Turtle, toad and robin visit the garden

Another muddy night in the GARDEN - YEAH!

If I could drive past the garden store and not stop and check what was on sale and get just one more thing - I would have people asking me if I was OK?

Tonight I got a bale of hay, a few herbs to finish the must haves, a few geraniums and of course the Coyote Urine.

I started after dinner by pulling the tray from beneath the bench on the frontporch. Something wiggled and I knew it was not a worm. I looked closer and it was a toad about 2 inches in diameter just hanging out in the potted plants. Probably because they get watered everyday.

So I carried it back to the garden and he plopped down into the dirt. I saw him later but he had turned a browner color to match the dirt - clever little animal.

Then as I was searching for the right place to plant some dill and some fennel I saw a huge turtle.

I am not sure but I think this is the same turtle from last year only a year older. He came and went as I mulched everything. As I was looking to see how the sprinkler was working I saw him headed back into the garden. Wonder if it s a she and looking for a nesting place for a few eggs. Better research that soon and find out what they like to eat. Turtle may be going on a field trip to the creek bed... Unless they like mosquitos!

I also have one sage plant blooming.

I would have taken a picture of the roses blooming but I ran out of battery.

Today someone was driving a little too fast and hit our mailbox. The dear Husband has a new one already installed. The woman said it was sleep deprivation - might have been cell phone attention deficit. Oh well - mailboxes are an easy fix - considering other accidents I have heard about.

The hot shower is calling my name. Tomorrow is the annual mammogram. If you have not had your annual mammogram - stop what you are doing - go and get the phone number of your facility and write it down - now decide what time you are calling them and get the exam set up. You deserve healthy breasts and a regular exam ensures this - start between the ages of 35 to 40 and do them regularly. Please and thank you.

I have a friend who is in the hospital for some health issues. She is collecting prayers. God will know her name. She has a son graduating from Marine Corp Boot Camp on Friday. She will not be there because she is in the hospital. Like I said she is collecting prayers... Offer one to God for her - I sure would appreciate that. I have known her for 40 years, she is my best friend.

Peace to you this night and all nights.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

NIGHT TIME GARDENING

I have no clue how it happens.

I start out with the intentions of only looking, then it is trimming the flower heads, which turns into filling a few pots and emptying a few plant trays and then there is the watering and all of a sudden each plant is only two shades of grey - light and dark.

The moon is out and the frogs are chirping not the birds.

What happens and when I do not know. At what exact moment does dusk become night?

I wonder these things a lot in the summer. In the winter - who cares - I am already inside and it does not matter too much to my play time.

Indeed I played tonight.

First I went to the 4th grade promotion ceremony at the elementary school.

There is something special about a 4th grade year that if successful can really send your life in the right direction.

From all apparent displays - the year was successful and the students are truly hard workers who love to learn.

I had a few plants to distribute about the yard.

So, while I talked to my friend who is in the hospital with a drain in her side in Lake County, I planted them.

I learned over the years to cluster plants in groupings of odd numbers.

Three of one kind and two of another in similar hues makes for an interesting garden spot.

Little islands of color is what I am going for this year.

I had other plans last winter - they are in a holding pattern - I like the plan as it is going this year and will stick to it for a few years.

Plain and simple to the left - islands of color to the right. Great plan and everyone is happy.

OK tonight I did not drink any drinks with caffiene for supper.

No Chinese tea.

I plan on sleeping for a few hours in a row tonight.

Last night I saw 11:15 pm when I started sleeping and then it was 12:22 am, 1:44 am, 3:22 am and 5:52 am.

Each time I just rolled over and acknowledged that I was going to be a bit sleepy Tuesday.

Not so bad.

I guess I am accustomed to being sleep deprived.

We also turned on the air conditioner because the house was muggy last night and the bedroom was also muggy.

Not for happy making.

Tonight cooler bedroom should make for good sleeping.

Sleeping has never been my strong suit.

Tomorrow is Wednesday already - that calls for a big WOO HOO!

Tomorrow night I will play in the garden of herbs and vegetables.

Plant a few more.

Plant some seeds about the edges and just see where I am with the whole garden plan...

Plants will be on sale soon - Tarragon is on the list of things to find on sale.

Sweet Dreams to each and every dreamer out there. Focus on your dreams and make them come true. No sense having dreams unless you work on their completion.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

SUNDAY SABBATH AT IT'S BEST

You know what you do on a Sunday Sabbath

We ate, read, napped, splashed, soaked and did nothing. It was THE best Sabbath I have had since 2001. All the things that have had to be done - all the events that had to be held - all the life cycles have been crossed - we are at a point where we can choose and pick what is mandatory and we can rest in between.

Personally I am exhausted.

There is a certain energy that comes with emergent events.

I spent all that energy. GONE! as one of my former bosses had a habit of saying.

Now is just time to live. To celebrate life and the choices that are ahead. Not to react but to act. Not to burn bridges but to build them. In the liturgical season I love the common time. If I had to label this period in my life - I would call it the common time.

I indeed did start the two circular needle knitting socks. I am probably 4 rows along. Tomorrow after a few more rows I will gather some time and take pictures.

ON A MUD NOTE: I also started some weeding that is really badly needed. Pulling weeds in clay soil that has never seen an ounce of organic matter is HARD. Tomorrow the Mister and I are searching some of the piles we have accumulated over the years for some organic matter for the front yard. Possibly more pictures...

We will have to see what NOTHING looks like tomorrow... it is a holiday... a second Sabbath. PRAISE GOD, She knows what I need - another day to play.

I love to play especially outside!

Take the day off - tell your boss I said it was OK!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Sunday - not so many words - just pictures

Started this sock in February and finished it in May. There is a lot of therapy here. I just do not knit - I pray as I knit. This sock, if it could talk, would have some pretty interesting stories to tell. Alas, it cannot not. I have another plan for sock two. Knitting on two circular needles made of metal and hopefully I will not break them as I knit. I went through 5 bamboo needles as I make this one sock!

A little food for the Hummingbird that does visit us! We saw two on Friday eating at the plants on the deck!

Potted geraniums - all good decks have at least one pot of geraniums! I will have more as they go on sale soon!

Spares - just in case! Always need plan B!

I have some great joys and some great sorrows to think about

So you can see I am...

Off to Church!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Deer today, gone tomorrow

I love spring and summer

I love to get up in the morning and go outside with my faithful cup of coffee and walk about the garden

Today I found lovely sticks where the tomatoe plants and pepper plants of yesterday had been.

Deer were here!

It was interesting that they lasted 48 hours before being found... humph!

I was in for a battle. Husband and I researched "ZOODOO" which I discovered is no longer sold by the local Zoo - so the next best thing was - Deer Scram - which I did find at the local garden store and another dozen tomatoe plants and a few other things (of course) for the front and side gardens and a few herbs. Then I spotted Coyote Urine and bought some of that also.

I replanted the tomatoes and the other dozen seedlings I had in waiting. I then made 8 little cups with rolled old towel pieces in them and filled each cup with a Casey "present" and poured the Coyote urine on the pile. I neatly placed them in circles of stone - like on little altars - and said a few deer blessings and felt good about everything. For good measure I did sprinkle the Deer Scram around the border too! In for a penny in for a pound the Husband suggested!

We will see what we will see.

I have about 8 more plants. I also have two earth boxes which may well be the way to have my tomatoes and eat them too!

There was a purple flower in the middle of the garden I was about to identify with the book I uncovered from the pile last night -OH humph!

Once upon a time I use to fence in the garden with the green poles and fencing. I am not sure I want to look at that. The fencing was fun to grow beans and morning glories on! I am not thinking I want to look at all that fence!

Here the garden is easily 20 by 20 - should be plenty for all to eat - I would share if they left me anything to share!

Sleep beckons. Day is done. Deer are in their glory and I hope they smell the coyote scent and decide to leave my yard alone! I did not protect the dozen roses or the 8 day lilies in the front or the hostas! I am a virtual snack bar for deer! I should just open a deer snack bar and charge admission!

Tomorrow is another day. Be happy. Enjoy what you do. Enjoy who you are with. Keep the smile - it still makes people wonder what you are up to!

I bought some toys today. Fun silly toys that make you laugh... so ready for a long weekend!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Time to see the garden

We have a garden

Tomatoe plants

Red Marconi Pepper plants

... and lots of space that is just frought with potential

there are sunflowers, swiss chard, squash, watermelon, chamomile, rosemary, thyme, lavender, holly hocks, mints, hyssop, lemon balm, wormwood, and a bed of lettuce

You must use your imagination today because the above mentioned are hiding in the soil.

I water in the morning and then inspect in the evening. Tonight I closed down a compost bin that has been doing its thing for a year and the soil from the bin is rich black soil and ready for the potted geraniums that will arrive to the deck this weekend.

So much to do and so little time. Today Oldest granddaughter and I went shopping for the 8th grade graduation dance party dress. That brought back memories. Sitting and waiting outside the dressing room. Wow was it really 14 years ago that my youngest finished 8th grade? It was a successful event. Tomorrow underpinnings and Wednesday shoes and all will be well in the world.

In one of my travels I read that a day being sad is a wasted day because you can never fill it with happiness - you can never reclaim the hours spent either angry or sad and fill them with happiness and joy. That thought leads me to saying I am sorry and I apologize a lot sooner than I use to. I wasted many years in anger and sadness. No more I say no more. No time for that any more. I may be quiet and pensive but I am choosing to be a happier person and more content as each day passes.

Be well - treat each other with kindness and respect. Be the person you hope to become a little each day and see what happens. Keep trying new things. Keep believing in yourself. Think things through and see what could be the result and live and act accordingly. Be nice to each other and yourself. Smile a lot because it makes people wonder what you have been up to lately.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

LET THE GROWING BEGIN!

Today, the plants finally got to feel what it was like to be in real earth.

Today they all went inground to begin the life of a plant. Seeds and sprouts, plants and cuttings all on the journey now. Seeds need to crack the shell to burst forth. The cuttings need to grow some roots. The plants just need to get going.

We are like these plants.

Young teen children remind me of seeds because beneath that exterior shell is pure goodness.

Young adults remind me of cuttings because they are so ready to make their place in the world.

Mature adults remind me of plants because if we stop too long we stop too long!

So the basement is empty and that is bittersweet. It was fun to watch them grow and sprout and now they are on their own, how realistic is that?

Sunday cometh again.

Take some time and sit and be silent.

Here that still small voice inside and listen to what it says.

Trust.

Believe.

Listen.

Know that you are loved.

Know that God thinks you are the best thing since night baseball or sliced bread (take your pick they are both pretty great) and tell someone else that God loves them too!

Tomorrow pictures of gardens and socks, promise!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Wonderings and Small Miracles

Every day I drive a stretch of Highway that states 'ROUGH ROAD AHEAD' and I chuckle to myself and merrily drive down that road.

I wonder if LIFE had that sign would we turn around and go another path?

I wonder if LIFE had that sign would people be stronger or weaker?

I wonder if LIFE had that sign would people make better choices?

Funny how a road sign can make you think.

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I have been having 'puter problems. Among other things that are going on around here it was not high on the priority list... DH said - just uninstall .... and reinstall .... well that sentence sat in the lap for a few days while I wrapped my courage around it.... (read above note about another path). So last night I just decided at 10:30 pm to be as brave as can be and just did what he said.

Voila! Back in blogging business! Now to get caught up with life, liberty and the pursuit of planting and finishing up the small details of life!

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A friend moved back into town - fun to have old friends around.

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Plants still being patient. The garden is all rototilled and now the weather and I need to meet in the middle!

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Listen, Spring is dearly upon us. Can you hear the tree frogs at night? Can you see the spring stars?

Listen can you hear the small still voice inside telling you that you can do what you dream?

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful. (Message from calendar)

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

PATIENTLY WAITING

The Mud Man and I are going to convene in the garden this weekend (I hope we can).

When all was said and done there was a large pile of dirt from all the excavation. It is patiently waiting. In the way back are compost bins that need attention. They are patiently waiting. In the basement you see what is patiently waiting and the over flow is out on the deck now that the party is over.

When the trees came down about two years ago the men ground down the stumps and in sheer desperation when all the destruction started I transplanted in that area. The soil is mostly fiberous roots and some clay. Not really great for plants.

I have lost more than I kept in these last two years.

So when the convention starts I am going to temporarily relocate all the living plants to a "safe" place and the Mud Man will get a roto tiller and roto away at the soil that is extra and the fiberous roots too.

It is his hope that we can get them all to one level and well mixed up.

Then the patient tomatoe plants, the patient peppers and some herbs can take the new location over for their reward for being patient.

I am going to somehow block off an area for mints. I have some sunflower seeds to plant because they make me happy. I have all kinds of things to plant. The area will probably be as big as the deck.

I bet I fill it all. I have been patiently waiting afterall.

Pictures of all the fun will come after the weekend. The rest of the week will be spent finishing up the promise of the dove kite order....

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Angels Clowns and a Dove Kite

the pictures speak for themselves

the new patterns for the dove kites work splendidly

cutting time for 24 is now two hours instead of 3

woo hoo

day done

tea gone

sun set

brain seeking sleep

TTFN

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Star Ship Enterprise is Christened 050507

Hurray! Woo Hoo! Alelluia! Wee Hee! Cheers! Laughter! Smiles! Lots of food and good times.

Indeed the deck was christened. Everyone that calls this home was here. Three daughters, two granddaughters, 1 son-in-law and several friends came and wished us well. Finishing the deck was like putting a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. Done.

I may have mentioned the only thing constant in the last 6 or so years has been change. Tonight the DH said "Looks like the deck has always been there." In our minds and in our hearts it was there. We Knew we wanted it - we had ideas on how it was going to look. We were aware that was the perfect berry that we sought after. But just like everything else in life - it is was a process - and because we are who we are - nothing is ever simple or straight forward. Who'd a thought that a septic tank not correctly decommissioned would have caused us this much trouble and cause such an adventure.

I often comment about some of my adventures that are so very crazy - you could not write stories that are this crazy because noone would believe what you said as either fact or fiction.

I LOVE THE DECK I LOVE THE DECK WOO HOO I LOVE THE DECK

Did I mention that in addition to the large star on the barn - DH and accomplices went and bought smaller stars and installed them while I was away at a Formal Tea? Ergo the name: StarShip Enterprise! It is splendid indeed! And the small accent Star Lights I bought while we were still in mud land are hanging so cute and romantic while in the hottub! And there are 5 stars on each post - one for each woman that assisted the DH in building the deck! One man, 5 women and about a year! Woo Hoo we are done!

I planted some plants in small transitional pots. I had about a dozen glasses of water and sat outside and drank them slowly while sitting on the deck! All in all it was a great day!

All are safe in their own little nests - the long day is done.
Soccer game won! Safe trip back to ChiTown!

Have a good week. Play some. Think some. Read some. Do a hobby. Spend time outside in the sun and then again under the stars. Reflect. Sit quietly and listen to what the the Lord of Life has to say. Love others. Be of good cheer. And try to make Monday the best day of the week.

Gardening season is about to commence! After a few more days of rest on the deck!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Friday at last!

Long week. Weekend produced lot of building activity which I could not post to the website. If you want a picture of the deck email me and I will send one to you.

I enjoyed all building and progress. So much needs to be done before the decking goes into place it amazes me. Like, you build your own skeleton out of bricks and blocks and then cover it with wood and decorate with plants. It actually does become a living thing because of all the work you have put into the structure. And here my DH thinks I am truly zoning when I stare off into space. Huh! lots of deep work going on there!

This week the weather was suppose to be bad but inbetween all the supposed weather there was lots of progress on the unseen parts of decking. Railings and electric wiring and new posts in place.

After the day job, I changed into super gardener and planted and dug like there was never going to be a day to garden again. That was a great release for all the stress I have been carrying around. I talk pretty loud to God when I am outside and we had the best processing of matters of the heart and head that I have had since last fall when this current stretch of the journey began. Lots of plants were happy to see my activity increase too. I did plant them in pots under the grow light but they enjoy their natural surrounds much better and seem to be happy living in the mud.

At any rate the processing allowed some muscles to relax but not all. Uneven relaxation creates an opportunity to visit chiropractor. Healing nicely today thank you!

This weekend will be busy. I have a Health Fair on Saturday and the children are going to the installation of our new Bishop Briedenthal. Husband has a meeting on Sunday and there are some segments of the skeleton of the deck that need an extra set of hands before it is sheeted.

So I am not sure how the weekend will play out. I am just glad it is Friday and I am here now and ready to enjoy the day ahead.

Blessing dear friend blessings of peace to you today and all days.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Monday - and other rants

OK Blogging fans

I cannot for the life of me upload any photos. I can barely stay connected to the internet. DH is considering switching from Bill Gates to the BIG APPLE. After more than three weeks of continuous frustration I am standing behind his thought process. Seems that the Anti-virus that we have paid good money for and the anti-virus that Microsoft has installed through the updates do not speak to one another.

A little narcisstic if you ask me.

Narcissism is defined as “A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem,” and is seen as “a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development.” (American Heritage Dictionary)

I had hoped by now that Mr. Gates and his gang of computer geeks had learned to play well with others. Not so much.

Self serving.

Unforgiving.

On the soccer front - Grand Daughter tied in her first game of the Spring soccer season.

On the gardening front... I planted 9 day lilies last night. Hope they are thankful that I did that because I used any reserve energy to plant them and then when it was time to go to bed I was wide awake. Ice pack on the knee and wide awake. Nothing like the rush of good weather to keep you going like an energizer bunny.

We bought a Virbinium last fall. It is blooming. It smells like a gardinia and magnolia combined and I hope that is blooms all summer. It is the best for what ails you unless you have allergies.

On the decking front DH is done with the framing except one set of steps. The electric is almost to the barn because the solvent leaked and melted a connection or two. Yesterday we started decking with the Veranda material that is a really neat color. Only two screws to a joist. and it looks really great.

I cannot upload pictures but that did not stop me from linking to websites that held pictures of what is going on at the place that was once known as Locust Lake.

How far we have come.

How close the Lord has held us throughout this ordeal.

How safe a pasture He has laid before us.

How He loves His children!

Have a good Monday

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Saturday night Sunday morning

I spent the early part of Saturday making kites which went well. Each kite takes 5 minutes to sew. In total each kite takes about 30 minutes to manufacture and the are easy enough - just the repition gets to me after a while.

I spent all the time from noon onward building the deck (also known as an air craft carrier)

It is rather huge! Covers the space from the back sliding door where there was a smallish screened in porch all the way to the sidewalk where there was a concrete patio to the new shed barn. Adds about 800 square feet of living space which about doubles our space and I am so excited. In reality I would rather be outside than inside any hour of the day or night.

I got to use the palm nailer today. What a fun tool. No shoulder pain tonight, just every other bone in my body hurts. The framing is all finished. The builder and designer needs to finish running the conduit under the deck before we start laying the surface because he is going to run electricity to the huge shed for light and running of things electric.

Tomorrow will be another deck building day with a soccer game thrown in there for fun and a little change up in activity. I will do the last stages of the kites and get them ready for delivery.

If I can figure out how to take a picture under 800 bits and bytes I will post a picture here soon. I even downloaded Picasa2 for ease of blogging but alas the shots are too high in bits and bytes. So stay tuned I have been given a challenge. Everyone knows me and if the answer is NO I will work things until the answer is YES in circumstances such as these.

My friend got a job at Children's Hospital and will be moving back here in early May and I am rather excited that she is coming back here. She will enjoy the deck too... Now to look at a few catalogues for plants

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Resolution of frustration!

jpeg's too big

need to make the photos smaller in size of bites and bits

oh

well!

off to do something besides sit here and fret about having pictures too beautiful to post

woo hoo!

part two of skin the cat

Saturday, humph

Saturday

The day off from "WORK" so you can relax and play and recreate

HUMPH

I want to plant the growing collection of plants that have taken up residence in my basement and some I have started from seed are beginning to wonder if this is all there is to life.

My DH wants to build a deck, which is really a request of mine, because we had a HUGE party deck at our previous residence and the small 10x10 was not making it.

I have been having problems uploading pictures to this blogspot for a few weeks now.

So I will finish with the hope that if I sign out and start an addendum I can put up the pictures.

Google Earth can show Darfur - How come I cannot display my basement and backyard!

HUMPH!

TWO INTERESTING COMMENTARIES and other thoughts

In the Cincinnati Enquirer a story tells what Jackie Robinson must be feeling about all this Imus controversy and then author, Barbara Crafton in her daily emo, that I read almost daily offers the best last word on the whole subject.

OK with that finished.

Spring

Box HUGE arrives from Roots and Rhizomes chock full of plants. Tomorrow rain and Sunday snow - guess they will hang loose in the basement with the other assembly of SPRING.

No big deal because tomorrow is also the Granddaughters first soccer game of the Spring season.

I can hardly wait to see 'fleet of feet' take it to field and help the team score. It is a recreational league and they truly play well together and last year went to the championships and came in second - which is honorable to me because they had only played together for about 10 weeks total!

New lighting in the frontroom and dining room where the old lighting was baking the ceiling is nice and bright - yet soft and breaks up the space better than the other that looked a little too industrial for me - but gave GREAT Light!

Time to reboot the brain for another day.

Tomorrow new adventures and new things to consider important.

Disappointment Day

Some days are just like this

Best laid schemes of mice and men aft get the boot!

Imus got the boot!

He was an equal opportunity abuser!

That said - those that listened to him did not take him too seriously - at least I did not.

The weather is and equal opportunity abuser too.

Too cold and too damp to build a deck.

Building decks requires hot weather and charts to see if you are drinking enough to stay hydrated - just like when you roof a house in July (been there done that).

Other disappointments too.

Solution - live on and enjoy the day - being happy is the best revenge.

And so I will - right after I close my eyes for about 8 hours and reboot the day!

FEW STRAY THOUGHTS

"The work of creating is an act of love. The God who flung from His fingertips this universe filled with galaxies and stars, penguins and puffins, gulls and gannets...peaches and pears, and a world full of children made in His own image, is the God who loves with magnificent monotony. ~Brennan Manning

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With the good Lord willing work will commence on the deck and there will be pictures here tonight!

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Hopefully there will be soccer practice or the soccer star will become a puddle and that will only add to the messy atmosphere

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Someone suggested a new idea to me and I am muddling through the thought and reading more to feed the new thought - so much to do and so little time... I think that retirement will be the bomb to have all that play time available... I must remember to not volunteer away my days or I will have no time to play in 5 years! Yeah I am on a 5 year plan again - I love it!

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The seedlings are doing well and I am thinking with the weekend maybe some perennials can get in the soil or at least in a pot outside!

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DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF AND THEN DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO FUTHER THE GOODNESS THAT LIVES INSIDE OF YOU

BLESSINGS OF MONOTONOUS LOVE TO YOU THIS DAY AND ALL DAYS