The Mountain Thymes

 Cliff's friend, Jamie from station 25, graded our driveway this morning.  With all the rain we've had all spring and summer, the water pools and doesn't run down under the fence.  It always amazes me how he makes it look.  Jamie moves the scoop like it's an extension of his shoulder.  We got our flu shots Monday.  No reactions.  No difficulties.  I can't inject for another two weeks to allow this immunity to take, which will become four weeks in all.  So far no aches, no joint pain.  Doctor told me to carry Tylenol and Motrin with me until I can inject again and to behave myself.  Be cautious and gentle to the body.    Foggy every morning again. Temperatures vary from forties to fifties at night and days run in the seventies with sun, thank goodness.  We've been walking most afternoons when the fog is burned off and the temperature is comfortable.  Cliff is doing well.  Tired, as expected, but looks forward to his walk in the park and being outside.  This is a

 There's not an abundance of energy or movement in the house today.  When Cliff went for his chemo Monday morning, I drove to Walgreens for my third Moderna vaccine.  By evening he was feeling the normal fatigue set in and I began experiencing the dreaded vaccine effects.  His joints and bones began their aching routine and I never slept from eleven on.  Along with every joint and muscle in my body yelling at me, I had quite a stiff neck and painful headache that radiated down into my shoulders.  I never have headaches so I have empathy for people who suffer from migraines now.  My dear friend, Barb, baked yesterday and brought us "meals-on-wheels" in the afternoon. She and I share lots of likes.  She's happiest with her hands in the garden soil and creating palate pleasers in the kitchen.  Her basket of goodies included a meatloaf, twice-baked potatoes with cheese and bacon toppings, deviled eggs, chocolate chip cookies, and cooked apple slices.  Cliff was in heaven.

 Nature is intriguing.  If you pay close attention there are lots of life lessons in observing creature behaviors and nature.  I'm no David Attenborough but I do enjoy watching nature unfold it's marvels.  I have the laptop on my lap on the front porch because I don't spend much time inside this time of year and I've neglected to sit still long enough in the house to blog.  My intention was to settle out here and catch up on reading The Land of Mango Sunsets by Dorothea Benton Frank.  I enjoy many of her stories because they take place on coastal South Carolina where Cliff and I enjoy our get-away destinations.  While reading, my curiosity piqued with the sound of tiny snapping twigs. Two squirrels biting tiny branches off the trees were making the only noise in the trees behind me so I sat and watched. I believe they were gathering nesting leaves for the cold winter ahead.  The Farmers Almanac predicts a colder than normal winter for our region. If I could have certai