Marking the seasons with the love of my life.
                    Another year in the adventure...

August 1

Such a happy first day of the month!

First, I slept in til 8:30 which is pure luxury,

even if it was because
I couldn't fall asleep on the right side of night.

Then I began a 30 day lettering challenge.

I added the last two words on my own

since what is the point of all things new

without Christ?

There was sunshine all over the place.

joyous, drinkable stuff!

I don't have a picture to prove it

but after weeks and weeks of rain

you have to believe it was marvelous.

My sister stopped in unexpectedly;

having her near is a sweetness I still can hardly believe.

I showed her my amazing sunflower--

"Never be afraid to stand out in a crowd!"

she exclaimed happily.
I went to the Amish Grocery for Hero.
He had me buy hoagies for all the guys
at work in honor of the employee who
is starting a teaching job this month. 

While having lunch on my garden swing

I spotted this gal--I am so excited to

see a butterfly that I'm not familiar with!

But then, I never get over him either,
no matter how often I have a monarch in my flowers.

After lunch, I took a half-hour drive south,
over the mountain, and in a few 

seconds I had a rather surreal but very

official document in hand--Blaze's Diploma!

I actually successfully shopped bigbox alone
and got everything I needed; a remarkable feat
since my list was at home on the counter.
I finished up a pretty box of goodies
for the Wedding we couldn't attend and delivered it.
So, it's delightful satisfaction to be told it "looks like" me.
(Think butterflies, Bible verse and bright blue tulle.)

On the way home I paused to take a picture
of the sun on Main Street--you can just
make out the roof of our house if you know
what to look for-- Oh, that sun! Oh, that blue sky!

But, like a benediction of a very rainy July,
The first day of August closes with the typical evening

rain...

With my heart full of blessings,
Zinnia Girl! 

Birthday

We surprised Blaze and showed up at camp

on her 19th Birthday!

We found her busy in the kitchen

and it was great fun getting to

work alongside her.

(Hero washed dishes

and I served "dinner rolls"--

until I realized that the kids

better understood "Buns").
The campers bellowed the 
Happy Birthday song to her
after beating on the tables 
in rhythm to her name.
After three strait days of rain
on junior camp, the noise level
was phenomenal!

We heard her sing with the

staff at chapel, then went

for a walk before heading home.

      Life guard duty happens here in the afternoons.

     What a lovely place to play!

Goodnight, Blaze...She still has a night game to hide in

and a cabin of girls to check on, as their prayer partner.

Blessings,
Zinnia Girl!

firemen's parade

Tradition here runs deep,
as well as dedication
and pride; 
All good things when it pours rain
on the Firemen's Parade.















Neighbors crowded on porches
and under umbrellas,
there was plenty of candy to scramble for.




But the Firemen's festival that always follows this parade
was pretty much spoiled by the deluge.
I couldn't help but notice that those left
to stand dripping in the food line or
crowd under the eaves and in the truck bays to eat,
were all our own firefighters...
visiting firefighters...
fire-police...
EMTs...
Volunteers...

They work hard
they show up
they protect their community
they line up for parades with huge bags of candy...
in the rain...
then they buy a hamburger
for the sake of the brotherhood.


What do you do to support
your First Responders?

Blessings
Zinnia Girl!

p.s. it was a fabulous parade
& we came home rather soaked--
We had a hot cup of tea
before bed even though it is July!

summer morning joys

Cool breezes

Prism splashes

Just one more 

surprisingly sweet

lessons 

no limit



curls

Savor the wonder of this day!
Zinnia Girl!