life is so beautiful

Driving to work this a.m. I was receding into yesteryear as usual. Now for those of you who believe I live in yesteryear--you're absolutely correct! But remember--today is yesteryear by tomorrow!! Life is so incredibly beautiful. On my way to work I saw some huge pine trees at a religious retreat and it reminded me of how, as a child, I would climb the huge pines at Lincoln Park with my friends. Often times we'd walk home from Longfellow school, up the hill and through the park. Sometimes we'd play act on the magnificent stage, replete with Corinthian columns. We were so lucky to have that stage, which was used by the Genesius Guild for its Shakespearean plays. My father loved attending the plays and of course, we kids would tag along. I didn't really understand much of what was said, but I knew I loved the majesty of it all--the pond that graced the front of the stage, reflecting the mighty cast with perfect illumination.
Other ruminations emanating from the treadmill, which I promised would be forthcoming are: SEEDS!!
Wonderful seeds! I just picked up some lemon basil herb and Cleome flower seeds. Cleomes are beautiful tall annuals with lovely showy flowers. They're a rather vintage type flower. Just looking at the seeds was so wonderful! I remembered last summer, planting basil for the first time! It was so great! I got in the fabulous habit of having insalata caprese almost every day. I couldn't get enough of that dish! I would gather tomatoes I grow behind the store in the warm daylong sunshine, basil, and add virgin olive oil, turmeric, paprika, and curry, along with fresh mozzarella.
So, when I purchased that packet of basil, I was salivating for insalata caprese, which would never taste the same without my homegrown basil and tomatoes. I think I'll start my tomatoes inside next week. Are we lucky or what to have all these wonderful spices, vegetables, and fruits that can be grown in this rich fertile earth?!!
I have black raspberry bushes on the south side of my home. My father gave those to me shortly before he died, so they are very sentimental to me. I love those berries, which are fairly abundant around Father's Day. I love to put sugar on them. Something about the texturey granules of sugar and tart combination! When I was a young girl, my parents had black and red raspberry bushes that extended about 1 1/2 blocks long. I remember picking them at dusk and mosquitoes sucking my blood the whole time. My legs and arms were covered with bites, but I still did it cuz we could sell the excess for 75 cents per quart and keep a quarter commission. Very enterprising!
I talked to my dear childhood friend, Jill, last night. She was diagnosed with arthritis of the spine recently. She has a wonderful upbeat attitude about it. The glass is always half full for her. She shared with me a recent shopping expedition with her twin grandsons. There was a big firetruck cart they were pushed around in, in the store, and they were so THRILLED that they behaved like perfect "firemen" on the entire excursion. Jill's son, Jason and his wife are wonderful parents and have taught the boys great manners. I lamented how great it is for ALL of society when parents take their jobs to discipline (disciple) their children seriously. Manners are so important to society. Society sans manners is fraught with havoc.
May your day be fruitful!