Thursday: a better day

Today really was a better day.  I began with prayer, prayed over my prayer list, read devotionals, and prayed again later, as I made the scenic drive to Benton.  And I just remembered this evening, that there is a good book, published by The Upper Room, that I am going to order for devotionals.  Now, I just need to find that Bible Study that is waiting for me somewhere out there...

I really wasn't all that excited to go to Benton alone.  I don't know what it is about me, but since I don't like to shop, I feel that if I am going to shop, then it should be a shared delight. 

On the road, I realized that God was totally in control of the trip.  There were no cars behind me to make me feel rushed.  The trip passed quicker than I had anticipated.  It is only 18 miles, but it is two-lane with a double stripe down the middle the entire way.  I feel uncomfortable going the speed limit, so if cars get behind me, I feel pressure.

I found the correct exit and got off to go to Lowes with no problems. 

Ah, Lowes, that wonderful place with herbs, delightful blooming flowers, and bird feeders!  When I got in the place I was so overwhelmed with the herbs (some were on sale) that I filled up the cart with plants before I even got to the bird feeders.  I couldn't find cushions that I liked for our wrought iron chairs, so I did not get those, which meant another stop.

By the time I had finished at Lowes, I had spent a good hour and a half.  I discovered from a man who works in there that snakes don't like rosemary, thyme, or "things that smell."  I went back outside and found 3 more oregano plants and 4 more rosemary plants to go with the 3-4 that we already have.  And I purchased a hoe with a long handle.  It's illegal to kill a snake in Arkansas, but a girl needs a weapon with which to defend herself...  I'm just saying...

Next I stopped at a outdoor furniture store and found some appropriately shaped and colored cushions for our chairs.  Yeah!

I hesitated about stopping at Home Depot, but since I've only made that trip to Benton by myself once in the past six months, decided to forget the heat and "go for it."  I am happy that I did.  I probably spend close to 40 minutes there trying to get help, opinions, more help, etc.  I finally found the type of palm that the water feature contractor said that we needed for the top shelf of the waterfall.  The only problem is that ours is pretty small, as I was not willing to pay $50.00 for a palm to place out in the heat....

Here's what the fountain looked like this evening with the one palm, not yet in a pot, and two little bluebells sitting on ledges. 

Believe it or not, there is more to be done.  And part of the "more to be done" involves me making another run (not to Benton) to find more flower pots.

I have a Farmer's Market order pick-up tomorrow afternoon at the other end of the Village, so I'll go early and swing by Wal-mart to see if I can find additional pots.

This is what the completed raised bed looked like around noon today.  And below is how it looks now...

This is basically my new herb garden, which is not truly organic, but at least as free from chemicals as possible, this afternoon after we finished planting.  I found another struggling tomato plant, a pepper plant for our indoor birds, and several basil.  The "other" herb bed was just staying too wet for the herbs in there to really do anything.  And I honestly need to find some sand to add to this one.

On the agenda tomorrow is more menu planning for three dinner meals for 6 children and 11 adults.  I'm thinking that grilled porkchops and grilled corn will make the list.

A tip I found this evening on watching one's diet: eat items with as few as ingredients as possible and as few syllables as possible.  Interesting.