The Years To Remember

 I'm at the point of relishing a day at home with nothing on the calendar, so I cancelled on a hike/swim/picnic today so I can tend to my home at my own unhurried pace. I've let the lawn go for almost a month so it's time for a mow. There has been so little rain, that it's not really that long but a few tall weeds are poking up untidily.  A stick bug showed up on the deck - late summer is when all the strange  and wonderful insects make themselves known. I went out to work on the shed rehab and moved an 8 foot fence panel's worth of rails and slats to the basement to free up shed workspace. When that was complete, I found a small hoard of pine cones on the floor, and a huge hoard up in the attic portion of the shed. I started removing them, but they are so heavy the yard waste bags won't hold them all. So sorry little red squirrel! You'll have to make other plans for the winter. These filled a 44 gallon garbage can which I'll have to get rid of in batche...

 8/13 - My siblings have always described me as being overly dramatic, and after yesterday I can see why. I had a little tiny biopsy chunk taken out of my scalp Tuesday morning and 2 stitches to close the gap. You would have thought I had major surgery from my behavior when I got home. I stayed on the couch for the day, alternating sleeping, reading, and watching old sitcoms. I got absolutely nothing done which is nothing like me. Thankfully today, after a good night's sleep, I'm back to normal. I have read about bees snuggling up into flowers for a nap, but now I’ve witnessed it in my garden.  This bumble bee was cozying up to this flower in the evening, and was still there in the morning. I thought it might be dead, but it reached up to give me a high five when I tried to touch it! 8/14 - Have I mentioned how much I love tithonia? They are easy to grow from seed, up to 7 feet tall, and prolific bloomers, except when you get one that puts all its energy into foliage only. The...

 I noticed the cicadas started chirping, bird song have quieted down, and crickets started their night time chorus. We are having very warm and very dry weather these last couple of weeks and for the next week too. Watering the garden is a regular activity along with the more fun activities. A stop along the bike trail. I went to another book club, met friends for lunch, hiked and swam at Otsego Lake, kayaked at Harris Lake, and did a 24 mile bike ride yesterday. I was almost done with the IronStrong Challenge and my back twinged with what I think was a muscle spasm after the bike ride. I immediately stopped moving - and the spasm stopped too. I decided I'm not going to finish the challenge on time. It's just not worth it to risk my back and weeks of activity for a fun challenge that is of little consequence.  This tithonia is growing in partial shade and looks redder than its normal orange color.  Kayaking along the Hudson River just off of Harris Lake. The wildfire smok...

  Centerway Square, Corning NY Sunday - I’m sitting at the Market Cafe with my cappuccino pondering the incongruity of everything being the same, but everything also being different, here in my hometown. Mostly I am the difference, rather my current circumstances are changed from all the previous walks here. I walk the same streets, visit the same sites, but because of my experiences, it’s all so very different now. I feel a big, ugly cry coming on, but I hope to save it for the drive home tomorrow - something I did for the past 10 yrs of trips here.  I’m staying in the hotel where I worked my very first job in high school and into college. I was a lifeguard at this pool every Saturday.  I’ll never forget pulling a little girl out, who was quietly drowning behind her mother. Watch those little ones closely! Monday - The reunion party was a wonderful success with absolutely zero drama among us seven siblings, a few cousins, and dozens of nieces and nephews and their childr...

Tuesday - Day two of the IronStrong Challenge started with a 20 miler on the Mohawk Hudson Bike trail. It's been really hot, so not much more progress has been made.  Another hot summer day for riding. Thursday - I've now completed 9 miles of the run/walk portion, and believe it or not, I did run a bit of it. This challenge is definitely making me get out there more, and that is the whole point. Today has been mostly rain, but I managed to get out for an early morning 4 mile walk. Then mammogram and bone density testing along with some boring grocery shopping. Also - the heat wave is over! Friday - I spent a little time in the garden this morning looking at the flowers, some of which were a surprise. The rain yesterday caused everything to pop, so I enjoyed wandering there with my coffee. This pale green gladiola - I thought it was going to be a white one. I certainly don't remember planting this. The buds were almost black, but now this very deep red flower. I'm happy ...