Monday, August 30, 2021

Goodbye August!

August will soon be out the door and September will be upon us.  Cooler temperatures and cozy days will be welcome.  I do pray that Ida will do little damage to you and yours.  This summer has brought so much rain to certain parts of the country and left others so dry.  I really don't recall such a wet August for us.  The grass needs mowing weekly and honestly could use it more often.


As we were going through some items to give to Amvets, we came across a puzzle we had never worked.  Samuel told us he had worked it while we were in South America last year.  It seemed like a good time to put it on the Florida room table for us to work.  We both admit a black and white puzzle is difficult, but we finished the challenge and have now gotten out another one of the Portland Head Lighthouse.  It's fun to work puzzles of places we have visited.  Years ago we visited with our grandson the Old Man of the Mountain in New Hampshire as well as the Portland Head Lighthouse.


 

It's interesting that the Old Man of the Mountain is no longer viewable as he fell in 2003!  On one of our visits back to New England he had fallen the evening before we arrived.  We're so glad we were able to visit and take our grandson there all those years ago.  The cliff edges formed a profile of an old man on Cannon Mountain in the White Mountains in Franconia, New Hampster--Alex, our middle grand, always referred to New Hampshire as New Hampster.  Alex just began his freshman year of college and I'm sure would be thrilled at my mention of this family tidbit.  We've been known to have long memories of such things!



The roses have been giving me a blossom or two.  I do love bringing flowers inside to enjoy.  With the cooler temperatures coming we hopefully will have many more.







"the real evidence of growing older is that things level off in importance...Days are no longer jagged peaks to climb; time is a meadow, and we move over it with level steps." 
Gladys Taber







23 comments:

  1. It is always such a pleasure to read your blog postings! Great memories! The last jigsaw I worked was very challenging, and I’ve not had the courage to bring out the next one. LOL Rain from Ida is due here tomorrow. Clouds are already with us. Take care!

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    1. It is a pleasure to have you read my humble postings, Nellie! Ida is such a huge storm. Do take care, my friend.

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  2. Well, I have to say that your red roses are beautiful and made my heart sing, Martha Ellen. That would be so hard putting together a black and white puzzle, but you did it! The lighthouse puzzle is going to be very nice when finished. I'm so glad that you got so much rain this year that your grass is green and needs mowing. It's so dry here, but I hear we are supposed to have a lot of snow this Winter.

    I wish you wonderful September days, Martha Ellen. And I look forward to seeing all thing Fall on your blog. : )

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I know your fondness of red roses. I adore them as well! Our rain totals have exceeded any numbers I've recorded over the years of gardening. I do hope and pray that your area will at least receive snow. Have a safe and happy week, my friend.

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  3. That black and white puzzle would be a challenge. I like the Portland Head lighthouse puzzle. How nice to have the pretty flowers to bring in and enjoy. Happy end of August to you!

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    1. Ellen, we've had the Portland Head Lighthouse puzzle for years. I'm sure it will be finished soon. Sadly, though it has two missing pieces!

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  4. Hello, my friend.
    Beautiful roses!!!
    I have a friend who loves puzzles. She does them and glues them then frames them. She is ninety now, and still going strong. I am ready for cozy fall days. We too have had a wet August. Expecting rain from the remnants of the hurricane tomorrow. Have a cozy evening!

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    1. Your friend sounds like my sister. She framed many puzzles throughout her life. Please be careful tomorrow. We too are expecting those remnants of Ida. Stay safe!

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  5. Have a blessed September...the roses are gorgeous.

    I like the black and white puzzle with the Old Man of the Mountain. I still feel
    a bit sad about his fall way back in 2003.

    Hope that Ida doesn't do much as she passes by. Henri was a fizzle in my corner so
    that's my hope for Ida in yours.

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    1. Vee, Ida so far has dropped a little rain. Of course we are thankful! Many have not been so fortunate..
      Sending blessings to you and yours this first of September.

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  6. It is nearly puzzle time in my house, too. That looks like a toughie! Love the roses!

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    1. Jeanie, roses love water and we've had plenty of that this summer! It's fun to have a puzzle waiting for us to linger for a few moments. It's quite meditative. Happy first of September!

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  7. The black and white puzzle would be difficult for me. I like it. I love the Portland Light. I like to purchase puzzles of places we visit also. Do you frame your finished puzzles and hang? New Hamster will stick in my head now. That is so cute. Your roses are just so beautiful! Got up this morning to the coolness of the morning and it was just so enjoyable being out. Betsy

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    1. Betsy, the weather today is really balm for my soul. It was enjoyable working on getting the shrubs pruned out front. I don't frame our puzzles, we just rework them from time to time. Enjoy this wonderful cool weather!

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  8. Our summer held many delights, but it was also one of the busiest I can remember, so I am kind of ready to say goodbye to August. September came in like a lion, but today was perfectly beautiful! I love that you work puzzles in the summertime. And "New Hamster" is jut too cute! I hate to tell your new college freshman, but that will never be forgotten. My sister is fifty-something and we still tease her about ordering "pipping hot chocolate" from a cafe menu. Yes, families have long memories . . .

    Happy September to you! Your walks and your gardening should start to be pleasant again!

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    1. Cheryl, I love the mention of your sister in your family lore. We have so many moments that bring back so many smiles, don't we?
      Today and yesterday have been so pleasant! I'm so happy to hear you are safe and sound after Ida roared through.
      Grayden and I have worn ourselves out today pulling weeds--a happy, but difficult job that accompanies a rainy, hot summer. Happy September to you as well!

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  9. Great post, Martha! Had a dear friend who loved to, as she called it, "set" puzzles. I'll have to ask her daughter if she ever took photos of the finished puzzles. Your photos always draw one right in, a rare gift you have. "Alex just began his freshman year of college and I'm sure would be thrilled at my mention of this family tidbit" gave me such a laugh!

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    1. Thank you, Jean. My sister used to "set" puzzles as well. For us, we just take them apart and work them again a few years later. Glad to hear Alex brought a laugh to you as well as me! Enjoy your weekend.

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  10. Hello Dear Martha Ellen :) September is upon us and how wonderful it was to feel the cool air last night coming through the open windows. I like the look of your puzzles. I also am a jigsaw puzzle lover, though most of mine are online lately. I do have a couple of unopened boxes I bought the last time we were on vacation. I really should get them out of the cupboard. You will be my inspiration :) Interesting about the Old Man of the Mountain falling the evening before you arrived. Very cute Alex’s name for New Hampshire. Our memories are long aren’t they says I with a smile? We find these things so cute but our kids and in your case grandkids, not so much, says I with another smile. Congratulations to Alex starting freshman year. Lovely capture of the dragonfly and your roses are gorgeous! Such a rich and vibrant color. A perfect quote to end your post, and so very true :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    1. Denise, isn't it wonderful to have the windows open? It's nice to think we both enjoy the fresh air that comes through them. I didn't know you could work on puzzles online. Thank you for giving me that tidbit--I'll be checking soon. As mothers we do cherish all the precious things that have been said and done by our loved ones. Thank you for the lovely comments this evening. It made my heart happy. Enjoy the beautiful weather we are enjoying as well as the rest of your weekend!

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  11. Sorry I'm late. Such a gentle post as summer slips slowly by and autumn knocks at the door. May your roses provide you with their beauty and sweet perfume for many weeks more.
    Deb xoxo

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    1. It's lovely to have you stop by anytime, my friend. There is much potential on the roses for the weeks ahead. As Autumn approaches, our favorite time of year is close at hand. Take care and enjoy this time! xoxo

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  12. Puzzles can be so enjoyable, and what I like is you can dip in and out of them.
    Always so rewarding when you finish one :)

    I hope you have been enjoying some nice September days. We have been fortunate to have some good weather and enjoyed a few trips out and about.

    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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