The Crazy Is Deep Within This One

I think it was three years ago that Ellen sent me seeds from her Texas wild hibiscus because every time she posted pictures of them, I couldn't stop talking about how much I loved them. 
The first year I planted them and I don't think a one germinated. I dipped back into the box last year and several of them germinated but I got no blooms but they survived the winter and this year, patience being a virtue and its own reward, I have at least two more blooms coming after this one. 
However. 
I've been noticing that something's been nibbling on the leaves and damn if it hasn't already started on the flower which is probably particularly tasty and if you look carefully at that picture, you will see a green grasshopper wreaking havoc on a petal. 
I flicked him away but a few hours later I found a tinier version of that one also filling its minuscule belly. I flicked it too. I cannot stand guard over the scarlet beauty all day and night, finger and thumb in ready flicking position but I'll be flicking all I see. It's very difficult to see them on the leaves or stalks because their greens could not match more perfectly. 

I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely thrilled I was this morning to see that the bud had opened. The color is as beautiful a red as I can imagine. I grew up with hibiscus growing all around me, various colors and varieties, but I had never seen one like this. 
It makes me swoon. 
Thank you, Ellen. 

We went to Chow Time AGAIN today so that Lily and her kids and Hank could celebrate Mr. Moon, who's birthday is tomorrow as I am sure I've mentioned. 
It was fine although I got miso soup instead of hot and sour soup and it wasn't nearly as pleasing. 

So- the boat. Well, his old, very large boat just left the Garage Mahal, being towed by the guy who bought the boat. Well, he was in a truck. You know. He didn't tow it barehanded. This is all just in time for the new boat to make its appearance and settled into its new home. 

I don't know how to describe the new boat except that I know it is a very stable boat, meant for a lake or river, not so much for a Gulf of Mexico. The stability makes a lot of sense. Mr. Moon's balance is becoming more of a problem, albeit slowly. This is due to a neurological situation so please don't suggest he do yoga or have his inner ear checked. 
Thank you.
He's going to get up Monday morning and start the 12 hour drive. He has, of course, invited me to go with him and the very idea makes me want to hide myself away in a closet. This makes me feel very guilty and also ashamed and saddened that my anxieties have been able to affect me so much. 
The trip to North Carolina is coming up fairly soon and that I will be able to do because we have done it many times and it feels familiar. I am even looking for to it. So I am not completely useless. Only mostly. And perhaps, if I had had time to prepare myself, I would have been more open to the idea of road-tripping to Texas. But I didn't. And besides, I need to make pickles. 

I feel this post has been most inadequate. I would apologize but some days are like this. In my defense, I had a dream this morning that was so horrendous that I am not certain I ever want to sleep again. Far too horrendous to talk about. Not here, not anywhere. And I have not begun to shake it off. 
I doubt I ever will be able to. Not entirely. 

I hope that's not true. 

Love...Ms. Moon