What Happened to My Nails

This is an older photo of my nails — long, strong, and naturally smooth. I never had to think about them. They just… behaved. No peeling, no cracking, no ridges. Just easy.

Fast forward to now, and it’s a completely different story. My nails are thinner, splitting, and full of ridges. What changed?

Aging plays a big role. As we get older, nails grow more slowly and lose moisture, making them brittle and more prone to peeling. Years of handwashing, gardening, and everyday wear also weaken the layers of the nail. Those vertical ridges? They’re actually very common and usually just part of the aging process.

The good news is they’re not beyond help. Moisturizing, cuticle oil, gentle filing, and wearing gloves for chores can make a big difference.

Still… I do miss the days when my nails just showed up and did their job without all the extra drama.

A New Home for Bonnie Rae (#TBT)

When Bonnie Rae first came home from the rescue, she was so tiny… all bones, a little rash, and eyes full of uncertainty. Every sound startled her, every movement made her pause. You could feel how hard the world had been on her.

Fast forward to today—she’s filled out into a “big, healthy girl” but that timid heart still lingers. Most people only see her quiet, cautious side.

But there’s this whole other Bonnie Rae… the one that only comes out when it’s just the two of us. That playful, silly, full-of-life spirit that makes me laugh every single day. I wish I could bottle that version of her and share it with the world.

Maybe one day. 💛

Asian Lily

 I’m pretty sure the squirrels have been doing a little gardening of their own. The Asian Lily I purchased died but has come back up in a new location. One of the Squirrels must have buried a bulb because I didn't. Now, up pops a brand new Asian Lily right in the middle of my garden!

Magnolia in Bloom

 

Magnolias are among the oldest types of flowering plants and are mainly pollinated by beetles. As beetles move from flower to flower, they carry pollen, helping the plant reproduce. While bees and other insects may visit occasionally, beetles remain the magnolia’s primary pollinators.

Palm Tree new Growth

I noticed these tiny palm fronds emerging in the middle of the palm tree’s rough bark. Not from the top where you’d expect, but from what appears to be an old, hardened part of the trunk. You know where I mean, the long stem-like part where older fronds have been cut and only small, curved dark piece remains.

Even though I have never seen a growth in the middle of a palm tree, it’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always follow the rules. Even in the toughest, most weathered places, something new can appear—fresh, green, and full of life. Nature has a funny way of surprising you like that.

Garden Shenanigans

Yesterday I spotted a squirrel rolling around in one of my flower pots like a dog scratching its back on the carpet—paws in the air, squiggling around, jumping up and doing it again. Completely carefree and not afraid when I hollered at him to get out of my pot.

I have no idea what he found so delightful, but it made me laugh despite my frustration. 

The flowers might not agree… but it was worth it. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of this fellow at work. 

More later ... 
 

Airplane Plant

• "Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn." —Lewis Grizzard

 

One of the Fishes in My Life

Ziggy Moonbeam the Betta

Long Gone but Not Forgotten

Aquarium fish make us realize how beautiful silence is.

 

Swimming with the fishes (and loving it!) 

 

New Life in the Garden

The earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Redbud Tree in Bloom

 

• “There is something unmatched about spring flowers — an awakening, a renewal that fills the air with surreal harmonies of love and joy.” — Bhuwan Thapaliya
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Spring Flowers

There is something unmatched about spring flowers — an awakening, a renewal that fills the air with surreal harmonies of love and joy.” — Bhuwan Thapaliya 

Dahlia Bloom 

Bougainvillea

My Flower Boxes in my old Apartment