Modern Day Blessings -- Running Water, Refrigeration, Ice in the Summer and Air Conditioning

As much of the northern hemisphere is currently experiencing very high, unhealthy temperatures, there are many things I am grateful for this week.  I'm grateful that even though we have had very high temperatures and very little rain this past month, I know it could be worse.  I think of our forebears and the hard physical labor they were required to perform each and every day, in the same type of weather conditions we experience today.  I'm grateful for the many modern conveniences that help to protect us and our health, including running water, refrigeration, ice and other cold food and drink, and one of the greatest blessings of all for these hot summer days, Air conditioning.   I never have been a fan of air blowing on me, especially cold air, but I am grateful to have the blessing of being able to live and work and even travel in air conditioned homes, buildings, and cars.  

Grateful for Help In the Yard

 

As is usual almost every year, the heat and the snails are taking their toll on Grandma's Garden.  We had a nice fairly cool spring during May and June, but about three weeks ago Summer arrived with a vengeance, and we've had highs in the 90's almost every day, and no rain.  That first week of hot dry weather happened while the family was enjoying the cool, misty weather of the northern California Redwoods, so poor Grandma's garden was a bit neglected.  Gratefully the tomatoes and most of the petunias survived, but things are still looking a bit scraggly, so we added a few festive pin wheels for the fourth of July.

 

I tried planting a few beans, carrots, and beets underneath the two cherry tomato plants, but the snails always seem to find the vegetables even more delicious than the flowers, so they haven't done well at all.  I planted a few more beans a week ago, and a couple of them are starting to poke their noses out now.  Hopefully these ones will survive!

DH enlisted the help of the Young Women's group from our church, along with their leaders for an hour or so of yard work and weeding via purchasing coupons at their annual camp fundraiser back in May.  Last week was the appointed day, and they showed up en mass to work their magic on our poor rose garden, the front park strip, and the side yard pathway and basement stairwell, which has been overgrown with grass and ivy for quite a few years.  For some reason (mainly taking on a full time job 10 years ago), I haven't done very well with keeping up on the yard maintenance, and DH with his allergies and knee and shoulder and back issues has not ever been one to do much in the yard.  We are very grateful to these energetic young ladies and their leaders for all of their hard work and assistance with these projects!

 

The front park strip is looking pretty dry and ragged and sad without the spring tulips and daffodils, but much better without all of the weeds that were there a few weeks ago.  We still need to work on the mulch, but love having the lavender and the echinacea in bloom.

Side yard pathway and stairwell looking 500% better minus all of the tall grass and Ivy

Having all of this wonderful help with the front yard has given me the chance to finish up the planting and do a bit of weeding in the back vegetable garden.  I've pretty much given up on ever getting all of the very invasive grass out of our garden area, but if I keep up with it, I can at least get most of the border area and the other 4X4 or 4X6 feetish sized garden plots fairly weed free so that some of the vegetables can survive.    Yes, I'm very grateful for the help of the Young Women this year!

Do People Still Read Blogs? and Gratitude, Northern California, and Family

 

Do people still read blogs?   If you do, and feel up to it, leave me a comment.  I've not kept up as much with either reading or posting on my blogs lately, and it makes me a bit sad.   Times and social media have changed over the years, and I know I spend more time browsing on YouTube and Facebook and Instagram than I do reading blogs anymore.  (I still don't do tick tock or Twitter, but then I'm definitely part of the older generation these days).  I miss reading some of my old blogger favorites, but to try to stop by some of their blogs on occasion.  

O think my biggest regret is that I haven't been taking the time as often lately to recognize and record the many tender mercies and blessings in my life.  I've been in a bit of a funk the past little while and know that I have a tendency to focus on the negative, even when there is so much good in the world and in my life.   I know I need to make a bigger effort to recognize the good things in life, and especially to express my gratitude to the many people who make my life great:  my family, friends, co-workers, and especially my Heavenly Father.

Last week DH and DD1 and DD2 returned from a road trip to Northern California where we met up with DS1, DS2, DD3 and their families and our four beautiful grandchildren!  We were able to spend a week traveling and spending time with our favorite people in the world (we did miss DD4 as she wasn't able to make the trip this time).  We were able to see many beautiful places that we've never been before, enjoy the cooler coastal weather, majestic sequoias and redwoods, and the awesome pacific coast.  There was much wonderful food, games, fun, and memories made. This visit has been on my bucket list for a very long time, and due to the planning, work, and sacrifices of my children and my DH, they made it happen.  And, we all were able to travel safely there and back home again!  

I am very blessed.