The day after the car racing… school will begin for many students in the outlying suburbs. Unlike the race which will last part of a day, the school year will last for approximately 180 to 190 days.
(The post above was originally posted August 21, 2022.)
Enjoy the weekend before school begins in 2026!
This post is from 2023. I still think beauty abounds when we have the right mindset.
I have another post from August 19th from the year 2021 which gives another perspective on how we can find the beauty around us. It will be my next post.
As I have been shown past posts over the past couple of weeks, I have seen some that I like and I have seen some that I ask myself “what was that about?” I just deleted a past post titled There is a Silver Lining from long ago. It fell into the ridiculous category with no saving grace other than its title.
The picture you see here was recently added to an old post from 2015/11/11 titled Cowrie, Cowry, Kauri. The old post had a picture of the cowrie shell that was not one of my pictures. It was very bland, so I upgraded with a picture from the WordPress image generator. Here is the post: https://movingforwardslowly.com/2015/11/11/cowrie-cowry-kauri/
I still have the shell that I found long ago. I placed it in an old jewelry box. There are cowrie shells shown in the new picture. The cow you see in the background is a powerful symbol in Hinduism. It represents Gau Mata (The Divine Mother).
Last night I finished reading the book The Origin of Ava written by Annie Lampman. One of the main characters in this book was Dr. Avanthe Estmund, PhD, Professor of Ornithology (study of birds.) She loved all birds and many of the birds she mentions live in Ecuador which was a country where some parts of the book took place. She was originally from Idaho and grew up around the North Fork of the Clearwater River on the Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forest. She was particularly close to a Raven named Persephone. I will not tell you more since I think you should read this book. It follows three main characters that overcome overwhelming obstacles in their lives. It clearly demonstrates “the redemptive power of nature, time, and chosen family.” It is a book of fiction.
I chose to use the picture of the Great Blue Heron in this post because I wanted to honor all birds. This bird was not mentioned in the book.
I only have two weeks left before I go back to school. There is time to read another book or two. I looked up all the books written by James A. Michener and chose my next book to read. I have placed it on hold at my local library. I should pick it up early this week. It might take me all of the two weeks to read it with everything else in my life that I will still need to do, though it is much shorter than his first book I read.
James A. Michener is so detailed in his writing that I just might learn about some birds that live in the Caribbean. If not, I am sure I will learn some new things. He mixes lot of facts into his fiction.
Here are 3 pictures taken today of an Ironweed native plant named “Southern Cross”. It is just beginning to bloom. I purchased it out at the historic Abernathy & Spencer Green House & Garden Center in Lincoln, Virginia
My camera card is full of pictures, some I had never downloaded and really looked at. I chose one to highlight today. It is a picture of a North American Green Tree Frog that I took at Huntly Meadows Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information about the frog look here: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/frogsandtoads/green-frog/index.php
Since the full Buck Moon is today/tonight, I did a little research on historical events that have happened around the full buck moon in July. I was surprised to see that the Apollo 11 Moon Landing was close to the full moon (not exactly on the full moon). They listed other historical events, though none appeared to have happened exactly on the day/night of the full moon. I did not do extensive research.
I saw the buck moon last night and it was so lovely, it looked full even though it was only almost full. I hope to see it again tonight.
Cranberry bean update– I picked my third full bowl of the beans this afternoon. I have made 2 soups so far…soon to be 3. 🙂
Update 7/30/2026 –5:26 PM-– I did see the moon last night! After I had cleaned up everything for the day and turned off all the lights, I had the thought to check to see if I could see the moon, and sure enough it was front and center skimming the tree line directly in line of my kitchen window. I went outside and right on the threshold between inside and outside I got a beautiful full view of the Buck Moon. Light wispy clouds were hugging it and some moved across its surface, though none could dim its brightness and its beauty.
I like to spend some vacation time exploring new foods and recipes. This summer is no exception. I have had lentils on my mind since I posted about tasting sea urchin in southern France when I was in my early twenties. The reason lentils have been on my mind is because I have a strong memory about lentils I ate in France when I was on vacation with my sister and her boyfriend. I decided I wanted to try and make them the same way. I have only ever cooked lentils by adding them to soups or stews. The cooked lentils I ate in France were not soft nor were they hard. They were served cold with what I think was olive oil and fresh lemon juice. When I tried to research French recipes for lentils, I was in for a lentil education.
It turns out there is a special lentil called French lentils. They are smaller and rounder and darker than the regular lentils I have cooked with in the past. I think this must be the type of lentils I remembered from long ago in France. I also discovered there are more varieties of lentils than I realized. I added the sushi rice because this was also a new discovery for me. I read an article recently that stated scientists tested different types of rice for arsenic. They mentioned sushi rice (which I had no idea there was such a thing.) They stated it had the lowest levels of arsenic.
I looked up where I could buy French lentils and it turns out that Mom’s Organic Market not far from where I live carries French lentils in bulk. I went there today and was able to find them. I also saw golden lentils and wanted to try them. My eyes surveyed their wide selection of dried bulk items and I found sushi rice! I had to buy some of it. How to make it is another lesson I learned today. I love the internet for looking up foods and recipes even though I have numerous cookbooks.
On another subject— I saw my first hummingbird in our garden late this afternoon. My husband saw it first and called my attention to it. It was in clear view of our kitchen window. I purposely planted two new cardinal flowers to attract the hummingbirds to a location where we could easily see them from inside. The spaceship rose cardinal flower is pictured below. The other cardinal flower is just beginning to bloom in the past couple of days.
I was planning on an indoor dinner celebration before the extreme heat arrived. I went outside early this morning to give water to areas in my garden. Already it was hot! I am so glad that I am not cooking outdoors today or tomorrow. All food will be prepared inside. I already have cooked a big pot of hearty seafood stew using a variety of vegetables with jumbo shrimp and catfish. I will be making a big fresh salad with lots of red including: radishes, red cabbage, red pepper, and tomatoes. Of course their will be green such as red leaf lettuce, cucumbers, and avocado on the side. My favorite salad dressing will be made using a Good Seasons Italian packet. I am getting ready to make for the first time Anthony Bourdain’s Rouille to spread on toasted organic sourdough bread.
The table is partially set. I put out the big pot with the seafood stew in it for this picture. More preparations will be done today.
I included a flower spotlight for today- Rudbeckia hirta -- Lion's Cub.
I hope anyone that might read this has a fantastic Independence Weekend!
JULY 4th Update: a couple food pictures.
Here is another throwback. This one is from 2017.
I have seen many catbirds so far this spring.
They are very bold.
I almost think I could train one to land on my hand
I was reminded that these were my thoughts on this day 7 years ago.
It was a simple poem about the Praying Mantis which I used to see all the time in my garden back then.
I have not seen one yet this season.
The season is still young with summer around the corner.
Whenever it has been possible I have been working at garden improvement. I have been mostly focused on pruning and working on growing a few vegetables. The gorgeous Regal Geranium pictured above was an impulse buy. It is proving its worth these days. I have it potted on our deck and I can see it from my kitchen window.
We have a long weekend coming up after tomorrow. I plan to spend more time getting the garden in order. Hopefully, the weather cooperates, though we do need the rain, and I was so happy to hear the steady rain last night. We even had some lightning last night which was a blessing because it fixes nitrogen and will help the beans I planted the other day.
“Lightning drives atmospheric nitrogen fixation by using its immense heat and energy to split tightly-bonded atmospheric nitrogen molecules. These separated atoms instantly bond with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides. Rain then washes these compounds into the soil as nitrates, acting as a natural, plant-ready fertilizer. “
I don’t have much more to say today. However, I was inspired to post a picture of the beautiful geranium on our deck.
movingforwardslowly 