Wednesday, July 16, 2025

A late bloomer but the two bushes on either side of the front door steps are now beginning to get full of blooms...all blue.

Walking around the community, I have noticed a lot of different hostas and cone flowers.  I am kind of surprised that the previous owner did not plant cone flowers.  One plant I have not seen is honeysuckle.  I know that it is not a native plant and can easily overtake native plants.  But I really do like the smell and that so many bees are attracted to it.  

Apparently honeysuckle can be grown in pots.  I may try that next year...or this year if I can find any.  Going to have to check out local nurseries.

That will have to wait until I get SnowWhite back.  I took her to our mechanic to have oil changed, tire rotated, engine tuneup, etc.  As we are still using our old mechanic, it takes a lot of time out of the day.  They are about two hours away!  But they are really good and very fair in cost so I think we may continue using them for a while yet.

I did get a bit more done on the collage fish...

I'm running out of water colors so on the way back from the mechanic's yesterday I picked up some more Steam A Seam 2.  I have the fabric, just need to add the adhesive to the back of the water fabric.  

Looking at the picture, I see that the bottom needs more definition.  I think I will add a small strip of tan fabric outlining the bottom area.  I am going to enter this into the summer online gallery of the Textile Studies Group of New York City so I need to explore titles for the piece.  I am now quite sure that this will be the first in a series of collages.

Switching subject...to my 'summer slump', I am trying to get back into a routine and one of things I have not been doing (among a vast number) is drawing.  So I put my pens and pad front and center and this is what I have drawn so far...

I am drawn to this type of 'zentangle like' doodling.  It's become a form of relaxation, a meditative activity that frees up my mind and stops all the chatter that sometimes goes on when I have a lot to get done.

Do you have an activity that does that?  Some folks enjoy drinking a cup of coffee or tea outside listening to the birds.  Others enjoy watching clouds.  Still others daydream or go for gentle walks.  For me it's a way to take a restorative break from everything.  

I had stopped taking the time for this type of activity and that has certainly not helped.  Right now, getting that small, but important for me, routine back is my focus.  I may not get much more accomplished but I will feel that I have more control and that's a good thing.

Have an amazing day...

Talk with you tomorrow...