Today was the big day! The solar eclipse was occurring and much of North America will be in darkness when the alignment was to occur. Where I was at, I would see it around the noon hour. Unfortunately for me, I was busy indoors during the noon hour, and it became cloudy and rainy after the noon hour. Boo! :(
It had been cloudy for most of the day, so if there was a partial eclipse to be glimpsed at, it would've occurred right before the noon hour (close to 11 a.m.) and it would've been brief. Well, I hope you had a better viewing than I did.
I have an affinity for certain plants (e.g. cherry trees, blueberry bushes, rose bushes, etc.) and lavender is definitely on that list. Yesterday, I discovered I actually have some lavender plants growing and may have figured a way to have the plant survive our winters.
I've tried growing lavender in the past (from seeds, as plants in pots, in the ground) and haven't been successful. Last year, I tried again to grow lavender plants in my yard. I planted two bushes in a rocky area where it got a lot of sun. I let the plants grow big, flower, and seed. This spring, I thought the plants were going to survive, but didn't (I was so sad). So, I pulled out the dead plants and planted sage in its places. Then yesterday, I began weeding that area and noticed tiny little lavender plants. Apparently, some of the lavender seeds were able to germinate. (Apparently, Mr. Man had also been weeding this area and been pulling out some of the lavender plants because he thought they were weeds.)
My hope is for the lavender plants to get bigger and to reseed itself so that I will have lavender plants next year. Maybe this is the only way I will get a continuous supply of lavender plants in my yard. I guess I'm just going to hope for the best.
This song, "Human" by Human League, is a total blast from the past. I actually really love this song. Seriously, I really do love this song because the lyrics have always resonated with me, even before I made my own mistakes in love. And since having made and learned from my mistakes, I've learned to appreciate the lyrics even more.
This song is really about forgiveness (despite the repeating chorus saying that it's human to make mistakes) and probably the reason why I love the song so much. This song specifically focuses on asking forgiveness from those we've wronged, however, I also want to highlight that sometimes we should also seek to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we've made.
For example, I've realized that I have no control over whether the person I've wronged will ever forgive me (forgiveness may never come). Yet, I do have control over whether I will forgive myself. Sometimes the person I've wronged had already forgiven me but I still am harboring guilt and shame (in other words, I haven't forgiven myself). That is why it's so important for me to also forgive myself for the mistakes I've made, to figure out what the lesson(s) that I needed to learn, and to give myself permission to move forward with life. It's hard emotionally, but once I'm done, it's also freeing.
What do you think about this song? Have you asked for forgiveness lately? Have you forgiven yourself for the mistakes you've made?
Despite the record heat that we are having here (and everywhere else in the US), it's also been cloudy, dreary, and rainy. Today, its been dreary and rainy (with lots of thunder), yet, I actually don't mind this weather. Since I've been home-bound for the last few months, the rain gives me another reason to be indoors.
I feel bad when it's sunny out and I can't take my oldest outside to enjoy the beautiful day. I'm also thankful for the rainy weather because it naturally waters our garden and the lawn. Also, these days are great to cuddle with my kids and to have them slow down a bit, even if they don't fully understand the concept.
Here's to great weather in your 'hood. What do you think about dreary and rainy weather?
Since having my children, I've realized that one can't have too many blankets. I appreciate and love all the gifted blankets, but it's the handmade quilts that we'll be keeping for a very long time. Seriously, a handmade quilt just can't be easily thrown away (at least not for me) and we really do cherish the ones that were gifted to our children.
My first son received two handmade quilts (one from my friend and the other one from his father's friend) and my youngest also received two quilts (one from my friend and one from me). They've been adorned in the boys' bassinet, but haven't really been put to proper use. I'm hoping that once they get older, the quilts can be used as intended, and they can appreciate how much love and thought were put into each quilt.
(You might recognize the yellow quilt in the second picture. If you don't, then this post might jog your memory.)
Do you have a favorite quilt or handmade item that means a lot to you?
This song, "Something Just Like This," is probably being blasted on the radio right now, but I heard it months ago and I loved it from the first time I heard it. (My Mr. Man loves this song from the Chainsmokers and he played it all the time for our Little One when he was first born.)
Sometimes it's so easy to romanticize what love could be rather than focus on what it really is. Sometimes, it's so easy to wish for Superman to come and save me, or think that I'm Wonder Woman and I can do it all. Yet, when I focus on what's in my life and what I actually have, I don't think it could get any better. I have someone that loves me and someone that I can turn to for a kiss. I have two children that are super awesome. I have so many blessings and a life that I never imagined. I guess this life, so far, was what I wanted but just didn't know. Regardless, no need for superhuman powers, when I have something just like my life.
