I noticed a hawk, flying way up high overhead. I’ve been a
little under the weather, so to speak, facing a stretch of low energy. Guess I’m
glad it was a hawk, instead of a vulture.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I am thinking …
This may sound funny, but there’s a little garden gnome in
our yard (dressed in Chicago Bears colors), who mysteriously moves from place
to place on random occasions. Is there more to this story, if does this occur
simply because someone in our home recently retired and finds the need to
fidget with details?
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I am thankful …
Sometimes computer glitches seem to resolve themselves. At
least, I’m kind of counting on that, right about now. After all, this sort of
message is never exactly welcome.
Screenshot - fair use
One of my favorite things …
Flowers are favorites for me. Gerbera Daisies are one of the
blooms I like the best. I have a pair of patio pots that still sport fresh
blossoms, even as September slips by.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I am creating …
This week, another new Kindle eBook was added to my author
list on Amazon. I wrote this short volume (10
courtesy tips for taking a pet to a host's home) to help animal lovers and
those who may host them at some point (such as the upcoming holiday season) to
deal with the potential complications of pet guests.
Having experienced some rather delicate situations in our
own home, with extended family members and others bringing their animals for
occasional visits and overnight stays, I understand the concerns. And I hope
this book will help others in similar situations.
Book cover / fair use
I am wearing …
Right now, I am sporting a running race tee (from a past
event) and a pair of jogging shorts. I have not laced on those sneakers yet,
although I (groan!) know I will have to do so soon. (Actually, I was all revved
up and ready to go … until I realized my phone needed charging first. Hey, I
don’t want to miss the chance to keep track of those miles.)
I am watching …
My dog is doing laps around me, as I sit at my desk. Based
on our regular routines, I am pretty sure she knows it’s almost run-time.
Most of the time, she and the cat practice their Couch
Pet-Tater acts. But not at run-time. (You might say she’s got my number.)
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
YouTube is playing, and I’m hearing “Grace Wins,” by Matthew
West.
Gotta love these lyrics:
“Words
can't describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
A broken side begins to heal
And grace returns what guilt has stole.”
Bless the Lord. How I need that every day!
I am hoping …
One of these days, the professional crew will show up at the
stables to fix an ongoing drainage problem that has allowed the many mid- and
late-summer storms to flood the indoor riding arena at the stables. I feel sorry for the owners, who have pumped and shoveled and brainstormed, trying to
fix this issue. It’s also a concern for the barn staff, who slog through mud daily to care for the horses, for the boarding customers (as an important part of the facility is out of commission), and a trainer (who has faced more than a
few lesson cancellations).
The covered arena has been flooded almost every day since late July. Fortunately, there is also an outdoor arena, which has been super for working horses on non-rainy
days. For that, we are thankful.
Honestly, it feels a lot more like April than September at
the farm. But the hay field looks lush and lovely, so the horses will
have plenty of delicious hay all winter. (See? A silver lining!)
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I am learning …
Have you heard the perennial warning about praying for
patience? It’s sort of a source of ouch-y humor among people of faith. Why?
Patience seems only to be learned through difficulties and disappointments and
longer waits than we’d like.
But I’ve been in that school, so to speak, for a while. A
couple of long-term heart-rending prayer requests are prime examples.
On another note, I’ve always chuckled that one of the most
popular and colorful annual garden flowers is called impatiens. It’s easy to
grow and simply satisfying. Don’t you wish patience came the same way?
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
In my kitchen …
I’m trying to eat healthier foods. But I’m still something
of a carbo-holic. I crave crunchy, salty, starchy snacks too often. So I’m
making it a point to shop a little smarter. Now I have a cupboard filled with
low-calorie rice cakes and popcorn, instead of chips and crackers.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
It’s been fun to see friends and loved ones posting
first-day-of-school photos on Facebook in the past week or so. I don’t have
anyone heading to class this fall, but I love seeing all these dear ones’
youngsters growing up.
Despite having no students in the house anymore, I am as
busy as a proverbial bee. So there we are.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
In my garden …
Most of my plantings
are growing end-of-season tired. Some fall colors are popping up. As the sun
sets earlier and casts a more muted glow over nature, it’s neat to see the
flowers changing as well.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
Last weekend, I
transplanted several leggy-looking annuals from patio pots into the garden
beds, filling in spots where I’ve already cut back some spent perennials. A few are just reaching their prime, like the Autumn Joy Sedum.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I also washed out several the pots, so I can pack them away for next spring. A few remain on the patio, as the geraniums and marigolds are still producing.
Photo by Linda Ann Nickerson for PAH. All rights reserved.
I need that reminder (preaching to the mirror), again and
again.
Vintage / public domain photo
Post Script …
Here we go,
marching into September. What’s on the agenda for this month? I’m working on
another book or two. (Multi-tasking keeps me going.) I’m looking forward to a couple
of early fall running races. And I’m planning a cross-country visit next month.
(Maybe I’ll tuck some trip photos into my October edition of the SW Daybook.)
Shared Quote …
Autumn doesn’t technically begin for a couple of weeks.
Still, with Labor Day behind us, it feels sort of like unofficial autumn
already. So here we are:
Autumn
is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus, French philosopher (1913-1960)
Closing Notes:
Thanks for stopping by! Cheers for a sweet September.
to help animal lovers and
those who may host them at some point (such as the upcoming holiday season) to
deal with the potential complications of pet guests. 
