The Moon in June

Stepped outside onto our back deck last night...
To say good-night to my plants.
A huge light, partially obscured by clouds, partially hidden by trees shone down on me.

I slammed the screen door behind me and quickly crossed to the edge of our deck. Looking up, I strained to see through the clouds. That was the moon, wasn't it? It was so bright! At least the little bit I could see from the doorway. Too many tree leaves in the way.
Drat! Ran into the middle of the lawn for a better view.
Only a ripple of silvery light.... washing over some clouds.
But it was a huge ripple - like a big round ball!

That's it. Back in the house (Hubby had retired for the night).
Flung open the garage door.
Sprang onto my trusty bicycle wearing capris (which Hubby insists on calling pedal pushers) and flip-flops.

Pedaled like a mad-woman through our quiet streets seeking the Moon (she's almost full)!

Looked up and saw a bat flying overhead - wonder if it's the same one from my evening walk not long ago. This one looks bigger. Do they grow that fast? Or did I see junior last time, and this was mother or father?
Never mind -

Faster and faster I pedaled, trying to get to a place where there were no trees in the way. A little voice inside my head whispered "Hmmm - pedaling your bike in flip-flops? Not too smart. Weren't you the person who had plantar fasciitis not too long ago? Hmmmmm??"

Too bad - this was not going to be a long ride (pant, pant - whew, how much further?)
At least wearing capris (summer pants that end just below the knee), no long pants material would get caught in the bicycle chain. Been there, done that!

It really wasn't too far to the end of the street and up a short hill, but I was going as fast as I could - trying to catch a glimpse of the almost-full moon before a cloud totally hid it's round, serene, shining light.

I love to watch the full moon come up. Hubby and I used to do that in the summertime while feasting on a dairy queen chocolate sundae. We'd drive over to the DQ pick up our ice cream and sit on a bench (or in the car if it was cool or mosquito-y), and watch the skyline for a first peek of Ms. Moon as she rose from the darkness to light up the night.

For me it was a celebration of Mother Moon in all her splendor. For Hubby it was just fun.

Got to the top of the hill. No moon.
I waited. Still no moon.
Darn! Where did it go?
Please don't tell me I was chasing a street light.
No. Mind you that has happened before, but not this time.
I would be out walking and see light bobbing through the trees.
Ah ha - the moon! Nope - just a street light.

But this night I was sure. I did not make a mistake. It was such a big round luminescence - no doubt about it.

Finally it was really getting too dark to be out on a bike. Besides - what if Hubby woke up looking for me? No sense sending him into a panic for nothing.

Filled with disappointment, I pedaled home - at a more leisurely pace, flip-flops still intact.

Back home in my bedroom, preparing for bed, I went to the window to close the shades. Peeking out, I scanned the clouds. Nothing.
Fine. Don't shine then!

I was just turning around when..... a shine..... a glow.........a round light slowly emerging from the darkness.
There She is! At last! I smiled to myself.
Nobody can harness the Moon. She comes out when she's good and ready.

Fudge cake and strawberries & cream frappuccino

I'm pampering myself. I've come down with a Cold. Not a very bad one, but it's making me feel yukky.
Whether bad or not we have a protocol set up.

Hubby sleeps downstairs and I sleep upstairs. He prepares his own meals (yippee), makes his own tea and coffee. We wash hands often and use separate towels. We try to stay away from each other as much as possible.

So far, so good.

I made myself a big pot of chicken soup. Nothing like good homemade chicken soup to chase away Cold evils. And fudge cake with chocolate peppermint ice cream. I am thoroughly spoiling myself.

Yesterday, I got up from the couch and decided to go to a wonderful garden center. It takes about 45 minutes to drive there, so most of the time, I end up at the local ones for my annuals, earth, etc.

But this one is filled with exotic plants. I love walking through their greenhouses, drooling over their lush, vividly coloured flowers. Even just the smell of earth and plant fertilizer makes me sigh with contentment.
If I ever win the lotto, I will spend it all on plants!

I bought some geraniums, inpatients, snapdragons, and another dahlia. I almost bought a fuchsia-coloured bougainvillea. It was sitting in a basket, off to the side - away from the other plants.

I walked closer to inspect it. Looked at the tag and noticed it was slightly cheaper than others. Not discounted or marked own, just less expensive.
Hmmm - what's wrong with this picture?
That's when I noticed some little white bugs all over a portion of the plant. Not the whole plant, just a wee little bit. Maybe I could cut that bit off.

Forget it - I'm not spending $40.o0 on a basket of bougainvillea only to have it die. But - maybe I could wash away the insects, instead of cutting away some of the plant (which would spoil the shape anyway).
My good sense won out and I decided to leave it behind. Maybe the owners had it in seclusion - and it really was not for sale.

So to console myself on the way home, I stopped at my favourite Starbuck's and got a decadent, delicious, loaded-with-calories (which I certainly don't need), strawberries & cream frappuccino.
Best medicine I know to chase away Cold evils.