Mockingbird Hill Cottage

A cloudy morning view of a kitchen corner. The snake plant has to be supported, hence the twine and metal plant supports. It’s now – what – over 50 years old? It sat in our window seat in my childhood home and it was there for several years. My parents moved to northern Michigan when I was living in Philadelphia, so that was around 1986. If I assume that the plant was in my childhood home for at least 10 years – and both Mere and I think that was the case – it’s at least 50 years old. Maybe more. There’s an entire section of new growth, which is encouraging, as I’ve had to cut away some of the older growth. I’m watering it a bit more than I have been. They’re succulents, so they don’t need too much water, but our house is very dry, especially in the winter.

This morning, I was greeted by the song of a Carolina wren who stayed around the porch area singing away for at least an hour. Is it nest building time? It seems a bit early. The wrens are here throughout the winter and I do hear them occasionally. But this was a full-out and continuous song. More spring-like, if you will.

A good sign, I think.

I’m reading and crocheting and trying to get through the weekend with a modicum of peace. I hope you’re able to find some peace, as well.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Gilly and Ruby standing on the pew.

It’s so gray and rainy around here that trying to take any pictures is futile. But I just happened to have this one from a few days ago. I’m contemplating a change of clothing for them as they’ve been wearing these dresses for quite a while.

But then again, maybe not. The days when I was regularly redressing the dolls are over. If the current ensemble is working, it stays. You’ll notice I did not do the Christmas sweater thing that I’ve done in years past.

Are you as exhausted as I am with this daily insanity? Now we’re in a war that never needed to happen. What next? I had a meltdown the other night and Don patiently listened to me. I have to severely limit my exposure to the news. I’m trying my best to stay away from any news apps. But it’s tricky. I can’t go outside and lose myself in chores. Too early in the season. I can work around the house, but there’s only so much to do (or that I want to do.)

We only have so much time left on this planet and THIS is what is happening? This is what we have to look forward to? Imagine the expletives I am voicing on an hourly basis. Then add in Don’s. We’ve had it.

We need some peace and we do our best to find some peace every day. But, my god, it’s hard.

End of rant.

I tried reading the new book by Elly Griffiths, The Frozen People. This is book one in a new series. It just didn’t do it for me. The writing is clunky and although I’ve read plenty of books about time travel, it didn’t work for me here. Now, as always, that’s just my opinion. I zipped forward to the ending and read it. And then I picked up another book that I got a from our library, which I’ve never read for some reason – Practical Magic  by Alice Hoffman. What a relief! The prose moves beautifully. It’s so well written. I immediately relaxed, knowing I was in good hands. That’s how it has to be for me these days. I do not have the patience to cross my fingers and hope the writing and subject matter will improve. The book has to grab me from the beginning and Practical Magic  has done that.

I’ll return The Frozen People  to the library today. I have another book waiting there for me.

Stay safe, my friends.

Happy Friday.

What a bizarre 24 hours of weather here! Wet snow fell yesterday for a few hours, which turned to rain, which turned to freezing rain overnight. Now it’s foggy and messy and yet, the temperature is going to reach 50 degrees. So we’re just going to stay inside and let Mother Nature clean up the mess on the ground. Temperatures will be warmer this week and next week, but will kind of be all over the place. You can tell that Spring is trying to break through.

I checked last year’s photos on IG and the peepers seem to arrive around March 13-15. It happened the year before as well. That’s just around the corner!

I was feeling under the weather yesterday and am still feeling that way today. Sinus crap, I think.

Progress so far. The colors are off because I had to lay this out on our bed and it’s still gloomy in that room. This little project is keeping me sane. Don really likes it, so that’s all that matters.

The dollhouse wallpaper that arrived the other day. Sigh. It’s a bit lighter and brighter than this. I tend to feel frustrated when I unwrap a package of miniature wallpaper. It’s hard to gauge the size of the print from a little sample on a web page. I may do some research today and order something brighter – especially for the hallways. The stairs are so dark that I feel the need to counteract that darkness with cheery color.

I can’t really move ahead until I have something I like. And I always like to do the living room first.

Wish me luck.

Don just went outside to explore the weather situation. I’m staying in. My head is stuffy and I need more coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.