Ready to leave home?

Can't say being constrained at home most days for many weeks is bothering me a lot.

I love being at home.

 However, I now find myself thinking more about what to plan for travel once we

 can actually pack up and go somewhere a little further than Costco! 

The cars sit in the driveway with full tanks and nowhere to roam.

The suitcases collect dust in the attic.

Here, inland, we are being blessed with gentle rain this morning as

 Tropical Storm Arthur, now just 50 miles off the North Carolina coast, 

is passing the Outer Banks with winds reaching 73 mph.  

Many hurricanes are forecast for this year's season, we wait and hope

 they aren't devastating.

People have enough to contend with already!

The garden needs a good deep water following the hot weekend, 

and rain is so much better than dragging the hoses around.

This week will see plenty of rain thanks to Arthur!

Speaking of gardens, how about this neighborhood gem.

When we walked Saturday we loved finding this U PICK - Everyone Welcome 

sign on a curbside raised bed. The gnome was cute keeping watch.

 Beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash etc. are coming along for picking soon, 

meanwhile I snipped a little bunch of curly parsley and pineapple sage.  

Pretty Serena & Lily summertime seaside offerings. 

Hopefully we will get to a coastal location sometime this summer.

Have you made any travel plans yet?

 My visit to the beautiful Cape Verde Islands last year - where most of the US east coast 

 hurricanes come from!  

Saturday morning. . . . . . . . .

The light this morning is bright and lovely with sunshine and

 blue skies. . . . . . . but will it last?

Doubtful with the current weather forecast. Hurricane Florence has become the

 first major storm of the season and, as always, the east coast gets nervous.

The entire week ahead shows rain and thunderstorm activity. . . . . . even this

afternoon we will probably get hit by a storm.

I have veggies to grill so my 'grill master' has just received his marching orders

 to get out there early and fire up the Weber . . . . . . . . . . here's your apron Bob!

Meanwhile, I'm heading to the garden to pick the last tomatoes, the few green

 bell peppers which are small but will add flavor to the grill, and a last clipping 

of basil for pesto. Figs have been left for visiting birds, squirrels and deer, they

were disappointing this year - late coming in, sparse, and not flavorful as in

other years. 

Thanks to each of you who commented on my previous post. 

Knowing your kind wishes and prayers are heading across the pond

 to Denise as she faces yet another serious health issue, makes me

 realize yet again, how special and generous blog friends are. 

Hoping your weekend is bright and beautiful.

This is May?

Subtropical storm Alberto pushing north disrupted outdoor Memorial Day plans for

 many in the south and southeast US yesterday. It continues on its way bringing

 rain and dreary conditions here in our area with the possibility of more flash flooding

 when the rain bands intensify. . . . . . . all one can do is wait, hope and pray all

will improve as the week moves on.

Our fig tree doesn't seem to mind the rain. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . neither do the nibbling rabbits!

Blooming now: roses, gardenia (newly planted and doing well), 

favorite blue hydrangeas, and the row of leaves along the brick wall are

 my beloved sunflowers growing from the seeds I saved from last year's 

huge flower heads (I'm hoping they will be as beautiful this summer).

Already have a bird nesting in the new birdhouse - a bluebird I think -

there are twigs sticking out of one of the entrances!

Stay safe all dear friends in the path of the storm - brighter days

are ahead.