This beautiful bumblebee obligingly stopped to take a rest. Thankfully, I had my phone with me.
I did a lot of work outside yesterday, which involved trying to prune some of the bushes in the big garden bed because I could no longer get around them to tend to the garden. There’s still more to go. While I reacquainted myself with that overgrown part of the garden, I noticed that a deer had chomped on all the David phlox, which I rely on for late summer color. I’m hoping the phlox makes new shoots. I was not a happy camper. Deer tend to come around in the very early morning or at dusk. I’m going to be more vigilant about showing them the exit. We’re usually up by 5:30 am, but I suppose 5 am would be even better.
We also put some netting over Don’s experimental vegetable garden. I’ve seen our curious bunny friend in that stretch of garden. We’ll see. Don has alway said that he’s doing it for fun and he’s not invested in it, but that changed on Saturday when he discovered lots of green things emerging from the soil. I hope he can at least harvest some of it.
There’s still a lot more to be done out there, but today, I rest my back. I’ve noticed certain sections of the front lawn are turning brown. No rain will do that. I do see a chance for showers tomorrow and later in the week, but I’ve become cynical about rain forecasts. I admit it.
Gosh, I’m really enjoying The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths. I read a big chunk of it this morning and I might finish it today. War and Peace is also riveting at the moment; there are many discussions about the plot on a daily basis.
The clematis blooming in the midst of the unkempt boxwoods. Another job on my list of chores.
I had a long talk with my sister on Saturday. It’s not my place to share anything, but her life has been hellish for several years and it continues to be, as the divorce is not yet finalized. I despise my brother-in-law. What I would like to ask of you: your prayers, good thoughts, and positive wishes for my sister. She is such a truly good person, always helping others, always giving. She doesn’t deserve any of this. I believe in the power of positive energy and prayer. She needs that. Thanks so much, my friends.
And I hope karma has some payback headed my BIL’s way.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
sorry to hear meredith is getting so much hassle … unnecessary. prayers said and will continue for her, her boys, you and don and everyone else.
hope the deer leave your plants alone and the netting protects don’s garden.
hope you get to garden as much as you want and then enjoy time relaxing, reading (i am tempted to start one of those elly griffith books) and having an easy day. same wishes for everyone else … good days.
waiting for the initial x-ray check on mammogram bright and early this morning. not fun, but good to get done. errands, a shower and (best of all) time with members of my family to follow.
happy, safe monday to everyone.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy,
Stay safe.
I just read a local post about our dry grass as we have had no rain here either and it is going dormant (a little brown). It said do not mow and let the grass stay around 4″ tall. Eventually, when we do get rain again, it will come back like it usually does after the winter months… Hope that works!
I hope all improves for Meredith, she is such a loving person and deserves happiness.
We’ve been holding off on mowing but it will soon be 4 inches tall!
Stay safe, Ellen.
I had been wondering about your lovely amazing sister as I’d originally discovered your blog through hers.
Please tell her that her honest and generous voice is missed, and to hang in. She is so fortunate to have her sister so strongly in her corner.
Xo to you both.
Thank you, Naomi.
Stay safe.
Praying for resolution in your sister’s marriage and peace for her and her boys. It’s so sad that she has to go through this, but one day – hopefully soon – it will be behind her and I hope she can heal quickly and move on with her live.
Thank you so much, Jenny.
Stay safe.
I’m very sorry to hear about your sisters long nightmare. I Will be sending her good thoughts, and some for you and Don too.
Thank you, Nora.
Stay safe.
I do hope your sister’s problems will just fly away soon. Sounds like she deserves so much better.
I ran into a bit of a dry spell with books from the library, so I tried an author and book I knew nothing about and was pleasantly surprised. Just finished Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver. Loved it. I’ll read more of hers, I think. But I’m still waiting on more from my favorites. Hate to have to buy them as I go through them so fast.
Barbara Kingsolver has a huge following and I read nothing but good reviews of her work.
Thanks, Shanna.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’m definitely sending good thoughts for your sister, and hoping that she finds peace in her life soon.
Again, it’s so nice to see the photos of your gardens…all the work you put in really shows. Now, if those deer could just find something less colorful to munch! Forecasters said we may get some showers today and tomorrow…but I’m not counting on it, though we could use it!
Enjoy your reading!
Thank you so much, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Those deer are tricky. I spray deer repellent and even swap out the kinds so they don’t get used to it but then the babies show up.Last year I sprayed one evening and the next morning I just had stubs about 2 inches high. They even ate the deer resistant plants that I have tried to incorporate into the garden. I was so depressed. This year I’m trying to string some fishing line around. A neighbor said it works for her.
Meredith shouldn’t have to go through this. He just wants to hurt her. How dare she leave him….
Lots of love,
Eileen
Let me know how the fishing line works, Eileen. And how you do it.
Just sent you an email re Meredith.
Love to you and Woody.
Stay safe.
Striking photo of the bumblebee! Well done!
Sending positive thoughts, wishes, prayers, and vibes for your sister.
Stay safe & well.
Thank you, Amy.
Stay safe.
Maybe you could visit her now that you and Don are not working.
Would be wonderful medicine for her.
I truly miss her posts.
Always remember God sees all
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
Sorry to hear the deer had a feast for themselves. Guess we gardeners are always fighting something. Netting over Don’s garden should help I would think.
Prayers, good wishes, positive vibes and positive thoughts are enroute to your sister. No one should have to go through that….I am thankful she has you.
Great capture of the bee. Enjoy your day! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’m so angry that Meredith has to go through so much €£%# (excuse the symbols) with the soon to be ex. Agreeing with every other commentator here, she doesn’t deserve that. But, she’s shown time and time again that she is resilient, strong, and brave. She has a community out there rooting for her.
I’ve seen first-hand what emotional abuse does to a partner and the children. My late FIL liked nothing better than to give the outside world his congenial charming face, and then to go home and play mental games with my naive but kind-hearted MIL and his two children. Fortunately, my late husband came through protected by his mom from the worst, and was a kind generous adult (I miss him so much). However, my SIL was a mess growing up, and still is. My FIL tried to mess my daughters up, as well, but at the first hint of him starting to do so, I physically stepped between them and my girls, protecting them like a mama bear, and berated him. He got the message. (My late husband always said I was the only person his father was scared of., mainly because I was the only one who wasn’t afraid of his bull€£#% or his temper.). He never tried again, but neither was he a loving grandpa. Fortunately, my Dad played that role to the hilt, and my daughters fondly remember and talk about their late gung -gung (Cantonese for maternal grandfather), but they ignore the fact that they had a paternal one.
Many many positive vibes going out to Meredith from me and my daughters, who are equally appalled as I am about your sister’s situation. (And thanks for having a blogging community where I feel safe sharing my story.)
Thank you so much, Wendy. I so appreciate your words today.
Stay safe.
Prayers for Meredith!
Thank you Judy!
Stay safe.
Sending good thoughts for you sister’s situation to resolve soon. It’s awful how some people can turn so vindictive towards a person they once loved but I’ve seen it in our extended family as well.
Our grass is turning pretty crispy brown too. After so much rain all of April and much of early May, this is tough to get used to. Love the bee pic.
Take care,
K.
It is indeed tough to get used to.
Thank you.
Stay safe, Kay.
Prayers sent! And will continue; anything to help.
We are also hoping for rain here in western MA. We went from 90s a couple of days ago to 50-60s. Rabbits are also feeding in our yard. They’ve eaten the violets and some phlox so far, but haven’t gotten to the vegetable garden. We have a bunny fence for that, which does not deter the chipmunks!
Thanks so much, Polly.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — love the bee !! I am so sorry for trouble your sister is dealing with — will keep her/family in prayers — divorce is never pretty — our daughter had a bad marriage that ended over 5 years ago but must still contend with dealing w/the jerk b/c of underage child — our daughter’s life is still chaotic — just not as bad as during the marriage — how do some people say they had an amicable divorce — I don’t think there is such a thing. guess most we can do is always be there for the victims — and they are victims. stay safe — and don’t forget to check you and your Mr for ticks !!!
Yes, it’s like there are degrees of “bad” – not as bad as the marriage itself, but bad nonetheless.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
On the book front I just finished 2 light but fun books, The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls, both by Natalie Jenner. You might look for them at your library, for when you need to treat yourself to some fun.
Ceci
Thanks, Ceci. My mysteries are my fun books!
Stay safe.
Sounds like your BIL did not want the divorce. He should stop and remember that Meredith is the mother of his children and deserves respect and kindness from him. Divorce is difficult for everone involved. I wish Meredith and her family well. Hugs, Elaine
He only didn’t want the divorce because it wasn’t his choice. He is a control freak.
Thanks, Elaine.
Stay safe.
One thing I do admire about you is your gumption. You’re right, Meredith doesn’t deserve the treatment she is getting from whats-his-name. Good grief, man, grow a pair and move on!
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — beautiful peony — they do prefer sun (mostly) — we have 2 put way out in the yard — no ‘big’ trees near (at the time) but in the 46 years since planting, they are surrounded by ‘big’ trees. I think peonies live ‘forever’ w/right conditions — Myma called them “century plants”. be careful where you plant any new ones b/c of shade trees — digging up/moving might not be a good idea — takes a long time for them to get settled — this is just my experience, not scientific in any way. stay safe
I’m wary of deer, as well. Determining where to move them is tricky.
Stay safe, Linda.
I’m so fond of your sister Meredith. She deserves just the best in life, and it is so sad that she is having to go through such a difficult divorce. She is lucky to have you — please let her know that her readers love her and are offering up prayers and positives for things to improve soon. I imagine Summer is difficult for LB too with a change of routine. We’re all thinking of them.
I will definitely let her know, Eileen. Thank you.
Stay safe.