This is crazy heat! I got out to water a bit after 10 this morning and it was tolerable-dry and a bit of a breeze. Thank goodness the air is keeping the house around 75 or so-and it’s not running a lot. We left it around 74 during the night and it’s kept it cool without running all day. Whew.
When I was a teenager, I loved to get mail. I think this stemmed from a couple of different events in my young life. Once my mom wrote to Whitman Publishing Company saying their coloring books, cards and stuff were the cat’s pajamas. Well didn’t they send us a nice big box full of products corresponding with the new movie at the time- ‘Chitty, Chitty , Bang, Bang’.
Another time was when my paternal Grandmom sent me a box of Ginny dolls with oodles of little clothes and accessories. I still have them, but not all the clothes.
I also sent letters to pen-pals. I got published in a magazine once too.
Mom has this really long stone driveway and I remember going every day to check for a letter from a pal from across the country or in the next town (really!)
This is leading up to my grown up enjoyment of receiving little pieces of art in the mail from all over the world. I’ve gotten ‘art trading cards’ and other hand made goodies from places as far away as Israel. This is an example of some of the cards, though the blue one and the tag were a gift from Sherry in England for my last birthday. I believe this binder has 10 pages with 9 spaces each, so I have 90 cards (plus) just in it! The artist’s personality really reflects in their pieces.
Some of my Flickr swaps…a dress, paper doll, flower and bird.
The most recent swaps or ‘gifts’ from my pals in England. I sent them teapot ribbon holders.
My little work space-yep-very untidy with some works in progress.
These are really gorgeous this year! I decided to bring a bunch inside and cut these about 3 days ago and they are loving the cool house. We are all trying to stay cool and this week is proving to be another scorcher without rain. Very dry!!
Brian is home today and is over at his dad’s house. Yesterday his dad was having trouble getting up about 5 carpeted steps to the second floor (split level) and was scooting up and then couldn’t stand up. He practically crawled to his bedroom-took 1.5 hours. We had to call ‘911’ for them to come and pick him up. He’s afraid to come downstairs now. I think we’ll have to find a rehab center or have someone come in a few hours a day to help him get his legs stronger. We live 45 minutes away, so it’s hard for Brian to go over there all the time. It’s especially hard when your parents are older like Brian’s dad. He kept saying we want to get him out of his house. Will keep you posted.
Stay cool!
By the way, after we knew Bri’s dad was settled yesterday, we went to my Mom’s house where my brother made us a nice grilled rib and chicken dinner. I threw together peanut butter and chocolate chip squares and mom had cheesecake. We plays ‘Apples to Apples’ a fun card game. A nice diversion for us.
First-Happy Birthday Dave-my oldest brother! We’ll light a few fireworks for you. : )
This was taken off the tv last year…and I may take a few more later.
I happen to be sitting on my glider today and remembered that we had a birthday party for my Grandmom Ruth for her 85th birthday here back in 1989. I looked over at the yard under the chestnut tree where she and a family friend are sitting in this photo. Hard to imagine she went on to almost celebrate her 97th and would have been 107 today.
Sean got his wish of getting his 4th of July dinner tonight instead of tomorrow as he is working all day. He got a hamburger, hot dog and roasted veggies. Bri and I may go to mom’s, but he worked hard and ran around a lot at this dad’s house today. We still don’t like that he is alone and climbing stairs (split level-about 4-6 steps each). He had a balance issue and it was good that Brian was behind him and caught him. He is having a physical therapist come next week and we hope that he can get weekly help with cleaning and food shopping.
This photo is a few years old and I think it is pretty. I need to get back to Longwood Gardens and see this years waterlilies. They add black dye to the water.
A collage of the memorabilia I saved from the Troubadour concert I went to a few weeks ago with my friend Lorin. The program, the ticket and the excellent review from the Philly Inquirer.
Having a rough week here. Brian is over at his dad’s spending the night. I had to get mad at him to make him see that an 87 yr old who just got out of the hospital needs someone there the first night (after 5 days). Bri’s dad was ‘diagnosed’ with Crohn’s Disease, yet given no special diet to follow. He is weak on his feet and could hardly get up the stairs. What’s going to happen tomorrow night and the next night? This may be a wake up call for both of them.
Here’s Sean and his Pop-pop last July…
I’m also depressed as the procedure I had seems not to have worked. They say after 3 months you should know and although I seemed to have skipped a month, I am almost like I was three months ago. I had the worst headache most of the day to go along with it. Bummer. I’m taking it one month at a time now.
I was thrilled to pick a few veggies today-a Purple Beauty eggplant and a Gretel eggplant. I do put a few veggies in my herb bed. I don’t see more peppers, but there are at least 3 more eggplants. The herbs are Italian parsley (for a parsley and lemon pork chop I am making) and thyme.
We may get some thunderstorms-it’s still very dry. We had a few minute sprinkling a bit ago.
Very prolific this year-love the colors, fringes, stamens, etc.!
Brian’s dad is still in the hospital. He has a heart valve problem that is affecting his kidneys it seems. He is having a test tomorrow to see why he is having the other bathroom issues. Tonight Dad C. sounded a bit groggy. He thought he had slept for 11 hours and it was Monday. I’ll keep you posted.
Hot. hot, hot here! We really need the rain! Some gardens are struggling. If it’s not the lack of rain, it’s the wildlife causing havoc. I went out tonight to find all my gourmet lettuce (just ready to pick) and most of the sunflowers and zinnias nibbled on. I’m thinking it’s deer. All the houses springing up around here has caused them to check out people’s yards. I have had this issue in the past. I may need to put up a fence now.
Here’s some exotic orchids from always reliable Longwood Gardens. (Make note to go in the next week or so).
Please keep my husband Brian’s dad Fran in your thoughts and prayers. He has something going on and is in the hospital now. He’s had GI issues for months and months and refused to go to the doctor. His RBC was low as was his BP. He had a CAT scan on his stomach and his colon has pockets, but not sure if that being irritated is his main problem.
I’ll probably go see him tomorrow. He was always quite heavy in the 240+ range . Now he’s like 160. He just had a birthday on the 23rd-turned 87!
Collages & Creative Goodness 