1. I was wandering around in the garden this morning, looking at all the weeds I need to pull and admiring the ways the flowers continue to bloom and thrive despite benign neglect. I've not been the best gardener of late, being somewhat preoccupied with other things, although I have to admit that summer heat has never been my friend.
Mostly I was feeling a little tired and faded, willing to sit back and just look at the weeds, pulling a few here and there, reminding myself that I'm about ready to return to the garden, but not today. Sometimes it is best to just sit back and let things be. I was drawn to the glorious color of these roses from across the yard, but when I got close I could see how they were a bit tired and faded along the edges.
The roses look exactly how I feel, a little floppy and droopy, but still hanging in there, and generally pretty happy.
2. Our church installed our new rector on Tuesday night. The ceremony was beautiful, and I got a chance to see some dear people I hadn't seen in a long time. Following the service was a celebratory dinner, held outside. It was a glorious evening, perfect for a joyous event. We had set up for 300, but there were a few empty seats so it is possible we only had 280 or 290. Either that or not everyone was seated at the same time, which is also quite likely.
I chaired the dinner committee, but if ever a project took a village, it was this one and I am so thankful for all the people who donated their time, money, or other miscellaneous items to make this truly a community celebration. I am also honored to have been a part of such a fabulous team of creative, dedicated, hard-working people. The team had been out in the heat Monday afternoon, with the advanced prep work required for setting up tiki torches and assembling items for the tables, and then again for most of the day on Tuesday getting everything set and ready.
3. This morning I was up early, having finally caught up on sleep, and fluids, and perhaps some quiet, meditative, time as well. I was up in the sewing room before dawn, disassembling this dress I bought in Florida in June, and re-sewing the side seams, whacking off about and inch and a half at the bust, and three inches at the hips. Granted it was about an inch too big in the hips when I bought it, but it still feels good to be able to wear the dress, and to knock one simple project of the to-do list. As you can see from the photo, I still have stuff piled up in the guest room, stuff that needs to go back to the master bedroom now that the floors are finished. The big boxes actually contain new light fixtures waiting for the electricians to return, or are they waiting for me call the electricians now that my schedule is once-again free? Heaven forbid I should have nothing to do...
