I feel as though I have been away for a hundred years or more. My days have been rich and poor, sad and joyful, painful and euphoric, productive and destructive, tiring and exhilerating - and filled to overflowing with love and wonder.

I can only thank you from my heart and tell you how much I appreciate your standing by. Your comments were like little flickers in the dark of night. I hadn't really planned on returning today, but when I read that Rick was going to hold his breath - until he turned blue - waiting for my return, I got scared! (love you, Rick)

I am afraid I will be sporadic for the next couple of weeks in visiting your blogs and posting, but honestly, I do plan on returning in great profusion by month's end.

I leave you with this small, yet significant poem (for me anyway) - scratched in haste, as I sat in my flower garden this evening.

VENERABLE HOUR


in the last
chapter of summer


I find my existence
as with the bee balm’s


that's gone tattered
and shaggy now


with the constant
meddling of bees