OH my!!!! It has been almost a month!!!

Let me start by saying as a kid I hated August! It was too got, too busy, too much work needed to be done, too many visitors!!! Family events, weddings, parties, tourist customers to the farm stand, august could suck!!! and as an adult......well......it is a little bit the same. sure Maine is very,very pretty in August, but it is also very, very busy!!! family, weddings, parties, tourists and customers, not much has changed!!!!

I also feel the need to pack it all in because.......well....winter is coming. :O There is no getting around it. tonight it was dark by 8:00. Wimter is coming. I really don't even mind winter,but there is a lot I like about summer. It is just August I don't necessarily like. I feel rushed and pressured to make the most of it. In the winter I can just light the woodstove and settle in at 4:00 when it is dark! There is something just fine about that!!!!

so, what have I been doing????? holy smokes, packing it in!!!! hiking across the street has been remarkably good!!! Few bugs, plenty of cool new trails!!!! Roscoe has joined every hike and done amazing!!! The damn dog is in as good shape as he has ever been!!!!! 

He did stay home Saturday for our boat adventure to Jewel  island. that was FUN and a very special day!!!!

spur got to go and his new girlfriend Tess!!!! We had a blast hiking and swimming!!!!

My flowers have been truly spectacular this year. We even threw a big party. Most of our friends came. some were away and couldn't come. August is busy for everyone!!! some didn't come just cuz and they missed out!!!! Some didn't come because we missed them on the invite. damn it I just can't keep everyone straight any more. after 50......OK , after menopause.....the memory and organizational skills struggle. damn it!!!! do I need to start doing daily crossword puzzles??? I think maybe!

Truly spectacular year for my flowers!!!!

25 years!!

Marraige is a difficult thing! But, worth all the hard work, if you like living with someone! I do, I don't want to live alone even though I very much enjoy and appreciate my alone time. I want company most of the time! That is why I am married!!!! It isn't the easiest thing in the world, though. Many people I know don't make it in marriage and , well, I can not say if that is good or bad, but one thing I know........working at a relationship helps a person learn how to relate. It just does!!!! Trying to treat a spouse like you treat your friends is thoughtful. not easy, but worth the effort because if you can be good at a Marraige you can probably be good at friendships, too. I hope, anyway.

I often feel very selfish and self absorbed. I think it is human nature, but a Marraige can't live when one person is completely self absorbed!!!! You have to share. Sharing and thinking of some one other than yourself makes for a stronger Marraige. I had to work hard these 25 years, but I am glad I did. Now to make it continue on and be happy is the key. we shall see!!! I hope it continues!!!!

some photos....a cute little hummingbird.....

My beautiful oriental lily that waslanted two years ago. WOW!!!!

The strange and smelly cleome.....

The patio lit up at night. So peaceful and inviting!!!!

Wow, epic work weeks lately!!!!

It got me thinking if I could keep this up during the winter? I do have one dog dropping put in two weeks due to mom home with a new baby and not needing me regularly. But, still I seem to be maxed out plus extra vacation sits for kitties. Great money. Glad to be busy, but damn.........I need to catch up!!!!

In laws coming next week, so that doesn't give me much time. sigh.........

Well, at least the house will get clean next week with company coming. This week I let it go a bit. Hah, needs some attention. 

The gardens and birds and trails and water beckon, so the house chores get put on the back burner.

Yesterday was my chosen day for Spur's birthday. ACK, he is now SEVEN!!!! Damn, that went by fast!!!!

  

Such an awesome little guy. Always smiling that sweet smile!!!!! He has turned into the greatest little dog!!!!!

Until her does this.........