Monsoon rain

Monsoon season began yesterday and this morning it is raining, right on cue. A grey sky and wet ground. It is a soft falling rain with no fanfare. I must admit to thinking about the current Dove couple whose nest is not really protected from this rain and lucky for them we have no winds and it is not pouring. The temp is around 77 with 70% humidity..... a bit uncomfortable.
I was busy yesterday making two beaded ornaments...

This one with orange crystal drops. Just happened to have the right seed beads for it. and then I made this with

pink seed beads and white drops. This will be leaving soon for a new home as the others eventually will also find a new place to dangle. Which color to bead next?
Has anyone watched Riverdale on Netflix? Not quite what I expected the Archie comics crew to be doing but I found it interesting and now have to wait for Season 3.... possible it will be released in October.
My little hummingbird is zipping around the garden this morning taking time to rest in the Fire Cracker bush. Glad to have natural flower nectar for him to sip. I have had my 7 grain toast and coffee so it is time to catch some news then some adjusting around the house. I had the A/C people out yesterday because I could smell a faint heat smell from the air conditioner but of course while the tech was here no odor. He will return Monday for another check. It must be me! anyway, I have no plans for the day but to relax and find a new series on Netflix to watch. It was nice to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.
PS … and yes, I am still giving Eva P's address for cards.....

The wind is starting early....

There is lots of cloud cover so the overnight temps have remained high, It is 90 and 4 AM...may reach 109 today with clouds all day. The Buoy Bell and chimes are really calling out with the early morning winds. The afternoons are when the winds pick up usually.
I was not joking when I said the crystal drops for my ornaments were coming from China...

They were suppose to arrive on the 21st but came yesterday. This is the assortment and it is packaged in a nice compartmental box. Good service which means I will order from them again. Thank you Catherine for the link. So of course I set myself down to use one of the new colors...a lovely pale lavender...

I love it.... guess I will have to make another as this will be one of the gifted ones. I really enjoy making these ornaments... I do enjoy beading. When I walk the Bissell later today I will hear the pinging of many dropped beads from the carpet! Seed beads have a way of jumping off the needle and out of the tray.
The Dove family is still panicking when I approach the area so I am trying to go toward the pond every other day. With the heat that is the most I can do so I can top off the pond. As The Brother Alan said, as soon as they leave the nest it should be dismantled and I will do my best not to let them build there again. What were they thinking. I mean, they had to see me at the pond every day and in the area to clean the garden! My tomato plant has almost tripled and need to be contained with twine. The herbs are flourishing too. My beautiful yellow African Marigolds out front have not survived...not for lack of water but from the bunnies picking off the heads. Guess the Geraniums will be all that is out there. With all the excessive heat I was going to trim back the Snail Vine but it is blooming again right where I would need to rim. Guess that will wait.
I must say I am so happy with the amount of bloggers who have joined my cards for Eva P..... she is going to be so excited to receive so many and from Canada, the UK as well and the US. A bakers dozen she will receive so far. It is such a relief that she is doing well not only with her health but with the placement. Again, thank you my special friends. As for me, as the anniversary of one year for the loss of My Denny approaches, I am coping. So far my ankle and back are okay and my hand too. I am however experiencing some shortness of breath but I attribute it to the heat. Time to finish my coffee and work on the next ornament. Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and for sending card to Eva P. Thank you so much for your wonderful caring friendship.

Beading and not much more

Hot is the word....yesterday reached 110 and today they say will be 111. You know that means.... inside and keeping cool. One errand today and that is to the post office when they open at 9 AM. I began watching The House of Windsor yesterday and kept my hands busy...

Not one, but two more ornaments. I am so enjoying this project. Since I am still waiting for some drop beads to arrive.... from China and I kid you not, I am using some round crystals. One is a smoky grey and the other a bronze color.... pretty I think. Today I will give my hand and fingers  a break from beading. I am sure if I get ambitious I can find something else to do.

Lovely wispy clouds this morning which kept the over night temp at around 80 and here it is only 6:30 and it is 89. Yes, we are in the heat advisory warnings. The monsoon officially starts on Friday and we can only hope for the rains. This morning while out checking the garden the hummers were flitting about chasing one another. They amaze me at how territorial they are. It isn't like the nature shows where several will be at a feeder....no, they remain hostile to others and believe me when I say there is plenty of nectar with the flowers in bloom in the garden as well as the pond/waterfall and 2 feeders. The Fire Cracker bush is the main interest for them at this time providing not only nectar but shade and a resting place.
Time to finish my morning coffee. So glad you had some time to stop by. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship.
A big Thank You to those who joined the Cards for Eva P.… it certainly will be a boost for her.

Cards for Eva P

Well now... here it is 2:30 AM and awake I am and the coffee has just finished brewing. Not sure what these sleepless nights are all about but I am sure I will need a nap soon! No, coffee does not keep me awake.

Thank you to those who have let me know they will gladly send a card to my mom...Eva P as I call her. Someone asked about why I call her that. Many...many years ago I worked as a Social Director in the same facility where she is now living. When I would introduce her to staff or families it was as Eva P and so it stuck. At the time mom had long days and was looking for something to do. I enlisted her as a volunteer. Eva P distributed the mail and would open and read cards to the residents, she assisted them to activities and enjoyed holding the bingo games when needed. She would pitch right in and collect food trays from the rooms and found time to chat with everyone. So here it is now that she is on the receiving end of the help at the same facility. When I asked if anyone would like to help her in the adjustment I was not sure. I see that our blogging friends also extend friendship to our families. Thank you. She will be thrilled to receive the mail and encouragement. If interested just let me know and I will email you her address.
The aroma of the coffee is floating through the kitchen so I am off to enjoy. Plans for today are … no plans. If I can stay awake I may tat or bead or both.... or, do just nothing. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and friendship.

A new week....

Well now, time is simply passing and the heat is still rising. I have not been feeling quite myself so I have taken it easy this past weekend. Limited outdoor trips and continuing to do some beading....

Although I have made this color before, I am varying the design a little. Next week I will finally have a supply of drops so I will be busy making more of these ornaments. Making adjustments as I bead to fit the bauble and little elements to make them individual.
The recent injections (back and ankle) have really helped with that pain. The new exercise for my back is easy and quick to do and I hope that it will also make a difference. Tough getting old------er.
Eva P the mother is doing well and adjusting to her new placement..... but.... I was wondering if anyone would like to help a bit. She loves mail... don't we all. Would you be interested in sending her a card now that she is feeling better? If so please email me and I will give you the address. I know it would perk her spirits even more. It is a big adjustment not be able to walk anymore and be independent, and to be out of your own apartment into a facility. It is a relief to my siblings and me that she is so far doing well. The miles between EvaP and me are about 2,519.... and knowing that she is well is a good feeling. If you do send a card just be sure to say you are a friend of mine so she will know.
This morning I am off with Dianna for a run to JoAnn's. An early start to beat the heat. The monsoon season is starting and it would be good if we at least had a better one than last year.... we do need the rain. I think the last measurable rain at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix was June 5th and that was only 0.02 inches of rain....drops really. I live about 30 miles from the airport and did not get any that day or any day for quite some time. I really cannot remember the last good rain we had. We have 10% chance this mid-week of rain.... which really means no rain. Of course along with the monsoon we have the danger of flash floods and that is another issue with water rescues. The phrase is "Turn around don't drown", but there are always those who think they can drive through the puddle that is actually a small raging river. It is like the hikers are climb the mountain trails here in the heat of the day unprepared and then need a rescue to come back down. Can not figure people out. Anyway, I am off to get a few things done around the hacienda. Glad we chatted. thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.