Accidental Photographer

I have a new phone, and for some reason, it is remarkably easy to accidentally take pictures with it. Obviously, I usually delete those, but some of them I actually like. Here's one from a recent trip to Trader Joe's:


I love it, and I can't even tell you why, really. It just makes me smile.

Photo Friday- Law Enforcement Shrinking Edition

Passed this sign during my travels last week:


Seriously, how do they do it? Take a little off the top? Or do they just relieve them of 20% of their responsibility? Or did they eliminate 20% of their security force? Camino Real, now with 20% less law enforcement! Let the shenanigans begin!

How does my garden grow?

No cockle shells, I'll admit, but I have to say, I think it's doing pretty well, all things considered. Of course, the things I'm considering are the fact that I'm gardening-impaired and my primary gardening assistant is three years old. But all in all, I'd say we're doing ok. I thought I'd show my faithful readers some garden highlights...

Here's my lovely assistant tending our vegetables and herbs:



These are my impatiens, which make me very happy indeed, as I grew them from three tiny little starter pots:


This is the impressive catnip, more than enough to satisfy the nip-head in residence:
Our tomato plant is pretty productive:

My basil is a thing of beauty, towering over its rosemary friend:


And the plant of whom I am the most proud, for its sheer resilience...

My geranium!


Yes, folks, that is the dear little geranium that got hacked to a nub by an overeager weed-eater. If it can come back, there's hope in all situations.

Simple Pleasures

I think Bobby McFerrin said it best when he said "Bedoodle doo I'm so happy hah bedoo uh so haaappy-simple pleasures are the best!". Or something like that.

I'm in a dither these days, my brain running in circles at a dizzying clip, while I sort and pack and give things away. When I'm not doing that, I'm online, trying to learn more about the town to which I'm moving, or I'm figuring out our budget, or trying to remember the zillion things I need to do before I leave town. Basically, the move is consuming my every thought and action.

Today, though, I decided to put it all aside for a few hours and just be in the moment, in this beautiful summer day, with my Small One. We worked in the garden. We put together puzzles and played a board game. Lunch was peanut butter and the strawberry-rhubarb jelly we purchased at the strawberry festival last month, and fresh watermelon. Is there anything more indicative of summer than a game of Sorry followed up by watermelon?