This little cutie is a mid-summer bloom on a Blackberry Lily. Where else but from my garden!!

Finally, the mid-point of July has passed and I am in the final dash to month's end. July has been very busy! We are 14 days and counting from shuttering the family home. Waiting in the wings for the key is a nice, young and very excited couple.

The sisters have raided the gardens and divided the family treasures. Daddy and his stuff will move into a nearby retirement community on Friday. The rest of the household loot will be scattered between the sisters and Goodwill on the following Friday. How quickly 49 years have come and gone in our family home. We have lots of wonderful memories to reflect on....after the move is complete.

John and I have been busy with the garage project (almost done) and sifting through my household belongings trying to open up some nooks and crannies for my loot. Several tough choices on what to keep, toss or giveaway are yet to be made.

The reality of our trip to China is beginning to filter in through the family chaos! Yesterday I turned our multi-stop return flight into a non-stop from Hong Kong to Newark and this evening I picked up our visas from Fed X. John and I will not miss the 6 hour layover in Seoul, South Korea or the 6 hour layover at JKF. Hurrah for frequent flyer seats that become available at the last moment. Within the next few weeks, my focus will shift from family to trip preparation. Both of us are looking forward to loosing ourselves in a totally foreign culture though I am sure we will be ready to find ourselves for the trip home.