Our Garden this Year

We planted everything in our garden this year by seed and we only use all USDA organic seeds. Most, if not all of our seeds come from our local food co-op and give back to the community through shopping local. It's the first time that we've planted every plant by seed and we are so thrilled to see how many came up and are doing well. It's nice to see bees and other pollinators enjoying the flowers and blooms, too. Hopefully, we get a good harvest this year. I can't wait for the yellow squash to get ripe because nothing says summer to me like steamed yellow squash with butter, salt, and pepper. I can't cook well, but I can steam a lot of vegetables from the garden.

Zucchini and yellow squash.

Zinnias and pumpkins.

An onion bloom and sunflowers.

Cucumbers and carrots.

Snap peas and strawberries.

Blueberries and raspberries. 

Wildflowers and pollinator mix.

Five Simple Things (August 14)

 Hello.

The weather has not been good this week either. Windy, and dry. It's weird to see the wind blowing and no rain, or any type of chill along with it. The trees have been getting a beating and it's supposed to rain a bit this coming week. We could sure use it. The wildfire in eastern Oregon has been contained, so that's good news. Oregon has been getting drier and drier as the years go on. When I first moved here, March 2004, it was always rainy and cold in the winter. Sometimes we got snow, but mostly large amounts of rain. Then in the summer it was hot, but not this dry hot. Only the last several years do I remember the grass being crunchy when you walk on it. It's just getting warner here; one reason I am a firm believer in global warming. Oregon should be proof that global warming does affect us on a large scale. The United States is now at over 5 million Coronavirus cases. In that short of time and that many lives, it's unbelievable. Just wear a mask and distance yourself from others when out. Here are five things this week.

1. This Sunset.

I've said it before, Oregon has some of the best sunsets I've ever seen. 

2. This Videocall. 

Coming back from the hospital this week, Skylar started a videocall with me to make sure I was okay. I had a panic attack and thought the pains were more intense than normal, and it scared me. I went in to get monitored to make sure it wasn't my heart causing it. I haven't been given the all clear with my surgery, so I panicked myself even more. But, everything checked out and again it was a panic attack cause by my anxiety. But, it was nice to see Skylar and Eleven and go home again.

3. This Selfie.

Trying to get better about this. It's hard.

4. This Moment.

I don't know what this is from, or even who took it, but the moment just makes me happy. Just the shear moment of being in the rain and enjoying the moment. May seem a bit hippie-ish, but nature does have a way of making us feel better.

5. This Rose.

Portland is known as the Rose City and even down south of Portland we get some of the best roses. I can't stand the smell of a rose, but I do love how pretty they are.

Positive affirmations this week: "What is one thing you strongly believe as a parent?"

Your greatest contribution to the world may not be something you do, but who you raise.

Have a nice weekend.