A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/pensive/

And welcome one and all once more to Kitten Thursday!  Today, it’s all about Jasper.  Why?  Because he was sleeping on the back of the couch behind me, and I didn’t have to move to take pictures.  Yes.  Because I am lazy.  And he is also photogenic, but you knew that already.

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/flourish/

So, yesterday I went for a walk on my lunch hour.  I was glad I did because I was tuckered when I got home from work, so all I did was a little housework, watering the garden, and making dinner.  I was tuckered probably partly because I walked up Mt. Tolmie for my walk (I’ve posted about that walk before), but mostly because of other stuff which I won’t go into here.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you some of the things I saw on my mountain trek!

Flowers.  I thought these pink ones (peonies, perhaps?) were unusual.

The last of the Camas.

And I saw lots of reluctant-poser bees along the way.

Here I am taking the trails up.

Lots of the grass is brown.  It’s been very dry here, and doesn’t look like we will get rain again for a long time.

Everything continues to be early – here are blackberries flowering.  This walk will be quite delicious in a month or two.

A few views from the top.  It’s hard to see here, but I am looking towards home and there is a cruise ship in the distance.  The cruise ship tour bus (well, one of them) was driving up to the top of Mt. Tolmie just as I was heading down.  Tourists!

And finally, resting at home after another long day…

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/south/

I’m trying to get back on track with a lot of things – I really am.  I got a lot of gardening done on the weekend (and there is more to do, but there is ALWAYS more to do).  And yesterday I went for a walk after work.  Ok, not a run, but I did go for a hour and 17 minute walk (thanks Runtastic!)  And I did walk briskly, at least between short stops for taking pictures.

That’s right.  I went for a walk with my camera, and not just any camera, my DSLR of The Great Blogging A to Z Challenge (which is why I had to walk – can’t run with that baby)!  Turns out I need to work on my camera skills again.  Many of my pictures came out blurry or too bright.  Gotta review my posts!!

Anyway, here is some of the things I encountered on my walk – the pictures that kind of turned out ok anyway…

The “Sorry” kind of gives it away that we’re in Canada, eh?

Bees everywhere, and none of them helpfully staying still for a photo op

The seagulls, however, enjoyed posing

As did the bridge

Couldn’t get a clear shot of the ducklings no matter what I did.  Maybe time to try one of my auto modes?

I’d never seen Moss Lady before – she was pretty cool!

And this was the last of my DSLR shots for my walk.

I’m going to try for a walk and maybe a run today too – we’ll see what happens!

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/buddy/

We spent a good part of the day gardening, Well, gardening in the sense of the “weed the front yard, line it with bricks, and then shovel and put down mulch” kind of gardening, while Kevin did a little whipper-snipping and mowing.

Here is the new view from the front step.

I still have a little corner to dig up in that there front yard (the side yard’s lawn will be next year’s project), although we may put a big pot there…a big pot meaning a bit clawfoot tub we can fill with bamboo.

Here is the front yard from a side view

And the other side…

And now from the front.

The front yard is now all ready to plant things in!

And here’s what’s left of 5 yards of soil and 2 yards of mulch.  A little left to fill that tub with soil and mulch some of the back yard.

And at the end of the day, when I was too sore to move, I sat on the deck and watched clouds while Kevin BBQ’d dinner.

All in all, a good day!

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/healthy/

So yesterday I FINALLY got my raised beds planted.  No excuses.  I have just been not getting it done.  So now, here we go…

Sunflowers and potatoes

Zucchini, squash and onions

Beans!  Some are underground…

Carrots and beets – yes, they are there.

Kale and chard (and a little dill)

Spinach, garlic chive, butter lettuce and a little arugula

Tomatoes and peppers in pots

And on the deck…tomatoes

And peppers!

As well as some additional herbs:  cilantro and dill

I also added some colour to some empty pots.  I still have a few pots to fill, but this was a start:

And finally, something that made me laugh yesterday (the “N” sticker is for Novice driver… the rest speaks for itself!)

A response in avoidance of the Daily Post’s Writing Prompt https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/underestimate/

I got to my first-thing-in-the-morning appointment early yesterday morning, so just wandered close by and looked around.  It really is amazing the things you notice when you take the time…

Chestnut tree with flowers spent

Old blossoms littering the grass

A little bark action on the same tree

Looking up, way up!

That’s the challenge – taking the time to just enjoy where you are in the moment.  And that is as profound as it gets today!