Back to the gardens

I love the ginger lily flower's scent. It's funny, lots of lilies are very objectionable to me these days. Not this one.

Just look at the size of that plant.

A very interesting pod...don't know the name of this one!

There were an abundance of zinnias in the John Wilson community gardens when I walked around a couple of weeks ago.

And marigolds...and some very tiny unhappy looking tomatoes.

Unfortunately we're due to have almost constant rain on this Sat. Wonder how they'll tag butterflies.

I used to think I was allergic to goldenrod...but I've been told the culprit is ragweed for allergies.

 So I haven't had any increase of symptoms walking wherever goldenrod is blooming. Yay.

Today's quote:

Visiting a sacred site can be a useful tool to open something within you that has remained inaccessible.

Madisyn Taylor, Daily Om

Window dressing

Pepperoni's Pizza in Black Mountain had some entertaining monkeys on the windows.

Today's quote:
We understand that we want to be better, but have no clear definition of what better means and that is part of the process.
Madisyn Taylor, Daily Om

The wonders of a clean house

A friend of a friend has a new house cleaning business. Another friend uses them often. I looked at my sad surroundings and called for a first time cleaning.  Since it's only a one bedroom apartment, I got a deal that I hope they are happy with, and I sure am.

So now all my wood surfaces have been Murphy's Oiled...a well as dusted. I've got a desk that says, come work here, I'm neat and tidy and clean. I am not taking the laptop off the dining room table yet though...because when I sit here I'm able to see everything outside. I get my nature fix by opening windows wide to the 68 degree air and rain falling gently.

But oh the Maples! They're dancing hither and yon.  I can see up to the tops from inside (here at the second story level of these giants.  They have multiple trunks...each of them. A strange version of maples to me, but they seem to do alright. I think I've got 4 right outside. There's the schussing of upper leaves and then the slow murmur of the lower ones, and just a hint of sway from all those uprights.

I'm grateful that my stimulus check allowed me to have house cleaners this one time.  While I was getting more and more sick, I was doing less and less. And this woman and her daughter knew just how to make things right again. I now will enjoy my home, where of course I'm mostly isolated!

And by comparison...

Quote for today:
Present time can be hard, but life unfolds as it will and the universe will wait as we make our way into the unknown. 
Madisyn Taylor

Breaking in the sneakers

 The new sneakers arrived and now I have to break them in. Can't walk very far around the parking area...but at least there's a hill to climb, pant pant.

 One of the flame azaleas is blooming.

And I think these are narcissus blooming.

Quote for today:

Having low self-esteem is a common issue - with some introspection you can start to loosen the grip of this negative thought pattern.

Our primary relationship in life is with ourselves. No one else goes through every experience in life with us. We are our one permanent companion, yet we are often our worst critic. To remind ourselves of our magnificence, we can do this exercise: "Five Things I Like About Myself." 

Begin by writing down at least five things that you like about yourself. This is not the time to be modest. If you are having trouble coming up with a total of five items, you know that this exercise can really benefit you. Be sure to include more than your physical attributes on your list, since our bodies are only part of who we are. If you are still struggling with what to include on your list, think of what you like about your favorite people, because these traits are probably qualities that you possess too. Another way to complete your list is to think of five things you don't like about yourself and find something about these traits that you can turn into a positive. 

Madisyn Taylor - Daily Om