Happy Tuesday to all. It is a beautiful morning here. It is the coolest it has been in a couple weeks or more. Humidity down this morning as well. Yesterday was pretty nice as well. We need to enjoy it to the max, as the HOT and HUMIDITY come back big time starting tomorrow. It is July - so to be expected.
Today I just want to tell you of some simple pleasures I have enjoyed the past few days. It can be the simplest things that bring a smile and a giggle. They are just moments - but they can be beautiful.
Have you ever seen a Luna moth out in the 'wild'?
This is not my pic. They are just gorgeous and very special. I had never seen one other than in a picture or in a controlled environment................until the other day!!!!! I didn't get to get close, but I saw it and got a distant picture.
On decent mornings, I open the bedroom window a bit for Bitsy to get some air. I go out to feed the critters and when I walk back up the walk, this is what I see!
I saw Bun-Bun on Sunday. (rabbit). It played in the neighbor's yard for a couple hours in the rain. It was having a grand time, exploring everything. Pretty good size - so sweet.
Yesterday I went to see sis's new place. I will say it is small - about like a really nice hotel room. Has a kitchenette, huge bath, lots of storage area, and she has room for some of her nice things and lots of pictures and her doggy. She has her big bed, a couple comfy chairs for sitting, and small table and chairs, and bureaus (one is a TV stand).
She has her crockpot, air fryer, microwave, toaster and coffee pot - no stoves.
They take folks to WM, Kroger or other shopping several days a week - if they want to go.
She took me on the grand tour and the place is really nice. There is a library, nice laundry, small movie theater, dining room (w/fireplace), a bar, game rooms, a great cantina (lots of goodies for the taking) and tons of areas for family seating and visiting if you choose to use. She and I walked all around (great therapy for her) and we even went out and sat on the beautiful patio. The place is just full of light and cheerful, and the staff seems lovely.
She said she went to cocktail hour one night. She loves the food in the dining room - they have a really good chef. Her favorite is their shrimp cocktail and their onion rings! She said she had the best Rueban of her life the other day. She is waiting for Bingo! All the staff knew her by name.
Of course, she would be happier back at home but understands this is the season in life that things change. People check on her a couple times a day and she has a dog walker 4X. She has had company every day! She already has a buyer for her home.
I felt so much better after going there - she seems happy.
Last evening I was sitting on the porch, and the young man across the street came out with his little one. She is the middle one, probably around 2 or 3. He was showing her how to bounce a ball. He waved - then a few minutes later she saw me and waved. I waved and said hi - and she got so excited! She told daddy - "she say hi!!!". She just kept waving and saying hi! So stickin' sweet. They have 3 girls, and they are always dressed so cute in their little dresses.
This past week has been the first time of summer that I have heard the cicadas at night. Just the normal sounds - we have no swarms or anything. I find them quite calming to hear. Still have the lightening bugs as well.
Licorice came this morning and had breakfast - he has been MIA for 2 days - so I was happy to see him! At least I know he is OK.
What has made you smile lately? Take time and enjoy those simple little things in life - they aren't really that simple. They are special moments that are gifts we get to enjoy!
Everything that is lovely is but a brief dreamy kind of delight.
W.B. Yeats
I saw a Luna Moth at the high school one day when I was subbing and I took a picture of it too. They are so neat! That picture of Bitsy looking out the window at you is adorable! Your sister's new place sounds lovely. I'm glad she likes the food too. I hope it suits her well for many years.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are rare to see. Such beauties.
DeleteBitsy is probably thinking, why isn't mommy in here? Heck with them guys!!!
It is very nice - she is 94 and this will serve her well hopefully for the rest of her life. So many things to do and such nice people.
That's so neat about the moth. I recently went an art program at the library. My subject to draw was a luna moth! I didn't know anything about them. I need to pay attention to the moths in my yard! Lol
ReplyDeleteYears ago I looked out my kitchen window and this gorgeous butterfly was fluttering around my window. I'd never seen one like it before. I was so mesmerized I didn't think to get my camera (before camera phones). A couple days later I saw a picture of it in the paper with a story that this rare butterfly from somewhere in South America was spotted at our local botanic gardens.
I had never seen one just in the 'wild' before. They are so very beautiful. What a neat subject to draw.
DeleteI bet that was something to see. Must have come in a shipment from somewhere. It is amazing how they find their way to a place that is inviting (botanic garden). Glad you got to see it.
I've seen a luna moth once or twice. They are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteCats are just so sweet. I love that picture. I love it when Binx is in the door or window looking at me come home or leave the house. It's just so cute.
I'm so glad your sister has found a nice place that she enjoys. I'm sure it hurt her heart to leave her home so I'm glad she is at least happy there. It sounds like a nice place and being around more people will be good for her.
They sure are. Just a rare sight.
DeleteYes, don't you wonder what they are thinking? I do!
I think she will be happy there. So many activities and going from her little apt. to other places, is great therapy for her. I guarantee she is getting more therapy than she did in rehab. That will strengthen her too. It is such a pretty place.
She can do things she wants and when she wants. She even showed me the puzzle area - and said she did a part of the one in process. She used to do puzzles a lot.
I keep my windows partially open (one on each side of the room) overnight for the cross breeze. Yesterday morning, very early, I woke and saw my cat Saku sitting in the one window listening intently. We live in a small town with a train yard, about 5-6 blocks away. They were switching cars around and making a bit of noise, and he was just so interested in it. I used to hear the noise when I first moved here, now I don't pay any attention, unless there is a really loud bang.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson and I went out on Saturday morning, so I could get a car wash. He loves the process. When we were in the store to pay, he asked for a slushie, and when we got to the counter he reminded me I had to pay for it too. I smiled at that.
It is neat to ear the sounds of the area. I have a train track & crossing about 2 blocks away and love hearing the train whistle! there was one when I was a kiddo and I always have loved the sound.
DeleteHow cute, he wasn't get let grandma forget!! I bet that would be fun for a young boy, watching the washing cycle.
Simple pleasures ... one of life's best gifts. So far today it's been taking a cup of fresh brewed coffee and sitting on the deck before it gets too hot, checking my menu plan to make sure it fits with the heat warning we already have in place for Weds. and Thurs., so I can prep ahead and keep the stove and oven off on those days. It was cuting back the lettuce plants that bolted while I was out of town -- I'm hoping I got it in time that it will regenerate another cutting in a week or so, and checking on other produce that's just about ready. And, the best simple pleasure was visiting the gravesites of loved ones over the weekend, while I was away for the funeral of a member of my extended family. The wake was at the same funeral home that handled arrangements for my in-laws and for my husband when he passed, and the service was at the church where we were married, and the cemetery next door, where my husband is buried. It gave me peace and comfort to walk amongst the headstones and stop and pray for each of their souls, as well as at the graves of other friends who passed too soon.
ReplyDelete^^ Lori K
DeleteSitting and having coffee outside - lovely. I hope you get more lettuce. Good idea on planning ahead for meals. No one wants an oven on - those hot days.
DeleteI love cemeteries. My family thinks I am weird. I love walking through them and taking pictures of various monuments and such. I am glad you got to be somewhere that has so much history for you - that is pretty neat.
G and I used to wonder the state years ago, and he always said we had seen more cemeteries than anyone he know. If we happened upon one - we had to stop. The older the better. So much history. I have a whole volume of angel pictures from cemeteries that I had taken.
I sometimes go and 'visit' and sit down in the grass and just talk.
I love that it gives you peace and comfort.
thanks for letting me know who posted!!!
DeleteYou always have such fun and uplifting posts! The moth is beautiful. Something we don't often see. What sweet little neighbors. They will learn to be decent people by example. I saw a sign at the outdoor checkout at Lowe's the other day and the gist of it was cursing or otherwise abusing the clerks will not be tolerated. I thought that would go without saying, without a warning. I mentioned this to a clerk at Meijer and she said, "Oh yeah, we are cussed at a lot, and some person called her the B word."
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update on your sister. Hope she will be very content with her new digs.
Love the picture of Bits! And Licorice came back...maybe someone took him in and he escaped.
Today is lovely but I sure dread the upcoming forecast. Ah well, it is what it is. We will complain when it gets cold...ha! Going out to pick green beans. Probably have enough for a canner full.
Thank you.
DeleteExactly, why should you need a sign? People sure can be hateful and nasty to others - I just don't get it. It serves NO purpose at all.
Oh Licorice goes off and visits friends now and then - he goes off every morning and does his 'walk-abouts'. It was really noisy and active around the immediate area this weekend as well - so maybe he just decided to hang back.
Thanks, I think sis will be happy there.
Today has been so pretty - yeppers, it is going to get yucky!
Hi Cheryl, I'm so glad to hear your sister is happy in her new situation. The assisted living places have gotten better than they used to be.
ReplyDeleteI have to open my bathroom window so Bullit can look out too. He just wants to go out so bad, lol the big hunter. We let him out when it gets light out then he checks the perimeter.
They really have Laurie. I used to not hear a lot of good things. This place is just so nice, with so many things to do. I think she will keep busy. The residents seemed happy too.
DeleteThe kitties sure do like 'watching' to see what is going on. Bits like his 'kitty TV' the front door!!!
Nice you can let yours out and he doesn't run off. Good to have little hunters around to take care of things!
Have a great day!!!
There was a florescent green worm, just inching along the leaves that I watched while pup was doing his very slow sniffing. It was fascinating- both color and how it maneuvered around twigs, leaves, and ant mounds. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteIsn't nature something? There are so many interesting things in this world, and most get overlooked. They all know how to adapt and survive.
DeleteAww! That little fat squirrel is so cute! They are definitely a simple pleasure that I enjoy in my own backyard. Nature is just so good for the soul! I'm glad to hear your sister is settling in well at her new place. It sounds like a wonderful place for her and, even though it isn't home, I know it eases your mind knowing she is well cared for. Sounds like you had a fun tour of the place!
ReplyDeleteNature is good for the soul. Indeed. There is always something to make us smile.
DeleteThanks, I think she will do nicely there. She gave me the big tour, so I think she is kind of proud of the place. Brother said she did the same with him. I think she likes it - even though it isn't 'home'. She really does understand that she needs someone close by, in case.
Oh my gosh the humidity where I live... it's awful!
ReplyDeleteSorry! Stay in as much as possible and stay cool. It will be going back up here too in the next couple days. It can be so oppressive.
DeleteThe luna moth is very pretty. I did a double take when I saw the picture of it as it looks like the head of a cartoon fox, or perhaps that is just my over-active imagination!
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that your sister has found somewhere so nice to live. It sounds like your visits to her will be fun.
My simple pleasure this week came courtesy of my sister. It was the anniversary of our mum's funeral yesterday. My sister had been playing around with some new photo-editing stuff and sent me a couple of colourised photos of Mum. One was when she was around 16 years old, with my grandmother on it too and another one was of Mum on her own at around 10 years old, with plaits and a gingham dress, looking like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. I couldn't believe how wonderful it was to see them in colour.