Melissa's Adventures in Nature

It's rare to see a queen honeybee.

For over a month, a queen honeybee has been buzzing in the garden. Being outside usually meant seeing a glimpse of her. Yesterday, I found her little body, lifeless. I laid her to rest on a leaf in the garden. Goodnight, queen.

Photo taken June 29, 2024

Question #27

Question: How do you feel about getting older? Does it worry you?

My answer: Aging is part of life. But yes, as a woman, it worries me. To sum it up: youth culture and ageism. In the past, men have criticized how I look -- saying that I wasn't pretty enough, or young enough, or my hair wasn't long enough. It was very hurtful.

Photo credit: here

Question #26

Question: If someone gave you a coupon, and you could exchange it for anything... what would you want?

My answer: World peace.

Also, a back rub! I haven't had a back rub in years.

Photo credit: here

Music Monday (on Wednesday)

 Whitney Houston "Higher Love" (1990)

Sing along optional:

Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love, oh
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?

I'm not just an academic (I wear many hats)

So, about a week ago I cleaned the rain gutters. Yesterday afternoon, I washed the house windows!

"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." -- George Bernard Shaw. 

Photo taken June 24, 2024

Who will win the Stanley Cup?

I'm so excited!

Tonight is the final hockey game. Either the Panthers or the Oilers will walk away with the Cup. There will be cheering. There will be stress and anxiety. There will be tears. May the best team win.

The Stanley Cup is a tradition that dates back to 1893.

Yard Waste Mysteries

Last weekend, I cleaned out the rain gutters. Picture this - me standing on a ladder, rubber gloves on, a big sun hat, a bucket in hand. I was prepared for yard work!

What I discovered? The leaves and twigs trapped in the gutters were starting to turn to soil.

A sample of my gutter debris

Hello, Saturday

April-May 2024

Happy Friday! (Hockey Edition)

Anyone watching the hockey game tonight? I made popcorn! 

The Oilers are playing in Edmonton tonight. Let's cheer them on!

Photo credit: here

Hockey Night + Heatwave (It's getting hot in here)

The Florida Panthers could win the CUP tonight. But I'm still rooting for the Oilers!

Photo credit: here 

Dog Tails

A friend of my brother's dropped by today. This friend has a Portuguese Cattle Dog. I spent about 30 minutes with this dog, and gave them a dog massage. The owner said -- "This dog is usually not calm. They don't normally like people around. I think this dog is in love with you!"

Lesson: I'm single. But at least members of the animal kingdom think I'm cool.

"Portuguese Cattle Dog"

Photo credit: here

Sunday Baking (Father's Day Edition)

Today, I made an apple cinnamon dessert. This was the first time I made this recipe and it was a hit!

I sliced apples, cooked them, and seasoned them with cinnamon and maple syrup. I also made a separate oatmeal crumble topping. Greek yogurt was added for extra flavor and texture. 

Baked apples, with cinnamon and syrup 

Oatmeal crumble 

The finished dessert 

Hockey, tonight!

Prediction: Oilers make a comeback. Bring the CUP home!

Photo credit: here

Thunderstorms with a side of popcorn

I made popcorn for tonight's hockey game. Go Oilers GO! 

Stanley Cup Finals (Game 3 tomorrow night)

Being Canadian, I'm rooting for the Oilers. Sorry, Panthers. 

Photo credit: here

Flashback Tuesday

 

Photo of Me, 

Autumn 2012

Behind the scenes: This photo was photoshopped. I never had purple hair. The trees were not red in the background. I was wearing lipstick but no eye shadow or blush. My facial features were not altered. 

My homemade fajitas

I haven't made fajitas in about four years. Finally, I have taken this recipe out of hiding. 

What's in my tortilla? Lean ground chicken, seasoned with onions, garlic, oregano, topped with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, red bell peppers, kale and my homemade salad dressing. 

Romance Scams

The other night I watched Gaslight, a 1944 film featuring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. The film was terrific. It involved romance, manipulation, and deceit. Boyer's character tried to manipulate and destroy Bergman, but fortunately did not succeed. 

In my life, I've had a few relationships. But they haven't turned out well. I've been cheated on, used, sabotaged, lied to, catfished, heartbroken. 

When we think about "love", "passion" and "romance" it is usually presented as positive. Everyone wants to meet their soulmate and live happily ever after. But this is overly ideal. Sadly, not everyone is genuine. Google romance scams. 

Questions I have been asking lately: How can you tell "fake love" from "real love"? Who can you trust? How do you know if someone wants you for you, and not for the things you own or what you can give them?

Music Monday (on Wednesday) - Grocery Store Edition

I went to the grocery store tonight around 6:30 pm. There is something magical about going to the grocery store late afternoon/ in the evening. While I loaded my cart with apples, lemons, bread, sour cream, mustard, onions and other vegetables... this song was playing in the background.

Justin Timberlake "Selfish"

Sing along optional: 

If they saw what I saw
They would fall the way I fell
But they don't know what you want
And baby, I would never tell

My homemade oatmeal raisin cookies

Tonight, I made some oatmeal raisin cookies. These cookies are quick and fun to make! 💕 

My Saturday Adventure (Melissa's Adventures in Nature)

Happy Saturday! How was your day?

Today, I had the privilege of seeing baby geese and ducks at a local park. I watched as they explored, so innocent and full of curiosity. It was incredibly calming.