Hot August Days and Nights

Oh, those hot August days...

so much going on..

Had workmen here all day Sunday

 as they ripped out

and sawed down 21 year old

trees to make life easier.

My enormous African Sumac 

in the far corner had to come down,

as well as decrepit, way past their prime,

 bottle brush trees that lined the walkway.

Javier cut stump for me with foot rest

The Sumac was always too big for the area, 

invaded into neighbor yards and created 

so much debris that at least three times a year I 

had to pay for help in clean up.

I was dangling from tall ladders

cleaning out gutters,

making friends and kids frantic with worry.

(Ok I only fell once ...geez)

totally new updated sprinklers,

new plantings...

new dog run area..

pre-plans for vegetable gardens

Whew!

The yard looks foreign to me 

right now. Far less shade,

less cozy.

I'm working on it.

But as we age we have to come

 to terms with our capabilities.

I was astounded when my folks moved 

down to a wee space when we had always had

sprawling homes with lots of land.

I get it now.

made a fountain

Finished all the prep for the next Gathering class.

Kits ready and waiting, very early this time, because 

I am sooo excited for this one.

Marking items down at boutique

to make room for new holidays to come.

job interviews.. new directions

Proofing latest script for DD

Kids are thriving with

exciting projects, possibilities.

A surprise visit from my "surrogate son"

Ivan, made for wonderful long chats as the sun 

went down last week.

Making smoothies

has been the extent of my cooking 

this summer.

Cannot wait for cool weather

soups stews casseroles.

I am such a cold weather gal,

stuck in 

the wrong place for a long time....

Z