Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

The burning bush is starting to turn red. Fall is definitely here.

I’ve been feeling under the weather for the past two days, so not much has happened. We need to mow the lawn but that has been put on hold until I perk up. Maybe tomorrow? Or today, if I eventually feel a lot better.

I did paint the bookcases red, but it’s too dark in the studio to get a good picture. I’ll share one tomorrow. Honestly, I liked the pink, but red seemed to be best for the room. I don’t know how many coats of paint there are on these shelves now, but I know there are a lot.

I’m reading Daniel Silva’s newest thriller. I’ve read every book in his Gabriel Allon series. I know I will lose myself in the story and that’s a comfort. The last two books I checked out were disappointing and I didn’t finish them. I have several on hold with the library system.

I am doing my best to distract myself from the pain of living in a country I no longer recognize. The heartbreak, horror, and anger I feel, I must  feel. But I can’t stay there. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Last day of September and then we’re really into Autumn. Fallen leaves are everywhere now and the front lawn needs a good mow. I think we’ll tackle that tomorrow.

We have a few late blooming roses. What a sweet gift!

I finally spoke to Joe last night. We’ve been texting a lot, but I didn’t want to overwhelm him with phone calls until I felt he was ready for that. Too many people have been hovering over him, well intentioned of course, but Joe is very private and independent and now that he’s able to take care of himself and move around, I felt I could grab some time with him. He still uses a walker, still has no feeling in his right leg because of complications from the ECMO machine. He can drive, but it involves a lot of maneuvering to get in the car and to get his feet in position. And whether he sues due to their error which resulted in the cardiac arrest will probably come down to whether he can ever play the organ again. Because if he can’t, his career is over.

We talked for over an hour, with lots and lots of laughing and shared memories. It was so good to hear his voice and to hear it sounding full of life. He’s had such a battle.

Bathroom ’tile.’

I’m going for something in the den – a room I’d like to make a bit more fun and playful. (In fact, I’d like the third floor to be reserved for creativity and play.) The two bookshelf units arrived on Monday and I painted them yesterday, using a shade of pale pink that is in the print on the sofa and also in the wallpaper.

It’s a work in progress. I’ll need to tie it all together with a rug and art on the walls, and pillows, etc. I may re-cover the piano bench as well. The red chair might stay, but it really belongs in Dove Cottage, so I  will look for a chair that helps tie things together.

I’ll admit it: right now it looks strange, but I have a vision in my head. And when the bookcases are filled with books and art, that pink won’t seem so overwhelming.

This is a little blurry as I took it early this morning. The shelves need one more coat of paint. I briefly thought of a dark blue for the shelves, but the room is already dark and I didn’t want to make it even more so.

I can’t afford the expense of taking risks in my house, but I think I can take a risk in a dollhouse.

Just now, I had a thought: red? Ooh, red! I’ll try some test pieces of wood.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.