I have been walking the property since it has been quite cool. The mosquitoes give me a temporary reprieve in the cool weather. Otherwise you can hardly walk in peace without twenty to thirty mosquitoes attacking you.

I love the honeysuckle growing on the property. We have the invasive kind which is shown in the first photo. And we also have native honeysuckle. We also have three wild rose bushes growing along a property line. It smells divine.

I have finally found the energy to tackle paring down my things. Surprisingly I have found I am no longer sentimentally attached to many things now. I still love my books and art work. But otherwise I have packed up four boxes to go to goodwill. I finally feel able to tackle a second bedroom where I have thrown everything for the past five years with the intent to go through it one day. Now that my mom is gone I no longer drive every day. I put 80,000 miles on my car visiting her and caregiving over the last two years since I purchased my car.

I look forward to walking more, reading more and cooking more.

I have been focused on participating in caregiving programs the Veterans Administration provides. They have been a big help. Two of the programs are brand new. I have a therapist via the caregiving program and she has helped me more than any therapist ever has before. I feel stronger mentally and emotionally. I feel better able to handle stressors where as nine months ago I was a wreck. I have found myself again. I am still a work in progress. I need to get out more. And find a hobby or volunteer position that I can look forward to each week.

I need to get back to making supper now. Do you like to cook or bake? Maybe grill? What are your favorite dishes to prepare? I love cooking with a Dutch oven or a baking sheet. I am a big fan of one pot cooking.

Have a wonderful week.