Mondays are usually busy for us — and today was no exception. I’m finally sitting down with a warm cup of tea, listening to the soft patter of long-overdue rain. It missed us all week, but now it’s here, giving the thirsty petunias a much-needed drink. There’s something so calming about just the rain. Not thunder. Not lightning. Just rain.
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The heat today was almost unbearable — thick with humidity — and it hit me hard this morning as we visited the cemetery. We were there to tend to Angie’s and my sister’s graves. For reasons that still make my heart ache, the new groundskeepers ran over the angel wing edging we placed so carefully. They cut down flowers left by friends, broke the cross, and scattered the small stones and signs we had placed with love.
We found the damage Friday and fixed what we could then. Today, we returned to finish the job — refreshing the white egg stones and resetting the mangled cross. It’s not a tightly spaced cemetery, so there was no real reason to mow over anything so personal. But here we are.
After a quick pharmacy stop, it was off to Lowe’s. That familiar smell of lumber and garden soil always brings comfort — and inspiration. We grabbed more patio pavers and another bucket of joint compound for the attic project (sadly not the kind that helps aching joints — this tennis elbow from shoulder to fingertip is still screaming). If you hear someone repeatedly saying “Ow, ow, ow” today, it’s just me... trying to use my right arm.
As I wandered the greenhouse area, a stunning table of coneflowers caught my eye. Layers of fiery color danced from pot to pot — and one bloom in particular, kissed by sunset hues, completely stole the show (along with the hungry little bee I caught mid-photo!). I didn’t grab it just yet — I like to explore before committing — but tomorrow’s Lowe’s trip will likely include that beauty… and maybe a few more that need rescuing.
I also stopped in Bath & Body Works to check out some of the new Fall 1 releases I’ve been eyeing. There was plenty to see, sniff, and smile about — though a few items are still delayed. So yes, I’ll be heading back later this week. Oh — and the long-awaited Whale Shark Cosmetic Bag finally came home with me! A note for those eyeing it: it’s on the smaller side, which seems to be the trend lately — less product, higher price.
Speaking of prices…
Today’s pet peeve goes out to Dollar Tree, which is slowly evolving into the “Red Sticker Store.” Yes, I understand tariffs, supply chains, and rising costs. But here’s what gets me: much of the current inventory was already purchased and stocked in warehouses before any new price hikes. And yet, I watched today as Halloween boxes were opened, and items were reticketed with fresh red dots — right over existing red price stickers.
Frustrated shoppers (and employees) alike sighed as prices were revealed only at checkout. My $1.25 calendar (formerly $1) was marked up with a red dot and rang up as $2.00. That’s not transparency — that’s sticker shock.
Times are tough, I know.
But oh — to be a bee… basking in the scent of summer flowers, buzzing from one sweet thing to the next, without a care in the world.