4th of July, Thursday

1. 1. Within Range: yes
   2. General Wellbeing: 9 on SS
   3. 10,000+ Steps: 10490
   4. Fitness: walking & mowing
   5. Self-Care: meditation
   6. Fun: Ate Amish cookies... yes, it was fun !
   7. I learned/relearned: Self care and fun are a priority !! Gratitude is a blessing.
   8. Intentions: Seek balance & relax, rejuvenate, & recalibrate !!

   Did you hear that researchers have been able to isolate and remove HIV from mice ?! Hopefully many more breakthroughs for many more diseases on the horizon !! Devon, the baseball game looked fun ! Double header here, when I got to mow and meditate.. not simultaneously ! Lots of positive energy sent forth! Hopefully it will be a quiet day here. CBD is planned for our puppies also, to ease them through bangs and booms. I won't be going by the Amish farm that calls to me today, although their tomatoes were equally good ! I have green tomatoes here.

   Have a great day, virtual family ! Do something fun !

Happy 4th of July! Not much planned here other than finishing the screen porch cleanup and swimming at the pond (it is too busy at the ocean beaches on the holiday). Maybe I'll plant the hydrangeas (but maybe tomorrow). Younger DD is arriving mid-morning for a couple of days so we will either BBQ for dinner or go out early somewhere.

Have a fun 4th and keep those fur babies calm!

Hope you enjoy your DD visit

It was warm and sunny yesterday and more of that today. I thought I was staying out of the sun, but managed to burn my face. Why does sun damage make you look healthier somehow? Lots of sunscreen today which I was remiss about yesterday.

I have baby tomatoes! Only 3, but they're there. Also baby cucumbers, baby zucchini, bean flowers and nearly ready radishes... Gardening is so fun.

Most of our yard is manicured, but there are a few areas that are left wild. There is a bunch of milkweed on it. It's the only plant that monarch butterflies eat and it's where they lay their eggs. They wouldn't survive without it. So I check it periodically to see if we have any caterpillar friends. Yesterday I found quite a few!

Happy 4th to all (happy 5th to Shirl!)!

Love seeing the caterpillars. I have 2 milkweed plants that popped up in the tiger Lilly bed that I am letting gripe. I haven't checked them yet. My Mom has a couple under her kitchen sink window, and just about every year she is treated to watching a monarch emerge from its chrysalis.

I was in Monterrey, MX one early fall day when the migrating hordes of Monarchs descended down into the valley- the streets were paved and the sky dropped a literal snow fall of the magnificent creatures. I'd never seen anything quite like it. The migration funnels directly through the mountain pass of the city coming and going.

Great your veggie garden is taking off Cec :) So rewarding after the hard work

I love butterflies but have a phobia about moths - how silly is that !

143.8

I am returned

(carrying on me 2.5# of cheesy grits, soft wheat southern biscuits, stone ground white cornbread, figs, avocados, and butter and dressing slathered this and thats...). It was all so yum. Little if any eating out-

this was all home made inthecastironpansthatarecleanedupbyperiodicallytossingthemontoablazinghotwoodfire)-not the picture of Florida most people have. The bacon is fatback fried to a crackle and there is nothing prepared without it being sugared, deep fried, breaded, creamed, or in some way likewise enhanced to please the tastebuds. I brought back a wonderful recipe that turns otherwise healthy summer crookneck squash into a devilishly good soufflé/casserole involving cream, eggs, cheese- more cheese....

It is funny to me that, with the above being the everyday table fare, my dad's side of the family are almost exclusively tiny, normal weighted people. Genetically, I take after my mother's side. Genetic Tendency is a crap shoot- on that level- life is so unfair-I have one son who took after my mom's side and is- will battle his weight all life long. I am so grateful that I have choices every day.

My family home -

Dad is doing well, considering. He is currently taking low dose chemo treatments. It is palliative, not curative, and as long as it helps remote and maintain quality of life, he will continue it. He shows considerable determination and is a true courageous warrior. My sister, Chris, is amazing--she remains my definition of a true hero.

I was able to chase down another sister (recluse for 20 years now), but that is another story .

Cool place I stayed at in Vicksburg- 1840's antebellum overlooking the Mississippi--the room I was booked into- perfection

Home at last-missed the Kurt, and so glad to have him.

I see as I catch up with the board that there is much joy, travel, gardening, smiles as well as sadness and the concerns of life. I am grateful for the opportunity to walk with you all. I see an addition to the board--food accountability (gulp)- useful and needed, but not a thing to start on the Fourth of July.

Waving a big, patriotic flag your way (a special thank you to Diane's DC for his service)- do we have any other vets?

Smiles and hugs, bonnie

Welcome back, every ounce gained sounds well worth it. I guess you're from "the real Florida" that we hear about. My DH was born at Bay Memorial Hospital in Panama City (his Dad was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base). We've visited the panhandle several times, and once we're away from the big beach towns, there is definitely a more southern feel in the food and the terrain. We love it there.

We are about 45 minutes north and a bit east of Panama City in the Piney Woods (which is still in clean up mode after George). There are places where the storm mowed down entire stands of pine. Dad was fortunate in loosing only about 10% of his wood.