The Kind of Tired

Today's postcard

After work today, I found myself "oh, my gosh am I tired" tired. The kind of tired where I stopped for groceries and bird seed and found myself wandering around the store because I was too tired to check out. The kind of tired where I'm just realizing that the bird seed is in the back of the truck and will remain there for tonight. If there's a party of squirrels and birds in my truck bed, so be it. The kind of tired where I skipped the festival I had been planning to go to at the end of the week. The kind of tired where I'm even too tired to read, and that's really tired.

But, I found a penny, heads up, in the grocery store parking lot, so that's good for luck to come. And I got a cool new stencil with words. As a matter of fact, under the Angelina film on the postcard is "gratitude" several times, but it just didn't look right so it's a hidden thought.

And when I got home I found a gift bag inside my door (how fabulous is that?) with a Bath and Body Works Wallflower in Sea Island Cotton. It was from my great neighbor - I watched her daughter for a short time on Monday and gave her a sewing lesson. No thanks necessary, but it was lovely to have such a nice welcome home.

And now I have two days off work and the new John Grisham book, "Playing for Pizza." Maybe I'm not too tired to read after all.

Friday Fill-In # 74

Today's postcard

Friday means Friday Fill-Ins. Here we go.

1. You know you're old when your footwear shows it. No high heels, no flip flops, nothing too pointy. Sigh.

2. My heart is divided between the mountains and the beach. It used to be the beach, hands down, but now I love both.

3. Sleep is what I need right now. Could be need for sleep goes under # 1, you know your're old when . . .

4. I have felt the joy of birth, I have known the depths of grief. It's all part of this lovely life.

5. Gah, won't those people turn down their car stereos. I like most music, but I might not like yours right now. I might be trying to sleep, see # 3.

6. Go outside as soon as you can. (At least if you're in my northern hemisphere.) Winter will be here all too soon.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed with a book. I'm of for the library - it's been awhile. Tomorrow my plans include working 9 - 5, and Sunday I want to go to church, then look around Hyde Park.

Happy weekend, everyone.

North Carolina Arboretum

Today's postcard (with inspiration from Susan in Liverpool, England - thanks, Susan)

A trip to Asheville isn't complete without a visit to the North Carolina Arboretum. They do a wonderful job of showing off ornamental plants, outdoor art, bonsai, and green architecture. It's guaranteed that you'll see something you'll want in your garden.

Great, huh? And here's Sarah, who helps make it happen.

Another Retail Experience

Today's postcard

I have another Ashville retail experience to share with you, then I promise we'll get out of the stores. The Chevron Trading Post and Bead Company has three rooms of luscious beads. Loose beads, beads in tubes, beads shaped like flowers, irridescent beads, you name it, they've probably got it.

And, how civil is this, when someone couldn't find just exactly what she was looking for, the clerk told her she would give her the name of another bead shop in town.

Of course I bought some beads, of course I bought more beads than I'd planned. Hopefully, you'll be seeing them very, very soon on a quilt that's almost, almost finished.

Tomorrow, though, arboretum pictures. We'll be looking at where Sarah works.

True Blue

I'm back - no postcard today, though. I'm not in my groove yet.

One of my favorite stores in Asheville is True Blue Art Supply, where they have a little of everything. I wanted it all, but limited my purchases to a bottle of lime green ink and a canvas.

Outside was a street musician, and inside -

is a glimpse of why I love this place. On the counter was a stack of journals, some blueberries, water in a Camelbak, and cut flowers from someone's garden. Not to mention a reminder on the cash register that this was Tax Free Weekend (for school clothes and supplies.)

Here Sarah and I are on a nearby downtown corner,

and here's a letter on Sarah's refrigerator. It just arrived on Saturday and says, "Congratulations! You have passed both sections of the Certified Plant Professional Exam."

You rock, Sarah.

Friday Fill-in # 83

Friday's here. Answers are in bold.

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to the time when my grandparents were young adults. Since I knew most of my grandparents, however briefly, they're real to me, but the world was so different when they were young. I'd like to have a look.

2. Give me smiles or give me kind words - help me along the way and I'll do the same for you.

3. I am listening to nothing at all. This week at work the radio's been off, and I come home much less tired.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking, my baby will be born soon. Prayers for a safe delivery go to Daisy and Ryan.

5. I'll always be a little space-y, but I'll always be creative, a good listener, and a good friend, so I hope you can put up with the space-y-ness.

6. My idea of a good time includes good conversation with a couple of people, good food, relaxation. Sometimes it includes just me out somewhere.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to Asheville, or at least starting the trip, tomorrow my plans include some visiting with Sarah and her friends, some shopping, some good meals (see # 6), and Sunday I want to go to the quilt show at the North Carolina Arboretum.

Happy Friday, everyone. I'll be taking a few days off blogging.

Grateful

Today's postcard - a re-do - not one of my favorites, by far, but better

Things I'm grateful for on this Thursday-

re-do's

that Mike is working on my garage door so it matches the new storm door (and it will probably look 30 years newer - maybe more)

that Mike is going to fix the place where the squirrels came in last spring so there won't be a fall jamboree in my attic

that Janice is recovering

enough energy

enough money for trips to the bead store and the art store

that when Pastor Joel asked me to serve on a committee I could say "yes" with an open heart

that I'm going to Asheville tomorrow for an artsy weekend (it's always artsy in Asheville)

for the fresh sweet corn that Sandra brought today

for a fresh tomato sandwich tonight

for half loaves of bread so my bread was fresh too

for Nora's love of colors and her wonderful ability to verbalize just what it is she loves,or doesn't

for city gardens