This afternoon we rescued a hummingbird from the garage. The tiny bird went in while we were all busy in the backyard and some how couldn’t get out even though the doors were wide open. For almost fifteen minutes, it kept flying high hitting the ceiling and becoming distressed. It seems that these tiny birds would not fly low unless something gets their attention. My husband used an insect catching net to carefully rescue the bird. We made sure the hummingbird was safe before releasing it.
Rescued Hummingbird in Net.
A small lizard entangled in the web was captured by a female black widow.
“When a thing is done, it’s done. Don’t look back. Look forward to your next objective.” — George C. Marshall
While pursuing my graduate degree, I befriend a wonderful person with whom I worked on various projects. During the course of our friendship we shared so much about each other. This person was pleasant all around except when asked about his family. At first it was just a “there’s nothing much to say about my family.” Being naive at the time and not quite grasping his point, I asked again a month later and he told me his story. He was in a much better place.
As sad as it may be, some people are born into the wrong family. When the environment becomes toxic, when you feel like you are running out of oxygen, when your life seems to be on a timer around such individuals and life presents you with some challenging circumstances, it’s time to move on.
A good family is essential to an individual’s well-being. Family is wonderful when everyone comes together in a loving way and lift each other up. Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to be born into one. No one should waste their time pleasing others for the sake of togetherness or the fear of being alone. At the end of each day we only feel hurt and broken inside. I know the feeling too well as I went through that myself.
Image Source: PictureQuotes.com.
Of course, there’s always the possibility of reconciliations. I love second chances. I love to give and I am grateful to receive. I know that everything positive and sought with love is always uplifting and healing. My mind, which I programmed long ago to only see beauty in the World, is starting to rebel. I must accept fate. I must accept to let go, to never look back and never regret because I gave my best and held on tight until the end.
Today I was reminded by a sibling about a fact I always held to be true. That truth, believe it or not, was the last push I needed to completely free myself from the bondage that I have been living in. I am accepting the things I cannot change; however, I will distance myself from and no longer tolerate them.
“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.” — Walt Whitman
Being with people who have our happiness at heart and a genuine interest in us is a huge blessing. Self accountability, accepting the things we cannot change and learning from our failures is the greatest remedy to Happiness. Knowing and understanding that as desirable as material things are, they can never replace the joy we feel when surrounded by people who love us. As for me, I hold those I care about close at heart.
Just because we lived a certain way from the start doesn’t mean we should continue living that way. Also, being part of a circle doesn’t mean we must stick together till the end.
It is possible to create beauty from ruins, just like a Phoenix, rising from its ashes.
I love Lavender so much that I finally planted a couple in my front yard, right by my kitchen and bedroom windows. It’s beautiful, evergreen and it smell wonderful too. The plant attracts lacewings, bees, butterflies, ladybugs, praying mantises and hummingbirds. Lavender is known to repel mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects. Some common pest of Lavender plants are spittle bugs and aphids (ladybugs and praying mantises keep them in check).
Lavender ‘Lavance Purple.’Anouk Lavender.
The horsetails are thriving in the half barrel container. I cut them back every winter and they return stronger.
Horsetail (Equisetum Hyemale).
The Pomegranate tree has began producing flower buds and we are looking forward to lots of beautiful flowers.
Pomegranate flower buds.
The Yucca Pendula sprouts I transplanted almost three years ago are thriving on their own. I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see flower stalks emerging from the center of the rosettes. I am looking forward to seeing the fragrant ivory bell-shaped blooms. Click here to learn about Yucca Species Propagation.
Yucca Pendula Flower Stalk.
A variety of Gaura all around my property began producing a profusion of white, bright and light pink blossoms. Gaura Lindheimeri is a plant I really enjoy having around. They are self-cleaning, self-seedling, are drought tolerant, bloom for a long time and they bounce back stronger year after year.
Gaura plants attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, ladybugs as well as a variety of moths. A variety of moths such as the Primrose Moth and the Hawk Moth are attracted to the plant, feeding off their nectar, serving as a means of pollination and laying their eggs on the plant. The larvae and caterpillar feed on leaves and flowers. Unfortunately this plant also attracts aphids (which get eaten by praying mantis and ladybugs). Click here to learn about using ladybugs for aphids.
The Red Autumn Sage is another plant I love. It attracts hummingbirds and bees. I read somewhere that Salvia plants also attract groups of butterflies consisting of Swallowtails, Sulphers, Skippers and Brushfoots; some of which will lay their eggs on the plant.
Salvias are also self-cleaning, self-seedling, drought tolerant and bloom for a very long time (as early as spring through fall). They are very susceptible to spittlebugs (plant-feeding insects, which produces a cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling saliva). Click here to learn about controlling spittlebugs.
Salvia Greggii (Red Autumn Sage).
The Dwarf Cup flowers are in full bloom and going strong in the planter box. I found a couple of caterpillars on the plants, eating the flowers. They look like the larvae of Heliothis virescens.
Dwarf Cup Flowers.
I saw the beautiful female Mourning Dove as I was stepping out of the car and thought it was a figurine. The bird stood still as I took a closer look and flew away as my kids approached.
Female Mourning Dove.
Ground squirrels are at it again. I watched one having fun in the front yard this afternoon from my kitchen window. The rodent was busy eating the flowers on the Gaura Lindheimeri and attempted to eat those on the Desert Bird of Paradise.
My children’s school is celebrating the 100th day of school today.
My daughter’s class was asked to create and decorate their T-shirts for a fashion show. She looked forward to this day with much anticipation to show off her creation.
We had a totally different design idea for the T-shirt, but a slight mistake led us to what you now see, “The Lady and her Fancy Feather Coat.” Regardless, I think it turned out great.
“The Lady and her Fancy Feather Coat” (100th Day of School T-Shirt Project).“The Lady and her Fancy Feather Coat” (100th Day of School T-Shirt Project).
By JM Perez
