#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

First Monarch of the Season on the Butterfly Weed

Summer quiet, doors open, slight evening breeze. Dusk after a sun-filled afternoon. Cloudy morning, coolish. I woke early. Didn’t hear Frank leave around 4:00 a.m. I had a Big Dream, and so first thing I spent a long time writing it out with all the details. I felt it was a significant dream and there were appearances by family members I may never have dreamed of; and my mother was there too and that was nice. Rivers and streams. Then it was time to go out. I thought I was going to go for an early swim because I planned to be in the car on the way to Connecticut and back to see my aunt and wanted exercise before sitting. But I started gardening. Weeding the big garden in the center of the driveway circle which I have neglected. Raking, trimming, cutting. A lot of crouching. I stopped before I was quite done to take my half hour swim and get in the car. I took Frank’s convertible so that I could enjoy the trip with the sun on my head and the wind in my hair. How wonderful to see my aunt who has made it ouf of rehab and finally back to her own place in assisted living. I am so proud of her for working so hard to recover from her pneumonia and hospital stay. It wasn’t easy. We had a lovely visit. I was so delighted to see her back to her normal self! Then the ride home, and my treat for the long ride was stopping at Home Depot for some geraniums. I can never have enough geraniums and I have two planters in the yard that have been waiting. The weather turned quite hot and muggy for the ride home. I got right outside in the late afternoon to keep working on the gardens, weeding, trimming. Finished, moved to another garden. Loved being outdoors with my dirty knees. A simple, satisfying day. I have a poem ready for tomorrow. My son came by and we visited and had a long talk. When I parked the car after my drive I spotted this beauty flitting around the milkweed garden, playing in the butterfly bush that’s in bloom. My first monarch sighting in this pollinator garden this year.