Dear Reader:

I think the universe forgot to let us in on a little secret when we were young and terrified of fiery dragons- even sometimes having nightmares with them as the chief culprit.

We didn’t know then that the real dragons in our lives were fear of the unknown, fear of failing, or the scariest dragon yet… the fear of succeeding… with the inevitable changes that would require of us.

It is our personal exploration towards self-awareness that takes us through the desolate frontiers of hidden dragons waiting to send us scurrying back home with their fiery breaths and our trembling beings.

No one told us when we were little that we would need to slay the dragons in our minds before we could reach our personal promised land of happiness, contentment, and accomplishment.

It is not until we reach the end of our adventure that we have the hindsight to finally realize that our story wouldn’t be worth telling if we had not found the courage, within us, to confront each dragon along our life’s paths.

Don’t you remember your English teacher requiring everyone to write a short story…then reminding everyone that there must be “conflict” in each story because conflict creates and drives the story, exemplifies opposing perceptions of good and bad, as well as, adding excitement and emotion to an other-wise dry tale.

My grandchildren fascinate me with their Super Heroes figurines. If I give them a bag of the little plastic figures to play with…the first thing they do is separate the good guys from the bad…and they can immediately tell me their names and why some are good and some are bad. Children love play that involves good vs evil…always letting good win.

Lachlan’s fifth birthday arrived just as the coronavirus was  hitting the media back in March…so we kept Lachlan’s birthday down to him and cousin Jake (also 5) and let them play with two good dinosaurs (not dragons.)

Along with a book that Lachlan wanted involving Ninjas…he got a Ninja figure and then there was another good character that Jake played with…he immediately told Lachlan that he had the bad guy and he (Jake)  the good one. (Didn’t bother Lachlan at all 🙂

It takes us all awhile to “get it” on our journey…but conflict highlights what is important to us and illuminates our character…for better or worse. Conflict defines us. God envelopes us.

So until tomorrow…Adventures must have dragons but as we grow up… still recalling read fairy tales and Disney movies…At the end of our adventure…we will live happily ever after.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Pip is resting up from all his notoriety since placing in the Top Ten category of the Lowcountry Monthly Model Calendar. He has agreed, however, to share his patriotism (as the Fourth  quickly approaches) with the public on his daily walks…a true American hero dog! 🙂

My hanging hydrangea plant loves  its new location where it has room now to spread its blooms….

I came across the initial “Garden Founders Day” photo- September 26, 2013…Mandy had just made me my four stepping stones on the kiln at school for my birthday two days earlier….(Before and  after…)

Thursday we had no rain at all…and yesterday looked like a repeat with sunny higher temperatures…so I pulled all the pillows out of the potting shed and set everything back on the garden swing and benches for the first time in two weeks.

Until…suddenly at 4:00 the sun disappeared and blackness descended….terrific lightning and thunder that shook my whole house foundation…haven’t had anything like that kind of thunderstorm for quite awhile!

I barely got the pillows thrown back in the potting shed and ran in the house off the deck just as the skies opened up….a fierce early summer thunderstorm.

Thank goodness the beach stayed nice yesterday earlier in the day…Mandy took the kids…she said Jake wouldn’t stand still long enough to get a photo…but I have decided Eva Cate and Rutledge should go into business together…Rutledge-construction/engineering and Eva Cate design and decorating! 🙂

Don’t forget it’ s Summer Solstice.…and this year VIRTUAL Summer Solstice 2020 – Another new experience with another new season and new beginnings! Welcome to Summer!