Friday Five: Growth opportunities

Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.
~Al Bernstein
1. Turtle-ish writer that I am, I'm celebrating that my getalong is finally catching up to my gumption. (To mix metaphors, "the little engine that could" is finally cresting that hill…) Translated, this means that, aside from the occasional sleuthing trip, I'm spending more time at my writing desk these days. So if you don't see me posting here, you know where to find me. June is a time for growth…CAN I GET A WITNESS? 

2. Between writing sessions, I'm also spending time in my garden. Earlier this spring, I sprinkled special soil amendments around the base of these hydrangeas, in hopes that I could turn the blossoms blue. But hydrangeas have a mind of their own, as you can plainly see.

3. Dainty springtime flowers are slowly giving way to the hardier plants of summer. Fuschias for the hummingbirds, roses for me. Here, a trio of tiny dancers flits across an imaginary stage, tutus flouncing…

4. But sigh, even the hardiest plants fall prey to neglect. Conversely, they suffer from too much attention. You know where this is going, don't you? Hovercraft attentive gardener that I am, I may have ruined my brand new roses. I overwatered them. In a precaffeinated morning haze, I reached for the organic insect/disease control spray. Yikes! I accidentally doused their pretty faces with Spray 'n Wash. And lo, my long-suffering plants are showing signs of shock. They're not blossoming much, and the fringed edges of the (yellowed) leaves are scorched. *Sob* I'm too embarrassed to post pictures…. 

5. Oh, but wait 'til you here this! A package arrived on my doorstep earlier this week. Inside…whoa. A gadget-savvy, very dear friend gave me a super-wazoo camera! Such a generous and thoughtful gesture; I'm still wide-eyed with amazement. It's got all kinds of fancy-pants features; still, it's light and nimble, which means I can fling onto the seat of my roadster, can sling around my neck when I'm gardening or hiking. Given a little (lot of) practice, it'll take me way beyond the limitations of my trusty little point-and-shoot, so yay! Another opportunity to learn and grow! Extra bonus: In losing myself behind the camera lens, I oftentimes find inspiration for my writing.  

Here's to June, a month for change and growth. However that manifests itself for me, I'm ready.

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  1. A time for growth indeed!!! I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been spending time with your writing desk. Sleuthing is great but sitting down and uncovering the truth in your words is a beautiful thing too! So go you, go!!!!

    Awwwwwwwwwww… i’m sorry to hear you hosed down your flowers with some icky stuff. 🙁 That’s no good at all. I hope they’re able to recover soon!

    And a fancy new camera? That’s so awesome!!! I look forward to seeing what you capture on film with that new gadget!!!

    • Sleuthing is great but sitting down and uncovering the truth in your words is a beautiful thing too!

      YES, and I’m so glad you said this. It really resonated with me, and it’s a healthy perspective that I want to carry with me, going forward.

  2. Great minds think alike — I posted the same June quote. 🙂

    Sorry to hear about the roses — the other flowers you shared are gorgeous!

    Have fun with the writing and photographing. Looking forward to seeing more lovely blossoms and stuff . . .

    Happy June!

    • 🙂 I love that quote, and am not at all surprised that it caught your eye, too.

      I’m hoping my roses survive, despite my…uh, hovering. As Susan said, “Gardening is a good lesson in letting go.”

      Happy June to you, too, Jama. xoxo

  3. a trio of tiny dancers flits across an imaginary stage, tutus flouncing

    Wow! This line is sheer poetry!

    Yah for the writing progress and the new camera!

      • Re: a trio of tiny dancers flits across an imaginary stage, tutus flouncing

        Fooled you into thinking I write poetry, did I? I guess if anything inspires that kind of writing, Mother Nature does… 🙂 xo

    • Re: a trio of tiny dancers flits across an imaginary stage, tutus flouncing

      Ha, and thank you! I don’t consider myself a poet by any means, but I’m glad you liked the imagery.

      Happy (early days of) Summer! I hope all is well in Tulipsville… xo

    • Thank you, Heather.
      I wish I could share it with you up close, or send some of it your way.
      Thank you for stopping by and…that is all. No, wait. It’s just the beginning. xo

  5. I’m so sorry about the roses. I think I have killed one of my new manzanitas and possibly my madrone. This gardening, it is so often a lesson in letting go.

    I’m looking forward to seeing photos from the new camera.

    • This gardening, it is so often a lesson in letting go.

      Ah, Susan, you are so right! By extension, that’s a life lesson, too. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

      xoxo

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