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I Never Go to the Gym

I invited a friend over for coffee.  She's never been to my home so when she parked in the driveway, I greeted her on my back deck.  "I never go to the gym anymore," I exclaimed as she made her way through my prayer garden and climbed up the deck.  "You have more than enough exercise right here," she agreed.


As I face this last week of summer I find myself thinking back of all the hard work during hot triple digits and how I prayed for rain.  Then the monsoons came and I prayed for help with the high, out-of-control weeds!  My son-in-law rescued me with his quad and sprayed for hours.  



Tomatoes were small, but I'm happy I didn't kill anything.  I learned so much over the past months not only about how to water pine trees slowly and keep watch not to overwork the well, but to rise early with the sun and beat the heat.  Farming Sleeves saved my aging skin.  Spraying with Avon's Bug Guard, Skin So Soft, smells nice and protected me from critters that sting, bite or fly.  Ants won the war, though.  I never figured out how to control them.  The red ants are the worst.  I learned toothpaste lessens the intense itch.









Tom knew I love Morning Glories.  Months before he went on to glory, he placed seeds everywhere.  All summer I saw them pop up with my Sunflowers or Four o'clock.  They love to cling to green plant stems, entwine around them and then show off their heart-shaped leaves.  Their blue flowers thrill me.  Truly, it was the gift that keeps on giving.




My daughter and son-in-law celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary complete with vows and music.  We had sparkling apple juice and cupcakes she ordered from the bakery.  The kids and I watched the dogs and ate tons of snacks during their second honeymoon in Las Vegas.




The nights are cooler and the days are shorter.  I'm organizing soup recipes and finding ways I can bake with pumpkin.  I unpacked my fall wreaths and farmhouse plaques that remind me to be thankful.  I'm ready to embrace the beauty of a new season.











"Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more gain in fruits."  Samuel Butler

Comments

  1. DUTASeptember 18, 2022 at 5:34 PM

    Happy Wedding Anniversary to your daughter and son-in-law! Judging by the photo, they've got a lovely family!
    I deal with ants by spraying/spilling water on them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Creations By CindySeptember 19, 2022 at 11:15 AM

    I am so happy for your daughter and soninlove. You have accomplished a lot dear lady. Tom would be so proud of you. I am in awe of your beautiful sunflowers. Mine are coming up thanks to some much needed rain. I plant them every year in memory of my late Motherinlove that so dearly loves sunflowers. I hope your week is wonderful to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  3. RCUBEsSeptember 19, 2022 at 11:21 AM

    Good to hear from you again sister! Who says everyone needs the gym? Treadmills don't get us anywhere anyway. Your garden is lovely. All the hard work you put makes it way better than a gym!!! I agree with your friend. That's exercise right there! Though I read it as "extra fries" at first😊

    All the pics depict the hard work you do & I know it's double the dose of what you must accomplish nowadays. Thoughtful bro. Tom did a big lounge ahead though by planting all those beautiful flowers! Love the blue one & blue is my fav color!!! Happy anniversary to your daughter! God bless her & her beautiful family. 🙏

    Keeping you in ky 🙏. Thank you for taking us into your lovely garden & your beautiful family! God bless & protect u all!

    ReplyDelete
  4. BrendaSeptember 20, 2022 at 10:43 AM

    Hi Mary, I can see by the pics that your garden is beautiful, and I love the Iris. You are very blessed with a lovely family. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim @ Homesteader's HeartOctober 15, 2022 at 12:15 PM

    Hi Mary! It's been a hot minute but I had some time and thought I'd see if anyone was still around. Glad to see you are. I keep wanting to dust off the ol' blog and see if I can find things to write about again. We'll see. LOL!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marilyn @ MountainTopSpiceDecember 5, 2022 at 1:24 PM

    Hi Mary, have missed you in our online bible studies, and I trust that you are doing well! Was so good to see the beautiful pictures you shared of your daughter's family! Your garden was so amazing, and like you, I don't go to a gym! Why would I when I have the great outdoors as my playground! I just finished a 2 mile cross country ski on our property here. I count my blessings daily with thankfulness! Blessings to you dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RCUBEsDecember 25, 2022 at 10:58 PM

    Merry Christmas & a Joyful New Year to you, too sister! Thank you for your warm greetings. Very much appreciated. Haven't logged in & as I checked my site, there you go! I saw the footprints from a dear friend/sister🙏🤗

    May the Lord bless, strengthen, heal, protect, & always provide for your needs & with your family🙏 Love and 🙏 always.

    ReplyDelete

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