again. Insert sad face....  

On Monday, along with the movie we drove onto Northern Illinois University campus where both my daughter and son-in-law coach.  Lisa wanted me to see the statue that their dog MAC posed for, well MAC didn't exactly pose, the artist took pictures and then created the piece from the photos.  Quite impressive.  Just fyi, statue on left, real MAC on right.  

We also found out on Monday that Hilary is ready to deliver that new bundle of joy, my great granddaughter....notice I said my, at any hour any day.  Her body is in preparation mode.

On Sunday my friend Marti, along with her family went to a French Market event at one of our local parks.  There were......

Jugglers on stilts....

Musicians playing folk songs....

A lady that made just about anything out of balloons.......

Unfortunately, the balloon popped shortly after I took this pic, but not to worry, we found the face painter and that wiped away all the tears....

And Saturday I shot a wedding.....OMG was I nervous.  A great responsibility shooting a wedding, it's not like you can ask them to re-do those vows or re-do the rings.  But as I reviewed the almost 1,000 pics, I think they will be pleased.  This was the 2nd marriage for both so the bride decided to go bold and wear red.  Bet you don't see that too much.  She looked beautiful and you could see in her eyes, her smile, her giggles that she was estatic and look at that smile on the groom!!  My granddaughter, Bailey was with me the whole time... hauling my gear, holding the diffuser, giving me confidence, a blessing!!

Oops, almost forgot, need to add a pic of a fence for Good Fence Thursday over at TexWiseGirl's blog, The Run*around*Ranch .  Another goodie from my trip to Michigan.  My goodness those colors are vivid.  Does the sun shine differently there??

Tonight I am headed to bookclub where we will be discussing "The Girls from Atomic City".  Good non-fiction book, relating the story of the building of Oak Ridge, TN where the first atom bomb was built.  Fascinating....and I am not a fan of non-fiction but this did hold my interest.  Except ofcourse when the author would write about all the science stuff, I do believe my eyes would glaze over.  No physics classes for me, biology was the most advanced I managed.

OK that's it. I have rambled far too long.

Until next time....

Flowers, Colors, Beauty

This is what summer is about, for me anyway....flowers, colors, beauty,  Many times last winter I found myself going back through the images from last summer just to replenish my soul with the colors and beauty of summertime.  Back in the 80's my sweetie and I took a trip to England and I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the gardens there, from the simplest front yard garden to the massive beauties found around the estates and castles.  I was determined to create my own little patch of beauty when I returned home.  My first garden was no more than about 20x20 feet at the side of our home.  And since that time I have added front yard gardens, back yard gardens, mailbox gardens, driveway gardens.   All began as sun gardens only to be gradually converted to shade gardens as the trees began to grow blocking the sun.   I have a few sun flowers, but they are gradually being overtaken with shade.  Remembering back when we first moved into our home some 35 years ago, like all new subdivisions there were absolutely no trees in sight.  As we planted our trees, no more than sticks at the time, I never would have imagined the shade that those small trees would later provide.   And since there is so much shade, I find myself going to garden centers with camera in hand, taking pictures of the bounty of colors that I cannot grow in my shade gardens.  Eventho I cannot grow many of the flowers that grace gardens filled with sun, my trees provide shade and coolness during our hot summer days.  So trading sunny gardens for the coolness that the trees bring is a good thing (as Martha would say).  

Yesterday,during our weekly girlfriend gathering at Barnes & Noble, we watched the dark clouds begin to roll in.  We all decided perhaps it was time to leave and reach home before the heavens opened and the rain began.  I made it home right before the rains came and took this image of the gathering clouds.  Pretty scary huh??  Nothing dangerous happened, just lots and lots of rain.

Which made for nice raindrop pictures after it subsided....

And finally, my contribution to Theresa's meme (TexWisGirl - Run A Round Ranch) Good Fences. Nothing better than a good old adorned, rusty fence.

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~Gertrude Jekyll

Until next time.....

Enjoy the Days....

After an over-abundant number of days of absolutely perfect weather, which I call San Diego Days, beautiful blue skies, no humidity, balmy breezes, temps in the upper 70's/low 80's which we decidedly deserved after the winter we endured, summertime has returned to Chicagoland....heat and humidity.  Now I am not complaining (well maybe just a tad) but when that humidity starts rising, I am forced to turn the AC on, shutting all the windows and doors and it's just like winter again with the house all closed up.   Altho unlike winter, I can go outdoors and sit on the backporch, read, nap, listen to the birds singing and splashing in the birdbaths.  So no, I'll take a little heat and humidity anyday over last winter.

Saturday my daughter held a little surprise "bon voyage" party for my youngest granddaughter, Brie.  She is off to South Africa, yeah, South Africa....where she will be working at a Cheetah reserve....yikes!!!  She is in her senior year in college and this trip is part of her studies to become a large animal handler (aka zoo keeper).  Last year she interned at a small zoo, this year it's the Cheetah's.

 And she was surprised...

Several of her friends were there along with her cousins.  Aren't they cute sisters!!??
 

And not only did Brie get a surprise, but my other granddaughter, Bailey surprised me with this....

A tattoo representing Alzheimer's in honor of her PopPop, my sweetie.  I was really touched by this sweet gesture.

On my way home I decided to stop at one of my favorite garden centers, Blumen
Gardens.  What a truly unique place to visit.  Not only do they have gardens filled with beautiful flowers but they have truly gorgeous spaces to hold special events.  There was a wedding scheduled for that evening, so I peeked around (naturally, wouldn't you??) to see the set-up.  In fact, my daughter has just scheduled the "great grandbaby" shower at this location in July.  Lots of old brick and rusty doors....perfect!!

Growing wild....pink poppies and red poppies.

And in my yard today....bird on fence. I know the sparrow is just about the most common ordinary bird around here, but he posed so nicely for me and with my new lens you can see the patterns and colors in his feathers,

And also growing on this same fence is lovely clematis, see this time I didn't call it a peony....I tell you it is definitely the age.

And more growing on the trellis in the front.  Sure wish these lovelies would stick around longer, but they bloom their little hearts out and then they are gone, only a memory until next year.

Like so many happenings and people in our lives, they are here for what seems like such a short while and then they are gone, a lesson to be learned.  Enjoy life each and every day, what is here today may not be here tomorrow.

Until next time.....