Just another day, another surgery. This time on my teeth, I’m seeing yet another excellent and competent surgeon who’s beginning the implant process. It should take more than a half hour, and I’ll be conscious the whole time. Maria is coming with me, she insists on driving me home.

It’s probably a good idea. My renovation is going well. I’m actually getting healthier.

I expect to be a little dopier than usual afterward, but it should be a walk in the park after the other stuff that went on this Spring and Summer.

I guess I’ll eat pudding and drink soup for a few days.

As always, I am grateful to be able to confront these health issues directly and without complaint.

I am grateful for what I have.

I had a sweet morning so far. I meditated with hens outside for a bit and was greeted by three happy tail-wagging dogs when I came out of the shower. Zinnia and Fate are happy to let Bud take the lead. He is, by far, the toughest of the three.

I confess I had to laugh and smile at the sight of them, their small Treat Committee Chairman pretended to be polite, but I knew he wasn’t going anywhere without the morning treat; they got them, of course.

The two bigger dogs are a riot. They know I don’t always like to be disturbed inside the house, so they stand back and let Bud take the heat. Like the donkeys, I find him hard to resist.

I went out briefly to check on my flowers and got hooked on some photos. You are all invited to come along.

(Yesterday, I asked the Army Of Good to send peanut butter, grape or strawberry, and non-perishable noodle cups to Sue Silverstein so she can have nourishing snacks read for the kids who need them at Bishop Gibbons High School. She’s also looking for discarded wooden frames (and other discarded old jewels  or fabric) so they can make a loom and create some fabric art with it. If you can help, please send these things to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, N.Y., 12304. Thanks.)

I saw the hens taking up their meditation position just behind some flowers. They suggested meditating, so I pulled up a chair and sat quietly with them. They make lovely and sweet chicken noises. They make great meditation partners.

The flowers looked so beautiful this morning that I thought I saw stars. I guess I did.

There is no such thing as a cloudy or colorless day when Dahlia’s are around.

I call this a Splash Photo, color all over the place, each one connected somehow to the other.

My new Dianthus Sunflowers are happy here. They are showing their beauty more and more each day.

I love the elegance of these flowers, rising up proudly to the sun. I often think I hear them singing to me.