Basking in the sun, sofa time and another June

- Look at this fellow (seen on commute) - basking in the sun and enjoying some truck time!  And this was sitting still in traffic - just imagine how he likes to feel as if he is flying when that truck is moving.  :)

- Feeling overwhelmed at everything I had to do before an event I'm attending this evening, when we suddenly found out no outside food or drinks are allowed at the venue.  Everyone else (seen on texts) seem bummed.  For me - life suddenly felt easier.

- Attending a concert tonight for a band that I haven't seen in person in 20+ years.  This will be quite a different crowd from back then and a more beautiful venue, but I am excited to be somewhat replicating an event from another June a long time ago.  I'll write more about it Monday.

I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful weekend and that something good happens to you.  Look for it.  

Wish you were here, pretty smart and doing this and not that

- Wish I was sitting in there reading a book right now.  A "meditation" area at the Hamilton Gardens in Hiawassee, Georgia.  I had no photo for today, but decided this one was definitely worthy of sharing, and it "spoke" to me this morning.

- Visiting a printing client who has just had a baby and loving the reaction from the three-year-old big sister, who showed the birth announcement proof to the sleeping baby (who was blissfully oblivious.)  The three-year-old wanted to walk out with me and see my car.  I looked at her mother, who said, "Oh - she is really into cars now."  Little Claire looks at the front of my car and pronounces it a "Toyota."  I am astounded - her mom says she has learned all car logos.

- Nearing home about two hours earlier than usual for a work day and thinking it was too early for a walk (too hot).  But it wasn't too early for a spa pedicure!  Loving the quiet of the nail salon and the back massage given by the spa chair.  And choosing the color is half the fun:  OPI's "Quarter of a Cent-Cherry."  

Second day of summer, still happy and chivalry

- A perfect Saturday morning on the back porch after walk and breakfast.  The trees in the back are fully leafed out now - covering the back yards beyond.  I love the wilderness aspect and the quiet back there, so quiet that a bird visited the feeder while I was sitting with my feet in that other chair.

- As I pull into the church parking lot on Sunday, a couple, who are like surrogate parents to me, walking into the church holding hands.

- And another couple pulls up before I get out of the car.  He jumps out and goes to the passenger side, opens the door and extends a hand.  She takes his hand and gets out of the car.  I don't see that often and think it's a beautiful thing and tell them so.

Wildflowers, under-the-bridge art and unexpected affection

- These wild daisies seem to be all around lately - a true gift, especially when surrounded by clover.

- The under-the-bridge "sanctioned graffiti" artist I posted about here, has finished that side and is now working on the reverse side.  He glances my way when I stop to watch and gives a pleased smile when I tell him how delighted I am with the whole thing and that I've enjoyed watching.

- A friendly Golden Retriever veers my way on the walking path while its owner chats with a friend.  I give it a quick passing head rub and receive a lick on the finger in return.  A dog kiss - unexpected and sweet.

It's the weekend and I'm happy to see it coming.  I hope you enjoy yours!  And happy first day of summer!

Good mood food, stacked perfectly and in they go

- The July edition of Cooking Light magazine has a "Healthy Living / Good Mood Food" feature called "Don't Worry, Eat Happy."  I liked this suggestion for a fast and easy lunch salad:  Baby spinach, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, onions (I used sweet Vidalia), red peppers, and feta cheese, tossed with my favorite vinaigrette.  "Low levels of Folate and other B vitamins have been linked to depression, and greens and beans are top sources.  This simple combination supplies more than your daily 400mcg recommendation for folate."  And it was tasty.

- While I was out one day, a coworker (also a good friend) subbed for me.  And when I came back, my desk was beyond tidy, with even the postit notes stacked perfectly.

- This has no other significance other than that it has been hanging out on my desktop for weeks (so long I don't remember where it came from.)  But it's a great use for shipping boxes and all those who love, or have loved cats, can relate.  :)

Winding path, along the way and no idling

- Saturday morning walk at the Greenway Trail in Lilburn, Georgia.  The air was fresh and cool after all the rain.  I love the way they made that winding path through the trees.

- Sunday morning walk up the street where I live.  I think these are Bachelor's Buttons, aka Cornflowers, that someone thoughtfully planted next to the sidewalk.  I liked how they seemed to be reaching for the sun.

- I love this sign in front of the elementary school I pass by.  My immediate thought was that "Idle hands..." quote, but they only want you to cut your car (or school bus) off while waiting.  :)

Living IN the moment, #yourock and good neighbor

Photo courtesy of www.dragonfly-site.com

- An earlier than usual afternoon off work and a walk at the park near home, and choosing the shorter, shady side because it was so hot.  A bluish / purple dragonfly (much like the one above) buzzed around me for much of my walk - I think that is good luck perhaps and look it up.  Lots of scientific info on the internet, but I like this from the Dragonfly site, which lists some of its symbolic meanings (this one seems very Zen):

Focus on living 'IN' the moment

The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature.  It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months.  This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired.  This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest.  By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don't and make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.

This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.

- This message in a delightful email from coworker Claire as a thank you for helping her when she was out:  #yourock

- Leaving a restaurant with friend Leisa as big raindrops start to fall and making it inside my front door just as "the bottom falls out" as my dad used to say.  The sky turns very dark, wind swirling around and the power goes out.  A large crack and thud, thud, reveals part of a tree has fallen in front of my front door.  The good thing?  New neighbor from downstairs, Mike, so concerned for the safely of others in our building, knocking on doors and checking on everyone.  So nice.

But he couldn't pull that tree away - someone has to crawl under it to leave for work this morning.  Wish me luck.  :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

New favorite walking place, gorgeous morning and valley vista

A series of photos from last Sunday in chronological order.

- This is the Chatuge Dam recreation area and the view from the parking spaces.  My sister and I took each other to our favorite walking places, the Rhododendron Gardens on Saturday (my favorite) and the Chatuge Dam walking trail on Sunday (her favorite).  An early morning walk with the promise of breakfast out after.  :)

- Chatuge Dam is a flood control and hydroelectric dam operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940s.  So nice of them to include this 1.5 mile walking path, which was in heavy use on this gorgeous morning.

- We ran into a neighbor on the return trip and I amused myself by photographing these wooden motor boats, while sister patiently listened.  (The neighbor was in full griping mode, so I removed myself from that.)  :)  Neighbor's husband said the wooden boats were having a parade later that day.

- Sister stopped her car so I could photograph this valley vista on the way back up the mountain to her house.  A crop has been planted in this field that I'll get to see growing next time I'm there this summer.   Lucky people living in that white house; they get to see that view all the time.

As always - click photos to enlarge.

Porch lights, true love and lulled by the river

Sister's mountain cottage in the background

- The porch lights on at this cottage to greet me after a long, rainy trip north.  And a welcoming hug when I get inside.

- Smiling at how much in love my sister is with her first grandchild, who learned to crawl in earnest over the weekend, instead of the "army crawl" he has been doing. 

- A discussion of family history, which we are piecing together, ends with two women, lulled by the sound of the river flowing by, having sitting up naps.

I had a wonderful time with my sis (and we managed to get that kitchen painting in.)  Hope you all had a great weekend!

Lavender morning, sister calls and gazing at the river

- A misty early morning after a rainy night; the rising sun behind the clouds casting a lavender glow over everything.  View from my front door.

- My sister calls - she has had a bad week and is ready for some R&R.  We have very different views of R&R and hers revolves around getting away from the Florida heat to paint the kitchen at her mountain cottage.  She gives a rather forlorn "wouldn't you like to come?" over the phone.  Sure - I can do that.

- So off I go after work today, with Lemon Orzo Salad and chopped Greek salad (both made last night), in the cooler.  We'll make short work of that kitchen so there will be more time for this.  (See above.)  :)

I hope you have some R&R this weekend - whatever R&R means to you.  I'll catch up with blogs on Monday.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Birthday water, bright spot and traveler

- Coworker Dee had a birthday and since it is his first year with our company, we had a discussion about what kind of treat he might like for his special day.  The problem is - he doesn't eat breakfast or lunch (what's that about?), and doesn't like sweets.  And really doesn't like chocolate (what???)  So we were happy that he had a sense of humor about our solution.  :)

- A quick trip to the mission that I do printing for to take a printer proof and deciding to borrow their trash dumpster for some fast food cups that needed throwing out of my car.  A tiny woman who has seen many birthdays is sitting on a bench, colorfully dressed in a red and purple dress.  She is wearing black Mary Janes with white ankle socks, her handbag in her lap.  And she is watching my trip to the dumpster with great interest and a huge smile.  "Hey!" she calls out.  "Hey!" I call back.*  The bus pulls up right then and she gets on it.  I didn't get a chance to tell her how much she brightened my day.  

- And on the way back to office, stopping by Wendy's for a large unsweetened iced tea to travel back to the office with.  So refreshing on a humid day.

*We say "Hey" more often than "Hi" in the South and it is pronounced "Hay."  :)

Thinking outside the box, catch up and like the old days

- So wonderful that someone thought to leave a space for this square pot when they were putting in these steps.

- Something going wonky with the outside air conditioning unit leads to a nice, long catch up phone conversation with the repairman's wife (both friends from church.)

- Open windows, gentle rain, dusted off fan (its hum making a nice background noise for sleep) - making what could have been a hot night, relatively comfortable.  It reminds me of childhood visits to my grandparents' homes during the summer.