Many Pictures

Tung tree. 

Early, early this morning I woke up to the smell of sausage cooking which is honestly one of the best possible smells to wake up to. Unless you're a vegetarian, of course. As good as it smelled, I stayed in my bed, knowing that the house beyond my room was probably in chaos with everyone running around trying to get ready for a day on the water with fishing gear and the proper attire and sunscreen and sandwiches and drinks and life jackets and all the things that a slow, leisurely trip down a river with kids requires. I did not even poke my nose out of my bedroom door. By the time I got up, all was quiet and the kitchen was clean as a bean so I poured a cup of coffee, still hot, and read the love note that had been left beside the coffeemaker, signed by one and all. 
A good way to start a day. 

Last night when the Jessie-Vergil family got here, the boys ran in, both holding nothing but their name blankets while their mom and dad struggled behind them with their sleeping mats and clothes and some ice chests and toothbrushes and Slothie and possibly a kitchen sink. The boys were pumped up from having just left their cousins' house but you could tell it was one of those tired wired states. Jessie and I made up their beds and here's Levon, cocooned in his blanket and trying desperately to keep his eyes open. 

And here's what he looked like on the boat today. 

Jessie sent me that picture. 

August landed a bass! His grandfather hooked it and gave the pole to August to pull it in. 

I think a good time was had by all. 

I roused myself enough to get a few things done around here. I cleaned sinks and toilets and swept the swing porch and watered the plants on the front porch. 
Here's my Ashe magnolia that I planted right by the buckeye in front of the swing porch. 

This is one of my favorite plants. It resembles the Magnolia Grandiflora, mainly in the size of its leaves and its blossom but both of those on the Ashe are less patently waxy and sturdy. But oh, the flower of the Ashe is every bit as deliciously fragrant as the one on the Grandiflora. 

I did some weeding in the garden and then I planted my zinnias. 

I am late getting those in but they will bloom until late fall most likely. I can't wait to see them. 

The garden is in its pre-destroyed-by-bugs-and-heat condition and looks good and filled with promise although much of what is growing is still from fall's plantings.

I told Mr. Moon that he needs to fix that trellis over there to the left because that's where the beans will do their climbing tricks and they'll probably be ready to pick by next week. 
That's a bit of an exaggeration but they will be making beans before we know it. 

The family returned from the river and they all looked exhausted. 
Well, except for the kids. Mr. Moon, Jessie, and Vergil stayed up until late watching Auburn play basketball on TV and then of course they got up before daylight. I sat in the Glen Den with them for a little while last night, mostly making semi-rude comments about basketball and life in general. I was still in that mood. 

So no one was horribly upset when I went to bed, I'm sure. 

It did me good today to be outside. At one point when I was in the garden, I looked up to discover that I was seeing a shade of green that I don't even begin to have words for. 

That picture doesn't do justice to it. Not even close. I wish you could see it in real life because I am certain it would make your heart soar for a moment, at least. 

And as usual, Maurice was my companion in everything I did. 

Walking under the wisteria arbor.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Love...Ms. Moon