I have missed you all - the chit chat, the photos, and the common bond we share. Thank you dear Carol for carrying on. You are just the one to rein us in when we go off the rails and who keeps us in a positive mood when the chips are down. So, many thanks!

The season started with company in June, which I LOVE, and two granddaughter's weddings, wonderfully happy things to celebrate, then, more recently, the crushing sadness of saying good bye to my little Daisy. Most of you have lost a precious pet, so you know. Her tumor had grown so quickly in the last two months, it was bigger than she was and she could no longer walk. I held her sweet head in my hands and kissed her little face with a million kisses until she was romping through fields of wildflowers with her puppy brother. She was mine for 18 years.

In June I had a Pulmonary Embolism or Thrombosis. Anyway, a blood clot to the heart. I passed out in the garden. I thought I had fainted from the heat. My husband called 911 a week later when I couldn't breathe. I have such admiration and respect for emergency responders!! They saved my life. I didn't even have a dr. because I never even have a cold. Never been on a prescription. Looks like heart surgery is in my future which I'm trying to not think about. The heart failure makes me tired - Deborah, I know that feeling you're talking about! The desire is there, but the body wants to take a nap. I'm sad to hear about your Dad's wife's stroke. So sorry. I hope she recovers completely. I'm with her on the walker. I had to use one in the hospital, and decided I'm not coordinated enough. The meds are supposed to shrink the blood clots in my legs and lungs.

The good news is my roses bloomed non stop all season without any care. I can see the garden from the house, and I can't express the joy all that color brings me. Best year ever! Roses I had given up on were at peak performance. I went out to the garden first thing when I got home and cut Peppermint Pop to the ground. It seemed important and it was so satisfying. Kristine, I thought of you the whole time. Don't worry, you wouldn't have wanted that monster. That was the last of my gardening for the year.

Daisy's vet did the sweetest thing. They sent wildflower seeds pressed into heart shaped handmade paper to be planted as a remembrance. Such a lovely idea.

I posted these on IG, so if you've seen them there, I apologize for the repeat.