Dear Sunday Letter friends,
Yep. We survived another steamy hot week. And, since my last letter, I celebrated a milestone birthday—the Big 6-0. Sounds serious, doesn’t it? Like it’s time to get on with things; the sands in the hour glass are slipping through at an alarming rate. Well, to tell you the truth, I look forward to birthdays and see them as a positive, a time for celebrating another successful trip around the sun while reflecting on memories and anticipating new things ahead. Sort of like New Year’s Day, but in my case, with way hotter weather and bucketloads of sunscreen.
😎😎😎
Good Things That Happened Last Week
In addition to my birthday, lots of good things happened last week. Simple things that made me happy. I believe when you start noticing the tiny simple things, you really begin to live life to the fullest.
A few of my happys…
- I saw a zebra swallowtail in our backyard. These unique butterflies aways catch my eye because I don’t often see them.
- My squash and pole beans are healthy and growing.
- The aroma of birthday flowers still fills my house today.
- The birth of a friend’s first grandbaby:))) How exciting!
- Eating Strawberry Cake for my birthday. My sister made it, and it was as delicious as always.
- Noticing a nature-related art exhibit at the library; returning home with a stack of books to read—yay!
What would really make me happy is rain. We desperately need it. And I wouldn’t turn down a few seasonable temperature days too. These 100+ degrees are not fit for woman nor schnauzer nor hydrangea.
Maybe we could all do a little rain dance together? Say at noon?
It couldn’t hurt.
An Announcement
I’m having surgery soon. And I wanted to let you know so that when I go radio silent for a while, you’ll know I’m in recovery mode.
I don’t want to get into the details here; I’m sure you understand. While mine is a rather common surgery, it is considered major. Thank goodness for advanced medical care!
Let this serve as a reminder to get your annual exams. You never know what might be lurking or growing or happening to your body.
Also, because I’m having surgery soon, I will be self-quarantining beforehand. I certainly don’t want to show up at the hospital for my surgery and test positive for Covid. The newest variant is the most highly transmissible yet. I have too much coming up—our son’s wedding and a book launch—to risk having to reschedule. Not to mention, I need to get it over and done with for my health. So I’m back to wearing a mask and mostly staying home until go time. Not ideal but I’m a homebody anyway, so there’s that.
Monarch Conundrum
This time last summer, my butterfly hotels were filled with monarch caterpillars. This summer, NONE. Other than a few caterpillars from eggs laid during the early spring migration, I have found no monarch caterpillars on my milkweed. And I look every day.
I have several beautiful stands of swamp milkweed ready and waiting. Look at all that good eatin’!
So far, I’ve found a few aphids and milkweed bugs. We have a variety of other butterflies flitting about, but where are the monarchs?
Is the heat to blame? Has anyone else noticed a similar situation?
Maybe they will head our way during migration to Mexico.
Things Momma Says
It’s too bad we couldn’t be singers.
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Thanks for reading this rather brief Sunday Letter. Please send prayers, good vibes, or whatever positivity you can spare my way during the next few weeks. Thanks a bunch!
Talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
Talya, thinking of you and hoping for a quick recovery. Be on the lookout for how kind the nurses are…..the profession draws the people with the biggest hearts and smartest minds. xo
Love and prayers for a speedy recovery! Also prayers for the doctors and nurses!
I think the only reason the Fossil Fuel Industry cares little about Monarchs and other pollinators, is because they can ‘t carry picket signs saying, “You’re killing us!” or vote. Good luck with the surgery, and know that only positive happy thoughts are headed your way from Maine.
Prayers & wishes for good vibes! And belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Prayers for a successful surgery & speedy recovery 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I will be thinking of You ..praying for You and wishing You a good, good recovery 🙏🏼🌺❣️
Speedy healing and positive experience wishes are coming your way. And the rain dances worked here in N Central, Ar. We had a good amount of rain last night. It would have been nice to have a gentle, all night rain; but bucket loads and high winds prevailed and we’ll take it. The earth smells and feels so refreshing this morning. Get lots of reading done while you recover.
Oh, and belated happy Birthday wishes!! 🎂
Prayers for a successful surgery, and a smooth recovery.
Prayers for a successful surgery & recovery! 💕
Will be praying for rain for everyone, some relief from the heat and a speedy recovery for you Talya.
You know what they say about aging in this day: 60 is the new 40! I’m glad you’re not worrying over another year. You will be beautiful at 100. I’m going to call you about that surgery.
Talya I am day late reading your upbeat letter.
I’ll certainly be thinking of you as you go through surgery and hopefully a full recovery soon.
I’ve seen a few monarch butterflies flitting around my zinnias but not many or often. Hmmm!!!
I’ve been trying to hook up with netgalley for a few days. I finally sent an email for support on Friday. They were good to respond this morning but I’m still stuck. The app requires iOS 13 or more and my iPad is up to date at 12.5. I can probably get it on my iPhone but that is too small to suit me. I’ll keep trying to figure something out. At least I have a netgalley account now.
Take care!!!