I thought the spent hollyhock blooms that have fallen to the ground deserved a little tribute. They really are quite beautiful. As is everything in the garden, no matter what stage of life. (Except whiteflies.)
I’m taking the day off today as my allergies have left me feeling sickish. I just turned on the A/C and I will water everything as soon as I finish this post, but that’s it for outside chores for today. Don is portraiting at the farmers market and, as he left for the day, he told me to STAY IN THE HOUSE. NO GARDENING. REST.
Okay, Okay!
I have titled this photo “Nothing Happening.” And there isn’t anything happening with this project at the moment. I think about it. But I don’t do anything. That’s because the outdoors calls to me and at this time of year, the gardens and the porch are my priority. I’ll get back to it.
I am going to take the occasional day off from posting. And I stress occasional, as in ‘rare.’ Sometimes I’ll take a day off simply because there isn’t very much going on here. But I love writing my posts and taking photographs. I also need the ad income. So it won’t be very often. All this is to say that if I don’t post one day, don’t worry!
For a couple of years there, we were very busy; traveling to La Jolla, driving across the country, visiting New Orleans and Chicago, and then six months in NYC with Margaritaville, plus a trip to Europe. A rare and wonderful and exciting time, which was fun to blog about. Now, it’s back to reality and our reality is a simple one, much the same from day to day. Although, we’re craving some adventure; a road trip, another trip to Paris. That’s for the future, hopefully. Right now, we can’t afford to travel.
So, I hope you don’t mind little snippets from the garden or the cottage. That’s life at MHC right now.
Happy Sunday.
I’m enjoying all your posts, and not a commenter. However, I did want to say even your everyday posts are enjoyable for me. It does not have to be exciting travel, etc. Gardening and home are fine because you are interesting people. You deserve.days off, but we are not bored. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Thank you for your kind words, Jan.
I second Jan’s motion.
Thank you, Eve!
I just love checking your blog everyday to see what’s happening in your ‘neck of the woods’ because you are so honest and I can relate to your everyday life style… and it is not boring! I understand you needing a day off now and again but I do miss it when you don’t post.
Hope you’re feeling better real soon.
Thank you so much, Cathy!
As long as you never stop blogging entirely, Claudia, you as many days stress free as you need. If you were to stop I would cry, and I know you don’t want that to happen.
The gardens are right out of an Impressionist painting. Downright gorgeous.
I’m with my son some for a few days in Minneapolis. As we have come to the first anniversary, but we aren’t doing any celebrating. Just bringing each other comfort.
I’m thinking of you, Trudy. Glad you and your son are together. xo
And thank you for your kind words.
The snippets from your garden and cottage are exactly why I follow you!
Thank you so much, Laura.
Ditto what everyone else says, Claudia. Do what makes you happy. Do you go occasionally with Don on his portrait-taking forays?
Not if it’s going to be several hours, like today. But I do stop by sometimes. Thanks, Wendy.
I can relate…today my plans are to get some housework done, catch up on laundry, putter around just a bit outside (it’s HOT!), read some blogs (hello!), read the Sunday Tribune, make some kind of summer salad…perhaps quinoa and veggie and just possibly run to the store for some fresh produce. Nothing news-worthy, but life nonetheless!
And life is pretty good, Melanie!
little sniglets from ‘everyday life’ are the very best kind of reading (happy adventures are great of course, but ‘everyday life’ is what is real to most of us)-
sorry about the allergies- it is absolutely wretched in this part of my state right now … if the various flowering plants don’t get you, the incredible humidity will- it’s a trade-off for seeing all the lush green fields and yards i guess-
take care-
barb in texas
Thank you, Barb.
I enjoy everything you blog about. I would be interested in a days menu for a vegan. I admire you for holding to your truths and doing that.
Not quite vegan, Olivia, but nearly so. Vegetarian for over 30 years. Thank you.
More of the same here. I love reading about your everyday life – gardening and what not. Please take some days for yourself too but I do like the everyday stuff and your beautiful photographs!
I love reading about your everyday life and gardening, it’s always interesting. I also like reading the replies from your followers (makes you sound like a cult😀!). What I especially like is you mention a snippet from your day and it triggers a whole world of shared memories, even though we’re not all on the same continent e.g. Hayley Mills, Mary Stewart…….
Happy Sunday
We have a great group of readers here, Dee Dee. I’m so blessed. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jane.
Exactly, dear Claudia! I agree with all the above comments. Love your blog, as well as all the comments! It’s so nice to find people with similar likes and attitudes.
Thank you so very much, Dottie.
I also am quite content to read about anything you might consider mundane. I’ve long been a fan of the human interest story in the news. Simple pleasures brighten my day. Always thankful for Don and you and any event large or small. Happy reading and laying low until the allergens subside. Got ’em here, too.
Happy Bastille Day!!
Same to you! Wish I was in Paris!
Thank you, Martha.
I always love your snippets, Claudia. I admire you can write daily. I can’t. There’s always so much going on that I’m lucky to do two or three a week. Maybe a little more at the lake and with Paris in July posts. And I really love the tribute to the hollyhock petals. I agree. They deserve their due.
The house will get done. There will be many cold nights to come and rainy days before that. Live your lovely life. That’s what it’s there for.
Thank you, Jeanie.
Do I mind the little snippets of your daily life? That’s one of the reasons I come here. You manage to elevate the simple life to a higher level, through your words.
There is a very wise man (Don) who said…”rest”! I hope you are doing just that! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae. You brought a tear to my eye.
That made me smile. ;)
xo
Finally! You SHOULD be taking some time off, Claudia. EVERYONE needs breaks – even from things they enjoy doing. It’s restorative! And essential for both physical & mental health [no news here – you know this]. This seems like the perfect time to take some time off – right now – when there’s not all that much variation in your days. You had a very exciting year last year – with Margaritaville, your travels etc. Now things are settled at home – for a while at least. ENJOY it [I know you are] and rest up. You never know what might be waiting for you around the corner. Peace. ❤️🇺🇸🌿
Thank you, Janet!
i agree with what everyone else (above) has said … and don, too … rest! and write when you want, don’t write when you don’t want to.
and as far as what you write, obviously that’s up to you. as for what i like to read online, i very much like the “slice of life” things about which you write. some of those “slices” are big and pretty unique to you and don (margaritaville and living a theatrical, freelance life, for example) so i learn about things i would probably not otherwise know about. other “slices” aren’t so big (such as the weather and chores), but those things are relatable and another way to get to know you a bit. and we get to know others here by what they write in comments, too. all wonderful, in my opinion.
thanks very much for all you share and (as a direct result) the community created here!
hope you feel better soon, that allergies and whiteflies leave you alone.
kathy in iowa
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy.
Well, I just love your “voice” and photography, so I am more than okay. Do you like the movie Meet Me In St. Louis? Well, think of the dollhouse as Meet Me in Fall. Different focuses for different times of the year. 😧
One of my favorite movies. Thank you, Cindi!
Well, I left a big ol’ comment this morning—and it disappeared! Pffft.
It was pretty much what everyone has said, the ordinary and mundane are fine with me—accompanied by your pretty photos! After a night of chasing bats around the bedroom, uneventful is what I’m craving.
Hope you got a restful day and relief from your allergies.
Oh boy. Bats! Hope all is well now, Shanna. Thank you.
Chiming in with the chorus…love your everyday bits and pieces and feel that you should take time whenever you need it. And I too love this little community of friendly souls!
Thank you, Roxie.
I’m glad you have told us that you will take a day off here and there as I was one who worried when I didn’t get a daily email!! Now I will know you are just taking time to breathe. We all need that.
And as far as your daily life snippets, I love them. It makes me feel like my ordinary life is ok. We get up and do our best. We appreciate the beauty in nature around us and are thankful for each new day. Now, I LOVE your travel posts, too, and it has been such fun to travel with you. But I find the every day things you share with us to be interesting and reassuring, too.
Hope you listened to Don and got some rest today!! Stay cool!
Thank you for your kind words, Chris.
Claudia, those spent flowers look the same as from our Rose of Sharon. They look like baby cabbages. My mother had a row of hollyhocks in every color and every one was my favorite. Hahaha. Some years they would be 3′ high, others 7′. Mother Nature always had the say.
Those allergies. Me too this year. I use Alaway Eye Itch Relief drops and it helps on those extra “special” days. Allergies can be an energy zapper. We are now in 100 deg heat and all we want to do it play outside. Ugh. So we use that hot excuse to hit the library for 20 books at a time and watch movies for hours on end….your recommendations have been wonderful.
They really do tire me out, Verna! Thanks so much.
Claudia, my husband and I had to re-think all of our travel plans; just can’t; the money is too tight after everything settled out income/expenses-wise, once we nailed down modest pension, social security, Medicare, life insurance, long-term care insurance and the various other supplemental plans to cover drugs and medical supplies. We made poor choices over the time of our marriage and didn’t save as we should have (or could have); interest income is at a minimum. It’s why my husband will always be working the freelance gig here & there for as long as he can and is still offered the jobs. We both wish things could be different such that he could have continued to keep working on a full-time basis for awhile yet (like various people we know [I added it up and I know far more people who are continuing to work, even into their 70s, than those who aren’t]), but my husband is having health issues, so it’s better if he can work when he’s up to it rather than the grind of every day when he’s not feeling well. I couldn’t work this last 20 years due to my health. So, we reap what we sow; we have to learn to be grateful and cautious and content with what we have, and our biggest concern is maintaining this old house because there’s constantly something wrong and it needs a lot of work. Just wanted to chime in again that I can somewhat relate to what you and Don have at hand. And I sure hope you’re feeling better by staying out of that humid heat with your allergies; rest is good! Also, you should post when you feel like it; you’re not letting anybody down although of course your readers always love to hear from you and know how you and Don are getting along. Best wishes to you; stay cool!
When you buy a house in your fifties and don’t have the cash to just pay it off quickly, it changes everything. I don’t regret a bit of it, but having a hefty house payment at this time of life is a burden. Thanks, Vicki.