Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Let there be light ~ Yay!

Hello Friends ~ Thank you for anniversary wishes and kind comments.

Here it is a week ago today that Hurricane Dorian finally started heading north from the Bahamas, moving up the coast of FL. What a difference a week makes. It has taken a week to begin to feel back to normal, to having all that stress and tension loosen.

Today I didn't have anywhere to go so I got out rather early, right around 8 and mowed, that took about 50 minutes. Some rain is expected over the next couple of days and it feels good to have that job done. I still need to weedwack and pull high grass out of borders, but that can wait for another time.

After mowing, I wanted to see if I could take down the smaller sections of plywood from covering some of the windows, I didn't know how tight the wing nuts had been tightened down. I got three uncovered, plus the back door. What a difference in having sunlight coming in than being in semi-darkness from everything being boarded up.  It would have been a lot worse if I didn't have those heart cut-outs. They made me love my husband all the more. I looked at those plywood pieces and realized that I can trim off the bottom edges that have rotted away (after having been used since 2004), and still use them, so that's what I plan to do. I don't have the money to get clear hurricane shutters, or get new hurricane windows, so these should last awhile longer. I put the sections I took down back where they had been stacked and will have my friend from church come back and take the larger ones down. I'll probably just leave them up until hurricane season is over.

I was so happy and thankful that I was able to uncover 3 windows and one door.  It made me feel good that I am still capable of doing things even though it is getting harder.

I read in my devotional time the following scripture from 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 ~ 

"Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name."

God's strength is what I need each and every day. When I first became a widow, a verse that was a big help was this:  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". This is how I was able to do what I did this morning and I am so thankful.

The sun is blazing, there are white puffy clouds moving across the blue sky, from east to west. I have a lot to do outside, and now that 'fall is coming' I'm looking forward to being outside more.

Here are some blooms from the past week or so, they make my heart sing.

This is a ground cover that spreads like crazy.


These are 'International Herald Tribune' roses.
 These are another favorite.




  These are 'Mexican Petunias'.


  This rose bush is a 'sweetheart rose', or so I was told by the nursery owner.








  This is an unknown.


Ok, that's it from Plum Cottage. It is time for an early nap. Thanks again for love, encouragement and friendship. They are priceless.

Have a great day/week ~ FlowerLady

12 comments:

Nancy J said...

Peace after the storm, and lots to do,just take your time , I agree that those three are priceless, and friendship carries across so many miles.

Ann said...

So glad that things are getting back to normal. It does make you feel good when you can accomplish something by yourself. I always have such a hard time asking for help.

Thelma said...


We had heavy rain from the hurricane. A lot of water in the ditches. I had to dig a trench to help it drain away. I cut grass also today.
Your flowers are pretty. Most of my flowers are finished and I have to clean out my little garden for the Winter.
Take care and have a nice week Lorraine.

Debbie said...

Happy to hear you are able to accomplish things on your own after the storm. I remember how much my mother had my dad do when she was the age that I am now. I don't want to be so totally dependent on my husband, that I cannot do anything on my own. I lost my first husband years ago. Staying active, and trying to keep things up along side of my husband not only helps him, but will help me, in the long run. Good for you!! xo

Ruth Hiebert said...

Doesn't it feel wonderful when, even as we get older, we can still so many things? Things that perhaps others can't do.You know I love those roses.Each one is so pretty.

M.K. said...

I think the window covers that your husband made for you are so very sweet -- to have those hearts shining light into the darkness, during a storm ... what a comfort! I'm proud of you that you could get some of them down yourself.

ellen b. said...

Good for you for tackling those boards. The blooms you shared are really pretty. I mowed the lawns today, too. Happy week to you!

Junkchiccottage said...

I bet it feels great to accomplish things on our own. Glad you have light coming in now that you did not have before. Your flowers are so pretty. Love seeing all the pictures. Have a great rest of the week.
Hugs,
Kris

Anne Payne said...

I love the light our home here in VA has flowing into each room. I hope we never have the need for covering our windows for a storm but if we do, I am going to have my husband cut hearts in them like yours. I told him about them and he thought that was the sweetest thing! :-)
Glad things are settling back down for you, Rainey!

Terra said...

So many pretties in your garden.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Glad the storm passed. I hope you are out of the way of the ones to come. Weeds are taking over the gardens and we are past summer here so I'll sew instead of weed. My Asters are blooming so prettily. I think I'll divide them and have them EVERYWHERE!!
xx, Carol

Dewena said...

I can imagine how you felt when you were able to get down the wood from 3 windows. Light is such a gift. I remember once having the flu and following the light around the house all day as the sun moved from window to window, sitting wrapped up in a blanket. I love your pics of the sweetheart rose, that's one I've heard of and think I remember it from my father's roses.