Dating Mr. Squishy

(Mr. Squishy)

"The only person who can save you, is you.

 That was going to be the the thing that

 informed the rest of my life."

~Sheryl Crow

On being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Well, it's that time again. How did 2 years go by so quickly? I know I need to go, but it's not something I am looking forward to very much. You see, I have a lump. Now, before you panic, I am prone to these things. I have lumpy breasts, especially around certain times of the month, which even at my advanced age I am still enjoying! LOL. I will feel a lump from time to time, and then it will disappear. From what the doctor tells me it's not unheard of, and no one makes a panic because my mammograms always come out just fine. It's been like a toothache. You notice a pain, you make an appointment, and by the time you reach the chair, the pain is gone, and the cavity is gone with it! Let the patient heal thyself! But this time, while doing my usual monthly self exam, which I do bi-monthly now because, hello, not getting any younger, I noticed that one of those little lumpy bumps hadn't left! So, okay, maybe it has a will of it's own, or maybe it's lazy... who knows? But the bottom line is, I have an amazing healthcare plan, so why not go get my annual check and get the good news! Right? I don't take my healthcare for granted, there are a lot of ladies who wish they had a way to get a mammogram, but can't.

I could go on quite the political rant here, but I won't for now. Now isn't the time, but stay tuned, I will be revisiting the subject! Now, if you are reading this post, and haven't had your routine mammogram, will you consider joining me? You don't have to come to my appointment, of course, but will you please schedule yourself an appointment, sometime in the next 6 weeks or so, and then come back here and tell me how it went in the comment thread? Or you can send me an email if you like. And DM on Twitter is good also! The main thing is to take care of ourselves, and each other. We have to, too many folks love us and need us! I don't know if this silly lump is cancer or just a silly little lump, but it's important to find out! Either way, it's all just another part of the adventure!

Pink Promise Rose

(My Garden 2012)

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience

 in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Mood: Curious

~Me :)

My Rose Garden Update July/August 2013

"Maybe there's a whole other universe where a square moon rises in the sky, and the stars laugh in cold voices, and some of the triangles have four sides, and some have five, and some have raised to the fifth power of sides. In this universe there might grow roses which sing. Everything leads to everything."

~Stephen King
 


My rose garden is doing quite nicely this year, I have only had a little bit of trouble with those nasty aphids, it's just been a low key year for me. I am only adding one new rose this season, as my heart wasn't quite into gardening as in previous seasons. It's good to add slowly though, and give keener attention to the existing roses. I am planning on doing one last pass at the rose suppliers, possibly here in the East Bay, or perhaps in Half Moon Bay. We'll see.

As for the coming week, I will be putting the newest rose in the ground, and perhaps doing some new starters from some of the more delicate roses already planted. As for the Japanese Maple... well... Paul (that's his name) is already transitioning from deep red to the lovely autumn copper. It remains my shining star! Photos to come this week!

Stay Tuned!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Garden Update July 1st 2013

"The serene philosophy of the pink rose is steadying. It's fragrant delicate petals open fully and are ready to fall, without regret or disillusion, after only a day in the sun. It is so every summer. One can almost hear their pink fragrant murmur as they settle down upon the grass: 'Summer, summer it will always be summer.'"

~Rachel Peden

As much as I dislike the summer, and it's oppressive heat, I love what happens to all the roses, leaves and vegetables in the garden! It's gorgeous right now, and it's a happy feeling that it will only get more delicious and fragrant! The next couple months should be stunning!

The Japanese Maple...



The Heirloom Tomatoes...



The Pears...



And to go along with all this loveliness, I got to hear the ethereal musician playing his sax, but today he had some friends playing different instruments along with him. It's lovely. I am so glad he lives in my neighborhood.

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

My Rose Garden Update June 17th 2013

"I believe in roses. And I believe in putting roses into a vase and sitting the vase on the table. I believe in getting lost and being found, I believe in going barefoot, and in laughter! My religion is to laugh at myself whenever I can! I believe in the sunlight and in grey skies with big, beautiful clouds!"

~C. JoyBell C.

To my delight, my rose garden has burst with color. It's ready to take on summer in a few days, as are the plum tree and the pear tree! The garden is also showing the first of the Heirloom tomatoes! I have something special planned for them!

Stay Tuned!











Mood: Happy

~Me :)

My Rose Garden, June 2013

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside."

~Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib

Just a short post today. The vegetable and rose gardens are both taking off. I will have pictures of the Heirloom tomatoes later in the week! I am a happy camper with the garden, but I am having to keep one step ahead of the aphids. It's seems like it will be a big year for those pesky pests.

 

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Rusty Ice And Roses In November

"Everyone needs a warm personal enemy or two to keep him free from rust in the movable parts of his mind."

~Gene Fowler

Do I like Ice Plant? Do I not like Ice Plant? I like the pretty purple flowers that bloom in spring, and are still around in late summer. I LOVE the gorgeous earthy tones in autumn. But on the other hand, you can pack a picnic lunch and go sit in a patch of Ice Plant. Also, you can't pick a bouquet of those pretty flowers and put them in a vase. Although you can enjoy the loveliness of the plant as you drive up and down the coast of California. Plus... if your car runs off the road while you are enjoying said beauty, you will probably be okay, because Ice Plant will stop a moving car!

Okay, I suppose I like Ice Plant enough, but I kinda doubt I will be planting any in my garden anytime soon. But on the other hand, Ice Plant does well in properly planned rock gardens. Not that I am going to plant a rock garden, but its good to know. Ice Plant... it's a complicated thing. You would never think it just by looking at it would you?

;)

And Now A Rose Garden Update...

RedGold November 2012


It's past the mid point of November, so I am getting ready to prune the roses back by 1/3 as is suggested. This will probably be the last week for garden updates, but there is plenty to see. The roses have taken the sudden change of weather really well, so it is still producing nicely, however one look at the edges and you can see the mild withering of the petals. We'll see how the next month or two goes, but with any luck, I will have a rose or two for Christmas. Fingers crossed!

Pink Promise Rose November 2012


Apricot Nectar Rose November 2012



~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 115~ Color

"It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly."

~ Claude Monet

I did a lot of black and white photography last week, and while I love it, I can't help but want to highlight all the glorious color I see around me. The garden right now is in a full on outrageous display of color. Purple, yellow, apricot, red, you name it, that color is screaming... NOTICE ME! The leaves on my Japanese Maple is especially vibrant. It was an amazing crimson red for most of the year, but right now it is transitioning into a lovely copper color. Everything is so vibrant and vivid right now, you can almost see an exclamation point next to each leaf and petal.

"If the world really looks like that I will paint no more!"

~Claude Monet







~Me :)