Summer beauty

Earthly sunshine

Magic is a sudden opening of the mind to the wonder of existence.  It is a sense that there is much more to life than we usually recognize; that we do not have to be confined by the limited views that our family, our society, or our own habitual thoughts impose on us; that life contains many dimensions, depths, textures, and meanings extending far beyond our familiar beliefs and concepts.

~ John Welwood

In a field of sunflowers

Let’s go for a walk, and you can tell me all about your weekend.  Did you do anything exciting?  Or not exciting but worth a mention?  Whatever you did, I hope it provided you with a good balance of rest, relaxation, and play.

In the garden

M and I had a lovely visit with friends in Annapolis, celebrating their wedding anniversary (40th) along with her 60th birthday and retirement.  It was a lot of fun, and it was also good for me to leave my contemplative life here at the ranch and mingle with people.

Leaning in

I walked out to the scrounger’s garden early this morning, and a couple of visitors arrived shortly before and after I did.

Morning bunny

The rabbits, of course, are almost always out and about somewhere.  The population explosion continues with the arrival of more baby bunnies in the rain garden.

On white

I was delighted to see butterflies visiting the zinnias.  Not so delighted to see the Japanese beetles (there’s one on the zinnia with the butterfly in the photo above).  I’m going to have to do something about the beetles, I suppose.  One suggestion I read was to go out early while they’re still sluggish and remove them by hand, throwing them into a bucket of soapy water.  I’m not sure I like the hands-on approach, but might give it a try tomorrow since I have no alternatives at the moment.

Hummingbird couple.  (Look carefully near the pink flower.  Click image for a larger view.)

While watching one of the butterflies, I heard humming near my right ear.  I didn’t want to scare it off so I rolled my eyes in that direction and caught sight of a hummingbird hovering near me.  It stayed there for a few moments while its mate (I assume) checked out the flowers.  Then the two of them swooped and buzzed and hummed around the garden.

Perched on the yucca flower stalk

The hummingbird can help you to find joy and sweetness in any situation.  Its swiftness is always a reminder to grab joy while you can — as quickly as you can.

~ Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

Looking back

The hummingbirds were a wonderful surprise.  I spent about a half hour with them and the butterflies.  Sometimes one of the butterflies would chase one of the hummingbirds, and when the butterflies would leave, the hummingbirds would come back.

In flight

It’s not easy to catch a hummer.  I’m hoping I will get plenty of practice now that they’ve found the flower garden.

Two for one

morning walk
what do the butterflies bring?
things in the day sky
dreams that change your life

~ A little Search Engine Poetry from my Search Terms

I reckon that’s it from the Wabi-Sabi Ranch for this sultry Monday.  Thank you so much for stopping by, and joining me on another walk.  It’s quite overcast today so I don’t think we’ll see much in the way of a sunset, but you never know.  Join me on the porch and we’ll see what happens.  Sunset is scheduled for 8:21 PM.  You can even take a dip in the pool if you like, and watch from there.

Humming through the flowers

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

Today’s joys:  The delightful dance of butterflies and hummingbirds; flowers swaying in the breeze; sunflowers smiling on the garden; love, in all of its forms; magic, in all of its forms.