An impossibly beautiful morning. Rain will be coming later in the day, but for now, it’s gorgeous. We’ve been having 38 and 39 degree lows at night, and that will continue for a few more days. That’s why you don’t see the fern on the porch. I’ll bring it outside later in the week when it’s a bit warmer.
I’ll keep this brief as I’m a bit late getting to this post. I’m feeling a bit better today, though I’m still going to take it easy. No big chores outside other than watering the plants on the porch. I’m feeling the urge to experiment with paint, so that may be on the docket. We’ll see.
“I must not be intimidated, I must not be intimidated, I must not be intimidated.”
Mother’s Day is a day that is bittersweet for me, but I wish those of you who celebrate it a happy day. I hope you have someone to spoil, or are spoiled by those who love you.
Let’s remember all those who miss their mothers, who never had a loving mother, who yearn for children and can’t have them, who have lost a child, who had a troubled relationship with their mother, who are estranged from their child or their mother. This day can be a landmine for many.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Loved your Mother’s Day sentiments in your post today.
Stay safe and have a lovely Sunday.
You, too!
Stay safe, Cathy.
beautiful … photos, plans, thoughts on mother’s day. thank you.
glad you are feeling (some) better and will take it easy again today.
happy painting!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Even though it is a bittersweet day for you, I wish you a joyful, RELAXED, and very Happy Mother’s Day. You are a wonderful, thoughtful, always tending mother to all the living creatures that surround your charming cottage, as you were a wonderful mother to your dear dogs. That is so precious and important!
Thank you, Jenny, for those kind words.
Stay safe.
When I read about how special your dogs were to you I think of you as a mother to them. I know I would feel that way if I had a dog or any pet or person that I cherish.
Oh, I was definitely their mother and they were my children.
Thanks, Cristina.
Stay safe.
I hope you have some fun with painting today. That looks like a very old tree in your picture. What kind of tree is it?
Today I am thankful for all the women in my life…the women who’ve been role models, inspired me, and touched my life in some way. That includes you Claudia. Have a happy, restful day.
It’s about 120 years old and it’s a maple. It’s lost several limbs since we moved in here 15 years ago, but it had a good trim last fall and it’s doing well.
Thank you for your kind words, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
a landmine is right! Well said.
Thank you, Jan.
Stay safe.
Happy Day to you Claudia! You nurture, you love, you encourage, you give courage you mother all things.
Aw, thank you, Trudy.
That’s very kind of you.
Stay safe.
Good morning Claudia, I agree with Trudy who so beautifully worded it; You nurture, you Love, You encourage, You give courage to others and you Mother All things!!! Your blog is one of 5 that I have followed for years and is one of the first stops I visit as soon as I get online…. but I have rarely commented because I am not very good with conveying thoughts, feelings etc. in words.
I too have always had a desire to paint for many years; I have paints, kits, easel, brushes and canvas’ and have always been too intimidated to make that first brush stroke! So maybe as you take yours it will inspire me to take out those supplies and just start!! LOL
Claudia I absolutely Love the reflection in your Birdbath!!! would you mind if I shared it with my brother in Texas? He photographs mainly birds and wildlife here in Florida and Texas where he lives now but has a real love of photographing reflections in water!!!
I live in Orlando Florida and have just now started seriously gardening more and have loved and enjoyed watching your gardens evolve…. I am so enjoying the photos of your little wrens in the camper birdhouse; they are so cute! and I always loved the tales of your sweet little groundhog Henry! because we don’t have groundhogs here in Florida… But I do have possums, raccoons, squirrels, wild birds, ducks from the lake across the street from me and the migratory birds that come for a brief time in the spring….
Enjoy the rest of your beautiful Weekend!
Debbi
Oh, thank you for your kind words, Debbi. Reading your comment, I’d say you’re very good at conveying your feelings in words!
Absolutely, share with your brother. I’d be honored.
My nephew lives in Orlando and my sister lives in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Do you have armadillos? She does!
Stay safe!
Yes, I hit my own landmine early this morning; not enough sleep, going over and over again in my mind about Mom; I lost her eight years ago; the last few years of her life (ones we both could have done without) were challenging, she dealt with so much poor health/physical deterioration (and a stroke) and I was a worn-out, stressed (no big surprise!) long-time caregiver but, mostly, I go back in my mind to the good years/the better years when she was healthy, strong and well; jolly, positive, fun, hardly ever sitting still; content with her life at her beloved home with hobbies and projects and familiar daily routines, and with her husband and family and pets; her small but self-made ‘rich’ world with neighbors and good friends. She never turned me away; was always there for me; always inviting and welcoming and with a listening ear; thinking of small things she could do for me. (I was a sick kid from the time I was born; I’m glad I have a memory of her sitting on the side of the bed, her hand on my back in comfort, the shelter of her arms in protection; almost willing her own breath to flood my weak lungs and airways which were riddled with childhood asthma.) I was so lucky to grow up under the tutelage and intelligence, generosity and love of a good mom. Had I been blessed to be a mother of a child myself, I know I could never have done as good of a job as she did for me and my brother.
But, like you, despite some fog, the sun has broken and I think it’s going to be a nice day; I’m enjoying a SoCalif week of cooler temps. Your photos this morning are so stunning, Claudia; sometimes I swear your property and surrounding environment are like paradise. But you do have the photographer’s eye for capturing the perfect moments and subjects. Thanks for it, this Mother’s Day morning; the photos are calming. I need calm. As usual, too, your post and thoughts/words are so spot-on about the holiday. With absolutely no envy, I like to have a vision of everyone out there with moms having a glorious day today. At one time, I had them, too, and I treasure those holiday memories. I was gratified to hear from a second cousin yesterday (out of state) that fifteen of their family members — great-grandmother, grandparents, adult children, new baby (four generations) – – are gathering today at a lake for an outdoor celebration of the moms among them. I wish I could be there with them and give them all huge hugs.
An aside: My goodness, Claudia; look at the SIZE of that tree trunk at your porch. You have trees of several ages in your yard, don’t you! Also, Claudia, I agree with another commenter here of how nurturing you are; that you are indeed a motherer. Not just with your beloved, departed fur babies, your dogs. But you have the mothering quality as you tend to all living things around you in nature, including your trees and flowers and birds; also, with us here, your human readers; and, in a way, even with Don (when he needs a little TLC!). I sometimes feel as if you’re the mother hen, cloaking your feathers around everything you love and cherish, sheltering and giving.
Thank you, Vicki. I am very nurturing, though I never really wanted children of mine own. I had my students and my nieces and nephews and my little sisters and, of course, my dogs and all the beings I watch over here. I’m grateful.
I know it’s hard for you, having lost your mom not all that long ago. Some years, it’s harder than others. But we’re grateful we had wonderful mothers.
That tree is about 120 years old, Vicki. It’s a maple.
Stay safe!
And along with your nurturing of the creatures in your yard and the pups you have loved, there are the students you have helped grow and flourish over the years, along with the children of your siblings and dear friends. I truly can’t think of any women I know, who even though they might not have born their own children, have been so essential to nurture and encourage and touch so many others through the years. Those are the traits I associate with being a good mom.
And as I say that, I do totally understand how the day is or can be a mine field for too many.
I hope you enjoy some painting time today. The beginning of a new journey is always exciting! Take care.
Thank you, Chris. I never really wanted to have children – I believe you should really want them and if you don’t, you shouldn’t have them. Because I changed my life in my early thirties and was establishing my career, it was never the time. And that was fine with me – no regrets. But I am, at heart, a nurturer, and I have been blessed with many opportunities to do just that. I’m grateful.
Stay safe!
I get it!! My daughter is the same. She was a MS teacher for several yrs and after getting her Masters, she was an elementary principal for many years. Now works for the state Dept of Public Instruction always advocating for kids. She was loved as a teacher and principal, and after all these years, still gets texts and FB posts from many. She loves our granddaughter beyond the moon, but has no regrets at not having kids of her own. Her 2 kitties are pretty spoiled, though, and I think of all the lives she has impacted. Thankfully, everyone is different!!!
Yes, you’re absolutely right. Your daughter sounds pretty special, Chris.
xoxo
If you need a boost to get started painting. I suggest watching a few YouTube tutorials. They have tips and tricks or how to paint a tree, etc. Some teachers are better than others, so hunt around. Experiment.
Art is the process not the end result. Dive in
Do you have any of your father’s paintings? I would love to see some.
I’ve been watching tutorials and lessons from Marian Parsons (aka Miss Mustard Seed.)
I have to be in the right mood to do anything creative and I wasn’t there today. When I am, I’ll start.
Stay safe, Janet.
Thanks, Claudia. I look forward to your painting results!
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
I loved your last paragraph.
We were so lucky to have our Mothers.
We really were, Kay. Two wonderful women who raised us well. I miss your mom.
Stay safe, my friend.
Happy mum’s day, It is sweet more than bitter for me but my heart is still a bit sad. I have had your blog bookmarked for a long time now. I think your tree is fantastic. I too love to paint, garden and sew. My husband and I moved into a lovely little house in 2015, I call “Javelina Hollow” because a large family of them walk through our front yard nearly every night.). It’s sort of like a cottage.
Please have a glorious day today whether you paint or not. This is my first comment on your blog, but I always read every word of your blog and the replies you get. Your blog gives me a wonderful sense of peace, rather like the feeling I get when I hang laundry on the line in our yard. Please do not stop. 😁😊😃🙏🏻 Lovzies!~ dezi in Green Arizona.
I’m so glad you read the blog, Dezi, and that you’ve commented. Thank you!
I love the name Javelina Hollow. Absolutely charming!
Love to you!
Stay safe.
Ah, a maple. I have an ornamental maple we planted about seven years ago but it’s more of a bush than a tree. However, it’s in full leaf, more and more every day; a rusty red. When the light hits it right, in the afternoon, it’s a brighter red. I should read more about maples. I had oak trees which were as old as your maple, in my house before this one (our little cottage built in 1923), but I didn’t know a maple tree could be equally ancient.
Oh gee whiz; I have no idea how my comment went separately into a whole new category when I just meant this as a response to yours (to mine above, earlier in the thread); sorry.
xo
xoxo
Claudia –so glad you are feeling better — my allergies give me fits in spring but not life threatening just miserable!! I hope your painting will be good exercise for you — I have zero abilities with painting, drawing or anything artistic but I so admire anyone who has the skills to even try. One grand girl (14) is blessed with alot of talent — always drawing, painting, etc. I am so proud of her and am so amazed to just watch her work. Good luck. Stay healthy and safe.
I’m sure hoping I have some sort of skill for painting! We shall see.
Stay safe, Linda.