Finding Peace Within Yourself.

 I've been in my apartment for over 6 years now. I can't believe it! Seems like yesterday that I moved in, all excited to be in a place all my own. Losing a spouse is devastating and then you are wandering around wondering what to do with the rest of your life. A change is good. It sets your feet on a different path. 

One of the things I have loved is being on the 3rd floor. I feel safe up here and the view is fantastic. I go out on my balcony late in the evening and sit, just soaking in the solitude, the peace, the feeling of just being. 

And, I have my little birds to entertain me. I bet they wondered where in the world their feed went. I had to remove everything off the balcony for the power-washing and that meant their feeder, too. But, they are slowly coming back. 

Sometimes making decisions is hard. But, you know, you just might miss out of the best part of your life if you don't try. 

A Clean Face!

 Wow ...

Things are looking great around here. The power-washers came and it looks like a new place. You gotta love it! 

My balcony had mildew on the railings, and a bunch of dirty surfaces. This ought to take care of that. 

I had to bring the things in off the balcony and stow them in my living room. That's okay. It's worth it. 

Sometimes it is just the little things that matter so much. Right?

Steamed Crabs and Sunflowers

I made this scrapbook journal page last August but I am sure I haven't shared it. We just set so many goals for ourselves. I don't know about you but the goals on this page from last year sound pretty much like the goals I have set for this August. Maybe I'm in a rut.

I know one thing. I'd just as soon forget that 2020 happened. I told my son that I didn't have many years left to enjoy and by golly, if they didn't take a whole year from me. All this Covid stuff and staying home.

But, some good news on the horizon. Monday morning there will be a crew here to power wash the entire 4 story building, all the walkways, the balconies, the windows, everything! 

I am thrilled beyond beyond!! 

We were looking pretty shabby, old and tired. 

We'll get a new facelift. 

Last Saturday we went to my granddaughters on the Eastern Shore for a birthday celebration. It was fun to get out and be with family again. My great-grandson took me for a ride in his golf cart. That was fun! 

They have a huge field of sunflowers. Most were already hanging their heads but just look at this beauty. 

And, we dug into 2 bushels of steamed crabs. Didn't eat them all but we tried! 

Have a wonderful blessed Sunday tomorrow!

Take care and keep smiling! 

Dancing In The Rain.

We, here at the Commons, rode out hurricane Isais, or whatever it's name was, unscathed. Thank you, Lord, for that. However, two separate tornados hit downtown and did a lot of damage. No one hurt or killed. So, that's the beginning of our hurricane season. We'll probably have several more before the season is over. 

I finally finished doing the revised edition of that book I published in 1991. Now, it's off to the editor and publisher. Hallelujah!! I feel like dancing in the rain! 

Late one evening I noticed a fox just sitting staring into the willows by the pond's edge. I wonder if he was looking for food, thinking about something, waiting for a companion. He sat there awhile and then he left. 

That's about it from this neck of the woods.

Take care!

Spinning a Web.

These spiders are very common but I never noticed one until yesterday. It took a 9 year old great-grandson to point it out so that I'd see it. I wonder why we don't like spiders. This one is really pretty. 

                          It is a black and yellow garden spider. duh!!!
                  Or if you want to get more technical... Argiope

and just look at that strange zig-zag thread woven through it's web. It's called a stablementum. Just fascinating. 

               I really didn't know all that stuff... I looked it up! 

Thoughts of Hawaii

It's plumeria blooming time. And, it always reminds me of when I was soooo pregnant, with a 13 month old on one hip and a five year old hanging onto my other hand and we landed in Honolulu to join my husband for his 2 year Navy duty in Hawaii. Of course, we didn't stay there, but that's another story, as most of you know. 

But, seeing the pulmeria ... that sweet hubby met me and the girls with leis of plumeria that he draped around our necks just about as soon as we got off the plane. So sweet. Gee, that was awhile ago... 1957, to be exact. 

Anyway, my daughter sent me a cutting a few years back. You can't kill those things! I promise... cross my heart. If you could, mine would have died. But, it got so huge I could not move it from my house to this apartment, so I gave it to my grandson. And, he's shared it with others including my son, who, btw, was born in Honolulu (he was the reason I was sooooo pregnant).  He has always had a special connection to anything Hawaiian. 

Oh, I could go on and on about his collection of Hawaiian shirts...He's worn them just about everywhere he went.  I think we've about gotten him broken from wearing them now, though. They got pretty out-dated! 😀