Pardon my obsession with zinnias...

When I think about it, I don't think that I tried to start any from seed last year. It's a good thing that I decided to start growing a batch inside because the seedlings are the only ones that seem to be doing well and this little batch of pink, purple and red makes me smile...

Went to see the sunflowers at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. 

What is it about a field of sunflowers that is so nice? The conservation area is very peaceful too and I was stunned to see a blue bird in the fields. How did I get to be "this many years old" and never see a Indigo Bunting bird?

Learned that the sunflowers are used to attract mourning doves in September as part of hunting season and that's really something that I wish that I could unlearn. 

Surprise Zinnia

Took a short walk this morning,,, then crossed the river to see family. 

Had a "late for me" cup of coffee and read a bit. Also continued to watch "Little Fires Everywhere."

Did 50 minutes of yin yoga.

Went back and forth about whether to cut the grass or not and finally decided to cut it instead of going for another walk, especially in light of the weather heating up later on this week.

As I pushed the lawnmower to the back of the house, checked on my zinnias. A puny one emerged earlier in the week but the first "real" one has emerged. Also saw zinnias where I had not planted any seeds.

Surprise Zinnia

Before I  came in the house, saw a house finch and my neighbor's cat chilling out on top of one of their cars.

Took a shower and also washed my hair.

Washed another round of dishes.  

It's been a full day...

Wanderlust

My family and I are still exchanging photos from May's trip. My aunt was looking for a picture and I was like, "Hey, send me that one."

At the Kingsley Plantation

Also spent more time thinking about how our itinerary could have been better and, now, I'm dreaming about being near a beach again -- as if I'm the only one with beach dreams...

Right now, I'm enjoying watching my zinnias grow. I've been watering them daily since the heat wave hit. Saw a friend post of picture of her garden and she had blooming zinnias. How did she do that? We're in the same region. Called myself planting right after the last frost. 

Comparison really is the thief of joy, isn't it?

Got to do a whole hour of yin yoga today. Now, that was relaxing and enjoyable.

Over and Over Again

Last of the Zinnias

Stared at my zinnias the morning of the first chill and thought about how I will miss them and how there's truly a season for everything.

Saw an acquaintance's husband while walking and remembered how, early in the pandemic, we talked to each other from across the street and, this time, we walked side-by-side for a while. He mentioned his "bad" heart and I asked him was walking his Rx and then he mentioned the many pills that he takes in the morning.

After we said goodbye, I continued listening to the My Bad episode of This American Life and the host said something about how we walk through life somehow thinking that we shouldn't make mistakes...

I follow this cook on social media and, months ago, she mentioned a friend who'd had a bad motorcycle accident and I read about the accident which resulted in a traumatic brain injury, among other injuries, for the motorcyclist. His wife has been posting updates since June about his recovery or lack thereof and recently wrote how she weeps multiple times a day and how the future is scary. I totally relate and read her post over and over again. 

Released

About three Mondays ago, I was sitting at my desk wondering how in the world I would ever catch up or fix the issues that I have on some projects when one of my coworkers sent me a message: I had a nice thought about you -- something nice to hear when life doesn't feel right. 

And it's Monday again and I spent most of the morning feeling frozen. I've been able to check some to-do items off my list and I've had some of the weight released from my shoulders but, as the 'Fugee said, It's mission impossible since I'm alone in my department...

Saw a hummingbird visit my zinnias yesterday which motivated me to put the hummingbird feeder back out. It's the second time that I've seen the hummingbird around 2 p.m. on Sunday and I spotted her or him multiple times yesterday. 

It's been so nice to see my butterfly, bee and hummingbird visitors...

While walking the other day, I listened to NPR's Fresh Air episode with Joy Harjo and Tiya Miles and I can't stop think about either segment.  Harjo singing her poem Fear -- I release you...I release you...I release you...I release you...

And I felt released for a few minutes. 

And Mile's recounting the story of a cotton sack that was given to a 9-year-old soon to be sold. Upon hearing that her daughter would be sold, Rose put a few things in the sack and told her daughter, Ashley, "It be filled with my love always." 

All That She Carried, by Miles, is definitely on my reading list. 

And speaking of reading, I've been reading A Place for Us for a very long time. I started reading it in late June. At some point, The Vanishing Half became available at the library and I put aside A Place for Us and it was very hard to get back into it after reading The Vanishing Half. I wondered whether to give up on it and move on but something about the book has held my attention. 

What Kind of Vibes

Two Sundays ago, I did a sound meditation for my yoga trainer's current group of yoga teacher trainees. It felt good to be back in a yoga studio and it also felt good to play my bowls for other people. I was nervous because I hadn't done a sound meditation in a while but when four people fell asleep, I relaxed.  

Two days after the sound meditation, got a message from another studio that I used to go to. The person who was scheduled to do a sound bath on Wednesday had a death in the family so I filled in. 

Speaking of yoga studios, I got emails from two that I used to go to updating people on the most recent mask mandate; Missouri -- making the news for less than stellar reasons again... 

Saw someone post a photo with the hashtag of vacation vibes which made me wonder about what kind of vibes I was having at the moment...

As I left out of the house yesterday, my neighbor apologized for how something looked at the border of our property lines. He also noticed that the crepe myrtle in my yard had been invaded by another tree and asked if it was okay to cut the other tree out.

Okay? Thank you neighbor for making my day...

Someone that I know posted a picture and I asked her where she was at and she said Morocco and then she showed me more pictures and it looks absolutely lovely. 

She told me that I should come with her next time. Don't think that I'll be having any #VacationVibes soon but her invitation was sweet...

In flower news, more zinnias are blooming and my sunflowers are about to bloom. 

With My Bare Hand

The summer solstice may have arrived but I am still wintering with my mother. 

The refrigerator decided that it was done refrigerating and I have misplaced my new red glasses. Luckily, I usually buy two pairs. Because of the pandemic, lots of major appliances are backordered. 

At work, I have been in my department by my lonesome for a year now. Hulu decided to bump up House Hunter International to another membership level so I'm no longer able to zone out with that show... 

Finally remembered to check the lint trap and I'm washing a load of clothes that includes new underwear because, recently, there's a shortage in my house.  My contact dermatitis is flaring...

When I was in junior high school, there was a woman who helped us teenagers get jobs and she would call me by my last name and say, "What's the good news?" Even as a teenager, I recognized that it was a different way of conceptualizing things.

So, what is the good news?

I have not killed my hanging basket filled with Petunias or my Celosia which reminds me of the Flame of the Forest in Jamaica. And my Zinnias are doing something.

Not as flame-y as when I first got them. Also, neighbor's cat.

Update: I've been intending to hit publish on this post for days now. My uncle, who was helping cut weeds, mowed down the majority of my zinnias even though I had pointed out to him where they were at. Plus, I had markers.

My uncle did point out poison ivy to me and I'm pretty sure that I picked up some with my bare hand to to put it in the yard trash bin.

Goodbye, Zinnia.

When It Comes To Swimming

After more than a year, went back to the swimming pool. Of course, things have changed. You have to reserve your time online, temperatures are taken and masks are to be worn until you get to your lane. Brought a plastic bag along with me so that I could put my mask in there. 

Joked with the 'Fugee that I didn't know if I'd still be able to swim but all went well. As I swam, so many things crossed my mind, including the time that I sprained my ankle but asked the doctor if I'd be able to swim. 

Thought about how my desire to learn how to swim was born out of being at the 'Fugee's pool and watching kids fearlessly jump into the deeper end and how I didn't know anyone with a pool up until then and also how the 'Fugee once told me, "I wasn't supposed to meet you" which made me think of Lisel Mueller's poem, Alive Together. 

Swam 20 laps and this woman in the locker room complimented me and it's so funny because I totally have imposter syndrome when it comes to swimming...

Didn't bother to take my bike to the shop because I was on it so little last year. Inflated the tires, hoisted it out of the basement and headed to the Riverfront Trail. Only, it's hard to get to the riverfront so I headed out Highway 70 which made me think of going to the airport for trips. 

Didn't ride for long but it was a gorgeous day and I enjoyed riding along the Mississippi River. 

Love this part of the trail. Is it anything special? Probably not. Maybe it's just how nature makes you feel.

I'm trying to grow Zinnias and probably should have just tried to plant the seed directly in the ground. This should be interesting.