Forward progress in spite of heat and humidity

 

Greetings from Plum Cottage ~ Thanks to all who have been in contact, kind words, prayers are much appreciated. I'm still 'turtling' along, working outside in the mornings a 1-2 hours at a time, depending on how bad it is outside. It's been in the low 90's but with the humidity it feels like it's in the low 100's. I bought chilling cloths that you wet, shake and wrap around your neck, shoulders, place on head, and you feel so much cooler. It makes a difference!! I gave three away to friends who work out in the heat and these are a hit.

 

 I also have 'Key Nutrients Electrolyte powder' that you mix with water and I drink that when I work outside. I get the lemonade flavor. Last year I looked up Gatorade then electrolyte powders, Gatorade has water, sugar, salt. The electrolyte powder I got has lots of good ingredients. I mix a scoop in 16 oz. in a mason jar (with lid), of water shake and sip while working outside.

 I'm not affiliated with this company. I figured out the cost of this per serving and it was 38 cents. So, if any of you are seeking some relief while working out in the summer heat, I suggest these two things that are helping me.

On the second of July, my friend Sean came over and we worked on the new arbor. He took out the 4"x8' posts, and put in the 10' posts, had to dig the holes a bit deeper. Then we worked on attaching the decorative wrought iron across the top. Then while making sure it was all level by using another 4x4x8 across the top, we decided to use that 4x4 for finishing it off. We were both happy with that.

Here are pics before and after. The area is still a work in progress. Like I said I'm 'turtling' away.

 "Turtling ~ The practice of moving forward, no matter how slowly, when one is feeling overwhelmed by decisions and tasks. We must keep turtling."

 This picture below was from last year. What a difference. I'm so thankful for the help I've had here from friends. A blessing!!

 

This wrought iron piece was in my stash, part of it is rusted away. But still some decorative live left in it.
 

The high plants along the fencing on the left, are 4 o'clocks.  I did not plant them they are volunteers. These are very hardy plants, except for needing to be cut back so that they don't flop over.

 

 

I had the two pieces of white plastic lattice and used them as a border on either side. I still have some decorative iron pieces to hang on the front of posts.

 

 

  

 

I've got lots of plants in containers that can be planted in this space, all in good time.

 

A Florida sunrise one morning taken out the back door.

 

 

 

I just found out about having vintage art being shown on your TV. Found the channels, there are several. I checked out a couple of different ones, one was flowers and the other cottage gardens. The pictures change after about 10 minutes of showing it. There are even some that have soothing music.

 

Next we have my sweet Miss Tork. She loves sleeping on clean laundry, and at my feet.

Some thoughts:

" Appreciate what time you have left. It doesn't matter how long it is."

 

From: Green Renaissance 'The Beauty of Living'.

 

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A garden is never static. A garden can never be finished. It changes as our lives change. Never feel guilty about garden chores that don't get done. A garden is about pleasure, not guilt."

 

Joan Armory ~ Cottage Living October 2007

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"What is that one thing you can do today? Do that with excellence, do that with an attitude of gratefulness. We have growth opportunities each day."

 

From: Whispering Willow Farm blog

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"Come, Lord Jesus, be thou our guest.

Our morning joy, our evening rest.

And with thy daily bread impart,

Thy love and peace to every heart."

 

A prayer said by Fred Rogers, still prayed at Thanksgiving by family.

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"Be quiet and still, so that you can begin to see the thing God is already weaving.

God strews our paths with little webs of grace that pull us into the prayer of waiting,

into healing and rebirth." 

 

Unknown

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"Gardens are always in a state of becoming. Our lives are also always in a state of becoming. We are born, we live each day we are given and we die. Since we are in this state of becoming, we are always growing and changing."

From: Jack Huber, Southern Living Landscape Book

 

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Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy each day you are blessed with. See the beauty, be thankful. Grow through the hard times. God is with you and will see you through them.

Love, hugs and prayers, 

FlowerLady