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“Once burned, twice shy.” (I know all those trite old sayings.)  I wasn’t “burned” (bitten) yesterday but I’m “twice shy” (extremely cautious) as I move around the yard. Last night, I read web info, and watched videos, and know more about snakes than I ever wanted to know. (I hate serpents.)

I’m so conflicted. I want to “downsize”  but find myself grateful when I “have a need”  and locate the desired item(s) among my possessions. This morning I added two sections of garden hose so the sprinkler reaches the distant section of the yard.

The entire morning spent in the yard.

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This beastly hot in May; what will we experience in August?

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Up early to water the plants. First time: Set up sprinkler on the lawn. “Inevitable”  that lawn would need water if I want it to stay green. “Inevitable”  that I’d see a snake in my yard (but an unwelcome visitor). “Inevitable”  that the old lady would end up with mismatched shoes? She’s such a dork.

Empty planters seem to beg for plants (imho). “Inevitable”  that I would be drawn to Lowe’s and spend time searching many racks of mark-down plants. ~~ See the bag of concrete? I plan to use with a Shepherd’s Hook. (Integrating items back into my garden paraphernalia.)

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The snake is a Copperhead. I naively believed the snake was the “good” type (but I kept my distance). A friend read this blog message (above) and informed me (she thought I knew). At 4:30 I did a Google search and the link (above, in red) leaves no doubt.

Despite the heat, this evening I worked in the yard for about an hour. Several plants were transplanted but only pictures of two of today’s purchases.

Spent part of the morning helping a friend with repair of his trailer home. In between… I reorganized some of the “yard sale” items displayed in the carport. Because many “yard” yard sale items did not sell, I’ve been integrating items back into my garden. Two items were deemed worthy of saving but needed a coat of spray paint.

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Before “traveling,” Sam wanted to burn a large bag of junk mail and obsolete personal stuff. He did the dirty job of scooping out ashes because he knew I was planning to scoop… and sprinkle ashes on the front lawn. (I’m told ashes are good for the lawn.) ~~ We sat in the shade of my patio, drinking “sun tea,”  and occasionally stirring the fire barrel. Too hot to attempt any additional projects!!

…wide awake, unable to sleep, this thought “Why does God love me so?” (Nobody “cares” for me.) Round and round in my mind “Who am I that God should be mindful of me?” The thought was so compelling, I came to the computer and typed the words. This was the first answer. Second: An Invitation to stand in awe of God.

The entire “topic” prompted because I’ve known so little “love” in my lifetime. This Memorial Day weekend is a reminder of my marriage to Donald Edwards, in 1977. It’s a long, sad story that you don’t want to hear. Dates on the calendar stir up memories. “Memories”  keep me awake at night: A mother who rejected me at birth (1935); a husband who deserted me (1964) and his three little boys….

“What’s wrong with me?”  Rejected by my CARE family (and I continue to feel the pain).

Another message from my Google search. So many good messages; I spent hours on the Internet. I’m publishing this at 4:20 AM.

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Today, greeting my readers with a link to a message prepared on another website*: Happy Memorial Day. That one says it all so I won’t “start from scratch.”

*(One of six. A Google search for Lorraine Frantz Edwards will provide links to all.)

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Washing “outdoor”  planters but not cleaning “indoors.”  My trailer home is woefully neglected because I prefer to spend time in the yard. ~~ Remember the catchy song “Enjoy yourself“? You’re gonna take that ocean trip, no matter, come what may. You’ve got your reservations made, but you just can’t get away. Next year for sure, you’ll see the world, you’ll really get around. But how far can you travel when you’re six feet underground?

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Not all the lyrics of the song apply to me but, at my age, it’s important to “enjoy”  before I’m six feet under ground.

Trivia: Those indestructible “planters” originally contained syrup for beef cattle. I was fortunate to obtain empty containers (free, one at a time, over period of two years) from a local farm store. These… aren’t attractive but very useful. I’ve had “attractive” planters, made of cheap plastic, and they become brittle–and break–after a couple of years. I used a “hole saw” to drill large holes in the bottom for drainage. (“Think outside the box.”)

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I’m very protective of “George’s little Christmas tree.”  (See Good Grief.) It is under the protection of the “barn” roof, near the front of my 5th-wheel trailer home. I’d be heartbroken if it were in the yard and a tree limb fell on it (tree limbs falling every day)!! I lost precious irreplaceable plants in January’s hard freeze (Hazel’s Christmas Cactus, etc.).

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There was a spurt of new growth in March but no evidence of additional growth since then. ~~ I should check Dave’s Garden and find the name of this little tree?!

Few, if any, birds or squirrels enjoyed the fountain/bird bath while it was in front of my trailer home. This morning, several birds at the fountain.