Claudia — Page 550

Day One Hundred Twenty-Two

July 13, 2020 at 9:59 am by Claudia

Coneflowers are blooming all over the property. I must have well over a hundred of them. I’ve planted a lot, but they self-seed prolifically, so I often discover them in other parts of the gardens – or even outside the garden beds. This year, I see some white coneflowers coming up at the top of the big garden bed. I didn’t plant them there. Such a delight!

Yesterday was a strange and unsettling day for me and my anxiety was also flaring up. I think last week’s exposure to too much news was the prime instigator. But I did get some more work done on Dove Cottage. I only have to put some stones on the base at the back and then I can start my experiments with ‘grout.’

If you read Meredith’s blog, you already know this. Her work as a therapist requires her to treat young children in their homes and/or foster homes. She has been working throughout this pandemic – with the greatest of caution, of course. Her post goes into this more deeply, but suffice to say, one of her foster parents – whom I know – neglected to tell her that her older son was home from work because his bosses had been exposed to COVID-19 so everyone had been sent home to quarantine and he was in the house when Mere was treating the other kids. I think it’s been nearly two weeks now since that exposure, but my God! She didn’t inform any of the therapists who routinely enter that house for therapy sessions. She still hasn’t said anything. They’re Trumpers, of course, who think this is all a hoax and that they shouldn’t have to wear masks.

I want to go there and smack her across the face; this could have endangered my family, as well as the other therapists and their families. My sister had cancer many years ago. Because of her treatment at the time, her immune system is not always functioning at full strength. My little nephew had respiratory issues as a baby (for heaven’s sake, he died at birth and had to be brought back to life!) and this woman knows him and knows of my sister’s medical history.

I am sick of reading about this selfish behavior. Now it’s touched my family. It’s not enough that my sister and her family are living in state with a Governor who has mishandled every stage of this pandemic, but now my sister’s compassionate and humanitarian work as a therapist has brought her into contact with a family who simply doesn’t care about the health and welfare of others.

I had a mini-meltdown yesterday about everything. I know that some of you have had them lately, as well. I think it’s a good thing. We have to find a way to release our anxiety and anger and outrage about the mishandling of the pandemic, the terrible loss of life, and everything to do with the corrupt carnival barker who is masquerading as Commander-in-Chief. I’ve never been through a time like this. I don’t think any of us have.

May we find some peace in the midst of this horror show. May we find moments of quiet and wonder and maybe a small (or big) spark of joy. May everyone stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Day One Hundred Twenty-One

July 12, 2020 at 10:07 am by Claudia

Big storms yesterday, unbearable humidity, lots of rain. From the level of water in my galvanized bucket, I’d say we got 4 inches over two days. Today? No humidity, a gentle breeze, the sound of the wind chimes. Heaven.

I finished the three exterior walls of the house late yesterday afternoon. Dove Cottage made a little trip outside this morning for a photo shoot.

I am also going to cover the base of the porch in these stones, as well as the base in the rear of the house, so there’s more work to do. But the big job – the cottage – is finished.

After that I’m going to spray the stones with a matte sealer so the color doesn’t run. I’m also going to do a few test stones. I’m experimenting with grout (grout made from spackle with a tiny bit of color added) and I want to see if spraying them with a sealer will keep them safe from the spackle. I know it will be painstaking work, but if I could pull it off, I’d be very pleased. If it turns out otherwise, I leave them as is, but the perfectionist in me will not be happy.

So, a bit more work to do on the exterior then I’ll move on to the interior.

I’m very pleased with the look of the stones. I have to admit, when I first started I wasn’t at all sure this was the way to go. I had serious doubts. But now, I’m really in love with the look.

Just to review, I collected cardboard egg cartons for months. When it was time to start making stones, I cut the textured section of the egg carton, usually the top, into strips. I painted each strip with a base coat of Deco Art Americana acrylic paint in Buttermilk – two coats. Then I used another paint I had on hand in a shade of rusty brown and added touches of it here and there, sometimes rubbing some of it off if it was too much. Then I cut each stone individually, trimming it as necessary. Then I glued each one into place. It was painstaking work, but now – after most of it is done – well worth it.

I’m excited about decorating it. I’ll try to share some of my ideas about the interior this week. Just know that these two pieces will be a big part of the kitchen end of the open concept first floor –