The New Nornal

Well, here we go.  I've been seeing bloggers who have already switched to the new Blogger format and are not happy with it.  Figured I'd better get aboard and see what the fuss is about.  Besides, I'm way behind on posting anyway. 

My days go by so fast.  They all seem to be duplicates of the one before so much that I'm tempted to call them all Ground Hog's Day.   I went on one social outing to my sewing group where we all pretty much sit far apart anyway.  It was good to see the girls again but don't know if we'll do it again.   Since more things have opened up here in Georgia, our little county shot up from about 30 cases to nearly 60 cases with an additional death.  Of course, folks from the Atlanta metro area and Florida and other places are coming up now, so that expands the risk for our residents. 

I've been over to the park only once in the past several months.  I missed most of the flowers there.  The mountain laurel was still blooming but the rhododendrum and native azaleas were already done. 

The creek was running beautifully though.  It is a lovely park and it was a factor in our choice of places to live.  

My husband had hernia repair surgery at the end of May and is doing well in his recovery.  The first week or so he was pretty sedentary but he's now feeling much better and wanting to do things.  I have to ride herd on him sometimes due to his tendency to overdo things, even when his health is normal.  He still thinks he's 50 years old and he's not.

We've had a lot of rain this past winter and spring and the woods around us are so thick and lush.  I love all the shades of green and all the shapes of the various leaves and plants.  Just wish some of those plants wouldn't grow where I don't want them, if you know what I mean!  Pulling weeds is a constant job and it can get away from you easily.  

I'm having lovely flowers this year.  I finally got my hydrangea to grow and look like its supposed to. 

  Here are some of the others that are in bloom right now. 

Taken near dusk

Hummers love this red salvia

Pentas, stokes asters, yarrow and penstemmon

Crocosmia nearing bloom, butterfly weed, blackeyed susans and coneflowers

The asters are blooming out more every day and the crocosmia will be doing its thing shortly.  My knockout roses had a glorious first wave.  They are putting out buds and will be waving proudly soon.  I try to keep them going until the fall and they will do that if I can remember to keep them fed on time.

Now, if I could get deck plants to look as good I'd be pleased.  One thing I'm not pleased about is how quickly the landscaping timbers on the above bed have deteriorated.  This bed was put in place in 2015 I think it was and some of the timbers have already rotted.  We have a carpenter/contractor coming soon for some other work and hope I can get them to do repairs on these beds as well.

This covid 19 virus has us all in turmoil.  Our lives have been rearranged without our permission and it all takes some getting used to.  It makes me wonder what normal will look like going forward.  I know we've cancelled a number of plans due to it, including attendance at our granddaughter's wedding which is out of state.  My husband just does not feel safe taking the risk, considering his age and health issues.  It breaks our hearts not to go.  

I hope all of you stay safe and as happy as you can be. 

Y'all take care