I arranged my final summer zinnia cuttings today in for a little private ceremony I call “Winter, please be my friend and don’t be too hard on me this year.” Haha!

These flowers have been bringing me delight for months, but it’s time to say goodbye. Out in my yard, I’m leaving their dried remnants for the birds and compost, with thoughts of spring closeby. Inside, I’m hanging onto the last bits of summer via this row of happy vases sent from my mother and sister in Texas.

Any of you who follow my animal art know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE daisies, zinnia and echinacea flowers and use the in practically every painting I create. Obsession is OK when it’s pretty, right (wink)? Lol!