It’s that kind of day where the lamps remain lit all day long. So was yesterday, a day in which it rained all day and into the night. I have no idea what the forecast is for today; however, looking out the window indicates gray skies and general yuck.
April showers, right?
I’m just about to finish Avid Reader, which has been a complete pleasure to read. Do I try for fiction next, or more non-fiction? I have a copy of Russian Roulette by Michael Isikoff and David Corn and I haven’t started it yet. But the contents of that book will make me angry, as they should, so I’ll have to read it in fits and starts, if only to maintain some sort of equilibrium.
This succulent has been a part of Riley’s dish garden ever since I planted it, not long after he died. Other succulents have come and gone, but this one has remained and much to my surprise, it really took off this winter. Constant new growth. I think it likes its new position at the center of the kitchen table, as well as its buddies, the monstera and the rubber plant. I do know that houseplants often thrive when placed in a group with other plants and I think that’s the case here.
Or maybe Riley is speaking to me. I hope so.
The tulips are winding down and, like all flowers, there is a beauty in every stage of life.
I’ve been nursing a sore back, brought about, I’m pretty sure, by having to sleep propped up for several days when I had the cold/flu/whatever-it-was. It’s getting better.
Gosh, I’m ready for some work outside. And I still want to paint the remaining unpainted wall in the kitchen. It’s never been the right time, but I have to do it soon before spring starts to bring in more bugs. Maybe next week.
I have a whole list of things to do outside, including cleaning up the garden beds, raking the gravel that was snowplowed onto the grass back onto the driveway, picking up falling branches, and cleaning the side of the house and the porch railings. None of those tasks excite me, but they have to be done before I can attend to the gardens.
I saw a big rabbit sitting very still yesterday afternoon. He was up in the back forty. First rabbit sighting – a good sign!
Happy Wednesday.
The pollen count is the highest it’s been in 2 years and boy does my head know it. Ugh! Staying inside today and hoping to feel better. Got some work done around the house yesterday so I will reward myself today and finish a book I’ve started. I hope you have a good day. Hugs!!
Oh boy. Is that what I have to look forward to? Today and for the next few days temps are plunging and we have a high wind warning this afternoon.
Oh, goody.
You’ve listed the chores you must do. I don’t know about you, Claudia, but I find that when I write down the chores I have to do, it’s often easier for me actually to go do them when I can physically cross them off my list. I know some of your chores will have to wait for better weather. My grouped plants fare better too. I think it’s because they are in one place, I tend to take care of them all at once and do t forget one or two in other corners.
They also do well because they generate humidity and the moisture keeps them thriving. Thanks, Wendy!
I have Russian Roulette on my list, too, but I think it will be a while before I can actually pick it up. He is getting wilder and more belligerent every day, and my BP is soaring.
We had about 4 inches of snow w/ some freezing rain yesterday and overnight. 2 hour late start for school this morning. We had (at least IMO) some wonderful election news yesterday. Our idiot of a gov tweeted out today he is worried about a “blue wave” and they need to tame it. Ha!
The sun is out and the melting has begun. We may get more tomorrow. A low of 12* on Saturday morning. Ridiculous. Hope you have a good day.
Same crap happening here. Temperatures plunging, high wind warning later today, possible snow. YUCK.
I was thrilled to hear the news from Wisconsin when I woke up this morning. Huzzah!
Yes! Sun is out…4 inches of snow on the ground…and, great elections yesterday, in my humble opinion! And as Chris said..our idiot governor is tweet warning of a blue wave. I am cautiously smiling!
I think plants do better in groups…of at least two. But, I believe they also respond to conversation…yes I talk to them, as well as music. No particular genres…except we don’t play country around here, so I can’t speak to that one. Spring is a coming…I’m hoping, it’s just gonna take a little longer. Enjoy your day! ;)
I tweeted back at him, Donnamae!
I agree with your assessment of plants – I talk to mine and I know that music helps them thrive, as well!
Did you really? Oh…good for you! I’ll go check it out! ;)
It’s under my book blog twitter name: JustLetMeFinish.
Found it…following! ;)
xo
This weather is so dreary! You mentioned Riley – do you and Don ever consider perhaps adopting a dog again some day? I know with your travel it might be cause to hesitate, but perhaps a little guy or gal would travel easily to and from the city with you.
We will someday. Now is not the time. We are away from each other much of the time and we would both want to be there for the dog and not confuse the poor thing with one of us being gone a lot of the time. We would all need to bond. It’s only fair. We also plan on going to England and Paris in the future. When all of that is done, we’ll think about it.
After a very sunny few days, we’re back to cloud and cold. Lamps on today as well for us. Hope your back is well soon! X Chy
I hope so, too, Chy!
As much as I love sunshine sometimes I like those lights on all day kind of days…they just seem so cozy to me for some reason…good days to snuggle up with a cup of coffee or tea and a great book!…Now I understand why my houseplants do so well grouped together on my windowsill…Thanks for the tip Claudia!
It’s just that there’s been a few too many of those days lately!
Just curious; explain to me what this means: “…cleaning the side of the house and the porch railings…” What happens to the side of the house in winter, and the porch railings? Is it somehow muddy from snow? How do you clean the side of the house, with some huge extended mop? Sorry for ignorance but I’m just trying to picture it. Is it a mold issue?
Porch railings get dirty. Lots of rain can create a tinge of green mold – same on the side of the house that you don’t usually see in my pictures. I think it happens there because it’s in shade much of the time. I try to do the cleaning every couple of years, but I haven’t done it in about three years, so I have to tackle it soon.
I use an extended brush and water with a bit of bleach.
Oh, gosh; that sounds like a big job. I didn’t quite understand about the porch because I’ve never had one like yours with railings. Or I should say at my little cottage, we had big porches at the rear of the house but their railings were waist-high wrought iron (black) and we’d had them refurbished before we moved in such that they were in fine shape the entire time we lived there (original railings from 1928; they were so intricate and lovely; “they just don’t make things like that anymore”…).
We have friends in north/coastal Washington state who are telling us that this sort of green tinge/green mold of which you speak is all over everything outside because of the constant rain. I’ve realized how awful that would be for my lungs/airways due to my asthma, and mold being one of my worst triggers. ‘Way south here in SoCalif, I don’t remember mold ever being an issue at the beach homes (friends of my parents). Of course we rarely get rain, yet those houses are at water’s edge. I, in fact, always breathe better at the beach and, when I was growing up, another kid in our neighborhood who suffered from asthma was all-too-often taken to the beach if his breathing was labored, even if it was 3am and he had school later that morning. I do well at the beach, at least in these parts, and the dry desert like Hot Springs although, today, I’d never be able to take that heat.
Anyway, good luck with chewing down that to-do list for outside, Claudia. It’s a lot to do but sounds like you know the drill and how to pace yourself on it so that you don’t wreck your neck or back or shoulder or whatever.
Yes, well, I’m allergic to mold. So there you go!
I meant Palm Springs. I think I’m still half asleep. I watched part of that film called, “Get Out!” last night (horror movie that got so many awards at this year’s Oscars, or at least nominations; can’t remember which; I think the director is Jordan Peele, and that may be a misspelling) and I was quite unnerved; slept badly and had a nightmare, so I guess that film served its purpose; I don’t think I can handle the rest of it; I know how it ends (I’d read a spoiler). I can’t stop thinking about it. I’d like to shake it off so I think I’ll go dig around in my new veggie garden; it’s cool and overcast right now here.
I can’t stay out of the local garden center; I swear there were 12 people in my line alone when I was there yesterday at the cash registers. I’d decided to limit the garden this year but I couldn’t resist their vigorous black/purple, golden-orange and red bell peppers. And I may go back for patty-pan squash. I watched a store person load about ten bags of garden soil into a lady’s SUV; people here are going crazy here with their spring gardening already and one thing that was so sweet was watching parents/grandparents shopping with their kids (who are out of school for Spring Break) and planning a garden together.
I think it’s great to teach kids to try to always grow some of their own food. I have so few memories of my grandmother who died when I was still so young, but I remember her green beans winding thru the pickets of a small white wood fence at her steps off the kitchen. She just had a tiny back house (behind an old Victorian) which she rented, not a lot of space, but the lady who lived in the Victorian was also generous about letting Grandma utilize the fruit trees; I remember a Babcock peach, which I hardly see these days, and an apricot tree. So I have these early memories of Grandma using what was available around her, to make fruit jam or pies, then snap those beans for Sunday dinner. Lasting impression.
You should watch the whole thing. It’s one of the best films I’ve seen in years. Watch it during the day.
Okay. I’d read that they’d made their budget many times over and even on Rotten Tomatoes I think it got a 99% approval; something like that. Even my husband doesn’t want to watch it; he warned me, saying, “Don’t watch! It’s super-creepy/scary and very disturbing!” But I sort of, on the one hand, despite what I said, LIKE the thought-provoking part; it’s such a mix of horror/racism/etc. with this film. I do seem to recall now, awhile back, you reviewing some of the Oscar contenders and that you thought it was good although you didn’t like the ‘Three Billboards’ one. I’ll do as you suggest and make it a daytime viewing. I found myself thinking, of the Catherine Keener character, “Heck, Vicki, don’t let her hypnotize YOU while you’re sitting here watching this!!!” (She’s such a good actress; I’ve always liked her.)
I found it scary but good scary because there are surprises around every corner. I really loved it and it sends a powerful message.