Color-coordinated book-marks

When I go to a store that has a paint department, I frequently select several of the paint sample cards. I enjoy picking out the colors and dreaming about what the walls will look like when I repaint. As a result, I often have a handful of the cards sitting with me on the sofa.

One day when I was in the midst of reading a book, I realized I needed to check on something. I absentmindedly grabbed a piece of paper to mark my place and went on my way.

When I returned to my book, I was delighted to see that I had picked a paint sample card that complemented the book cover. Now I make a habit of recycling the paint sample cards by using them as book-marks.

Turkeys

There are turkeys living in my neighborhood. Yes, real ones -- the birds.

As I drove to work today, the tom decided to cross the street in front of me. I slowed and let him pass. Since the car windows were down, I "encouraged" him to speed up, and he did. I thanked him and we continued on our ways.

That made me think: how do I deal with the people who are turkeys in my life?

My first response is to try to avoid them as much as possible. Of course, avoiding an issue doesn't really remove it from my life. It just adds to the pile of things I carry around in the back of my mind. And all of the things I'm subconsciously dealing with distract me from the projects I truly want to do.

So, how to deal with turkeys?

It may take some time to figure out why they are a turkey. If I really stop and think only about it, I may realize it was a simple misunderstanding. At that point my problem is resolved and I can move on.

It may be that they truly are unhappy people who want everyone else to join them in the gloom and doom club. In that case, it really is better to avoid them as much as possible.

As is often the case, they are probably nice people who don't see the world the way I do and I need to agree to disagree and look for all of the things we do have in common.

So, the next time a turkey crosses my path, I'll look for the common ground rather than the differences -- and continue on my way.

Summer rains

Since the summer rains have begun, the daylilies, sunflowers and cosmos have begun to flower. The grass now requires a weekly "haircut" and the frogs are singing on a daily basis as they celebrate the returning moisture.



Another result of the rain is mushrooms. Several have popped up along the driveway.



The tomatoes continue to grow, some successfully, some not. There are people who have so many tomatoes that they give away bushels and bushels. I am not yet one of those people. As a matter of fact, the tomato plant that has produced most successfully so far, was a volunteer!



Still, I look forward to my annual tomato adventure. As with many other areas of my life, each year I learn a little more and make a little more progress.

Fire

In addition to the fire that started several weeks ago, numerous brush fires have sprung up around Central Florida in the past few days.

When our neighbor told us of the brush fire spotted a couple of miles from our house late Sunday afternoon, all I could think of was the classic exercise to help crystalize what's important to you: if your house was on fire, what 10 items would you want to save and take with you?

This is what it looked like on the road that runs parallel to our road on Sunday night:

Malcolm Denemark, Florida Today



This is what the neighborhood looked like on Monday morning:

Michael R. Brown, Florida Today

And, as scary at that looks, it is nothing compared to what the people who live south of us are experiencing.

Michael R. Brown, Florida Today

Over 50 homes have been totally burned or badly damaged. The most sad part about their situation is arson is suspected.

This incident has shown the best and worst sides of people.

Urban Farming

While I love the idea of owning and living on a farm, at this point in my life it isn't possible... at least not in the traditional, idealized way I envision when I think "farm". You know, Old MacDonald and all that E-I, E-I, O-ing stuff.

Since rural land is rapidly disappearing due to urban sprawl, what options are available to wannabe farmers?

It turns out there are multiple options suitable to just about any type of farmer: urban gardens, urban homesteading, and community gardening, just to name a few.

No land? No problem. Try container gardening, mini gardening or hanging baskets. And there's always hydroponic gardening.

If you've always dreamed of having a productive little garden that was all yours, there are numerous non-tradtional options available. Start with a tiny pot of herbs that adds texture, aroma and life to your personal space, and I predict you'll be convinced that "farming" is for everyone!

May flowers, etc.

The old adage "April showers bring May flowers" is usually true, but we didn't have much rain in April. In fact, it has been rather dry here. There have been several brush fires, none close enough to see, but at least one close enough to smell when the wind blows in the right direction.

I'm thankful that the only fiery looking things in our yard are the cardinals,

this amaryllis,


and the canna lily.



Meanwhile,
the tomato plants are growing and the first of the tomatoes are appearing --
the Eva Bell
and the Russian Purple



the cuban treefrogs have come back to their condo (also known as my wind chimes!)


and the lizards continue their patrol of the yard.

Running away to the circus

Yesterday I ran away to the circus...

Cirque du Soleil presents La Nouba at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando -- so we went.

It has been a while since I've had such a good time. Like many people, I've watched videos of Cirque du Soleil performances, but a recording can never capture the true essence of a live performance.

So much is taking place during the show that you would have to attend at least a dozen performances to see everything that's taking place. Even then, each show would be different.

That's the joy of live performance - the shows vary because there is no way to have identical conditions each time. Even when the performers in the show don't change and have consistent performances, the composition of the audience and their reactions will not be the same.

If you can, attend a live performance soon. The opportunities abound in almost every community, even if they are as simple as a kindergarten play or a community band playing in the park.

If you can't find anything, perhaps it's time to schedule a live performance of your own!