Unusual Vine

Does anyone know what kind of flowers this is?  Saw them in the yard at an estate sale I went to.  I brought home two books to add to my stash of future reading along with these pictures.

Another Two Books Finished

Been doing much more reading in the evenings.  Finished two more books, one a collection of short stories "Servants of the Map" by Andrea Barrett and a memoir, "Are You Somebody" by Nualoa O'Faolain.  Both were my thrift store finds.

I usually do not read short stories but I do read them if they are by Alice Munro and I had read a collection by Barrett.  I was attracted by the name since I am in love with maps.  The first story was wonderful, about a group who is mapping the Himalayas in the 1800's.

I was intrigued with the second because of the title.  The author was in love with literature and the best part of the book was about her early reading.  "If there were nothing else, reading would--obviously--be worth living for." She lists a number of Irish and English authors I will be looking up.   She talks about being in boarding school and not being allowed to read fiction there.  Much too rigid for me.

Flowers and Foliage

So Far Enjoying

Though it still seems like a vacation.  Have already finished one book, have been to two are museums (the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Toledo Museum of Art and have started a new weaving project.

And have exercised every day (except today but there is still time).  I think I may like this retirement.

Retirement Day - from Red to Pink

Thursday, June 30th was my last day of work at Comerica after 34 years.  Last Sunday at the Y,  Joan, one of my friends from weaving suggested I dye my hair red for my last day.  I was intrigued enough that I looked at the hair dye and the drugstore that day but wasn't sure what shade and everything said it was permanent - not ready for that kind of commitment.

Frank saw her at the stretch class on Wednesday and when I came home from work on Wednesday Frank said that she had suggested it to him.  I said why not - might as well go out with a bang.  A trip to another drug store had the usual permanent hair dye but temporary spray on dye in purple, blue, pink, silver and glitter.  I picked pink as the closest to red as I could get.

The next morning - I sprayed a little in my hair then wiped allot of it out - I was being timid.  When Frank got up he said it wasn't enough and proceeded to take the can and spray away.

 I must say I did cause a stir.  It succeeded in making most people laugh or at lease smile.  It was a great way to go out.

Additional pics will be put out later.