Flowers Before the Fall...

...on this the last official day of summer! Having Autumn Blooms was certainly a goal for this part of da Lane, but their being accompanied by an array of late summer bloom is unexpected and thrilling.

In addition to the fact the the Hibiscus are lading on for yet _another_ blooming -- in honor of our Guests arriving on Monday, we couldn't believe our eyes on our walk to get Mom's paper this morning.




The first to WOW us was the Bearded Iris:












Behind that were over a dozen new blossoms on the Pick Knock-Out Rose, growing in every direction.











Also blooming in what's now being called Uncle Shorty's Bed are the Stella d'Oro day lily (third or fourth blooming), purple bee balm, dianthus, Rose of Sharon, wieglia, and ajuga. Interesting complements to the Autumn Joy Sedum, Chinese Lanterns, Marigolds (volunteer), Chrysanthemums and Pansies.

Uncle Shorty's Bed is on the left as you drive in da Lane. The headboard is one of the first that we bought for him as he and Mom were moving out of their double bed: her into a hospital bed and him to a new twin. We ended up giving the first mattress away after learning he needed something softer. The headboard worked well because Dad could hook up all of his lights, bags, sacks, cases and watch holder.

Once Dad moved into the hospital bed, the Silver Headboard recycled to da EntryWay. That was in 2004. In the past three years, we've tried a number of things in that Bed. I think we finally got it.

Dad's Oak from Mom will be planted to mark the edge of our the property on that side (where the new Northside Fire Station is supposed to be built in the next decade or so...).






When we took the paper up to Mom, Kevin found a Morning Glory near the pond.








And our second Waterlily of the season!

















An amazing display!




On HEALthWatch:

The Booster Treatments (6600 Grays -- three times the previous dosage) leave me with less energy than the previous treatments. I walked a half mile this morning when I decided I may need to break today's exercise into smaller parts. Given that we have to walk up to Mom's to do laundry, I'm thinking that before the day is over, I'll have done the mile or more.

My blood pressure has been 125/85 Pulse has been running from 80-93.

dd and I have been working with massage, healing touch, focused mindfulness. On Friday she noticed reddening in the treatment area on my back, left of the shoulder blade. Ointments, creams, oils, etc. are prohibited; must be washed off at least four hours prior to the RadioTherapy Treatment. Given that we had three days to the next treatment, we worked with healing oils and managed to lessen some of the reddening.

The last treatment will be Monday, October 1st...the day of Kevin's Colonoscopy.

We both have eye appointments for the second week in October. Dental appointments also on the horizon; he didn't want to see me while I was receiving RadioTherapy treatments. Everyone I've told that to seems surprised *shrugs* Eye guy says I may be dealing with dry eye...

The CT scan with contrast is scheduled for October 24th. Those results help us plot our next course. That means we'll have a couple weeks free of daily visits to the hospital. *knocks on wood*

Here's wishing you the best, this Last Day of Summer!!
*raises a glass of iced water*