The Last Bloom..

...in my garden.

I have been quite puzzled for quite some time by these charming little yellow blooms that appear on one of the small trees in my front yard just when everything else is dying.. like when fall is almost over and winter is almost here? 

Well, my curiosity finally got the best of me...and I looked it up..( and yes,  I am embarrassed that it took me all this time to bother finding out what it is called; and yes, I know that my fellow blippers who are ardent botanists must be shaking their heads)  

Whatever, it seems that the little tree is a witch hazel! Who knew? Anyway, it is the only bright spot in my garden these days and so I am grateful for its presence...and for the arborist who suggested planting it way back when. Now I see why he thought I would like it. 

It is even more  of a stand-out in the garden when there is a vibrant red cardinal sitting among those yellow blooms ...as there is now, whilst I write...Drat..that would have made a much more interesting blip photo than the one above! 

The rest of my day was not worthy of photos, but it was a day of  promise, of progress made. My neighbour Elaine who has been helping me with everything from cat care, to picking up heavy items for me, to carrying my garbage to the curb every week is away on vacation in Florida...and I am really encouraged as I have been able to get by quite well on my own; There are some things I still can't handle, like taking Maggie to the vet for her arthritis shot...but we booked her appointment based on Elaine's return date.( Maggie is heavier (!) than what I am allowed to lift especially in her carrying case! ) 

I am seeing and taking delight in discovering that there are many little things that I can now do..like hang up a coat in the closet? Yay!  I can lift my arms high enough now! Every small step is encouraging.  total independence is just around the corner. 

Oh yes, and I got my covid and flu shots today..another thing off my list!