Friday, July 17, 2026

Lesson 961: A Me Moment

 Hello, Readers.

Eloise here,

if you look hard through the

smoky haze of wildfire smoke.



Our hearts go out to our Canadian friends.
How terrifying.
I spent the last few days wishing 
there was something I could do to help.
It is very hard for me to feel helpless
when someone is hurting.



It got me thinking about my worth as a person--
you know,
the Why Am I Here
kind of thought train.

Have I done enough in life?
Have I contributed positively to this world?

I was outside all day today--
unavoidable, really.
My plants needed me
and American Legion baseball
has commenced.



I was pondering life
while I stopped to spy on a bird nest,
built in the crook of a downspout
right outside of my childhood bedroom.

I was standing at my bean teepee
in my toe shoes,
camera strapped like a weapon crossbody,
book in hand
when the thought hit me: 
Right here
That's where I'm supposed to be--right here,
doing what a do.
It was quite A Me Moment.


Go a little further,
you can see my Princess Diana commemorative ring
my FitBit that tracks my steps, sleep, and heart rate,
and tracks of sourdough on my forearm.
a remnant of this morning's loaf prep.


Right here.
That's where we are all supposed to be.

In my Me Moments
you'll find me picking flowers


photographing wildlife--



We found twins this week!


And reading some books.
This book is excellent.
I'll probably do a post just on this book.


Others are having their Me Moments, too.

Penny got her photo taken at Pet Supplies Plus
for her birthday!


Gus had his birthday two days later.


Natalie is happy with her first CSA delivery!



The Wizard was out when the guys drove through
Leeper, PA.
Always a thrill.


The gamers of the house also won big
at the Cherry Festival.
We made out annual outing
for a doughboy,
some BINGO,
and a game or two.


Three Pill Game wins
and two BINGOs
made us head home with our 
winnings.


Ellen had a Lucky find, too,
with a drink she took up 
to a weekend trip.

--A collab with Pet Rescues!


My Sis had a Me Moment
and earned her Iron Man medal
with these two teammates.



Kenyan is one tough lady
and 
Eloise is one tired lady.
We play an early game tomorrow
so I am going to dream of rain
and a land free from smoke and fire--
unless the bats iginite tomorrow.
That will be fine.


Praying for our Canadian friends.

Eloise























Friday, July 10, 2026

Lesson 960: Little House

Hello, Readers.

Eloise here,

wishing you a happy summer. 


It's been going well at my house,
The Lamp Post.
The lake has been beautiful.
Here is the sunset from
the little blue cottage
on July 4th.


An eagle flew over us right before sunset.


Happy Birthday, America!


We've been busy with American kind of things this month:










Ellen was not celebrating USA's big birthday stateside.
She was in Italy for a week!
Check out her best photos on her 
social media accounts.




This little house has been overflowing with activity.
It has been the biggest producer of flowers this summer!



We love flowers!


It's taken two summers,
but we finally got our hollyhock!


We saved seeds from our giant zinna from last year.
We named it Sam.
His offspring bloomed again,
towering above the others.



On the subject of giants,
Natalie is trying her green thumb with some pumpkins
this year.


We got this one for fun.


Cinderella may have to go to the ball on a skateboard--
this is all he's grown.


Natalie loves labeling her plants.



Evidence of Natalie's touches
are all around.



Her butterfly garden is coming in nicely this year.
Last year it was a flop.


These are the American Legion poppies
she is pretty proud of.


We got one strawflower
and it is so unique and beautiful.


The Forget Me Nots 
are coming up around Josie's grave.
We have them timed to bloom on her 
the day she died--
which was also the day Hazel was born.

That is also the stump of one of the 22 ash trees
we lost due to the emerald ash borer in 2020.
The ash tree is regenerating!

We have a lot to learn from the land,
and it is fun trying
and failing
and trying again.

That's what the pioneers did--
just like the Ingalls family.


I pre-gamed and reread this book 
on Monday to be ready for the Netflix reboot
of the 1970s and 80s tv show.
It ran for 9 seasons!

It has been extremely interesting watching the new portrayal.
I've spent much of the week in rabbit holes
looking up different perspectives,
particularly of the Osage tribe.

I highly recommend watching,
and reading, of course.

Speaking of reading,
I am having a Book Party as soon
as American Legion baseball is over.
Look for announcements as to the time 
in a week or two.
Come to the Lamp Post for the best book-sharing session around.
I'll have plenty of sourdough for you to snack on
and you will leave with a long reading list
and a bouquet of flowers!

Here's is my favorite summer reading spot
in my little house--
the front porch swing with my soft blankey.
It's the best spot to watch the sun rise
and begin the day with a story.


I'm almost done with my summer saga.


It's soo good!'
Here's my evidence from the text as to why.


Funny thing is that I'm reading Covenant of Water
next to my dry creek bed.


I started this one today, too.
Anyone else reading this 
very entertaining
and well written true story?


Headed to watch another episode of Little House.
Let me know in the comments if you are watching it too!

Eloise