I did it.

I made it to day two.

Rejoice.

Your pic of the day:

My daughter was volunteering at a half marathon (she’s so good) and I, ahem, volunteered to bring her and hang around for three hours until she was done. Beyond seeing her to her destination and ensuring her safety, my visit served two additional purposes.

1. To eat at a restaurant that I hadn’t been to in years, specifically to gouge on their killer buffalo chicken pizza. And to also reminisce while there as my wife and I had partied on the roof of the restaurant while in college (don’t ask). I clearly recall saying to my wife during one party, while still in the courting phase, “Well at least if the roof collapses below us, we can make dinner for everyone.” She should’ve known what she was in for then.
2. To scout nearby nurseries for plants.

Mission was more than accomplished.

With a full belly, I shopped and ended up picking up eight new perennials and one grass. We’ll get to that gem of a grass on another day. And just so you know, the eight perennials were made up of five of one type and three of another type. So while the total was an even number, the sum was all about odd numbers.

Always odd.

At checkout, the dude ringing me up saw my five mountain mint plants and congratulated me on such a fine purchase. He proceeded to share his experience with mountain mint and how cool it was to see all the …

I cut him off before he could say any more.

My response: “Let me guess, the blue winged wasp?” He smiled a big ass smile and we shared a moment. It took all my strength not to give him a bear hug.

I love the blue winged wasp, more formally known as Scolia dubia. They fly from mountain mint to mountain mint and while it’s a struggle to capture them with a camera, I enjoy the challenge and I enjoy hanging out with them.

I’ve since bought six more of these Pycnanthemum muticum and patiently wait for them to eagerly spread in the garden.