It’s a pretty sad state of affairs in our country when we’re cheering any news of serious criminal corruption charges against trump politicians that could incriminate our mob-boss-in-chief.  It’s hard to have faith in our system, when there are no longer any reliable checks and balances, and trumpsters can get away with any illegal, unconstitutional actions they choose.  At this point, if we can even revert to where we left off before he took over, it will be an improvement.  It may be too late for our environment, though.

I’m already feeling sad and dejected at being cut off from my grandkids.  I realize this is nothing compared to families being torn apart, caged, and deported.  Or LGBT people being abused and rejected by their families and denied essential healthcare.  Or all the other atrocities being perpetrated and condoned by this despicable sleaze-ball in power.  I still have some access to my family and to basic necessities of life.  What more could I ask?

Sorry, sometimes the world just seems like too much.  And now, back to more natural thoughts.

It’s my oldest grandson’s birthday today.  My son and older granddaughter are with him in Florida, having moved most of the kids’ belongings down there.  I feel so cut off from my family right now, but I wish K. all the best on his day, and moving forward.

Back at the homestead, my latest trick is sneaking up on those really speedy blue-tailed skinks and taking their picture.  There are lots of them basking all around our house.  They’re like little luminescent speed racers.  Or flowers on legs.  Speaking of which…

The weather here has two settings, on and off.  One minute it’s drying up from an all-nighter, next it’s another deluge, with water spouts pouring off the roof.  Then it’s a sunny day.  No way to figure its next move.  Keeps things lively.  Here are some scenes between the drops.

Having lost almost a week in the twilight zone of discomfort, I’m making up for lost time with scenes of life and pollination going on.  The sunflowers, beaten down but never defeated, host a vast array of bee species, large and tiny.  If you squint, you may be able to make some out.

My hope is to live long enough to create an amphibian-and-L42-friendly habitat here in what is essentially a big exposed lawn.  The so-called American Dream and I are not very compatible.  Not that I’m ungrateful for all I have.  It’s just that I’m more of a Secret Rainforest type.

In the meantime, here are more flower and pollinator friends.

Now that was a storm!  Just when you think you’ve seen all TN has to offer.  I thought we would wash down into the deep south.  But we’re still above ground.  Very wet but high ground.

The weather here is crazy and volatile, but still not tornadic like some places, for which I’m thankful.  I don’t think we have monsoons–yet.

I just hope for a safe trip for my son and granddaughter, driving a large moving truck of all the kids’ stuff down to FL.  We know how hair-raising that can be, even for half the distance.

Here is the rain world that greeted me this morning.

Here’s my new “outdoor room”, complete with “furniture”, including “drink logs”.  (It’s a work in progress.)  Hm, I must be feeling better after my weeklong funk.

Plus the obligatory flower shots.

Yesterday my son spent the day with us, working from my office, sharing our erev meal, doing some of his workout exercises outside, and just hanging out.  It’s always a pleasure to have him around, making this place feel more like home for the brief time we’ll have him.

Here’s a new TN first– we were all outside in the evening, and this happened, I am not making this up–it was literally raining in one narrow swathe of the yard, and not in the rest.  You could stand in it, then step into a dry area, like a personal rain cloud.  I have witnesses.  Only in TN.

Here is my son going through his moves–using a convenient tree for pull-ups, pretending to weight-lift (the log weighs almost nothing!), lunging across the yard, and other contortions.  Later, I took pictures of him taking pictures of flowers.  I’m determined to preserve any moments we have together as a family.

This time of year (and life) you have to look a little deeper for fleeting natural beauty and harmony.  Just like the lizards, hummers, and goldfinches, if you move or blink, they’re gone.

Yes, I meant zzz…I’m sure these posts are doze-worthy, but there are worse images to fall asleep to.

My son and older granddaughter honored us with a visit on their way to shopping today.  It was her first time here, so she got the “grand tour”.  She exclaimed, “You have an actual house!”  We all had an enjoyable time rehydrating, talking, and catching up.  I like being strategically located.

Meanwhile, here are familiar resident flowers hanging out.  I wish I could capture in photos all the goldfinches and hummingbirds perching and chirping all around me.  Yes, hummers perch and chirp, who knew!