Just being, being treated and no worries

This garden belongs to a shop near my sister's home in northern Florida.  It was so lovely to just sit and wait and watch bees buzzing and listen to the people to my left laughing, as they worked a car wash for charity.

Neighbor Mike decided to hand out this "treat" of an alcoholic cherry cola to his middle aged neighbor ladies, as we all stood talking one afternoon.  The label made me smile, so I had a little photo shoot in my kitchen, as I do sometimes.  And then I tried it.  Ugh!  :)

There is a lot to worry about in the world right now - I try not to worry, but do sometimes.  And then I spotted this poem that made me smile.

Indoor pool, Go West and 25

- I admire this dog's perseverance and it's something we can all relate to - the HEAT was getting to him. :) Make sure you watch it to the end.

- Niece's husband TS (does that make him my nephew?) is posting all across America on his cross country motorcycle trip with friends. A comment from yesterday: "Today we ride into the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and winding green roads through rolling hills under blue skies. Theme song of the day is Go West (from Pet Shop Boys)." I like that theme song thing - we should all do that for our day.

- I was one of the winners of the Sunday Quiz over at Fireblossom's blog and got a poem! She asked that I send a topic, but I sent a couple of New York photos taken in May instead and look at the result. Thanks, FB! Check out "25" here.

Pop up shower, cooling spray and Rain (poem)

- This late afternoon rain shower that popped up. I like watching rain like this from my living room and how it leaves the air feeling so fresh.

- Another good road race memory from Monday: smiling city workers positioned beside open fire hydrants - open so participants could walk through the cooling spray of water.

- I leave you now with a poem by Shel Silverstein (sounds so Garrison Keillor!) I like his poems because they speak to the child in everyone:

Rain

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Afternoon tour, the Burns Club and old long since

- On a brisk and windy afternoon, touring the replica of the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns' birthplace. It was opened to the public for just two days this year as part of "A celebration of living landmarks" series in Atlanta.

- The cottage was built in 1910 by The Burns Club of Atlanta, a "literary and social" club, founded in 1896. It is the only replica of Burns' birthplace in Scotland that exists.

- Friend Lori and I paused to read the inset dedication stone on the outside of the building, a tribute to "the gentle peasant prince."

- There was poetry reading and history sharing by some of its members, as well as the tour. I think the author of "Auld Lang Syne" would have appreciated that people came to pay tribute and have a cookie on this day.

I hope you do something fun this weekend, my friends. Have a lovely one!

More fun here, delight and all the ages

- No doubt! A 30ish man with shaved head and cool glasses, carrying a newspaper, walks up to unlock the door while I photograph the sign. He looks around and smiles. I wave a thank you.

- Having a discussion with a co-worker about how we should always endeavor to delight our customers. Mr C's seems intent on doing that. I look for it in other places, too. Last evening I called to find out when my favorite employee at Chico's will be in to work. She never forgets my name and for that she always gets my business.

- Struck by this quote from Monday, October 5 on my FranklinCovey planner: "You aren't just the age you are. You are all the ages you ever have been." Kenneth Koch

you said Is, treasures and looking forward

- e.e. cummings. A poet with a joyful perspective on life.

- Sitting in a gracious woman's living room and admiring her collection of china figurines, reminding me of things my grandmother treasured.

- A young lady at Chick-fil-A having great patience with someone who doesn't usually order fast food, saying, "It's Wednesday - you have two days to go before the weekend." Looking forward to that.

Holy Thursday, full moon and quote

- Looking forward to the Maundy Thursday service at my church tonight; we will leave the church in silence to stand around a watchfire that will be attended all night.

- "When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator" --- Mahatma Gandhi... And the moon is particularly beautiful this morning. Huge, full and orange against a deep blue and purple sky.

- Quote of the day from my Franklin Covey planner: Worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due. --- William Ralph Inge. Pretty good advice, I think.