Coreopsis

This coreopsis is in Mom's flower garden next to her front door.  I was so happy to see it come back this year as it was one of her very favorite flowers.  Prized for its dependable nature and colorful, daisylike flowers, coreopsis has a long bloom period and is generally troublefree and easy to grow.

I haven't changed anything in Mom's flower garden ~ not for her sake, but for mine.  Every day, when I walk to our backyard and see her garden, it brings a smile to my face remembering how much she loved it.  She would sit on her patio chair next to the garden with her cup of tea every morning.  I could see her there when I would look out my kitchen window.  That picture is burned into my memory.  I like to think that Heaven is a flower garden where she sits enveloped in the peace and beauty.  

Honeysuckle

I love my Pink Honeysuckle just before it opens.  I like the look of those long fingers reaching out.

Thinking of you today, Jim and Aunt Beulah.  Hoping the angels are having a celebration for you!

A Visit

This little guy stopped by for a quick drink ~ then off he went to visit neighbors.

One Lone Beauty

Our one and only sunflower ~ came up on its own! So glad it did.  That lone spot of yellow is like a smile in the backyard.

Throwback Thursday

William, Audrey, Violet

Throwback Thursday ~ I am guessing this to be around 1952. These are two of my many cousins ~ the ones I spent the most time with when I was young ~ William and Violet.  Violet was like a sister.  We spent as much time together as our Moms would allow - she staying overnight at my house or me at hers.  We had the greatest times together ~ sitting under Grandpa's huge willow tree eating Chef Boyardee Pizza that we made ourselves or walking down the street singing the Beatles song Till There Was You, discussing our latest crush on the cute guy down the street, or picking up golf balls on the edge of the golf course late at night when nobody was around.  Violet's family moved to California in our early teen years.  Being such a distance from each other, our lives went in different directions, but I will always have those fond memories.  William and his brother, Andrew, stayed in Ohio, so I had contact with them.  William and I still talk and get together when we can.  We both have scars from running into each other (literally) while playing in the dark many many years ago.  William and Patrick were in the Air Force together and became very close.  
Family ~ the ties that bind.

Surgery News

My Carpal Tunnel surgery scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled.  My pre-testing today showed my heart rate is very low and now we have to figure out why before they can reschedule.  They think it might be my BP meds.  I sure hope that's all it is.  Appointment for more testing not till July 7th.  

Healing Touch

I had another Healing Touch session with my friend, Jane, this morning at Barefoot Studios.  This one was a gift from my son, Casey.  Perfect timeing ~ I was in need of some quiet soothing time.  It was great to see Jane again, too.  It had been too long.

Fire Angel

This is my Karen Milstein Fire Angel that I recently purchased.  She is hanging in the archway between the living room and the foyer.  I love the story behind her creation.

Karen and her family live in Colorado.  In May, their leather and canvas manufacturing shop of 20+ years burned to the ground.  Not only did they lose the shop, but they lost all of their inventory and many memorable items such as things the children made when they were growing up and spending time in the shop.  Through the sadness and reality of what took place, Karen salvaged burnt metal and began creating these lovely little creations that she calls "fire angels".  Karen is having a hard time keeping up with sales of these angels.  Every time she lists a batch in her Etsy shop, they sell out and she makes more.  I think it's wonderful that this artist has made something so beautiful from the ashes of the fire.  Check her Etsy shop, fadedwest, from time to time to see what she has in there.  You will fall in love with her fire angels.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fadedwest  

A Simple Truth

Rain

 Hallelujah!! The rain has finally come.  As I run through the house looking out the windows and snapping photos... Jake has to see, too.  He doesn't want to miss a thing.

Throwback Thursday

I guess this was how we beat the heat back in the day.  There I am with Tommy again!  No idea who the little cutie is in the small wash tub.  Tommy's sister, maybe?

A Walk Around the Yard

Every Spring/Summer, I share some yard photos with you.  Everything is so pretty right now, I thought I would take you on a walk to see what things look like this year.  We have been having temperatures in the 90s for several days now and it is taking a toll on the flowers and grass.  I hope the chance of thundershowers that are forecast everyday will turn into a reality very soon.

I had to include this little guy ~ he was by my side when I planted most of these flowers.  Jake is tired from running the yard in this heat.  I think I'll lie down next to him and rest for a while, too.

Jake

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways...

Dinner with Good Friends

We drove to Lynchburg Tuesday evening to have dinner and visit with good friends, Don and Carol.  They come to Virginia every year to visit Don's mom who is 101 and Don's brother who lives nearby.  Living in Texas, they began their long drive back on Wednesday morning.  I look forward to our annual visit ~ it's always great to see them and catch up. 

Throwback Thursday

Audrey and Kathy (both born in January ~ we are 3 in this photo)

Throwback Thursday ~ June 1951 ~ It's the time of year for gardening!  I am raking my heart out there on the left and it looks like my buddy, Kathy Hanlon, has thrown down her shovel for the day!