Rainy days are back in the High Desert. Yesterday we woke up to a very cold morning and by the time we stepped out, there were thick cloud formation moving over the mountains and blocking the view. We had periods of rain developing early in the afternoon. Today is cold, the sky is white and it’s drizzling.
Thick clouds formation over the mountains.
Roses glistening and dripping with raindrops, what a lovely sight.
Raindrops On Roses.
Some of the leaves on the Raywood Ash in my front yard have now turned a deep purple/red color and started falling. It’s always the first tree to change colors and the last to shed its leaves. The leaves on the Mulberry are almost all yellow. Soon enough we will be raking leaves.
Raywood Ash and Mulberry.
We will have to keep busy indoors since this cold and soggy weather will continue through Saturday.
Despite the hectic weather, it felt good stepping out today and watching the wind send leaves flying everywhere in the backyard as I slowly made my way towards the front porch. It was time to bring my Boston Fern indoors. I walked around the backyard and spent a couple of minutes with my Roses. These are some of the moments I cherish the most. Growing and caring for Roses is hard work as it demands a lot of determination, time, patience and love. In the end it pays a thousandfold and I have had a wonderful year with my Roses.
French Lace Rose.Little Pete Mini-multiflora Rose.Blue Moon Rose Bud.
On my way to collect the trash can from the street earlier in the week, I couldn’t resist stopping by my Rose Garden where a couple of rose bushes where blooming. As I began taking pictures of the beautiful blooms, I spotted a large Green Valley Grasshopper (from its rather large size, I believe it’s a female). I can’t tell if the insect was just hanging out, perhaps resting from a long flight or just getting ready to feed on my plants.
Green Valley Grasshopper.Spartan Floribunda Rose.
Today my heart is particularly filled with gratitude for the gift of Life and beauty in the World.
Upon waking up on Thursday morning my daughter came down with the stomach flu. She spent the entire day throwing up and taking trips to the bathroom. Though she’s such a strong, lively child and didn’t let her illness bring her down; I felt a wave of helplessness enveloping me. As a parent it’s always heartbreaking watching your child go through something like that. Just as she started getting better; her brother became the next victim and kept me up all night. I helped him clean up, gave him new clothes, changed the sheets and sent him in another room. Little did I know that I was already infected from cleaning contaminated surfaces.
As I began throwing up in the toilet, I heard my boy doing the same in his. How could I possibly take care of my sick child while I was fighting the same fight? It was a long, uncomfortable and painful night. At least, my daughter was sound asleep (I would have lost my mind otherwise). With much luck, we made it through the night until my husband came home this morning (took over for a little while to give me time to rest and recuperate) before beginning throwing up himself. We called my son’s school to let them know he wouldn’t make it in today.
What a way to spend the weekend! To be held hostage by the Stomach Flu. At least we are still alive and we are getting much better. I started disinfecting the house and as soon as I am 100% on my feet, I will be sanitizing the kids toys and deep cleaning the carpets. As of now we will stay hydrated and make the most of our day.
According to Health.com, we should try to avoid drinking too much plain water, or beverages like soda or juice that contain sugar, but not enough of the right electrolytes, says Dr. Rogg. Putting water into your body without adding electrolytes will dilute the electrolytes that still remain in your body, Dr. Rogg explains, while taking in sugar without salt can make your diarrhea worse. WikiHow suggests to make your own oral rehydration solution if you’re struggling to stay hydrated or you can’t leave the house to buy an electrolyte solution at the pharmacy. Mix the following, and drink as much as you can:
4.25 cups (1 litre) clean water
6 tsp (30 ml) sugar
0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
Also, according to the website wtsp.com, ‘Stomach Flu’ could be caused by your refrigerator. The article, which you can read here, recommends to check out your refrigerator and make sure it is at 40 degrees or below, to follow safe food handling at home to prevent deadly food poisoning.
Click here or here to figure out if you are suffering from Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) or Influenza.
My last published book was a little over a year ago and since then I have only been able to write a coupe of Poems here and there. I have been asked by friends all year long about my next book release. Well, the good news is that there is one in the making; however, far from completion. I love to write, yes. But I only do so when I have something meaningful to share. I do not write for the sake of writing as inspiration has to be genuine and flow through me (as well as other places) before I can begin to produce something inspiring for my audience.
Early in the month I was graced with a request to write a Personalized Poem for a special event and since then ideas have been overflowing. I should be able to put everything together in a day, but it’s not as simple as it seems given that the Poem is for some individuals who have been a tremendous source of Blessings in my Life.
Notepad, Fountain Pen & a Vase with Artificial Peony.
Sometimes you just have to find a need and fill the need. In my case I have recently had a couple of interesting life changing experiences which have inspired me to pull out my notepad and start writing. I have always believed that there is something magical about writing and I held that thought to be true once I began writing as a mean of self-healing/self-empowerment/self-freedom/self-motivation twenty-one years ago.
Gorgeous, gorgeous weather here in the High Desert. On our way to Harbor Freight Tools we saw a gathering at the Carriage House Antiques (in celebration to what turned out to be their 5th Year Anniversary) and all agreed to stop by the Shop on our way back home. It is the first Antique Shop we visited when we first moved to the High Desert and it has become one of our favorite Vintage/Shabby Chic Shops here in the High Desert.
Upon arrival each visitor got a free cup of Lemonade, Hot Dog and Chips served outside. In addition to the free cup of tea visitors are welcomed to have inside the shop, we enjoyed Shrimp Cocktail, Cookies, Cupcakes, Cheese and Tomato appetizer and so much more. We also enjoyed wonderful live Music by “Quiet Fire” (Janet and Chris). They are absolutely wonderful ladies with beautiful voices and it was a pleasure meeting them.
With Janet and Chris From “Quiet Fire.”
Janet and Chris are very talented and they perform Music for all occasions. You can reach Chris on (760) 964-3805 and Janet on (760) 887-1941 for inquiries and additional information.
We had a wonderful time at the Carriage House Antiques.
By JM Perez
