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“When summer gathers up her robes of glory,
And, like a dream, glides away.”
~ Sarah Helen Whitman
And, like a dream, glides away.”
~ Sarah Helen Whitman
It’s a bit sad to be taking the pool down . . . a sure sign that the warm days of summer are over. I’m already noticing a few leaves turning on some of the trees in the neighborhood – which seems awfully early to me. We’re still getting temps from 18-25 degrees Celsius, but it cools down quite a bit at night so that the water in the pool is not holding the heat. The Little’s were in it the other day, and were chilled within minutes. Will have to look in to getting a cover that retains the heat for next year. Anyway – for now pool season is over. Ahhh Summer . . . it’s been fun while it lasted!! Oh well . . . here comes Autumn – my second favorite season. (Don’t let Summer hear this but Spring is my favorite!!)
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“We need to ditch the idea that there is any value in the strong and silent man being in any way attractive. Being silent isn’t being strong, it’s being a victim.” Jane Powell
Reading this quote made me think about what a strong man I am married to/partnered with. He’s no victim! Yeah, I know – he’s digging that ditch with a back-hoe attachment on the John Deer tractor. But that’s the thing . . . he’s dug a few ditches in his lifetime so he knows the value of using the proper tools to get the job done. And now that he can afford the tools, why not use them?? I am continually amazed at his strength in all kinds of situations . . .not just ditch-digging. He fixes things, builds things, designs things, sells things, thinks big and lives large. I guess you can say I’m a huge fan of his! He keeps his cool in some pretty difficult business situations . . . when projects seem to be heading off the rails he manages to rally the troops and get things back on track. He doesn’t lose his head, he doesn’t lose his cool. He’s an amazing father who helps his boys when they need him, but at the same time enables them to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. He’s an absolutely giddy and silly Grandpa . . . completely in love with the little ones. He’s about the best son a mother could ever want . . . being there for his 93 year old mother no matter what. And most of all, he is my rock, my best friend, my confidant and life partner. Every day is not perfect . . . and guess what . . . his farts do stink . . . but I love him no matter what! We are traversing whatever ditches and mountains we encounter in life . . . hand in hand, side by side, together.
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“Earth laughs in flowers.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
I picked out some dahlia tubers at the local nursery in the spring, and planted them in a nice sunny spot. They seemed to start off slowly, but suddenly I look out and here is this massive flower on one of the plants! It’s just gorgeous . . . I just love it when my garden surprises me like this . . .
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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Summer is quickly coming to an end . . . one of the signs is the crab apple tree dropping it’s ripe bounty everywhere. My Great Nephew actually likes eating the little sour bites . . . they aren’t much bigger than a big cherry. I found him “snacking” under the crab apple tree and so I had to snap a picture with him. He’s such a sweet little soul with an amazing imagination and sensitive heart. I love spending time with him . . . as I love spending time with my Grand-kids and impacting them in a way that they will always associate their Grandma with love, respect, and acceptance.
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“Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.” Dale Carnegie
I’ve been a bit tired the last few days . . . I think the busy summer is catching up with me. It’s been a pretty awesome summer starting back in June with the arrival of my Grandson from Maryland, then a trip to the Interior, sharing some of our Canadian sights and culture. July found us in Oregon and California visiting West Coast family. Since arriving home from that trip, I’ve been to Vancouver Island for a Wedding Celebration, and up to the Interior again to the Lake for a short respite. We’re headed back to Oregon for Labor Day weekend to visit my Son who has just moved in to his new home. I think I just need some down time to fill up the energy tanks.
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“I’d find it demeaning to be cleaning toilets.” Jack Kevorkian
I don’t know why that particular quote struck my funny bone when I read it. Jack Kevorkian . . . really?? Also I guess because I think cleaning toilets is just a part of life. If more people had to, or were required to clean toilets, maybe there’d be a bit more appreciation for the people who have to clean up the messes that those who DON’T clean toilets leave behind?? It’s not a fun job, but it’s a necessary job and just one amoungst many dirty jobs that go under-appreciated by many! OK . . . I’m coming off my soap box now and going to go finish cleaning the toilets . . . lol!
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“Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.” Hoosier Farmer Quotes
Hee hee! That quote really struck me . . . not that my husband walked across the floor in his barn boots . . . but . . . he had been working out in the yard on the tractor digging trenches. AFTER I had mopped all the floors, I was walking along bare-foot and stepped in dirt that he had tracked in on his sandals. Urg!!! He’s supposed to take his shoes off at the door anyway! Oh well, out came the broom to clean up that mess. Love DOES conquer all . . .
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“What time is it? What time is it? What time is it? It’s lunch time! What’s for lunch!” Bubble Guppies
We’re on our way back home from the Lake with MIL (she has a Drs appointment in Vancouver that can’t be delayed). We love to stop at Skihist Provincial Park on our way down through the Fraser Canyon. Today was a gorgeous day, not too hot and just a slight breeze. We had packed a picnic lunch so enjoyed a break from the 6 hour drive home. I’ve been traveling this canyon since I was far too young to remember and continue to be awed by it’s beauty.
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“It’s when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.” Mike Huckabee
Shortly after I started this Blog and my 365 Project back in January . . . my MIL fell and broke her hip. She is 92 years old, so we were quite worried and concerned about her future. Luckily, it was a fracture, not a break . . . and she healed so well, beyond the expectations of Doctors and Physiotherapists. After months of Physio, we were able to get her up to the summer home in the Interior of BC where she has spent her summers for many, many years. Fear of falling has been her biggest hurdle since the accident, so there were many challenges to be faced in the more rugged surroundings.
Kudo’s to her! With determination and help from a neighbor who is a retired Physiotherapist . . . she is now walking, with the aide of hiking poles, from the cabin and up the steep driveway to the main road. This is a major accomplishment for her, as she would do nothing without her walker when we left her at the beginning of the summer. She is still fearful of falling, but is not allowing the fear to stop her in her tracks. I’m so proud of her! She is such an inspiration . . . and she turns 93 in just a few days!
Talk about Milestones eh??
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“I don’t have anything to prove anymore. I can relax.” Paloma Picasso
Yet another rough day hanging out at the Lake. The hot weather continues – so here I am cooling off in the nice breeze on the boat. It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it . . . right??
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Nurture Self 365 