container garden

double click, it gets big enough to read the message

slow garden day

more wild life , GRRRrrrrrrrr

the sugar snap peas were ALMOST a foot tall yesterday
today, they are leafless twigs,
I guess the chipmunks could not wait for the peas themselves and
ate the leaves, they also have a taste for spinach and lettuce
( or maybe I have a bunny that is visiting?)
umm Hossenfeffer comes to mind

early - even for me

the coyotes were singing tonight
at least that is how they imagine it
to humans, our ears only want it to be quiet at 3AM
so we may call it many other names.

There is something about living on the edge of the forest
where bears still roam and I suspect a deer or two.
we see so much wildlife it becomes passe.
the coyotes are seen some during early morning or late evening
but do their best work right through the graveyard shift.
Tonight a large group of them were having a meeting
just up the hill from us and since the night is deathly quiet
their several voices carried right in the open windows and filled my ears and my imagination.
I used to try imitating them, but I think I do a better Willie Nelson. Soon another pack from a half mile away answered the incredibly high calls with something of their own. I do not allow myself to think of this as language, but it does communicate, so what do I call it? I call it a gift, to be awake at 4 am and to have the freedom to think about these things because so many of the other things in my life are taken care of so completely. I have clean clothes to wear, food in the fridge, an strong roof over my head when it rains or snows. I am warm in the deep cushioning embrace of a very comfortable place and I appreciate it so much.

oh my

I wish I had more to say these days.
Please just know that:
I am happy and very content with what God has given me
Work keeps getting better - I am just busy enough
and making some money and enjoying long summer days and much walking.
My beach vacation was terrific, so much so that I took very few pictures.
The house here continues to be a source of joy and challenge
and the gardens are making progress... the lettuce grows 2 inches high and then is eaten by chipmunks. I will have squash someday, but the tomatoes are prone to disappear to the crazy squirrels. oh well at least my flowers are showing well.
I have a wonderful life and I thank all the people who have added to it over these many years.

hehe

you say tomato

i say Farmer's market in Santa Monica. so very delicious and inspiring me to grow more of my own. YUM

deck continues to progress

two pics of the upper deck 96 sq ft





three of the lower about 300 sq ft




the rails are fir, the pickets are red cedar, the life of this deck is quite long with minimal care.

Saturday

Fourth of July Shed project started at 9:45 with four persons working.


By 1:45 we had the plywood on the roof.


My son and carpenter helper had to leave early

By 3:45 I sat back with a cup of coffee and saw a mini house with three walls complete, a door, and a very cool mountain look.


It is almost too nice to store your rakes and shovels.

a picture of the "end of the day" product is HERE

this is not about me

which means it is about YOU

*****************************
Dear sons of mine,
I know this is obvious
but these days it is sorely missing so I am adding my voice to remind you to:
Be polite, thoughtful and kind.
Open the door for others
Stand back and let another go first
Take a far away parking spot and use your legs
When a woman has a heavy item to lift
offer to help and then - Do it.
even if she thinks you are strange she will thank you and later pause to reflect, "wasn't that nice?"

To any "liberated" ladies who find chivalry distasteful
you always have the option of changing the channel

I like the world full of
KIND, thoughtful men
and respectful youth
and gestures that speak of our concern that another's day would be lifted to a new level by a simple act of kindness.


also today I am doing what I do worst, playing with colors for the house

evening golf course walk