Thanks, Roscoe!

I was tweeting and fussing over at twitter about the oopsies I'm trying to figure out in the garden. The cucumber leaves are yellowing, and is it wilt or over-water? The beans are being eaten by beetles. And some of the glads, aren't.

And almost instantly I get a reply from Roscoe:

"I heard that sigh. The soil, sun and rain are all in the hands of God... as are we. Gardening helps remind us."

Such fantastic words. Thank you, my friend!

Cheeriness From Sydney

Fall is probably my least favorite month. I do like MSU Spartan football, and the colors are great, but the loss of daylight is kind of a downer. I mean, in June it is light out until almost 10:00 p.m. Now the yardlight comes on at 7:30, and it will only get earlier.

I've also been a bit bummed about my knee acting up. It appears that old arthuritis is making an appearance there. I've had a spot of it in my hands for years. I just never thought he would appear in my knee. The knee is much better now, thanks, but it was a downer.

So I've been a little down lately. But this is where blogging and bloggers can often bring me back up, thank you all very much! I got home from work on Tuesday, and there was a package in the mailbox. I hadn't ordered any books. What could it be?
I pulled it out and noticed the postmark. It was from the other-side-of-the-world.!!!

Susan and I became blogging friends due to the lovely little ladybird or ladybug, whichever you say. She had sent me some new ladybugs to keep me company, plus a stitched goosie, and a book on Sydney, showing where she works. (Except that a teaser on her site says she has a new job. C'mon, don't keep us hanging!)

So thank you, my dear friend, for the lovely gift and for the boost. Much needed, much appreciated.

Good Saturday Morning!

Okay, a few years back Susan-on-the-other-side-of-the-world had told us about Australian burgers. They have things like beets and eggs and stuff on them. Julie found a picture.

And speaking of Julie, I did my Thursday 13 on paper, but forgot to post. So here we go:

Thirteen things I like that begin with T:

1. Toddlers
2. Tigers
3. Truth
4. Talent
5. Tongues
6. Turkey
7. Trees
8. Today, tomorrow
9. Thursday
10. Three
11. Thistle
12. Tapioca
13. Telephones!

Susan, you are such a wonderful Grandma! Phoenix is one lucky little boy!

And Kathryn is back home with her treasure, Claire.

I think the hummingbirds have gone.

Listening to Josh Groban

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I, I will lift it for you
Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I, I will break it for you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I, I'll be there to find you
Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I, I will shine to guide you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
You are loved
Aaaah
Don't give up
Its just the weight of the world (You are loved)
Dont give up
Everyone needs to be heard (Dont give up)
You are loved (You are loved - Dont give up)

and crying. It was a year ago that we lost Michelle Goodrich, aka Mandarin meg. Michelle was one of those very rare people: an egalitarian who was interested in everyone's stories. She had an amazing gift for coding and design. I have not found anyone else with her talents on the internet who has been so free to share their crayons.

I used to play a game at my old blog. I'd post a word, one word. People would post their responses. One time I posted "if". Michelle swiped it, and got ever so many more "ifs" at her place. It made me laugh, and pleased that she would steal from me.

Someone has kept her site going this year. If you've never been, go. Check out the design tips. And if your heart is strong, read through the comments. That's where Michelle did her "blogging".

Michelle loved to leave hidden things in her source. She left this for me. I wish I had found it earlier.

"There's a long and winding road that never wearies me, a road I often travel when old friends I wish to see. That road is called Sweet Memory, so old yet ever new. And I oft in fancy wander there to laugh and talk with you"

So when the hummingbirds come and play in the trumpet vine, I think of you, Michelle. And when the poppies came out unexpectedly, I shirley thought of you. And when I see someone standing up for truth and justice and the underdog, you are there, my friend, straight out of Grapes of Wrath.

"If only."

Looking at Old Archives From Other Side

Finding this from May 2005. It had been created using instructions from Mandarin Design. meg passed on in June of 2006. Time remembered.

REMEMBERThem

And time
remembered is
grief forgotten.

Happy Birthday to You

Julie has a birthday. She's a young thang!