Thoughts for Today

Today was a beautiful day. Blue sky, temperatures in the  low 60's and a light breeze. Weather for a sweater outside. The house is cool inside. The heat is turned on but adjusts to the temperature in the house. The thermostat reads 70, but it feels much cooler. My daughter asked if I would like to light a fire. The leaves on the trees continue to turn in beautiful shades of red, orange, and golden yellow.  My pajamas feel warm and comfortable. I am snuggled in bed with my computer, magazines, and books. This is the best part of the day. The work day has ended and I can relax and get refreshed before the start of a new day. I spoke to my mother in Georgia today. She said the temperatures have been in the 80's there for the last few days but gets much cooler at night. She will return from Georgia this week and asked me if I wanted some tubers of elephant ears from my Uncle. I certainly said yes. I guess you call them tubers, they are so large. I bought one last year and I don't think I planted it when I should have, although I did plant it, it didn't come up this Summer. They can be pricey not something to kill. She is also bringing me some spider lilies from her yard.

I was at Home Depot last Friday. The artificial Christmas trees are up and an entire section is complete with lights and decorations. Outside where annuals, shrubs, perennials, and last seasons plants stood is now empty and arranged to receive Christmas trees. I have been reading a small pamphlet  from the African Violet Society of Philadelphia; it's small but very informative. As I previously posted, my violets were wiped out last year by some type of insect/disease. I learned a lot of information about African violets that I didn't know. According to the society, African violets or Saintpaulia are native to Africa although they are not related to true violets. I didn't realize that new growth was from the center or crown only and that once a leaf sends out blooms it will never bloom again. Blooms form only on new growth. New growth in the crown can be cut and each leaf can be propagated to be a new plant. I have propagated leaves before but I did not remove them from the crown. Usually it was from a leaf that dropped off or was accidentally knocked off by myself or the cat. The leaves won't be damaged from water if you don't use cold water when you water them.They tend to collect dust and in my house; cat hair from when the cat sashays past them. African violets can be washed off with water but make sure it is not cold water. Leaves should not stand up straight but should actually lay down in a more flattened position (African Violet Society of Philadelphia, 2009).

Hopefully this weekend I will be able to plant garlic and some bulbs. I love shasta daises and I bought 2 plants at 50% off. I want to put them out front in the flower bed. I love the white flowers in the Fall. Since I will be removing a peony that did not bloom this year and the dead foxglove, I will have room for these. Hopefully they don't take over the flower bed. I had another type of daisy  before and it took over the bed. I don't have a lot of plans for the front flower bed. It's already packed to capacity. I want to see how the perennials I planted this year do next Spring, then I can get an idea of what I may like although it would only be annuals for some color and constant blooms.

What else did I ponder today? I thought about aging and I believe that with age comes freedom. If you are willing to embrace it. Freedom from worrying about what others think of you, freedom from trying to "do it all." I learned that things don't have to be perfect. I am learning to be confident in who I am as a person. I am learning to let "God be God", and not be disappointed in myself if I can't help everyone. That's God's job. I have always been a helper, comforter, a person who encourages others. I have become more assertive. I grow stronger and gain wisdom in my beliefs and in God as my savior, provider, protector, comforter, shield, and friend. If I could, there are numerous things I would love to do. Maybe this is the time to envision how to attain some of those things. I do believe that without a vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).