Live and Learn-Toss and Turn

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

A Second Look--September 30, 2015

Things have been very busy around here for the last couple of months (you may have noticed I haven't been posting as much), and that has made me kind of stressed. But my walk around the yard for a Second Look yesterday worked its magic. For a little while, I was focused on the outdoors and the stress I was feeling melted. Nature can do it every time for me.

Here are a few things I saw this week

during a Second Look.

Monarch butterfly. Even though we have milkweed (the monarch host plant) and I've seen monarch caterpillars, this is the first time I've seen a monarch butterfly in several years. This one was hanging onto a twig and only opening its wings when the breeze got strong.

Geranium, Roxanne. The rain we had last week brought out a few blooms on summer flowers that were just about done for the season.

One more Black-eyed Susan

Sedum, Autumn Joy. The sedum is a fall flower and is in full bloom now.

Blanket flower

Verbena. This annual looked dead most of the summer, however, the cooler temperatures seemed to have revived it. It's supposed to happy in warm weather, so I'm not sure what was going on.

Another "hidden" walnut.

The leaves are just starting to turn and fall. It will be leaf raking time soon.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Thankful Sunday--September 28, 2015

I am thankful for simple fun.

I have a set of friends I get together with every month or so. The gatherings are simple with food from everyone and a lot of silly talking and laughing. Sometimes we play a game, sometimes we do a craft, and this time we sang and colored. Singing was not organized--just spontaneous singing of whatever golden oldie popped into someone's head. The coloring was also fun for everyone as they remembered another part of their past. For good friends and simple fun, I am thankful.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A Second Look--September 23, 2015

This week had beautiful fall weather with cool mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. Even the day of rain was pleasant--maybe because it was much needed. The weather is signaling that fall officially began last night at sundown, but the changes are still subtle. No big change in the color of the leaves and no frost yet to turn some of the summer greens to brown. So, there was not much different to take pictures of this week when I did my Second Look. However, there were a few things that caught my eye.

Here are some things I saw this week

during a Second Look.

Sternbergia latea. These bloom every September but I always forget about them until I see their bright yellow colors pop up among the dead lilies and overgrown irises. A pleasant surprise to say the least.

Something is starting to get ready for winter. See the hidden walnut in the fence post?

Resting moth/butterfly on marigold at the end of the day. This insect was not moving and it was either a moth waiting for dark to be active or a butterfly resting at the end of an active day.

The moon was out early this night.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Thankful Sunday--September 20, 2015

I am thankful for good caregivers.

This is the attic window of the house I grew up in and
the house where my mother still lives.

For various reasons, my mother doesn't live near any of her children. Since none of us are close by, I am thankful that she has very good caregivers so she can continue to live in her home of 55 years. Her helpers are a blessing to both her and us. And for that I am thankful.