Memento Mori

"Alas poor Yorick..."  Memento Mori, in Latin, literally means 'remember you must die.'  Not me??!!

Ok, nothing living and no one gets out of here alive.  Memento Mori are traced back to Socrates and the Victorians were very interested in them as a means of reflection on mortality.  Great writings (even Keats), great art and jewelry harken back to Memento Mori. It is said they are a way to remember to live each minute of every day to the fullest.  I am trying to do that very thing lately.  Looking under the rocks.  Enjoying and wondering - very curious about the world around me. This jade skull is one of many crystal and gemstone skulls sold in my web stores.  Not hawking them, just FYI.

Don't know the artist, but artwork abounds on the subject.

An antique gold ring for sale on 1st Dibs.

Even the evil eye jewelry everywhere today is memento mori.

In the US, Memorial Day has expanded to include family members that have passed.  

I don't have many veterans to remember and thank, but my brother-in-law was an Army captain, who flew Huey helicopters in Vietnam; he would swoop in to rescue the wounded and in fact, was shot down twice - a true American hero.  He rests at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Thank you this Memorial Day to all of the brave men and women who have fought in wars.

Weed Or What

I don't know what this is, but its got a week before I whack it out.

Those bottom leaves are nearly two feet in length and it stayed neat and tidy for two years - close to the ground.  This year it is growing up and out. It's about 3 feet by 3 feet in a small bed across my back patio.  It keeps putting out these buds and I wait each day for blooms, but I think it's just unfurling more leaves.  

Whatever, it is getting a severe pruning next week if nothing of the floral variety appears.

Mother In Laws

I sell things on eBay, Etsy and Mercari.  Mostly crystals and stones, old pawn Navajo jewelry and a few things left over from my antique booth.

This item cracks me up.  I just love it and have several - all different.  This is a vintage Navajo mother in law bell.  All sterling silver, the bell and chain both handmade by a Navajo artisan, the story goes that the son in law was not supposed to look at the mother in law.  Talk about respect.  Anyway, the mother in law wore these little bells so she could be heard approaching.  There is a little clanger in the bell and each one makes a different sound.  Some of these have a turquoise cabochon on the  front.  The stamping on this bell means something, but I don't know what.  I only know the bird wing stamp, which isn't on this one.  It is decorated front and back.  I also have some Navajo bell earrings, but I'm keeping one pair.

Nouvelle Vague - Dance With Me

It is a beautiful day - a happy day with rain this morning and sunny skies this afternoon. I think I have planted my last flowers in my garden. I think.

This song is on my playlist and I remembered I posted this long ago.  Just love how they re-did the song and video.  And I just love this song. Hope your day is happy too!

E For Effort

It was a nice Mother's Day.  My husband provided a take out meal (including paper plates, napkins and plastic cutlery) and the kids and grands came and went to celebrate the day.  

This dish was the most impressive, for my husband had to make it and haul it from the farm to the city house.  I tried not to laugh, given that he hasn't a clue what tempered chocolate is (and thus, had sugar watery droplets on top). Nor the fact the marshmallows were hard since they have been in the pantry since last July 4th celebration. These tiny strawberries were from the plants he planted last year (he has always detested gardening). I asked what he used for dipping them in chocolate and he said he used a Hershey Bar and put it in the microwave.  

Will wonders never cease?

Bunting

Well, I have tried and failed to capture my beautiful bunting.  I have probably taken 30 pictures from different angles, in different light and the iPhone cannot do it justice.  I ordered 20 feet of this from England.  It was to be made of handkerchiefs, but alas, it is just printed fabric.  I never send anything back.  Anyway, it goes across my covered patio and I hope it is not bothering all the nesting birds in the birdhouses.

I googled bunting as I thought it was an English thing and I have always loved it.  But, what if it were French?  So, it seems in the seventeenth century, sailors made bunting from wool and hanged it from ship ropes or something.  Just love it. I'd probably have it down to the lake and in the trees if I could.

The Great Veggie Patch

After more than thirty years of large scale vegetable gardens, this is how I grow them now and you'll not find a pumpkin in this patch.

I only have two places where veggies can be grown and there is a raised planter at each corner of the house.  Being waist high, bugs are easy to spot and the beds can be easily tended.  Only drawback is the amount of plants I can grow and the beds dry out very quickly.  This is the second year, so I've learned a bit.

After years of tilling the soil and weeding and planting and harvesting, canning and freezing, I think I deserve these.  The roadside stands will have to supply my tomatoes.

Sweet May

Finally, warm spring days.  May sweet May. Much to do in the garden.  I caught this Pennyhopper in the garden.  I told Penny I caught a bug and put it in a jar so it couldn't get away.  I am a magpie and save all sorts of things.  Bug wings, dried bugs, mini spaceman, bones - lots of things.  I've made one of these for all the grandkids.  This Pennyhopper is sitting on a chunk of amethyst, her birthstone.

She's holding dried lavender and has a little parakeet egg is in her basket.  Ladybirds are on the wood around the back.  She was quite enamored.

As I said I love May and so look forward to the flowers and warm weather.  My iris are blooming and the peonies are in bud and about to burst forth. I need to re-pot some citrus and plant many annuals.  I can't wait to see it all.  But, with the sublime comes Mother Nature at her worst.  Tornadoes in Oklahoma are most prolific in May and tomorrow might be a real lulu.  I am almost more afraid of large hail as it just beats the plants down.  I've never personally seen hail larger than a quarter, but have heard of it the size of grapefruit.  Tomorrow will tell.

When the wind blows mightily on the days in question, you know somewhere is going to get it. Hope it's not here.  I'm not going to plant my hydrangea plants until after tomorrow.  Will have my truck in the garage, so it won't be damaged.  Fingers crossed.