evening summer sky

In the summer I like to keep our bedroom curtains and window open at night.

I like to get the extra breeze from the open window and to sniff the lovely summer night air and to hear the little creeping and rustling of nighttime creatures in the garden; all from the comfort of bed.

I also love to be able to see the night sky and stars..

For example THIS star pattern is exactly what I look at, (this month anyway, as then it starts to move above the house)

Guess what it is??

Did you say, “The Big Dipper”? (or Ursa Major for the scientific types)

I learned the major stars during the MANY walks we took as kids with my mom, down those island roads in the summer time. Sometimes the ONLY light would be from the stars and to keep things from being TOO creepy we would have great discussions about the stars and planets..

What stars do you see at night?

H has the flu (but is slowly improving)

Yes it seems that is what H’s tummy episode and soreness was, as it was later compounded with a splitting headache and a bit of a temp..

He finally is starting to eat a bit; had rice pudding and kept it down although he is not a huge imbiber of liquids, no matter what enticements I use.

I had gotten him some natural Gravol(it’s just ginger; fantastic for nausea) but he isn’t crazy about ginger so I also got some homeopathic anti nausea tablets which seem to be doing the job..he them twice but hasn’t since so THIS in itself is a good sign.

He and I relaxed this afternoon, he comfy on the couch and me in his lounge chair, and watched old comedies at which he laughed(laughter is also an excellent healer as most of us know)

Now he is snoozing in bed, and will continue to get over this nasty virus even though it might be slowly.

I went to Tai Chi this morning which was a huge success, in that it helps me keep cool at times like this…

Back (pun intended) to work…

I slogged off to work this morning with SOME trepidition…I know that this time of year is notoriously slow so the casual staff is laid off and we regular workers are expected to pick up the slack and work twice as hard…

I had gone to my chiropractor yesterday; he was concerned about my return and urged me to find out if I could be assigned “light duties”.

I was pleased to learn that I COULD but would require a note from him(to be expected and indeed no trouble to obtain) and since our “Big Boss” is away until Monday, the light duty,”setup”, would have to wait until then.

The day was ok but good heavens I was glad to come home, do some stretches and then put the kettle on for some good tea..

Oh yes, I meant to mention..I BROKE my lovely Bodum tea pot about a week ago. I THINK it was probably already suffering from a hairline crack.

On the fateful day I had just poured the water in, when a small piece of the side simply caved in and the resultant deluge of scalding water/tea was EVERYWHERE..on the counter, cascading over the counter fronts and down onto the floor below.

LUCKLILY none of it went on me, but I was VERY sad, none-the-less.

SOOO, back to my old brown betty(which is actually a pretty dark green) It  at least makes very good tea by which fact, I am comforted  and can ALMOST forget my lovely Bodum pot.

(I googled about it breaking so easily and found that mANY others pots had suffered the same fate. The Bodum borosilicate glass simply isn’t very strong.(yet it is reputedly stronger than regular glass..go figure!)

It ‘s rather criminal when one sees the price that they charge. )

japanese dogwood attracts

Our japanese dogwood is attracting lots of comments and attention this year.

I know that I already posted a photo but HAD to repost, just because it is SO beautiful this year.

We are on a busy corner and it is HILARIOUS to see the near collisions as people slow down to look, while the drivers behind , intent on beating the traffic lights, often do not SEE that the traffic pattern has slowed…

(no I am not as mean spirited as to wish accidents upon people, even just rear enders, but it IS comic!)

Others pull into our driveway and either come and knock on the front door or else try (sometimes vainly) to get H’s notice as he marches back and forth, cutting the lawn.

People walking past will often traipse across the lawn for a better look (THIS behaviour will immediately get you into H’s bad books; to WALK on his well groomed lawn is truly a sacriledge…even we , unless weeding or cutting it do not walk upon it..)

But it is all understandable.. it is so lovely, we wish it would bloom all year!

PS it is a Satomi

“Satomi’ reaches 12 to 15 feet tall over about 6 to 8 years, thriving in light, open shade. It blooms in early summer on striking horizontally-held branches. The flowers are followed by bright red fruit, which in turn is eclipsed by the magnificent sunset colors of the autumn foliage. Even in winter, when the tree is leafless, the bare branches form an impressive silhouette. For all-season beauty, you simply cannot top ‘Satomi’.”

Japanese “Satomi” dogwood

Lucky, or WHAT!!!?

Today I was heading out for lunch and errands with H.

I was ready and waiting at the door, already putting my shoes on, while he was dashing around, looking for his sunglasses and car keys.

I was smug. I was ready to go.

So off we went, and as we approached the little chinese cafe that we like, I did a quick assessment of my belongings(we had stopped to mail some important correspondance) and realised that my wallet was NOT accompanying us!

I told H and he  did a U turn practically in the middle of  on coming traffic, and rushed back home(luckily , we hadn’t gone far)

We pulled into the drive(he meanwhile telling me that I should be more careful(yes dear) and then saying,”where did I think I left it”?)

“I think the front hall stand,” I said, climbing out, and then, as I turned to walk towards the pathway to the door, saw my WALLET perched on the BACK of our car, on the spoiler

GADS! I must have put it on top of the car, laden as I was with the “to be posted” correspondance and my water bottle, etc…

SOOOO lucky!

HOW it didn’t fall off, especially when we did the 3 point U turn, is beyond me!

So WHY is there a picture of Buddha there, at the top of my post? Because I definitely felt that I was being looked after, and since buddha is my spiritual leader of choice, I can only say, THANKS!!!!