Tag: Summer

Onward …

Published on by Honoré3 Comments

I like to end/begin the flip of the monthly calendar page with a shout out to the end and a hearty welcome to the beginning… “Onward” is Gretchen Rubin’s call to action and seems to be most appropriate as July eases into August in less than 24 hours as I pen this post*.

A pat on the back, for moi from moi, for accomplishing the daunting task of corralling all the jetsam and flotsam I’ve created on bits’n pieces of paper, here ‘n there. What a mess and a terrible habit! A GREAT ONE TO BREAK! As the saying goes: “A place for everything and everything in its place”. I think for me, there are too many places and in some ways, I’m too easily distracted. I know not why! I should probably write the quote on my right hand – front and back! That way I’d for sure find it. This morning I began my day looking for a missing check. What on earth did I do with it?

My creative attention has been focused on Junk Journal July – over the month, I’ve changed the size and binding of the journal three times , finally deciding on the final size and format: 5 x 7 page, approximately, two or three clasp-ring bound, . Some days feature a double page spread.

8:38 am. I FOUND THE CHECK! I’d placed it inside my morning daily meditation journal, rubber-banded to the book, small journal and pens…and there it was/IS! Sitting at my place at the table where I begin the day, awaiting my attention!

I can only blame this on one thing: HABIT! Several years ago HABIT was my one little word. The thing I’ve learned about “habit” is you create (one or many) without even realizing it. At least I do. The challenge is “OUT with the old” – those habits that are not “good for you” and “IN with the new!” The problem is one doesn’t realize when the ‘old’ has kicked in – at least I don’t. I suspect that the other part of habit is mindfulness~ and therein lies the rub: The word itself presupposes that one has a mind. Aha!

Writers’ Hour has ended. I’ve answered a few text messages and my tea needs replenishing. Now that I’ve located the missing check, I’m ready and able to proceed with the day’s agenda…and the surprises that are, no doubt, in store.

Have a great week! Onward!

Cheers~

Post Script: Today is 1 of August! I realized this morning I’d not hit “publish” yesterday. C’est la vie! Welcome August!

Simply A Moment | 7.15.24 …

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Today, I take a moment to enjoy …

… this Day Lily, growing in my backyard… I thought they had died…no blooms for several years. Imagine my delight when I looked out the window and saw a bloom! This is the second one in the past week!

… Solar Power. Since 7:15 AM-ish, workers have been in/out of my house, in the attic and basement…installing solar panels on the roof tops. The sun rises East; shines from the South; and sets in the West. All of this activity involving a crew of 5-6 workers, 4 trucks and 18 solar panels . My salesman brought flowers and Prosecco to celebrate. Totally unexpected and very much appreciated. We are currently under an “excessive heat warning”. The thermostat has been in the high 90s most of the day. As I pen this post, the temperature is 97 degrees. Tomorrow’s forecast: 100 degrees! Geez Louise, that is H-O-T!

… Junk Journal July. I am participating for the first time…in previous years, I flirted with the idea/challenge but that was the sum total of my effort. This year is (to be) different. I made my book – a cascading foldout – tho’ I’m not quite satisfied with it, so that’s probably going to be a re-do. There is a suggested theme for each day but one’s not obligated to stick to it. JJJ is a way to play with fabric and thread. It’s fun and exercises/challenges my creative energy and imagination.

The above photo – I may’ve shared before – of the black bear was taken by someone who lives about 6 -8 blocks from me. And YES! That is a real-life black bear, apparently checking out the June area house tour! The photo also appeared in the Washington Post, taken by the person who saw it leaving her yard!

And that’s the way it is on this very.HOT. Day in July! Stay cool!

Cheers~

Simply A Moment | 8.15.23

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7:05 PM The temperature is currently 86 degrees on this mostly cloudy day in August. The clouds have indeed been a study and as I “pen” this post, the sun is blasting through the clouds over my right shoulder.

My day started with the replacement of the tub in my washing machine, just about 20 months old – followed by the hauling away of stuff that’s accumulated in the garage since I started parking on the street . The garage is 99% empty; my car is still parked out front – but that will change by week #33’s end. Yes, it’s the 33rd week of 2023. I know: hard to believe: only 19 weeks left in 2023! Where has the time, the year gone?

After the garage declutter, I took a walk and made a quick trip to the bank and grocery store. I was absolutely mesmerized by the clouds and every chance: on my walk, trip to the bank, grocery store, looking out the window , I took a photo or two.

It is my aim, anticipation, ambition to teach myself how to paint clouds- a goal I’ve shared before. The coolest thing : Mother Nature usually provides a daily invitation:

~9:28 AM ~ Aug 14 2023 ~

~1:36 PM ~ Aug 15 2023 ~

~1:55 PM ~ Aug 15, 2023 ~

Too Cool!

an august moon and clouds …

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After what felt like years of unprecedented heat last week, August arrived with cooler air, lower humidity and therefore temperature and the arrival of a “super moon” gracing our nightly skies. Sadly, for moi and most of us who live in the US, folk on the west coast, especially in Eugene OR have the best opportunity of viewing the delightful event.

I did a quick google search and found a link to space.com with this appealing headline: “Watch the supermoon of August 2023 rise today with free telescope livestream (video)”. Hey, hey I thought, how cool is that and, I clicked! Only to be greeted with “Update 3:30 p.m. ET: “The virtual Telescope Project’s livestream of the Full Sturgeon Moon was cancelled due to clouds.”

I share with you some pics of the clouds I took on my walk yesterday. They are a study and make for a good study, too!

I took a quick look out the window and yep! There are clouds moving in. I take a lot of photos of clouds and have recommitted to practicing watercolor painting them. And since I am also mesmerized by clouds, I guess I won’t be too crestfallen … but still!

Fortunately, we have one more opportunity to see a super-moon, the Full Blue Moon, which rises August 30th. Keeping my fingers crossed!

It’s also “Crepe Myrtle Season!” The flowering trees just burst open last week . My neighbors have quite a tree in their yard and as I fix my tea every morning, I glance out the window and am momentarily mesmerized by its beauty. If the weather’s nice, I’ll step out on the deck to get a better view… as with the photo, below. Today, I happened on a link with instructions on how to remove wires from photos. I haven’t tried -yet- but intend to do so, soon! There’s hope…

Wishing all a great month. Who knows what Mother Nature has in store !!!

Cheers~

simply a moment |7.15.23 …

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Yep, it’s a H-O-T one in these parts today. As I type this post, the temperature is currently 89 degrees …

This morning, I got out early, about 10:35 AM, before the heat became totally unbearable. Decided to walk to Zeke’s, – the neighborhood coffee shop, round trip a good 1.5 mile – for a latté and a sit outside. The latter didn’t happen – too hot! But the latté was great and I enjoyed it in the cool of home. Thank goodness the AC is working properly.

On my walk I was greeted with a variety of colorful flowers – on trees, in the ground and in planters. They are all very lovely and …

they reminded me of my colorful new mug that I inaugurated today with my morning cuppa tea…

…and my latté fit inside perfectly! It all made me happier! What small moment or several today made you happier?

Cheers~

welcome july 2023 …

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It is no secret that July and August are the hottest, least desirable months of the year here in these parts – Washington DC – according to my body thermometer. And it is no secret that I am an autumn/fall September girl – have been for as long as I can remember, when I was 4 years old, just two months and 15 days shy of being five when I started kindergarten. I have very vivid memories of the dress I wore and the new shoes I wore on my first day of school…but, I’ll save sharing more ‘til September …

Today’s temperature has already reached it’s forecasted high: 87 degrees and the air quality is 117 – Unhealthy for sensitive groups. I have already taken my daily walk – just moments before it got too hot. On my walk, I noted the current crop of flowers’ color: various shades of purple. Different and nice…

Today, I start a journaling art class, taught by Brandi Kincaid and hosted on the Get Messy Art site. I haven’t looked at the first lesson yet but I’m thinking my purple/pink flowers are a refreshing focus color … and purple goes so well with yellow…Agree?

One of my goals this summer is to read more fiction titles. I’m just 38 pages to the end of No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. The opening quote: “No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” ~ The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860 is quite apt for this book. If you read, I’d love to know your thoughts.

Cheers to a safe Fourth of July !

today|…

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IMG_3283

today, we had a break in the weather AND  I took my first walk in almost a week.  It’s just been too durn hot; weather not fit for man or beast – tho’ I see plenty of dogs and their owners out for strolls, primarily in the early morning or evening.  My normal walking path is to and through the park; round trip I clock a bit over a mile.

today, the park was pretty quiet – no children on the swings or jungle gyms, etc.  They were probably all at the pool! On an errand Tuesday, I drove by the park and was surprised to see the pool was open!

today, I was also delighted to see a new reading bench in the park!  Wished I had  a journal + pen with me  (actually I  did – on my iPhone – but that’s just not the same as feeling /seeing a pen glide across a page).  The new bench will no doubt be very popular; hopefully, I’ll get a chance soon to give the new bench a test run.  Note to Self:  Carry a pen and small paper pad or index cards. Wish there were a few more benches scattered throughout the park.

today I’m having all sorts of problems with Word Press so I’ll bring this post to a close and hope that I can get the issue resolved on Monday. Apparently “helpers” have the weekends off!

have a good weekend.

cheers~

Oh, my word! 6.28.21 …

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Today’s weather : red H-O-T! Not as hot as that on the west coast but still H-O-T! Too hot to go out and ever so thankful that the A/C is functioning – just about a year ago, new AC/Heat Pump installed at ruinous cost. This summer’s contribution to the local economy: new copper* pipes to the upstairs bath. Even the neighborhood black + white cat – yep, still around – is lying low.

All day, the sky has been that summery blue color, almost crystal like – making a lovely backdrop for dramatic white/grey clouds. Evidence of the changing season on the oak trees’ green leaves – some have already turned brown and on the opposite end, pink blossoms have begun to bloom on the crepe myrtle. Too hot for my afternoon walk so I browsed through my photos from recent walks and was greeted by that gorgeous clump of bright yellow day lilies.

My word for 2021 is color and I’m having a lot of fun with it…amazed at how frequently ROYGBIV colors on the wheel show up – not only in print, magazines, fabrics – and also our natural lives. Joining Carolyn for this month’s One Little Word share.

Cheers~

*Does copper count as orange?

welcome summer 6.21.21 …

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Summer arrived with a vengeance ! Temps are in the 90s – even in Washington state! Yesterday, Norman’s son was visiting and as they are wont to do: solved all the world’s problems – I wish – in between watching baseball games and other TV events.

I took my sister to Laurel and decided, since I was near, to make a quick run to Savage Mill. I needed help with a couple fountain pens that were not writing ( probably becuz the ink had dried, duh!). It was very quiet, i.e, I didn’t hear any cicadas; perhaps their time is over – or at least winding down. I was delighted to see my friend Patti, owner of The Queen’s Ink; I’ve know her easily 10 years and last saw her Dec, 2019. She looked great; her hair was especially delightful – you know color – my 2021 word. And the t-shirt she was wearing was stamped with outlines of cicadas – her cicada had a crown! If you look closely, you can see the tips of the crown on her shirt …

In addition to ink, I bought a couple 3.75 x 5.25 sketch book journals – the paper is ideal for drawing, sketching & journaling with pencil, ink, crayon, markers, pastels, etc – and the eight signatures are sewn! I also bought a 3″ x 5″ GELLI printing plate. Playing with it, the sketch journals and my fountain pens is going to be sooo much fun!

I am eager to resume my WANDER journaling/sketching dates to the National Museum of Art’s Sculpture Gardens. When I do, guess what’s coming along with me?

Trust it’s cooler in your part of the country .

Cheers~