Flowers - butterflies - Hurricane Isaias -

Flowers do it. . . . . . 

brighten the room, cheer one up!

Stopped at the grocery for lettuce and a cuke, and bought two bunches of

 alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) just $8.00. Added sprigs of rosemary, dill

 and ivy - a pretty combo.

We really went out to deliver figs and tomatoes, and to drive around the neighborhood,

looking at houses. Interested in seeing how they fit the new 'mansions' on small

 lots as that's what we will see next door in the coming months most likely.

 I guess the old proverb 'where's there a will there's a way' will allow this to happen.

A Red Admiral, the first I've seen this year. 

Apparently they enjoy eating fermenting fruit - plenty of figs in the higher 

tree branches where we can't reach to pick.

I'm also seeing bees up there. . . . .along with the ever present catbirds, 

mockingbirds and robins, and this morning the rabbit is back under the

tree munching non-stop.

 Sighing a breath of relief this beautiful morning as our area fared well as

 Hurricane Isaias churned past overnight dropping heavy rain.

 We prepared as always for these possible catastrophic events, moving

 our cars from under the big trees, storing anything which could become

 a flying object in strong winds from the porch and deck.  

Fingers were crossed that there would be no power outages, tornadoes

 and no trees down - fortunately around here just a few twigs are littering

 the ground.

The air is so much cooler and the sun is shining brightly this morning.

 Everywhere looks freshly washed, plants and shrubs standing tall, 

grass refreshed and perhaps a little greener.

Other places along the coast have a lot of damage and as the 

storm heads north it will impact many more. My thoughts are 

now with everyone in the path of Isaias.

Thankful and grateful today here.