WHAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO

It has been awhile since I have posted.
Much has changed, and unfortunately not all for the better.
Both hubby and I have been dealing with medical issues.

For me, there has been a change that right now affects my vision in my right eye.
I had to have laser surgery the middle of May, (after cataract surgery a few years ago), to remove a film that had developed over my right eye.
Had the same problem with my left eye a few years ago, and the laser surgery on that eye went very well.
Not so this time.
I ended up with what is called posterior vitreous detachment.
In plain English I am dealing with a clear gel-like mass, plus a floater in my eye....like looking thru a shifting white curtain with something black swimming in it.  Yuck.
It has gotten a little better, but I still have problems sewing and doing the things I love.
From what I understand, most of the time it will get better....question is when.
I am trying to live my life normally, but have not had the desire to post, visit blogs, etc. Too much eye strain.
We are also dealing with the fallout of this last horrible winter.
The garden is VERY slowly getting cleaned up.
So much died. It breaks my heart.
Some things will come back, others will not.
A large retaining stonewall partially collapsed. The repair cleaned out the wallet.
I took some pictures over the last month and am sharing them with you....the before and after.
Hopefully we will get back to some normalcy.
Hubby and I would LOVE to forget this last year!

So here are a few pictures........

 

We did not get to see this beautiful view from our living room

this year,

instead this.......

 

We are still cutting out the dead stuff....

carefully.

I see that some things are coming back from

the bottom.

 

 

Last year.....

 

 

...this year.

It will be awhile before I can cut hydrangea's again.

 

 

 

On the right a butterfly bush.

I loved all the butterflies that visited every year.

On the left there is a beautiful clematis...

mostly gone now.

 

 

It draped itself over arbors and fences,

 

 

and had such unusual flowers.

 

 

I spend hours cutting out the dead things very carefully,

and it is slowly coming back.

Lots of plants are gone for good,

no signs of life whatsoever.

 

 

Our big beautiful rose arbor with New Dawn.

My pride and joy.

It was intertwined with a beautiful clematis

that grew all the way up onto our front deck.

 

 

You can see the clematis to the right.

It bloomed together with the rose.

 

 

It was lovely!

 

 

 

This is it this year.

The roses suffered so much too.

Poor hubby is wearing his rose gloves to untangle and cut

the mess.

It is going to take forever to have it pretty again.

 

 

We also lost trellises.

 

 

Besides trellises we lost my beloved birdhouse that

hubby build me once for my birthday.

He is trying to fix it.

 

 

The only things that have been growing and surviving beautifully are the weeds.

It has taken me weeks to catch up, and my bad back does not help.

 

 

But I have planted things like geraniums,

and they are doing great.

I feel there is hope.

 

The one hydrangea that is doing well,

was planted two years ago close

to the house, where it got winter sun.

Just looking at these big heads makes me smile.

 

 

Here and there I tucked in herbs, but because

we have had so much rain lately,

most herbs are not at there prime yet.

I am hoping, since I use a lot in cooking.

Love this golden oregano.

 

And the geraniums on the front deck are

looking great.

So, I am living with hope.

 

 

Hope to use my new carrying basket for flowers or herbs.

It was a birthday gift from hubby,

We got it at the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck.

My one outing.

It was wonderful, but all the looking left and right

made me feel dizzy.

Hopefully they will have it again next year

so that I can have a really good time.

 

And speaking of birthdays.....

mine was not celebrated this year.

I am sure I will make up for it next year!

But my girlfriend Debbie spoiled me, amongst other goodies,

with a most beautiful cake that she baked for me.

How sweet was that!!!!!

 

It tasted great !!!!!!

Look at all the work and love she put in for me.

 

And so I am ending this post.

Grateful to have dear, sweet friends,

a family who loves me,

and even with so many health issues going on right now,

I am grateful for what I have.

And being an optimist at heart,

I know this too shall pass.

 

I wish everyone a great summer!

 

God bless,

Evi