MON PETIT JARDIN

I am not much of a gardener, but this year I thought I would make another attempt at a few tomato plants. Several years ago I planted some tomatoes and herbs. The herbs did well. The tomatoes did not. I tried for a few years and then gave up. This is what it looks like now.

Here is my new "petit jardin." Did you know I am French in my heart?

I have five tomato plants, several of which are cherry tomatoes. I have one pepper plant, one parsley, one basil, one lavender and one mint (that appeared out of nowhere from the old garden and I transplanted it). I hover over this little garden several times a day. Maybe, maybe, I will get a few tomatoes this year.

Which brings me to another subject. Are you avoiding tomatoes because of the salmonella scare? I have to a certain extent, but enough is enough. Now they say it could be something else. I wish I could grow all my own vegetables (actually there is nothing stopping me except the lack of energy to do it), have a few goats to mow the grass, and a few chickens to give me eggs. The goats and chickens aren't allowed where I live. Actually, cleaning up after three cats and one dog is enough. The goats and chickens might just be too much.

Here is also a picture of the blossoms on an old mimosa tree in our yard. The tree is not in the best of shape, but I love the funny pink blossoms that smell so sweet.

And here are some pictures of a local garden center that has wonderful produce and flowers. This is where I buy my tomatoes and corn.

Thanks for stopping by!

AROUND TOWN

I live equidistant between two small beach towns in Delaware. Both towns are considered historic, each in its own way. The towns draw tourists and vacationers from all over the East Coast and elsewhere.

Here are a few pictures taken within the past few days through my car window and camera lens. They are not necessarily postcard views, but just typical of what I see everyday. I'll continue to take some candid shots and share them with you.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BETH AND DALE!

Today is my daughter and son-in-law's 15th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been that long.

This is their love story:

Beth and Dale met while each of them were rowing for different boat houses on Philadelphia's famous "Boathouse Row." Dale was rowing and competing for the Navy since he was a graduate of the Naval Academy. He was a world class rower and even went on to coach at the Academy. Beth decided when she attended college in Philadelphia that she would learn to row. She worked very hard and in time she also excelled in the sport. They met, fell in love and were eventually married in a beautiful military wedding at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

How could they not have fallen in love? Dale looked like Tom Cruise and Beth had long naturally curly red hair and the face of an angel. (Naturally, this is mother speaking.) They each are so good and kind to each other and they make friends wherever they go. I am so proud of both of them and especially thankful for the two sweet grandsons they have given me.

And so, Happy Anniversary to my sweet children!

MEMORIES, PRESSED BETWEEN THE PAGES OF MY MIND...?????

I now know I have lost my mind. Totally. Completely.

I have a cute little cup and saucer and a teapot, both with violets on them. Last night I saw them on a top shelf in my kitchen and I remembered that I thought I had bought a little sugar bowl to keep them company. I was picturing them together on a little tray for my solo tea parties (meaning that I am the only guest) which I never really get around to having, but I always think it is a nice self-indulgent thing to do.

Where was the sugar bowl? Did I buy it at the antique store I was in recently? Did I buy it on ebay? Didn't I put it up on that shelf already? Did my husband reach up there for something and accidently knock it down? Yes, maybe that was it. (As he had already done that with one of my favorite teapots.) He was probably afraid to tell me and he cleaned up the pieces and won't admit to it. Ok. So now I have not only lost my memory, but I am also paranoid.

I went to sleep thinking about that darn sugar bowl and awakened still wondering about how I could possibly forget whether I bought one or imagined it.

Just now I was reading my e-mails and there was one from a seller from an "Etsy" shop asking me a question about the sugar bowl I ordered. WHAT??!! Do you mean that I have not lost my mind - well, maybe partially. I checked my Etsy account, and yup, there it was. A sweet little violet covered sugar bowl still waiting to be delivered.

INHUMANITY

Did anyone read in the news about the 78 year old man who was run over by a car in Hartford, CT and NO ONE stopped. Not just the driver, but not even any bystanders. They just stood there and watched or walked by without doing anything. There he was -- lying in the street -- injured -- in pain -- NO ONE did anything. Someone on a scooter even circled around him to look at him and then drove away. Police assisted because they had been on another call and happened upon the accident. It was not known if anyone called 911.

What in the name of God was wrong with those people who witnessed this?

As I read the article, however, I stopped to consider all the people who DO stop to assist people. But this is Delaware. Maybe things are better here.