Vinca Lives

I have a small grape arbor, and the grass underneath has died, due to the dense summer shade.  I tried shade grass, but it was tedious, and I was not diligent enough to get it established. So last summer, I planted vinca, which is supposed to do okay in sun and shade.  I had several hills of vinca come fall, but it did not do well with the extreme winter cold that we had.  I should have covered it, and if we have a cold snap like that next year, I hope to remember to cover it.

However, there are several small (one or two sprouts) and some larger (3 or 4 sprouts) plants coming back.  I purchased a few more to supplement, and will water and feed, hoping to help the vinca along.

Minor Wind Event

We are having what I would call a minor wind event tonight:  it is blowing consistently, but not damagingly, and with no dust. Even though the ambient temperature was in the low 80's the windchill makes it feel much cooler.  When I moved to West Texas, my first stop was Amarillo... The press for Amarillo said that the days may be hot, but the evening winds cool everything down.  It may be true there, but during the summer, it is not true in Lubbock. 

I have moved the laptop, with electrical hook up, into the back yard for the first time this season. Why have I not done this sooner?  I do not know! But, it is very pleasant, especially because there are no mosquitoes right now, but that could change in a heart beat.

It is so beautiful out here, and I am so grateful to have a wonderful place to sit out and enjoy the fresh air and moon shine.

It Was A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day, weather wise.  I sat outside to read the newspaper with my morning cup of coffee.  I worked inside, and outside, had lunch outside, worked outside, took a break and watched part of the race inside, worked outside, ran errands, ate dinner outside, worked outside.  Now, I have opened the windows to allow the fresh night air in, as I watch "America, The Story of Us."

These are the idyllic, pastoral days that I enjoy.  I enjoyed the outside, I took care of chores, I visited with friends, and watched what I wanted to on TV.  I even did some computer work. But at my pace, my schedule, with no no stress or pressure...

These are the kind of days that make me appreciate being alive, appreciate living in West Texas, and appreciate my homestead... I am so blessed.

My wish is that blessing extend to all whom I love and care about, and if a stranger is reading this blog, to you, too.

I Love My Back Yard

Years ago, when I lived in this house with Mack, I used to say that I loved to hear the grass grow... Mack and I would sit in the back yard and enjoy the quiet calm of the night... So many nights... I recall, one night, when the power went off. Mack and I sat in the back yard, just waiting for the power company to restore service....

Mack is still in my back yard, and now, Sake spends some time there, too. She is more particular about her outings than Mack was: he just wanted to be outside, until he was not feeling well, that last year of his life....

After going through years of turmoil, I am once again learning to listen to the grass grow..The times are different, but the listening is just as important... I can be in the back yard and listen to the grass grow...

I love the bushes, vines, trees and other plants that inhabit my yard.... I love the breeze, the smell, the citronella candles. Tonight, the moon does not show, but it has been bright earlier this week .... I love the sense of "camping out." I am blessed with that sense.....

Life is good.

The Slug

When I stayed home from work the 24th of May, my boss was delighted: she saw that as me taking care of me. While I slept most of the day, and decided she was right, I saw myself as being a "slug." Quite frankly, for the last almost 10 months, I have been a horrible slug. A lot of it has to do with my taking charge of a very bad relationship,and saying, if it can not be good, it can not be at all. Well, I wanted it to be so badly, I accepted it as bad. When I finally said, "not at all" I kept hoping for it to get better, but it actually ended, which is what should have happened in 2002 and not in 2006. Oh well, sometimes, I am a slow learner.

And, then there is the sorrowful stress of knowing my mother was on a slow course to death. However, until shortly before her death, the quality of life which she sought was there at some level, and she was able to mostly be in her own home, as was her wish.... So, while I am sad that she is gone, the bravery and determination to be in control which she exhibited are inspiring...

But, slug I was, and I have spent a great deal of time the last 11 months finding ways not to be active instead of enjoying opportunities to be active. My two best friends gave me what for on Memorial Day, and I took it to heart: I found myself more willing to enjoy things that day, today I went to work with a better attitude, and although I worked a long day, I came home with a good outlook and took the chance to have some fun kayaking tonight... Maybe I will not be a slug for much longer, but I will still have to work at it for a while...

Tonight, Sake and I sat in the yard while I had dinner and read my emails. Sake wanted in, and the air is cooling off....I had the air conditioner on for a while, but opened the house for now. Shortly, will be in bed time and will close the house again. The point is, when Mack was alive, and when I lived with Bob until right before the divorce, I would have preferred to be sitting outside than inside. I lost that. I hope I will have found that again. It is special to me...I love the fresh air of West Texas. I loved it from when I first moved here. I shared that love with Ken and with Mack, and am glad I have it and I hope to keep it.....