Happy Summer Solstice!

 It was a beautiful start to this day.  The typical mountain fog had settled in when I got up at 6:30 but burned off shortly after.  I always go outside when I first get up, scan for wildlife, and walk around soaking in the morning peace and calm.  Did about 20 minutes of stretchy yoga, showered and had a light breakfast of cream of buckwheat with ghee-fried peaches.  I still felt  a little full from eating Italian food with Janice last night.  We go out at 4:30 and take our time eating and talking, have a glass of wine and Friday night is dessert night.  Janice is doing better.  It'll be a year in August since she lost Ernie.  

I left the breakfast dishes in the sink and headed to our Murphy Farmers Market.  First stop was "Healing Ways" produce farmers for fresh Swiss chard, butter crunch lettuce, and a bunch of young summer squash and zucchini since all of mine are falling off the plants.  For lunch I cooked up one summer squash and all the chard.  Tess is a Cherokee Indian who grows all her herbs that she uses to make her achy muscles salve.  

I apply a small amount on my shoulder joints twice a day.  It doesn't cure osteoarthritis but it calms and soothes the joints especially after I weed whack or dig holes to plant more flowers.  It's allowed me to keep doing what I want outside where I'm happiest.  Next stop was to my English baker for her pastries.  She has a huge variety of sweets, cakes, English baked good and usually bakes a few gluten free.  She bakes all day Friday, gets about two hours of sleep before packing up to then set up at the market.  Her tent is the busiest one at the market.  She is in her seventies and still going strong, loves what she's doing.  Does it all alone.  Sets up and handles the sales and packaging herself.  Next stop was to visit with Jeff at his "Green Giant Arborvitae."  I bring him most of my empty plastic pots and get gardening advice on transplanting and soils. Today I bought red Mandevilla from him.

Will get it transplanted as soon as I find the best spot.

Weather should be pleasant all week, low chances of rain.  I'm hoping the daily sunshine will help some of the soggy plants to cheer up and produce flowers.  

 Another on of my favorite herbs is borage which keeps the ugly 3-4" caterpillars away from tomato plants.  The flowers are nourishing and good on salads or in your tea.  They are so easy to grow and are self-seeders. 

 Just talked to Michael.  We're all waiting for a "baby" call. Aleyah is due around the 24th so it will be anytime.  Michael Jr weighted over 10 lbs when he was born!  Hoping this birth is kind and not a long hard labor.  I was in labor 30 hours before Michael was born.  If Aleyah is late maybe the baby will be born on Michael's birthday, July 3.