wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

Last Tuesday was National Aviation Day, a United States national observation that celebrates the development of aviation. In 1939 Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a presidential proclamation establishing Orville Wright's birthday (August 19) as National Aviation Day.

Aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight inspired key design features at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton. Its ceiling, The Starfield, is a replica of the night sky on the eve of Orville and Wilbur's first powered flight, and  more than 2000 fiber optic lights. The width of the center ring matches the original wingspan of the Wright Flyer, the Wright Brothers' first powered plane. The Wright Brothers grew up in Dayton, just across the river from what is downtown.

Photo: facedayton

My panicle hydrangea tree's flowers are transforming from white to pink, signaling the coming of fall. Eventually the flowers will be brown. Each stage brings its own beauty.

We were in Michigan last weekend. Adult use of recreational marijuana has been legal in Michigan since 2018 and as drivers approach the state line advertisements line the interstate to entice visitors to live the high life.

Our friends' neighbors at Coldwater Lake expanded their patio and after pouring the concrete patio around the tree, the tree died. They had the branches cut off but left the trunk. Tina, who lives there, is an artist and this tree became her canvas. What do you think? I love the whimsy!

Yesterday was National Dog Day. We had dogs for 22 years and have been without a furry friend since 2021. When our last dog crossed the rainbow bridge, I told Todd that we were going to wait a year. Our daughter was getting married in 2022, we would be traveling to Chicago frequently, and not having to think about what to do with the dog was one less stressor. Here we are, four years later and as much as I loved all our pups, we're not going to get another one. We're not home as much as we used to be and now with grandchildren in the picture, I don't want to have to worry about how the dog would react when the the little balls of energy come to visit. I loved being a dog owner and do miss the companionship and comfort and joy they brought to my life.