Day 156 of Week 23 June 2026

There are issues the media grabs hold of like a dog with a bone. Criticism of Harry and Meghan Windsor is one of them. There is relentless harsh criticism of what they do, especially about her. It is sad and pathetic that there are so many people out there that thrive on criticism. 

June is sliding into Summer mode well with higher temperatures and rain, some thunder included. 

A health issue flares up just when it is time for me to dig, weed, put plants in the ground. Ugh. I expect to feel better in a few days. On a happier note, allergies aren’t as bad as last year. Maybe it is too early to say, but so far, sinus headaches haven’t been a problem. 

Have a clean air weekend

Sing

Make your own barbeque sauce

Browse stovetop percolators online

Draw a dandelion field

Take a walk with friends

Read about aluminum

Hand sew stitches for fun

Buy basal plants

How Do You Shop?

 Let us count the ways:

Need 

Garment specific

Thrift stores

Sales and bargains

Color

Fabric

I know when I see it

Fashion fad

Bored and needed to get out and about

Shopping all ways now and then, I believe, is the right answer. 

I am mainly a thrift store shopper leaning into need.

 Last fall I I over did it on tunics, bought more than I needed. That turned into more laundry than I care to have. So, now I am keen on asking myself do I need to buy whatever. I am skilled at making excuses in that regard. Get it down to will it break my heart to say I don’t need it is the coin toss. No wins more often.

Deciding on no is a major change of my shopping attitude. Proof that we can change. Yay me!

A local thrift store is running a 25% off clothes sale. That is worth a quick look. I bought 2 Summer tops and a pair of Gap Madras shorts. I love Madras. I look for Madras in the men’s section because it is difficult to find, and when I do, it is in the men’s section. 

Today though, I didn’t look on the men's racks. As I make my way to the check out counter, something out of the corner of my eye briefly catches my attention. My neck snaps in that direction. Madras! What a thrill. The mind knows what the mind knows. 😎

Alterations needed

Mulling over thoughts of summer heat

Summer Wildflowers

Summer Sky

Summer Fields

As weird as it may sound, since a kid, I’ve liked hot summers. Heat waves, however, I am not a fan. 

Hot ambient temperatures signal my brain that it is warm enough to be outdoors, be in nature, wear sandals, picnic time and know the scent of fresh air after a thunderstorm. There are wonderful elements of hot weather.

And, Air conditioning is number one. Relief from the heat is needed for safe healthy living. 

After that, when the sun doesn’t sting my thin elderly skin, it is therapeutic to me that sunshine rules the day. Feeling the heat from the sun, for a brief time with a thick layer of sunscreen on, is a connection to the universe, a science fiction moment, being one with the solar system. 

This summer I have pondered not having an air conditioner. So far, fans are cool enough. But, one day returning home, when I opened my front door, I felt a rush of hot air. Thoughts began fading from oh this summer will be cooler, no A/C needed. Yes, I do need air conditioning took over. 

Summer Flowers

A Midsummer’s Night Celebration

Day 2 of June, thinking about the summer solstice on 21 June 2026, I also think of how to celebrate one of my favorite special days, Midsummer’s Night, 19 June 2026.

🧚🧚🧚🧚🧚

🧚Make a crown with real flowers or faux blooms. The fabric one can be saved and hung later on a door hanger. Wear the crown during events. A selfie is a must.

🧚Fix a large platter of hors d’oeuvres paired with a delicate white wine.

🧚Watch the 1935 movie first, and then watch the 1968, 1999 or the 2016 film version of William Shakespeare’s, “Midsummer’s Night Dream. Or make it a marathon to watch all four.

🧚Read Shakespeare’s play aloud.

🧚Dance to one of the film’s sound tracks.

Invite friends, love ones, do a solo or with a partner. 

Self Portrait 2014
16 x 20 inch acrylic

Sunglasses & Gas

At the garden center, take off your sunglasses for a look around in order to see the flower’s true colors.

Three places I looked for blue lobelia. None to be found. I went back to Greenhaven Gardens on Route 7 in New Haven, Vermont. The hanging baskets there are stunning, best around. A woman had an outrageously beautiful full round hanging baskets of lobelia. I happen to lift up my sunglasses and to my surprise, the purple flowers are actually blue lobelia! 

Blue and red make purple, as the color wheel goes. My sunglasses are a tint of red-brown. Any blue flower will read purple when I have my sunglasses on. 

Lobelia

Gassed up at Champlain Valley Fuel on Exchange Street in Middlebury at a cheap $4.10/gallon. I stopped pumping at $35.00 US dollars. That is the highest amount of gas I have put into a vehicle ever in my life.   

Beautiful day here in Vermont, sunny, windy, nice ambient temperature, perfect for being outdoors. 

Have a wonderful week

Going for a red, white & blue 
America 250 theme