What, Me Worry?

It was 4:30am and I awoke with a start--nothing appeared out of the ordinary and the house was quiet.  My mind, however, not content with that answer took off like a bull at a rodeo, charging out of the stocks and romping wildly around trying to free itself.  Unwilling to join the fun, my body lay very still hoping trick my mind back to sleep.

No such luck though, my mind was not to be corralled this soon and began galloping through it's list of things to worry about (one right after the other):

Did I remember to send that birthday card?
Is there enough sour cream for dinner?
When was that dentist appointment?
Why don't people believe in climate change?
Will it be nice enough weather for a walk on the beach?
What time does the sun come up so I can check?
Do I absolutely have to sand that dresser before I paint it?
Is the paint I bought too blue?
Or too grey?
Why is abortion a political discussion?
Seriously, did I send that birthday card or not?
Why am I in my 50's, where did the time go?
What should I make for Christmas dinner, ham and turkey?
I would like some toast.
Did I make enough jam for the winter?
Is it time for an oil change?
Why isn't the sun up yet?
Will I need a nap later?
Should I wash my new pants before I shorten them?
Is there enough detergent?
How about hamburgers for dinner instead?
Will Marie think I am crazy if I end up sending her two birthday cards?

And so it went until an hour passed and another one.  My mind bucking and twisting around the ring with more questions than answers.  Finally, it was all tuckered out and settled down with an exasperated snort. Thinking it was now safe to move, my body rolled over and nestled into the warm covers. 

Sleep settled in as the sun rose in the morning sky answering one of my questions.

Saltair's Water Lilies

Our coastal community has creeks running down from the mountain range towards the sea.  It also has an abundance of lakes and bogs making the local wildlife very happy.  Once a year for a very short time, the bogs and lakes come alive with beautiful pink blooms floating on the water, making everyone very happy.

Unable to wield a paintbrush like Claude Monet, I captured the water lilies with my camera.

Beautiful Things

I'd rather have flowers on my table

than diamonds on my neck.

 --Emma Goldman

(Probably not the best quote for my birthday week, but still true enough.)

Work

After toiling in the garden all spring, summer brings forth fresh blooms and I pause to remember these wise words...

"Work is love made visible."

--Kahlil Gibran

Home Is Where Your Nest Is

 

This is not a flower.

This is a baby robin waiting not so patiently for his mother to return to the nest with something delightful to eat.  His brother (or sister) is napping right now, but not this little guy.  He is on high alert with his fuzzy head bobbing about.

This is my patio table umbrella.

Yes, a robin built a nest in my umbrella one weekend and laid her eggs.  I immediately forbid anyone in my family from using the back door, back deck or backyard until further notice.  That sweet mother commenced sitting on those eggs day and night, never leaving the nest.  I was impressed by her parenting skills and tenacity.  Summer has been passing by and we have yet to use the back deck.

Several days ago I noticed the eggs had hatched and two chicks appeared.  The mother now spends time away gathering food for her hungry family returning with early morning earthworms, their favorite.  I think she is a single mother, because I never see any other robins around helping out.

It is probably time to give up the notion of using the table at all this summer, but you know, it is worth it!

Photographers note:  Of course, as soon as I put my camera away, the second baby popped up to check out the scene.

Salt Air Dew

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter,

and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning

and is refreshed.

--Kahlil Gibran

Laws of Attraction

The Lucifers (those are plants not devils) have once again taken over the front yard and done their job of attracting the hummingbirds.  When these flowers are in bloom, the hummingbirds are everywhere at once, darting, fighting and gathering pollen.  Every August, it is quite a scene, one I remember late into fall.


Gardening books will tell you Lucifers are "deer resistant" but am here to tell you the deer love snapping off the end of the stalks and eating their way up to our front door.  I am guessing the pods taste like "popcorn with petal frosting."

Even a spider has taken up residence on this stalk and it doesn't seem to be intimidated by either the birds or the deer. 

Mandatory Stargazing

Most of Rockaway Beach was indoors watching the Olympics late Saturday night, oblivious to the incredible meteor shower happening right outside.  Apparently either God or the Tillamook PUD decided to take matters into their own hands and change that. 

Out went the lights in an exciting flash of colors, and then it was dark, very dark.  Getting up from their cozy chairs, most residents filed outside to see what was happening.  Neighbors met in the street for a quick confab about the power issue and soon discovered the vast amount of stars visible in the dark without the city light washout.

Among those stars were the multicolored, vibrant shooting stars of the Perseid Meteor Shower,  This annual August 11-12th shower can produce 60 meteors per hour.  Birthday Bob reported seeing nine amazing meteors during his backyard star-gazing. 

He still believes this celestial event is produced especially for his birthday each year and we don't have the heart to tell him otherwise.

You Are in the Driver's Seat

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs.  
Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

--Harold Thurman Whitman

This guy certainly did!

To Do List

          1)  Turn your face to the sun
          2)  Bask in the healing energy
          3)  Smile

          4)  Repeat often

Get An Education

I think the spider that spun this web skipped the day at Arachnid University when the instructor was discussing Architectural Design.  He might have been out experimenting with recreational drugs and listening to the Grateful Dead.  At least that is what it looks like.