Happy Saturday!

In some ways, I feel like this year isn’t getting better.

This week, one of my co-workers went to a long-term break due to health problems, leaving me to take over the work on top of mine. While the work isn’t hard, it’s been an annoyance to have all the emails I sent in prior weeks sent back for me to handle. Let’s just say it’s been a mess.

The weather hadn’t helped either. According to the weatherman, it’s monsoon season here. If I understand the word “monsoon” correctly, it means rain and so far, there’s been nothing but grey skies, heat, and wind. The only major rainstorm we had was a 15-minute deluge on Wednesday morning. As it was 3 AM, I couldn’t see much outside but judging from the sound, it reminded me of my trip to Niagara Falls a few years back when I rode on the Maiden of the Mist. That was the sound as we approached the waterfalls and gallons upon gallons of water pour down on me.

That storm refilled 2 of the 4 50-gallon rain barrels.

That very day, I also had the worst lupus flare up in about a decade. It took 3 allergy pills to calm down my crazy skin. There were hot itchy red bumps all over my arms and legs that made me feel like there are creepy crawlies all over me. I was so tired on Wednesday that I ended up leaving the office early to make sure I’m wide wake while I drove the 30 miles home.

When I told my mom about my flare up, instead of being sympathetic, she reacted by lecturing me about always going out into the garden before dark. “The sun did this,” she said and then proceeded by telling me I have the face of a 60-year-old.

Honestly, I don’t know why I tell her things because I can’t remember the last time she had something nice to say other than telling me I’m going bald or that I look old. I guess I was looking for pity and sympathy from someone close to me. She says she only wanted me to know the truth but doesn’t she realize that sometimes, the truth is best kept hidden?

I don’t understand why she’s so against the garden. She doesn’t complain when there’s things to eat, or when it supplies half of her meals. Yet, each time I spend a few hours in the garden or spend a dime for the garden, I get told off and lectured that I’m not a farmer and I’m not supposed to spend money on such useless things.

You know what? I know I’m not a farmer. Gardening isn’t farming. You also want to know something? I’m not out there gardening every day. There are maintenance to be done, clean up to do, repairs to be made. I can spend 15 minutes transplanting seedlings but I would also have to spend up to an hour replacing drip tubing for irrigation. So, no, I spend very little time gardening during the summer.

Before I go, I would like to share a couple of photos I took a walk last weekend. I wish my garden is shady like this, then I can grow leafy greens in the summer months.

Anyway, thanks to Natalie for hosting WeekendCoffeeShare and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.