Rose with Water Drops

Delicious perfection, Ron. Droplets add so much to a subject and this gorgeous rose is even prettier with some water drizzled on its petals. Too bad you couldn't have been at that garden in the springtime, but you did well anyway! I know what you mean--sometimes the only flowers around are, of all delights, roses! There's a place in Medford--a company called Harry & David, and they have a lovely garden outside that's open to the public. They have a marvelous rose garden and if I come around in late autumn, even after the leaves have all fallen, there will be some roses to take pictures of. They are so pretty and seems there is always some way to photograph them that's new and wonderful. Your picture makes me want to visit and see what there is to take pictures of! :)

Wow! You left me a door stop to read, how wonderful!! *purrs mightily and rolls in a sun spot*
Glad that your flight went well. I do agree with you--it's no fun feeling like a mindless sheep, especially if there are jerks being rude (on our trip to and from Provence--and this was years before covid!--the people in customs were JUST HORRIBLE! Disrespectful, overbearing, and absolutely out of line.). I can only imagine the attitudes these days. Glad it worked out ok on this trip.

I enjoyed learning which of my pictures got your attention! And yep...some days I look through my pictures and it's just dud after dud. Though, I do make a point of studying the sets and evaluating why they failed and how to overcome the issues that I'd had. I can usually remember what I was thinking when I took the pictures so then I can see how I went wrong and make amends next time I try for a certain subject.

What an incredible story about the outrageous neighbor of the fellow down the road who sawed half of his apricot trees down...it's just crazy. I can only imagine the lawsuit filed--I hope he was well-compensated. Astonishing. *shakes head*

Incredibly sad story about your friend's child with a brain tumor. I just don't know how I'd handle that one...what can you say or do to make any difference except to let them know how much you care? What a total bummer. :(

So good of you to be handling your parent's affairs so diligently. My father was such a narcissistic control freak that it was hard to do that with him. Til the last minute, it seems, father needed to be in control of everything. My oldest brother was the one who ended up handling big-deal affairs because he can be a bull in a china shop and force issues (also a narcissistic control freak). My younger brother and I could not stand up to dad's bullying ways. It's all just ugly to think about. Poor Doug (my oldest brother)...it was no fun for him. I was glad that Doug found strong support in talking to me about everything--nobody can really understand such situations but family members because of the history and when Doug realized how much I understand the whole thing and could make him see things he wasn't making sense of and also to feel better for what Dad was putting him through, Doug gained new respect for me and learned a lot more about who I am. What was a terrible time for all of us was good in that Doug and I became much closer. I would guess that your parents have not been monstrous...thank goodness, for it is horribly draining and stressful. I am still very impressed that you have managed so well--it's no fun at all what you're doing but yet, you're making your way without imploding. Good on you. *hugs*

How remarkable it must be to have such talented kids and to watch them bloom so grandly. Your son sounds amazing...running a big company and all that entails. WOW!! Like you, I would never be able to do something like that but I bet it's really neat to see what he's done with his life. Bravo! And to think. Your younger brother now works FOR him! That's just WOW! Such a family you have. Really.

Your parents must be so worn out over being locked away AGAIN. Everyone is just so tired of the whole thing, but I think it's extra horrible, like you say, that older folks are treated so badly in the face of this virus. Couldn't agree with you more, and totally understand their feelings about it. Solitary confinement is no way to life. :(

Well, today is Wednesday and you'll be back home tomorrow so hopefully this trip won't take too much out of you. Though...it will. *sigh* Every trip I took to see my dad in the last couple of years before he passed away...what a struggle. :( *big hugs to you* You are standing tall in the face of all of this but inside it's no fun at all...I'm glad that you have so much good support around you to help keep shored up!

Ok, I'm off...hope you have a good day and find some fun and light in it here and there! :)