We should all be happy for sea breezes, cool nights and air conditioning. When we watch the weather and see what is happening in other parts of the state and across the country, we are very fortunate.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Maisy Naomi Winters who celebrated July 26, Diego Valentim on July 27 and to Liah Webb who celebrates his day on July 28.

Happy Anniversary to Bill and Joanne Connolly, who celebrated 69 years of marriage on July 24. Here is to many more years together.

It is Sunday morning and I am sitting on my deck. It is also my garden, since I have many potted plants with most of the flowers that I really like.

When I started at Donaroma’s 17 years ago, Paula Dello Russo was my trainer. Patty Mundt was, of course, my manager but Paula was assigned to show me the ropes. We did not have the shed yet; there was an outside stand where the register was. I remember looking overwhelmed at all the flowers and plants and I wondered how I was going to remember them all.

Paula did, and still does, amazing planters and pots but the one I remember the most was a very large hanging basket in which she planted a blue scaevola and Blackie, a potato vine. To this day, I plant the same planter only in a smaller version on my deck. It never looks like Paula’s, but I still enjoy it.

Here we are at the end of July. When we were younger, our parents told us not to wish our lives away as it goes faster the older you get. Boy, are they right! We know that August means more heat, a changeover of people, kids getting ready for college, Illumination Night, the Agricultural Fair and the fireworks. So much to do in a few short weeks.

At Donaroma’s we all get laid off at Christmastime after the trees and wreaths are all sold and every place is decorated. At this time of year, we usually start the countdown on how many more paychecks until Christmas. Of course, that starts the conversation that we should start buying one Christmas present a week to relieve the strain during the holiday season. So, here we go: we only have 22 more paychecks ‘till Christmas. Start shopping.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.