Update...........

Well summer has hit us big time. Yankees are not used to the intense heat and humidity we have experienced this past week. Brown outs in Detroit area make it hard on the sick and elderly. Luckily we only had a few minor power outages due to a storm yesterday. The storm was amazing. I love watching and smelling them roll in as long as it remains safe. The gardens needed it too.

Douglas finished a small "flower" garden along the front walk way which will be so nice once it grows in. Prairie grass will get 4-6 feet tall and I love the way it looks. Foxglove, lavender and delphinium. Less grass to maintain. Next planting is moving a bunch of blue spruce from a patch in the back, all clumped together, to the front as a road barrier. It is our intention they will survive. The last owners planted a bunch of seedling for later transplanting and they have gotten too big. We will have a Christmas tree from it too!!! So our property is coming along slowly. Doug gets a lot done for only being home a few months out of the year. I just do my veggies, herbs and flowers. Peas are coming in and lettuce is on its way out. The squash and beans are starting to flourish and should have more food in two weeks. I am enjoying it all and desire to share so come out and pick !!!!.

Last night we took advantage of another summer music concert on campus at the Power center. It was one heck of a show by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. An R and B, soul band. She reminded us of a female James Brown. It was too much fun. Usually the U concerts are tame and civilized (a little too much). This was not your typical show. People were dancing and they had audience participation. It was a powerful and happy show. We left feeling really happy and full of energy. There are more events ongoing on campus through the weekend. Then in July we have art fare. I usually can not handle it due to the sun and walking, but if I get the ramp in place for my power chair I will go with my umbrella. It is a very high end art show and I love seeing all the streets closed and restaurants spread out in the streets. It is one big family friendly party.

My nieces and sister are coming to visit in August and are attending our annual Butterfly Walk supporting lupus research at UM: "The Friends of Amster Lupus Fund" started by two friends who have been affected by lupus who decided to raise awareness and funds for a cure. I have not had a huge family-friend turnout at the walk due to circumstances which are unavoidable. This year it will feel great to have my southern peeps. Don't get me wrong Dad, Doug, Mary and one year My god father Morris and three of my dad's oldest friends, like uncles to me, all came and I was very happy and appreciated their support immensely. It always feels good to have back up for something as important as this. My friend Kitty made buttons and magnets for the event and has created a web site for lupus wearables etc. She is always so good to her friends and community. So this year I am happy to have family here, especially my girls. I never place expectations on people for my own interests.....and......I wish I could be there for my loved ones more because we all have our own "things" going on in life. I do the best I can to support loved ones as we all do. On that note..........do something nice for someone today. Maybe take your elderly neighbors something you grew or baked, volunteer, take your old magazines to a retirement center or simply smile at a stranger. Small things count !!!