11:15 and I decided it is “break time.”  I’ve been “downsizing” since daylight (which was 7 o’clock). There is no rhyme or reason to the way I approach the projects. Without previous consideration, this morning I started sorting my wardrobe. First, decide what I’ll take for my everyday outfits. I’ll be volunteering and expect that folks will see me; I can’t live in jeans and T-shirts. But jeans and T-shirts for the trip, and when I’m not volunteering. I have a large stack of clothing that will go, as a donation, to Second Chance Boutique.

Trivia: I love to wear long skirts!! I just feel more feminine in skirts rather than jeans. They are cooler, in fact, than wearing jeans!! I was shocked to discover that I have four black skirts and nine bright colorful skirts (I forgot I had some hanging in the closet!). Very recently (at Goodwill) I bought two more thinking I needed to expand… (and new is nice). I have mix-and-match coordinated tops for the skirts. Truthfully, I feel I have accomplished a lot this morning (and earned a break). Oh, FYI, the skirts don’t need to be ironed; they are crinkle fabric and the skirt gets twisted in a knot when removed from the washing machine (and drys that way). Please appreciate my need for a wardrobe requiring minimum care; the travel trailer is very tiny!!

I didn’t get a picture but my Bluebird babies visited the mealworm feeder. Monitoring the feeder prompted me to take a picture of the Mandavilla vine (above top left and right). It is so beautiful!! It’s sold and the lady may come for it any day. I’ve very few plants now. Either they were sold several weeks ago or they have been dumped along the edge of the woods. Plants with planters were not selling so I removed the plants (broke my heart) and scrubbed the planters. See the two-year old perennial purple Salvia behind the date stamp? Soon it will join the other discards. Believe it or not, I can’t even give away plants!! I’ve advertised “free, bring your own container” and no response. I hadn’t planned to keep a wide variety of planters but (as one who has always been thrifty) “maybe I’ll be able to use that some day” (the rational of a “pack rat”).  ~~  To the right (above), the few remaining flowers (Miracle Bells and Petunias). The hanging baskets are on “borrowed time”; the hardware and planter will go into storage with my belongings. The Honeysuckle vine is the only plant I actually “planted” in the ground. (The next resident may not want a yard full of plants [most don’t!] so I maintained a “container garden.”)

All the other feeders have been taken down, cleaned, sanitized and packed. (“Packed” because very few sold so I look forward to hanging them in a new community.) That’s the last of the whole peanuts.  The squirrels really have to “work” to remove a peanut. The antics are comical!!  ~~ (I used an amusing [comical?] subject line because I have a reputation of being “squirrely.”)

What’s wrong with me?? I’m psychoanalyzing myself; I’m analyzing the situation. Shepherd’s Hooks that didn’t sell (duct taped together for the move). Garden fountain, reasonably priced, didn’t sell, now packed. Three squirrel baffles, reasonably priced, didn’t sell, need to pack. Large heavy-duty plastic planter advertised as “free ‘ugly’ planter” hasn’t found a new home. Sweet potato vines in large heavy-duty plastic container advertised “free” and no takers. Plants, and plant stands, to the left of my front door and they, too, are ignored. ~~  I’ll not expand on my continuous questioning thoughts.  ~~  I loved my garden!! I praise God that I had this opportunity to interact with nature. 

Heavy-duty attractive plastic planter with strong chains to support the weight. The Lantana is a perennial and will give years of colorful yellow blooms. Why doesn’t someone adopt Lantana??

Hey, it’s a one-of-a-kind original; I crafted it myself.

…didn’t know the day and date!! I felt so embarrassed when I realized today is Thursday and not Friday. I followed my normal schedule for Friday morning–getting ready to drive to the chiropractor (shower, attractive clothing, etc.).  In my KIA, as I began to document the time, and mileage, in my log book, I reconciled the data.  I’m thinking “Yesterday we remembered the tragedy of 9-11. Oops, September 11, 2013, was a Wednesday. Oh my goodness, what a blunder; this is Thursday!!”

Getting away from the apartment had been anticipated; I was anxious for a change of pace!! So I drove to the Goodwill Store in Lancaster, South Carolina (and dropped off a donation) followed by shopping for a few new (used) clothing items.  Lord knows, I don’t need anything else but several different garments will lift my spirits.

Yes, I’m stressed beyond description. There are so many items to sort through and make decisions: Keep? Shred? Donate? Trash?? On a positive note, the project is coming together admirably. An oxymoron?! So much to do but coming together admirably. Is my brain scrambled?? ~~ Just three pictures. I could add one more… for the “storeroom” and several for the cluttered living room.

From the garden I was tending next to the parking lot. It was a lovely bud; it has been a beautiful blossom. I suspect the petals will soon drop off. I haven’t composed an eloquent message comparing my current life situation to the rose. However: I’m wilting!! I’m old (and past my prime)!!

I found this story very interesting on tonight’s NBC Evening News: Technology may script an end to the art of cursive writing?.  Frankly, I’ve questioned what the future holds when the younger generation spends their time texting and using abbreviations.  I’m not laughing out loud. FYI: I don’t text; I don’t “do” Face Book or Twitter. I don’t have a Smart phone, Kindle, or I-pad, etc. I’m from “the dark ages” and my attractive penmanship frequently garners a compliment.

To repeat an earlier message: “Must view!!  The National Parks.“  Last night, I was sitting on the edge of my chair, tears running down my face.  My sincere thanks to Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns for that beautiful series (presented on PBS).  I’m positive I watched when it first aired in 2008; well worth watching a second (or third?) time. (Beauty in the middle of the night!! I watched two hours on one PBS station and then checked another [of five available] and watched their broadcast.)

At Any Cost

O Lord my God, much grace by Thee

Has freely been bestowed on me.

Thy mercy, love, yea–wondrous light

Delivered me from blackest night.

And now can I, dare I, choose ease?

Go back to things myself to please?

Nay, Father, stir me for the lost

To give myself,–at any cost!

~~

How greatly privileged I have been

Thru out these years on Thee to lean.

Upon thy word I’ve freely fed;

By waters still I have been led.

How great a debtor now am I!

Take thou my all, to live or die.

Have mercy, Lord, don’t let me rust!

Break Thou my heart at any cost!

~~

Yes, much I’ve heard of all the lost;

I’ve even prayed, “O save, Thou must”!

But now, it’s up to me to choose:

Will I my life for thy sake lose?

Some day I’ll answer for this choice.

Will I regret? Will I rejoice?

O solemn hour! O countless lost!

Can I say, “Yes, at any cost”?

~~

From henceforth ALL to thee I give,

I know not where my life I’ll live,

And care not, only if God’s Son

Can look on me and say “Well done.”

In joy? In pain? what matters where

If I but know you sent me there?

Cost? Nay! ‘Tis gain to follow Thee;

Lead on, Thou Lamb of Calvary!

~~ anonymous ~~

Copied from the prayer card of Elaine Townsend (1915-2007)

wife of William Cameron Townsend (1896-1982) founder of

Wycliffe Bible Translators, JAARS, et al.

PBS is re-running the series The National Parks. I’ve watched…over and over, hour after hour. Oh, the beauty!! The history behind the parks is fascinating!!