And Only Two Mosquito Bites in the Taking

I got these pictures after work, inspired to walk around my own yard by a sit with our neighbor Martha on her front porch, near a rainbow of daylilies. Martha talked about her cat, Liesl, who has diabetes, just like she used to talk about her late husband, Richard. She likes the details of caring for loved ones. She asked me to read a card she got from an old friend to her, so I did. We went inside to the sound of a TV preacher shouting in the other room. I think she leaves the TV on the preaching channel all day. We shuffled around in her mail basket until the right card came to hand. I read all the writing to her, the printed message that came on the card and the inked words written carefully by her friend. A Psalm was at the bottom—I can’t remember which, but it said to rejoice.

I’m glad to see the white hydrangea on our front path beginning its bloom. In the winter, I always think of cutting it down. It has grown to be a lanky creature with its struggle to find the afternoon sun on the north side of the house. But the tiny white flowers that open out in the early summer are my favorites. I can’t think of any I like better.

We’re going to Charlotte tomorrow to see David’s brother, Ben, and sister-in-law, Christa. I won’t be back until Monday evening.

I’m looking forward to the fireworks. Happy 4th.