My Dad's 10 Simple Rules

Father's Day is a good day to reminisce about the rules my dad lived by. Dad was taken from us in 1996 by cancer. I have been thinking about my dad a lot today and if I could sit down with him today he might just agree with these rules.

My Dad's Ten Simple Rules
1. If you can read... you can cook.
2. The best gift to give your granddaughter is a bubble gum pink Schwinn bicycle.
3. Men can cry... especially when they sing "God Bless America".
4. Respect the river.
5. The WSU Cougars were crummy... until my daughter got a master's degree from the university.
6.You can go home again.
7. The best place to examine the world is from your own front porch.
8. Respect your mother.
9. Money doesn't grow on trees.
10. Remember the good times and be generous to your friends.

Simple Pleasure: Summer Dinners

I love simple dinners in the summer that don't heat up the house and can be prepared easily. I also love finding a spot somewhere outside to depending on where the sun is.

Whether it is a cold salad, a few drumsticks on the grill, some fruit, or a cold drink summer dinners are the best.

The Beauty of Peonies

 One bloom that was too short for the vase can make a whole bouquet.

Mixed with other flowers they make an exquisite bouquet.

I love the bouquet in the evening light.

Day Five: The Kittens

Today Clementine and MacRae got to see the living room!

Now the literary cats are reading the dictionary

and the back of the Kitten Chow bag.

There are lots of places to explore.

It is also fun to pose for pictures.

It does feel safe back in the guest room again.

Obsession With Red

June, red, and cherries just go together.

I thought I bought annuals last year, but these dianthus came back as beautiful as ever.

Is there anything nicer than a red rose?

Well... perhaps a red BBQ. I have to believe food will taste better with this shiny,new grill!

When It Comes to Flowers... I am Old-Fashioned

I want my gardens to remind me of my grandmothers' gardens, my Auntie Lila's flower beds around her yard, and my mom's flower bed close to the house that even survived smelter smoke.

That is why I plant foxgloves,

petunias,

big, yellow, puffy marigolds,

more petunias,

and roses. Always roses.