
Just going to put those off until Monday and fill the day with busy work.

Just going to put those off until Monday and fill the day with busy work.

That must be why I enjoy both.

What did they conclude?
Scrolling through my camera roll after a conversation about the presence of people in street photography compositions, this turned up. Just a bit of visual eavesdropping during a lull in the sitters’ discussion so I never found out whether they actually liked the piece or not.

Sometimes it’s a struggle to get through the week.
Good thing there’s Saturday breakfast to look forward to.

Monochrome or in colour:
Apart from the banana, eggs just might be one of the most perfect foods ever. That’s about as philosophical as I’m going to get for a Monday morning 😆

Here’s three.
Pretty sure that “absolutely certain”, like most things, is not only relative but also time sensitive.
✍️ Ward Churchill

Only critters now.
After much ado about everything for the last few years, the backyard crew finally packed up their tools and remaining construction materials and left. For a variety of reasons, the whole project has been riddled with delays, setbacks and change, so I can imagine they are just as relieved as I am to see the end of it.
The neighborhood cat is thrilled, coming to hunt and avail himself of the soft, fresh earth in the two large, unplanted flower beds. I can live with that – his activities don’t need my supervision 😆

What do you think gets better with age?
While the tomatoes have long since been consumed, and yes, they were delicious straight off the vine, now I can only imagine their sweet juiciness. Luckily, I have this painting to remind me of lazier summer days and that particular garden’s bounty. Done 11 years ago, almost to the day, both the memory and the thing itself, are better for being carried forward to the present. Would it were that way for more of life’s undertakings.

Not like you don’t know what to do.
If I’m not eating what you have cooked I’m certainly not going to clean up after you. Ah, the thrill of living with others…

Pretty cool and at the same time not at all.
I should have known, in the first week of my lease five years ago, that it was going to be an interesting ride when my landlord didn’t want to replace 2 inexpensive, generic wall light fixtures that were missing their shades. It was a red flag that he “didn’t want to spend the money”.
Last April, when the main plumbing stack started leaking, it sent water into one of those same light fixtures – right into the bulb, like some electrical aquarium. Someone thought it was a good idea to turn it on so they could see the extent of the inundation. It’s a wonder the whole thing didn’t explode and set the house on fire.
I like to say that we have a guardian angel, albeit one that likes to test the limits of our patience. Could be worse…

Temporarily blue.
Clearish skies and a l’il heatwave had me out tamping down the flower beds before Beryl brings us some heavy duty rainfall. Perhaps not the smartest activity for late morning as a second shower was in order before starting any real work 🙄

Double bonus points for me today: moved all the leftover pavers from one side of the yard to the other so that the construction crew will be able to finish what they are still buggering around with…

Strangely, not seen on the menu this time
I always seem to get embroiled in things that aren’t necessarily my purview, often because I have some previous experience or know the best, fastest, and cheapest way to do it (yes, my way). Things usually roll merrily along until someone refuses to listen, is obstinate about following instructions or just takes me and my POV for granted.
It has been said that being less instantly reactive can be beneficial – I’m not so sure about that. Tonight I am like an unstirred pot of tomato sauce left on the stove on low heat for too long, where the bottom eventually burns – a state that is, unfortunately, irreversible and leaves a sourness in the mouth. No amount of immediate palate-cleansing helps, so you ditch it and start fresh. Or order out.

As with most things, being proactive is a step in the right direction.

Not even July and they’re blooming.
Going to be another scorcher again except today we get bonus blazing sunshine. In backyard news, while the poor flowers struggle to gain a decent foothold the hostas are gigantic – who knew that potting them for the duration of construction would be so beneficial.

It’s all coming back out anyways.
Super-long, steamy week with tropical temperatures and the occasional monsoon downpour make towelling off after that morning shower futile 😆

Name that cloud.
Reminds me of N.C. Wyeth.
📷 no edits /no filters

Feeling a bit prehistoric this morning.
Nothing a bout of busy can’t cure.
📍 Royal BC Museum, Victoria

Another Monday trying to figure out which direction to go in.
While I am lucky enough to work at home and be able to choose how I allot my time this also means I’m unlucky enough to get distracted by small, unfinished personal projects, the internet, snacks, noises in the backyard and any other random interruptions that may occur throughout any given day. 🐿️
Summer is often slow work mode for many people, a reprise from the routine, but it can also be a time of regrouping and getting things in order for when the days get shorter and we are stuck with the more mundane aspects of daily life. Good or bad, we all seem to have been through alot lately – moving forward is good.
So no matter how small the task or effort, if you can think of it, now is probably a good time to do it.

Happy hydrangea.
I was gifted a glorious, very large bright blue hydrangea that I anticipated putting in the backyard but that’s not going to happen now for a variety of reasons I won’t go into here. I tried putting it on the third floor balcony but it wasn’t very happy with both the stiff breeze and the stifling heat and humidity of recent days – it wilted and drooped pathetically in the space of a few hours. I brought it inside, put it in the bathtub under the skylight and gave it a cold shower and soaking – along with some climate-controlled temps courtesy of the AC and it was back to its perky self by the next day. It seems supremely happy there.
Now what do I do? 😆

Just had to do it.

They’re finally dumping earth into the two gaping pits in the backyard, so there’s some progress being made. Thankful today for small miracles.

Today is a good day to catch up on much needed rest.
✍️ Friedrich Nietzsche
🖼️ Dans le lit, “In Bed’
🎨 Henri de Toulouse Lautrec
🕰️1892
📍Musée d’Orsay, Paris

No solution in sight.
I actually have one of these and am guessing that you probably do too. Giving it one last chance in the laundry to become a thing of beauty again before I pass it along to someone in my family that won’t notice.
🖋️ Bruce Eric Kaplan, The New Yorker, 2019

To change or not to change
The good thing about SoMe is that your friends can call anytime and it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing.

No edits/no filters because they are already perfect
Absolutely huge pot of bright blue hydrangeas living in my dining room because the backyard is still under construction. Does anyone know what to feed them to retain the colour?

Everyone should think about a day off today and take some time to stop and smell the roses.

Looks like a good spot.
Garden helpers always have their own ideas that might not be according to your plan 😆

Playing with other blooms.
Not a whole lot coming up in the backyard but the hostas transplanted to big pots last year – that’s ok, they’re green and happy and right now that’s all that counts.

My hero.
Got to love black birds. Put some treats out for your feathered friends on National Bird Day! Have a look at the link for more animal hijinx.