Focus

I don't think I have any. Focus, that is. Thank goodness the hardest part of the school year is done. My classroom life is unfocused, my home life is unfocused. I don't like it!

Even at bell choir the director stopped us midway and wrote FOCUS on the white board. We weren't our best ringing selves. Not the most awful we've ever been but the handy hint for better living was appropriate.

I don't even want to focus enough to make a plan. Well, kind of. I do want to make my summer plans-just not the plans between now and then.

The Santolina Show!

I do believe I asked for masses of little blooms to pop open!

Brightening the flower bed under the Mediterranean Palm.

At dusk. I was trying to see if less contrast, less light would give me clearer photos of the flowers. I think it worked.

After working very hard with the macro setting here is the Santolina Photo of the Day:


And the runner up:



Calla Lily Pair: I spent a fun day with my younger niece and nephew on Saturday. It was her birthday but also Fire Services Day. Her Dad surprised her with a little birthday part at his station. He and her brother had made her a balance beam so she can practice at home! Grandpa came along and we had a fine time looking at different type of fire trucks. Some were those my brother had helped design. My brother also surprised the kids with their new pets, Sulcata Tortoises from Africa.


After reading up on them with the kids I can say these are not the tortoises for just anyone. They take some very specific care and need a large area or yard. At 12 years old they could weigh 25 pounds. They will grow to 100 pounds and be about 24 inches long. They are also very long lived and can be expected to outlive their owners.

Of Fridays, Fires, and Flowers

First the flowers...my little tiny Santolinas (Lavender Cotton) are finally opening up....just a few. Cute, cute, cute. The flowers are less than 1/2 an inch when fully open. I'm hoping by time the weekend is over the mass of little flowers will be open. Cute, cute, cute.


I've been praying for the fire fighters and residents of the Santa Barbara area with the outbreak and spread of the Jesusita fire this week. My sister and brother-in-law are under evacuation orders. For tonight sis thinks they're safe. The fire is moving away from them.

Friday, yay! We have 13 days of school left and about that much work to get done. I haven't had a relaxed end to the school year like this-ever. I'm still busy with details, reports, cleaning up the room, etc. But, no IEPs. Usually I have 4-6 in May. None! I didn't think it was possible.

Oh my.

We had our usual Thursday lunch, a friend and I. As we were leaving and she was talking about her mother-in-law and husband, who are both ill, I encouraged her to contact Hospice. It might be too early but they will assess for her and let her know. She needs more help. She needs professionals to go to bat for her loved ones and to make their days easier.

So, we say good-bye. I hop in my car and promptly dissolve in tears. Everything from Mom's last three weeks, from Christmas to starting hospice to the night before she died when she was jello in our arms, came flooding back. Such treasured and difficult days. Such grief.

It's a good thing I had to get back to work or I may have sat and sobbed for more than a few minutes. Oh my.

More Lavender Cotten/Santolina:

The Amaryllis haven't quit yet:

Mom's Calla Lily has a little friend:

Some days......Other days.....

Some days I have a migraine and this makes it go away:

Other days I take this again a few hours later, have a nap, and then take some tylenol, too. It's dulled enough for me to enjoy choir but it's not gone. Pleh.

This was Mom's

What a lovely surprise. I went out to take today's photos of the Amaryllis show and found this, too! I gave it to her one spring, Easter, birthday.

I'm happy and pleased to have this lily blooming (miniature calla) but sad at the same time. It makes me miss Mom, miss bringing her things, miss knowing that even if she couldn't focus on the flowers I knew that she liked them anyways.

The Amaryllis Show yet continues:


I like how ruffly this latest Amaryllis is. Bloom of the Day:

Spring Rain

A soft, warm rain is falling. It was spitty and dusty earlier. This should keep the dust down for the rest of the weekend. It's Relay for Life. They don't need to be walking in the dust.

I'm enjoying having things on an even keel. State testing is over at school and I have no more IEPs. I don't cry so much at church. I do think of mom often. I have a few friends whose mom's are not well or have recently died. I just hug them and tell them, "I know." They'll call if they need me and I'll keep checking in with them.

Last night was my nephew's jazz vocal ensemble's concert, his last with them. They were marvelous. I so enjoyed every piece they presented. Several stood out but I got the feeling that what stood out for one audience member wouldn't be the same for the next. I love that. I'm so happy I took the time to be there.

The amaryllis show isn't quite over. Here are today's photos:

Bloom of the Day: