Let there Be Light

A few days before the kids arrived for the sale 

I finally got the outdoor lights strung onto the pergola.

I connected them to the lights on the vintage fencing 

that runs the length of the back yard.

It made for lovely outdoor dining

that night as we were all exhausted.

China a Go Go delivery and we were set. 

Can you believe that night sky?

Although I am still paying for the new backyard,

it was worth every penny as I am not 

constantly scrambling

to blow out leaves and clear debris.

It's so easy with a quick water twice a day of the 

pots that are not on drips.

Obviously I am still alive and kicking, though

the last week kicked my butt again something fierce.

I actually slept 8 hours last night,

which feels like a miracle as I've been getting 

barely 3 hours a day.

I watch out for a neighbors house in the summer

and yesterday they had flyers stuck in their door.

Rather than drag the tank down the street,

I hopped in the car in pj's and drove to their driveway, ran 

and retrieved the flyers and drove back home.

I get the mail late at night, and do drive thru's in pj's.

I now understand those old ladies in their housecoats 

in their yards back in Latrobe when I was growing up.

You no longer care, and it's so much easier.

Of course I am properly attired otherwise.

Not fancy, mind you, but at least wearing a bra.

I VERY hesitantly hope I have turned 

the corner for good. 

I remind myself to take it slow and easy,

(not easy for me) 

and have set a trip to PA and CA as my goals for fall.

Meanwhile, my much lighter home

is a joy to take care of,

and I have only a few remaining pieces of

furniture to unload.

If the universe allows - once I am able to 

downsize here or in CA I will be ready to go 

quickly and efficiently without being a burden

to anyone.

I cannot stress to you enough

how important these steps are as we age.

Important not just to our well being,

but as a loving gesture for those we leave behind.

Life can come and slam you upside the head,

look around, what changes do you need to make?

Thank you for all the kind emails of concern.

I'm a tough old bird and will push through,

though hopefully out of pj's eventually.

Months and months of nothing but pj's.

Simple Saturday Chores

fresh from the dryer

warm 

smelling sweet

folded 

stacked

it pleases me

uh oh another storm coming

better be alert

I love this shot

Howie's tail is too long for him to sit properly

so he has to sit "side saddle" if you will

and to keep from toppling

he sticks out a leg

making him a tripod

Justice is in front in her "spot"

High Noon

stand off

but I HAD to dig at the rug!

didn't you hear the thunder?

another tripod shot

I've gone to the dogs lately

spending days, 

weeks,

the summer?

 cocooned in my home

puttering, performing simple chores

reading, sewing, painting,

always purging of course

love it - all of it

love the company I keep

unconditional love

(with a bit of neurosis thrown in)

read until 5 am this morning

watched the sunrise peek through 

as I drifted off to sleep

back up at 10 am

as Justice hollered at the base of the stairs

demanding attention

steaming cups of coffee,

warm homemade muffin,

crisp pink lady apple

sliced egg sandwich

using grandma's vintage slicer

a little butter - even less mayo

pepper, a whisper of salt

on potato bread 

a nap is necessary

on the couch

with both my pals 

fighting for position

Howie always wins

simple

soulful

pleasures

saturday

Under A Rock

Under a rock

Not a bad place to be

If you're a bug

a worm

uh..dirt

or me

I haven't crawled under one, 

but my inactivity in the big world 

may seem like it to everyone else.

Things are great

small, quiet and great.

Ben and Anam 

were here for my B-day 

and it was so lovely.....such a sweet time.

Did we do big stuff? Nope

He cooked a couple fab meals

(I prepared a great chicken piccata)

Ben repaired everything broken that he could find,

what a super son,

and we watched great films.

I even convinced them to watch Creator,

which they either enjoyed, or lied to me  hehe

We visited, noshed and wined

and not a photo to show.

(I do wish I had a chain saw one - up in the tree)

I was in the moment, savoring each laugh,

 smile and raised eyebrow.

I never left the house,

they did a "little Vegas"..

I had several B-day lunches with pals, 

received some great B-day gifts. 

My pals are so kind, 

but oh girls, the chocolates! 

I saved time and just rubbed 'em into

my thighs and butt.

This weekend I spent quality catch up time

 with a pal just returning from 4 weeks in Europe.

Another yummy lunch, more chocolate,
this time brought back from Belgium...

they know me well.

Polished off 10 books last week.

Battled wasps and more broken tree limbs

 from latest monsoon storm.

Pooch Howie sleeping atop my feet

under my desk right this minute

“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with.....but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. 
― Victoria Moran, Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty

Haven't read the book but I liked this quote

Small

Simple

Quiet

Living the good life here under my rock