These are such beautiful and strong flowers. Why do they take so long to grow? Plant them in May and it is September before they show. We went again to school today, on a Saturday. Only two teachers were there, me and a friend. I was able to get more done without questions from co-workers about why I didn't remember THEIR passwords and why they need an ethernet cord for their computer and other inane questions. I have to be more patient.

Got rid of a lot of old junk. Twenty year old clay, unopened, went into the dumpster. I do hope the Gods of the landfills know I am a good person and really didn't mean to keep this stuff all that time only to throw it away.

Will the September morning frost come late so that the blue glories will delight me?

My dad was a barber. I sort of liked smelling the men's hair tonics in the lighted glass case he had in his self-built barber shop when he would bring all of my siblings to clean on Sundays some many years ago. He had a neon sign and an old-fashioned barber pole that he was so very proud of. My siblings and I don't know what happened to that pole.

Today I saw this pole and told my sister to STOP the car so I could take a picture. I really just took a couple of snaps and then started to get back in my sister's car. Two people came out of the barber shop and started gesturing to us. Quizzical expressions that I felt I should explain myself that what I was doing was just a childhood memory.

The owner of the shop and his son came out. I got out and explained that my dad was a barber and that his pole brought back such memories. (Ya think he will tell his wife about that crazy woman?) They were not happy with me but by the time I had stopped explaining and babbbling both were smiling. The younger son said that they had been trying to get the barber pole out on a post nearer the road but that the city wouldn't let them.

Gotta get those barber pole shots while you can.

Wish I had my dad's barber pole and neon sign. NO I wish I had a bright neon sign and pole that went round and round and said something funny.

I heard the first locust sing yesterday. This signals the end of summer for me. I don't know why they are singing. Probably for sex or food. Right now I would sing for a stun gun to silence children, without harm of course.

There are exactly five months left to do Christmas shopping. I'm looking for an eighteen inch bike for an early August birthday. Found an outside flood light today to replace one that was put up by a dear fellow some six years ago. The store clerk said I couldn't possibly have one that lasted six years. I said, oh yes I did, I remember exactly when it was replaced. Karl and I were sneaking a beer outside when he put it up for me. Twelve months later he was gone except for my ever memories. We miss you, the light called your name.

Daughter told me today that her new knee pads made her a better skateboarder. The magic those marketeers create.

The pickle jar? I was going to get to that. Did the grocery thing with five kids. Didn't want to go back to the pickle aisle after missing the pickles the first by pass. Sent daughter after a jar and thought she'd come back with a 12 or 15 ounce thing. Har har, she got the big one. Turns out they were on sale. How long will they last? Maybe through Thursday.

Couldn't get rid of the "salmon" glow on the top without it looking like a photoshop mistake. I painted the front door red, red this week. The glow is from the door color.

Singing locusts, red doors, pickles, Karl, beautiful kids and the end of July.

Beans are tender and tasty. Tomatoes are still green. Weeds are at relative bay. Sunflowers are promising. Cucumbers are almost gone. Early year for stuff. Every year is different.

Could we be helping the birds here or enabling them to be lazy and helpless?

I put out several bird feeders earlier this later winter in hopes of taking some pictures of the birds. Always an angle to whatever anyone does, I believe. I've found the varieties of seed and equipment and necessary stuff to attract the birds.

They are here and I find myself loading up these feeders daily. THEY EAT A LOT OF SEED! They also make quite a mess under the feeders, these seeds will be sprouting all sorts of weird plants to make the lawn look stranger than the neighbors.

We have red-winged blackbirds, pigeons, sparrows, wrens, a few cardinals, grackles, one pretty yellow bird (thistle seed is expensive) and many more that I can't remember at this writing.

What do they eat if I am not there to supply the seed?

Or do they just sit in their nests and wonder what seed I will have and complain if it is not what they want as they don't have the joy of seeking out anything in scarcity or less convenient places? If humans give them seed, do the birds quit looking for it in it's usual locations? Is there no answer for this question?

I saw a fox run across the road today.

I'm hearing Ghost Riders in the Sky. Mulch is sitting by the side of the garage. Kids are making messes in the bathroom, darkness is upon us. Have had the viral crud for three days and am slowly returning to human form. Mowed the lawn and conquered a few weeds intimidating the tomatoes, beans and sunflowers earlier today.

Went in search of ice cream, did this last year at the this time too.

Anticipation is bothering me. Can't plan it, stop planning it. Instead seek it out and embrace it when it happens.

Sounds so completely easy. Yeah right.

Mulch Riders in the Sky.