happy fourth

Well folks, we are 100% immersed in July mode and it just started. Low 90'sF and 95-100% humidity. The mosquitos and biting flat flies arrived in full force yesterday. UGH!!

My head net has been clipped to my belt loop for weeks. I knew this day would come.

smile, what else can you do?
7/3/25

Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do for the dogs. Tank isn't bothered by biting pests. He has a thick course light colored coat. On the other hand, my old grand dog Jameson gets attacked ruthlessly by swarms of biters. The flat flies draw blood and create welts. The F-ers love his ears. J is a trooper, but I just can't allow it. Until biters calm down, our time outside will be limited. 

Before the swarms arrived, I enjoyed a different kind of float in our lil' Cowgirl Pool! It stayed in storage last year. I missed it. Such a great way to cool off at the end of the day, and relax without going anywhere.

floating to tunes (with a Bloody Mary) 

7/2/25

The Fourth of July was my favorite holiday. Best memories as a kid was decorating my bike for the neighborhood parade, and of course watching fireworks. I found a somewhat similar kid parade for my country raised children to experience.

We enjoyed watching little-big city firework displays from our old house. Rhythm N Booms fireworks were coordinated to music. You could tune in on a radio. It was epic! A huge event that drew massive crowds. We lived on top of a hill and hosted family friends for years. Brad would also light off his chosen impressive fireworks for our guests. Complete with a large self made PVC pipe fireworks holder. Ohhh, the memories!!

Things are quiet now. I don't even decorate the house anymore. One thing that hasn't changed, is my appreciation for freedom (that isn't free).

For those of you celebrating, have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!!

 

What Leo thinks of our July weather
7/3/25

about that project

Brad and I worked together on a very special project this past year. Each season, another layer of progress was accomplished.

Similar to healing, heart projects do not happen all at once.

The project I am referring to is my mom's memorial area which began with her tree planting and bench unveiling on the first Mother's Day without her here with us on earth (2022).

It has become such a special serene place for us. 

This area is the first thing you see when you get to the bend of our long driveway.

The memorial area is not about the bench perse. It is about connection. Spiritual and otherwise. Feelings of remembrance, joy, sorrow, natures awe and inspiration. To name just a few.

It brings out all the feels.

Giant Swallowtail

Giant Swallowtail close-up

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch and Bubble bee
sharing late season zinnias

Late Summer, a Berry White Hydrangea was planted (pink blooms above). My mother had a prolific white one growing in her backyard. It is my first time growing Hydrangeas. Fingers crossed. 

Zinnias grown from collected seeds

The flower pots also had overwintered Calla Lilies.
They bloom before zinnias.

I thought Spring crocus named Remembrance would be a perfect way to add early season color. My plan is to naturalize low profile early blooming bulbs in the general area. Brad reminded me, he will have to work the area up in order to plant grass. 

I came up with Plan B for the bulbs I had already purchased. Several packs of crocus and species tulips were planted inside a triangle shaped area, within 3 existing pines. There is a stump in the middle, so it won't be worked up. I can't wait to see what blooms!! I can always relocate the bulbs, or better yet ~ plant more! 

Late Fall, Brad poured a colored concrete base for the bench. Notice the two circle indentations he added. Great idea! The two pots that flank the bench are in full sun & wind exposure. The pots dry out quickly and frequently tip over. Even with a rock base. Setting the pots down inside the circles will prevent tipping and they will still drain to the ground. He added drainage rocks as a base inside the circles. 

Over the Summer, the bench stayed on a pallet so it could be moved with the bobcat.

11.4.22

While walking our woods, another idea crossed my mind. 

I asked Brad if we could stamp the concrete base with actual leaves.

Poor Brad. I always ask for the unusual. Which translates as complicated. I never do things the easy way. Not intentional, it is just how I am wired. After all these years together, my requests no longer surprise him. Brad is more practical and we balance each other out. Stamping concrete is nothing new to him, but stamping with leaves is. He said yes, we could try :))

My mom loved trees. I think in part because she grew up with very few of them. She was born and raised in a big city (Madrid, Spain) where few trees grow in selective areas. In addition, the Fall month of September is both her month of birth and death.

I went on a mission collecting whatever leaves I could find that still had pliable life. It was slim pickings this late in the season. I noticed some semi-vibrant Maple leaves in our woods, high above on branches. Maple leaves have a distinct shape. I thought they would work great. 

I remembered the three Maples we planted a few years ago along our driveway and was happy to find they still had a few leaves. I climbed a ladder and plucked the few remaining leaves. No doubt my neighbors (rightfully so) thought I was nuts. The wind was whipping and there I was on a ladder collecting leaves.

For weeks, I kept all the collected leaves in plastic bags with moist paper towels. Waiting for the "concrete stars" to align. And they did.

Brad finishing the concrete base
11.11.22

A few of the Maple & Oak leaves were gently pressed into the concrete, after it formed up for a while. We left them in overnight and Brad carefully removed the leaves in the morning. The imprints turned out just as I had imagined!

See random leaf imprints (front area)

 Brad will probably add some concrete sealer and might stain the leaves to help them stand out. 

My mom would have loved the many detailed reminders of her…in disbelief she would have said "all this for me?". To which I would have replied, “Yes mom. All this, and SO much more love ~ all for you”.

Brad backfilled the base with black dirt

Mom's memorial area will be considered completed, when Brad plants grass in the Spring. Making it feel more connected to us, instead of a separate island area. 

I really wanted to add something during the Winter months. Brad made more of my wishes happen. We added 3 trees that light up on each side!   

notice the light crystals

light twinkles above the bench

We are considering adding a water feature of some kind in the future. Perhaps a stand alone rock bubbler, or a ground stream that flows to another water feature. If you know me at all, then you know the aura of water is an important part of what fuels me.  Adding year round flowing water or a large wildlife pond somewhere on our property has always been on our original wish list. Perhaps someday. Or not. I am totally okay, either way. It is nice to dream.

View from behind

Somehow, the three trees on the right form a distinct heart shape.

We were so surprised!! I will have to get a better photo with my camera.

My mothers memorial area is so healing just the way it is. Love can be felt, in every season.

some things stay the same

Imagine my surprise, when my oldest daughter handed me one of my childhood paintings.

It was given to her from my mothers belongings, to give to me.
 

My mom treasured all my art.

Even the not so great stuff. Like this ^ painting. I gifted most of my creations to her throughout the years. I love art! It has and continues to be a big part of my life. She always made a big deal about my handmade gifts, and made me feel good about them.

I can't believe my mom saved this old painting, but then again I can.

I think my jaw was hanging open when my daughter handed it to me. I searched for memories of how this painting came to be. I had completely forgotten about it.

How old was I when I painted it?

Not sure. I wish I had dated my art work. Guessing late Elementary or possibly early Middle School (around age 10-11ish).

This painting tells me many of the things I treasured as a child, are the same things I treasure now.

Horses, water, reflections, tree's, mountains ('er hills) along with the moon and sky.

The things I treasure are part of the fabric of who I am. Regardless of age. 

The little grey horse I painted is just ridiculous. Makes me laugh. With a jockey type rider? Hmm, interesting choice. However, I do love how I painted the water. Even if the perspective is off. It is Monet-ish.

................................

I gifted the above paint by number to my grandmother Aurora (the 1st) when I spent half of my 12 year old Summer living with her in Spain.

My abuelita framed it and hung it in her fancy living room, reserved for guests only. For many many years. The painting made it's way back to me and has traveled internationally twice.


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Another art surprise happened, when my younger daughter (Harmony's girl) brought home another one of my childhood paintings. Also given from my mom's belongings, to give to me.

my Dali

You may recall my commenting about this unique project, somewhere in blog land. I think on one of Lindas art posts. Wishing I had not gotten rid of my Dali, and here it is.

I have seen some Dali originals in person. He is most famous for his warped clocks, and yet I chose to paint a horse. I found the related print online. Talk about weird art!! No clue why I chose this piece, other than it has a horse in it.

I distinctly remember this final art project in eighth grade (13yrs old). We were to choose a famous artist to learn about. Our teacher cut a bust of each chosen artist, out of wood for us to paint. We had to study the artist, write a one page summary and paint them and their style.

There was an art show held at school, with the many artists displayed all around the room. I remember the excitement, and the many eyes looking at us!

I don't know what I am going to do with my Dali. He is 2.5 ft tall, large & imposing. I screwed his right eye up and it still bothers me to this day lol. I want to fix it, but I won't. I think I will prop him up on top of the storage shelves, where he can keep a watchful eye.

Everything changes, but some things stay the same.