Only an inch and a half in diameter but bursting with flavor.  This was the first tomato to ripen on Jay’s ‘cheater plant’.
It really tasted as good as it looked.  The best part is that I counted roughly 18 more to ripen yet! 

Today we drove roughly 100 miles round trip to Fenton to Spicer’s Orchards for 20 pounds of tart cherries.  No I didn’t pick them but I will be pitting them tomorrow morning.  We have settled on Tart Cherry Jam,  Cherry pie filling, and Cherry Chutney to can this year.  So it was haul up the jars, the canning kettle, the stainless steel pot for cooking, and the assorted tools to accomplish the task at hand this evening. 

We also did a bit of grocery shopping while we were out so we didn’t have the heart or the energy to start our project tonight.

While I was outside with Brandy this evening I saw my first lightening bug since moving here.  I saw only one so I’ll have to watch closer for more from now on.  Funny how simple things can bring a smile to your face and a happy memory to your mind.

My oldest son is recuperating from an appendectomy and hernia surgery and doing well since his hospitalization last week.  For a person who has had very few hospitalizations this was a rude awakening for him but he is handling it well. 

As for me I’m on the mend and will be bugging my personal physician for an OK on the rib so I can start the surgery on my left foot and ankle soon.

Well it is a busy day tomorrow so I’ll say good night! 

As you can see a visit from SEB yesterday turned all my problems into smoke dissipating into the past as he worked his magic on my voice of communication.  So now what follows are the visions that were kernels of ideas that I wanted to share with you.  They make no sense now but they were important enough at the time to record for you so here goes!

After a few days of rain the sky seemed alive with clouds forming and reforming the shapes I used to see as a child.

The Catalpa Tree in the front yard finally brought forth it’s lovely flowers.  Signs that like promises of life continuing another year shone in the sunshine.

Cindy’s ‘dead’ Snapdragons flourishing in one of the side gardens are another promise of life in a world that seems to be slowing moving on without me.

Across the way Phyllis’ garden is displaying delightful sights of color.  Oh that I had the the strength and the knowledge she has to create should a joyous sight for all who pass to share. 

The date is 1972.
The time is 7:27 in the morning.
Who would have known that what came into my life on this July 7th morning would change my life, my attitude, my whole way of looking at the world around me. But she did!
And I’m glad she did!

Happy Birthday Cindy Catherine, aka Cynthia Catherine, may you have 36 more. Then 36 more after that!  My only other wish is that I wish I had the power to make your life as happy for you as you made mine happy for me.

Today I Mourn!!

Well my MIME problem is still with me.  Perhaps my IT man can figure it out on Sunday.  I had pictures of the blooms on the Catalpa tree, the squares I have been working on, Cindy with Ice Cream cups between her cups, and a few other bits of nonsense but all my attempts to upload failed with that error.  Just can’t figure it out so it pisses me off. 

I have been debating a post for the Fourth of July but everything that comes to mind is negative.  Our loss of personal freedom, the laws that have been passed recently that state one reason yet are really for a different one.  The leaders, of what used to be the greatest nation in the world, are still in power yet we have let them slowly lead us like sheep into more disgrace.  The promises broken by the Democrats to start using the positions in the House and Senate to at least try to stop the madness. The threat by our leaders to start another war—this time with Iran while we hear that our enemies have tried to reestablished a stronghold in a country we thought was cleared.  All this just adds to the feeling that we are losing everything we have worked for and used to be so proud of.  So I won’t be wishing this country a happy birthday this year.  Instead I will mourn it!