Another Summer Surprise

 While I convalesce inside,
Bush flowers bloom pink

Reminding my heart to hope.

Girls Who Climb Trees, Holding Babies, and Yellow Watermelon

 (Not all at once! When I read the title of this post to my son he said, "Wow, you're good at multitasking!)

I climbed a lot of trees when I was a young girl.  Not everyone is able or wants to kick off her shoes, reach out her arms, curl her toes and thighs against rough bark, and pull herself high up the trunk and onto thinner branches.  It's easy to feel capable and powerful when you've made it and are standing or sitting above the earth, when you've overcome fear and exerted yourself where many can't or won't. Being in a tree gives a new perspective.

When did the tree climbing stop?  When did the feelings of inconvenience, the lack of effort, and the fear of the pain of falling become more powerful?  When did I allow myself to become so weak that even if I wanted to climb, I couldn't?

I was tempted to insist she descend at once.  Instead, I took pictures and felt relief when she finally climbed down.

Once the surgery is over, the arm is healed, and the strength returns, I think I'll climb a tree.

And I'll hold a cute, strong, squirmy baby like my little nephew with both arms as tight as can be.

 And I'll be able to hold a fat smile of watermelon or a large fancy sandwich with both hands and bring them to my mouth without smashing them into my face or losing half of what's inside.

Have you ever tasted yellow watermelon?  I didn't even know it exists until yesterday when we were in a grocery store in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Looks a little like pineapple when it's all cut up in the bowl.  No surprise, it tastes like watermelon.

Patience Flowers

"Do these look like weeds?"  

I asked several people that question. 

Most agreed we should wait and see.  

So we waited.

Finally, they are blooming. I'd been told to wait a full year before cutting down or pulling up plants.

 I'm glad we listened.

Fortunately, I recognized the cosmos baby plants that would become the pink and purple flowers and left them to grow.

When all the buds are in full bloom, this is going to be a mighty pretty corner of the backyard.

It was worth the wait.

Sunset

"Mom, can I borrow your camera?"

"Why?"

"So I can take pictures of the sunset."

The sun was setting already?  When was the last time I'd seen a sunset.  Too long ago.  I gave her the camera.

She came back a while later and showed me these among other shots.  The first picture is her favorite.  She likes the contrast of the dark leaves.  I'm glad she appreciates sunsets.

Gumballs

Purchased for fun and because they are as pretty as pansies.

 She thought they belonged in the middle of the cabbage.

I like them with pansies and nasturtium leaves.   

Pretties and Not So Pretty

Mrs. Johnson seems to have liked variety.   

 So do the snails.

I don't know what kind of flower the little purples are.  Orange daylilies remind me of healthier times, biking around the New York countryside.  Which of the lilies is your favorite? 

I Can Do Flowers

The flowers Michelle gave me wilted.  I couldn't just throw them out and become flowerless, especially with roses in the backyard.  So I snipped a few with scissors, stuck them in the vase, and then of course had to take a few pictures.

               toes                                                 water distortions                                          wood porch

A watery storm struck yesterday morning.  I realized I'm going to have to live like this for a while.  I can't put life on hold.  Hopefully I will get answers tomorrow.  I'm just afraid I'm not going to like them.

Wildflowers on the Way Back

On the way up a sloooww walk with my family toward Donut Falls this afternoon, I didn't see any wildflowers.  I was busy trying to hold up my arm and stay on the path.  But on the sloooowwer way down, I looked harder and found a few.

Wild strawberries.

 Tree or bush blossoms.

 Bluebells.

 Some unique, white, leaf-like flowers.

Gifts

A sweet lady gave me these.  They smell heavenly.  I'm thankful for kind, thoughtful people, gentle colors, and soft petals.