Thursday, October 19, 2023

My Friday Favorites: FFO and Smiles

 

Today I'm sharing my two Friday blog hops, Friday Face Off and Friday Smiles.  My body is still wracked with pain.  At first I thought it was from the change in weather, but now I realize this happens about once every couple of decades where my body just shuts down.  It started when I was 19.  At that time, I wasn't even able to walk upstairs except on all fours.  In order to get downstairs, I backed down.  At that time, every bedroom in my house was upstairs.  Thankfully that is not the case now.  However, my office (and consequently my only computer) is upstairs.  It all depends on my body, but I may miss FFO and Smiles next week.

First, it's time to join Friday Smiles, hosted by Annie (at A Stitch in Time).  Let's visit Annie and the other wonderful ladies who also share their smiles each Friday.

I want to show my very tall, nearly dead autumn sunflowers.  I should have photographed them weeks ago, instead of yesterday.

They are nearly 10 feet (3.048 meters) tall.



I just love how they fit so well against the backdrop of the yellow house next door.
 
Despite my pain, I was able to clean up my back yard.
 
I sincerely hope this is the last time I have to mow this year.  It is actually in anticipation of bringing my still living herbs in before it turns too cold to do so.

On Wednesday, I needed to go to The Spice Merchant.  I asked Sally (my foodie friend) if she wanted to go, too.  She insisted on driving which was perfect for me.  That way, I could take photos while she drove.

It was a hot day, so I shot photos through the window because the AC was on.

Many of my internet friends I visit on both sides of the pond are showing the changing leaves.  Some of the views are spectacular with vivid oranges and yellows.

However, as you can see, not a single tree is showing much change.
 
Autumn has definitely not arrived in my world.
 
I'm not sure if those trees are turning or if they are normally that color.

I hope you found something to make you smile today. 
 
I looked high and low for a face for Nicole and her Friday Face Off

It finally hit me that rocking horses have faces and this one is the door stop in my office.  Yes, I realize it's a fuzzy photo, but I (and my painful body) was trying to squat to take the photo of where this door stop actually lives.

Thanks for dropping by tonight (and tomorrow).  Please join Bleubeard and me at Friday Face Off and Friday Smiles. Sorry, there will be no funnies today.


24 thoughtful remarks:

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, my, at age 19? What did the doctors say??? That is terrible! Frightening!
Beautiful, supertall sunflowers indeed.
Seeing your backyard I see my Mom mowing ours in the family garden. Was somehow her job! Dad was with us kids. Strange.
The trees here are still mostly green, too.
Beautiful door-stopper.
I wish you all the best, heal, dear friend... hugs.

Elephant's Child said...

I am so very sorry that your body is being treacherous. I hope it settles soon.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your sunflowers and your rocking horse despite your pain.

Helen said...

So sorry you are in such pain; I hope it eases soon. great photos of your sunflowers, they look fabulous still. Take it easy and rest up.

Lisca said...

How awful that you are in such pain. I hope it passes soon. Have you seen medical help? Do they know what causes it? (So that you can avoid it happening again) I do hope you will feel better soon.
We have no autumn colours yet either. The trees are still green. But it won't be long. Here in the Netherlands the weather is quite grey but not really cold.
Your sun flowers are enormous! I have never seen them that big! But I also realize that sunflowers are of a different kind in Europe.
Get well soon,
Hugs,
Lisca

Valerie-Jael said...

Hope the pain soon lessens, look after yourself. I know how it is to live with pain. Your sunflowers are beautiful. Just take a break and look after yourself. Hugs, Valerie

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

It's always a pleasure to see how the garden is getting on through the seasons. Don't like the sound of the pain though and hope you are feeling better soon. Try to take it easy. Thank you for the smiles. Hugs, Angela xXx

mamapez5 said...

Oh Elizabeth, I am so sorry you are struggling with pain. Surely there is something the doctors could do to stop it recurring. I hope and pray you will get some relief soon.
Lisca lived much more inland than I do and she is waiting for some autumnal change to her trees. Here it is so dry that we have very few trees and no real autumn colours except to the tamarisk plants which do go sort of rusty looking.
I love those tall sunflowers and you have so many flowers on them still.
Thinking of you and hoping you have a more comfortable week. Kate x

Rita said...

Oh no! What did the doctors say when this has happened before? How long did it last? Did they have anything to help you through it? That is awful to have to go through. I hope you feel better soon.

DVArtist said...

I'm so sorry about the pain you are in. Please rest or do what you must to get healthy. I love your photos. It's a pretty street you live on. Your back yard looks great. I love all of your horses. Thank you for joining FFO. Sending healing energy.

Gene Black said...

Those sunflowers are amazing.
I hope that your pain eases soon.

Tom said...

...Elizabeth, I hope that you will be feeling better soon!

My name is Erika. said...

Your sunflowers are amazing. Every time I plant some chipmunks devour them, so I really appreciate yours. I bet the bees love them too. And no, you don't have any color, do you? Well you have green. It still looks like summer.And it looks warm too, but maybe because it looks like summer. Except for the oaks which turn late, right now there is an explosion of yellow outside my windows. I think we have hit peak foliage. But green is beautiful too, and that means you won't have bare trees for quite so long. Happy Friday hugs-Erika

Christine said...

Thans for the smiles, sorry about thus recurrence is there a diagnosis?

CJ Kennedy said...

The sunflowers are so beautiful. I was surprised no leaves changing color yet in your area. My area just reached peak color. Feel better.

Annie said...

Your sunflowers are stunning. Please look after yourself my friend…blogging isn’t important but your health is.
Hugs,
Annie x

Debra said...

I'm so sorry you are in pain. I hope you will be back to normal very soon. The flowers are amazing.

Carola Bartz said...

Elizabeth, I'm sorry you are in so much pain. Do you know why your body shuts down in such a way? It sounds truly awful. I wish for you that you will feel better real soon and your body will heal.
Your sunflowers are enormous! I love how they form a tall fence.And such a cheerful color! Despite the pain, I hope you have a good weekend. Rest and take good care of yourself, my friend.

LA Paylor said...

good for you to tidy up the yard now... it looks really good, and cozy with the lingering flowers.
thanks climate change, it's hot still in Colorado. It usually cools off in Sept, it's in the 80's still. We have lingering blossoms too but very sparse. They are tired and want to go to flower bed!
LeeAnna

Caty said...

Dear Elizabeth I´m very sorry to read you are in pain, and I hope you´ll feel better very soon.
I really love your sunflowers, they are amazing. Your back garden is splendid, so brave you are to clean it feeling bad. I love yourbig tree.
Have a better weekend my friend, I send you big hugs from Almería.
Caty

Lowcarb team member said...

So sorry to read that you are in pain, I do hope you feel better soon.
I enjoyed seeing your sunflower photographs.

Thinking of you and sending my good wishes.

All the best Jan

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Your sunflowers are so beautiful. And my they are the tallest
ones I have ever seen!
Oh, so sorry about the difficulty in moving about.
Any help from the doctors? I certainly hope so.
Best Wishes

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm sorry about the pain :( and sorrier still they've not found a cause for it.

There are so many different kinds of wild sunflowers. Yours have much broader leaves than mine.

mvmaithai said...

Love your sunflowers! I plan to grow more of them next summer.
Hope you feel better! Have a good week.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Your backyard looks ready for cooler weather now! Hope you feel better soon, hugs, Chrisx