Thank you for your lovely messages yesterday. They sure warmed our hearts!
We had a lovely and relatively quiet day. We talked a lot; about the day we met, about our lives now, and later in the day – about social media and our desire to spend less time there. We’re going to change things up a bit, turning off our phones, etc. during most of the day. Once I do my morning check in, and write the blog, I’ll turn it off and use that time to read, to paint, to garden, or – like today – to mow before it gets too hot.
A baby bunny. As far as I can tell, there are two of them. Last night, as it grew dark outside, we could see the two of them playing and chasing each other.
Groundhog update: It looks like three of the babies are now in residence under the tree. They’ve moved back in. I wish they’d stay up in the back forty with mom but perhaps this is the time they make the move and establish their own home. Mostly, they behave. But occasionally, I have to make my presence known.
Don’s off to recycle. I’m going to write this post and have some breakfast – then I’ll weed whack/mow.
They’re here:
The coneflowers are starting to emerge in their pinky goodness. The white coneflowers in the big garden bed have already opened. I’ve decided that this is my favorite time here – when the scads of coneflowers all over the property bloom. The garden feels the most ‘cottagey’ then.
Soon, butterflies will appear because they love coneflowers. Yay! I’ve only seen a couple of eastern swallowtails and that was early in the season when there were no flowers so they didn’t linger.
It’s very hot and humid this week, which means work outside has to happen in the morning before it becomes unbearable out there. Thank goodness for the new a/c in the kitchen. Just in time.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
glad for you and don to have had a lovely day, to have each other! :)
bunnies, groundhog babies and coneflowers are pretty sweet, too.
good luck with lawn-mowing and the heat.
i don’t have any accounts on facebook, etc., but feel better for limiting my time on other social media like news websites and youtube. lots of things happening in the world, lots of creativity to offer inspiration, for sure, but there’s also lots of things that i need and want to happen in my own life (time with my family, cleaning, book-writing …)! giving credit to ann wood handmade (blogger) for this: “things get done much faster when you do them”. yep. :)
hope everyone had a nice holiday, weren’t kept up by freelance fireworks unless you wanted to be up and will have a great day ahead. stay safe.
kathy
claudia, hope it’s okay that i mentioned another blog here on your own blog. i found it when in a creative slump related to sewing and that person makes lots of miniatures, among other things. saw there a sign (she made for herself) that had the words quoted above and i wanted to give credit where it’s due. am thinking you’re good with that, but i apologize if you’re not. thanks.
kathy
Yes, I’m familiar with her. Of course I don’t mind!
good. thank you.
kathy
Very hot and humid today. We’re both exhausted!
Stay safe, Kathy.
heat and humidity are exhausting, at least to me, too. ugh.
hope you’re both staying in by the air conditioner and taking it easy!
kathy
We have an air quality warning today.
Watched Spoiler Alert last night…..I LOVED IT…..cried, and laughed and cried …..you were great….everyone was great…..the writing was sharp….very funny. Wow, having some inside information about the difficulties of filming this during Covid added to the excitement . It was a special movie and the characters rang true. Doug and I took a ride to Bellport to go to the Sidewalk Arts show they have every year…..I went into the barn casually looking at some of the old dolls and a very old fully furnished doll house when I found myself next to Isabella Rossellini . We said a few words….and of course I was tongue tied. I tried to remember the names of the movies I last saw her in…..Two lovers and the one about Lindberg….but her voice in Marcel the shell with shoes on….. a favorite. Impressionable….at the ripe old age of 76. Have a great day Claudia…..you are among the interesting women I feel I have come in contact with……during this past three years. Have a great day.
I’m so happy to read this, Maria! Thank you for watching. It’s a wonderful movie, if I do say so myself.
I would have been rather speechless to see Isabella Rossellini, too! You were one degree away from Ingrid Bergman! Wonderful.
Stay safe, Maria.
Hello, friend: A belated “happy day you met” anniversary to you and Don. Your friend you’ve never met, Chris
Thank you so much, Chris.
Stay safe.
Claudia… belated wishes for your anniversary of when you and Don met! I like your idea of spending less time with your phone…it does get very addicting. Love that coneflower….that pink is really a pretty shade. Enjoy the a/c!
Oh, coneflowers are such great sturdy flowers. And they last a long time!
Stay safe, Barrie.
Sounds like you and Don had a nice day yesterday reminiscing together. Good call to limit on-line activities. It’s so easy to get lost down that particular rabbit hole. Glad your new AC is keeping your house comfortable. Stay cool. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks, Elaine. It’s terrible out there today. We’ve certainly had our share of difficult weather here lately!
Stay safe.
I’m so exhausted I can hardly type.
The illegal fireworks in my town were beyond-the-beyond yesterday, I swear for twelve straight-continuous hours. (Not even counting the days and nights and early-morning hours leading up to it [with fireworks]; we are in an out-of-control situation with illegal fireworks in my town [from all directions].) I was outside briefly at one point to close my garage door the rest of the way, as I’d had it propped for ventilation, and I actually wondered if this was somewhat a very-small taste of what it is to live in a war zone as the explosions from these big-‘gun’ fireworks almost felt as if I’d be lifted off my feet; it seemed dangerous to be outdoors, so I scurried back inside.
In our small town, the very-small police force can’t combat this extreme use of illegal fireworks so there’s little-to-no control with the offenders.
Anyway, as I said, I’m exhausted, my husband is exhausted and, most of all and the saddest, our poor dog is exhausted; his keen ears cannot take the booms, blasts, etc. There were so many illegal fireworks that they drained out the ‘usual’ noise of our city-sanctioned community celebration, which normally we can hear quite clearly (especially the major boom-boom-booms of the show’s ‘finale’) from our house even though they’re lit from two miles away. This could make me officially hate the Fourth of July if each year the illegal fireworks keep getting worse and worse, which seems to be the case. It’s really stressful and unnerving and disturbing; frightening.
I thought too late to try earplugs; now I want to see if I can somehow work out earplugs for the dog. Seriously. Or, next year, since I’ve now recently heard of an excellent doggie daycare/boarding facility (in a neighboring town which has a greater police force … and the doggie daycare is out on a big piece of property sort of off by itself on the outer city limits … ) we may have to just separate the dog from his home for a couple of days, for his own peace and calm. The poor guy; we could only do so much to soothe him.
How can these people afford all these fireworks? Aren’t they quite expensive (and we are a POOR town with no economic vitality!!). When did it all turn to such excess? I can remember Fourth of July celebrations when I was a kid which were loads of fun but not so over the top (‘backyard’ fireworks were still illegal ‘back then’ but of course not nearly as big and sophisticated). Why do people have to have more, more, more, MORE? It’s as if it’s a competition or something. And I suppose they’re recording it all on their phones so that such & such person’s social media is far more magnetic than the next person’s.
Anyway, glad at least YOU TWO had a deservedly nice day yesterday; maybe I can say the same for my husband and me when our anniversary comes up pretty soon!
(We were even fogged in for a lot of last night which would have obscured a lot of these fireworks … but they did it ANYWAY … I guess for the noise factor alone.)
I’ve had more cups of coffee than I should, trying to get awake; I think I’ll go pack up some good, clean clothes I’ve been going thru to donate to Goodwill.
Sorry you’re warm and humid; I’m really glad that my part of coastal Southern Calif is not experiencing what can be the usual very-hot Fourth. I know it’s coming (summer heat), but I’ll take the good with the bad right now. I’m not minding the marine layer after all.
I think I’m falling asleep.
So sorry to hear this, Vicki. Is it possible to call the State Police when this happens, given that your small town police force can’t handle it? Though, I don’t think that’s an excuse. They know it’s going to happen. Get out there, issue citations. Animal life, the elderly, everyone – it’s impacting their peace of mind and their health. So if it’s too hard for them then they should hire a couple of auxiliary policemen to cover the town on the Fourth. That’s their JOB.
I’m so sorry for your baby. Scoutie had the same sensitive ears – collies are especially known for that – and she went ballistic when she heard fireworks, she wouldn’t let us hold her, she just ran around crying and agitated for hours. As you know, we never left her alone on the Fourth.
Get some rest, Vicki.
Stay safe.
Well, we did a DNA on the rescue dog and he’s almost exclusively Aussie but for a few generations back of American ‘Lassie’-type collie, so … as you’re saying … must be that the breed(s) are especially sensitive. (Although my ma had a dog who would froth at the mouth when even she heard thunder, and the only thing that helped her was to throw a blanket over her head and sit with her under it, like a tent.)
Thanks for the supportive comments as I spilled. Thanks for giving me a safe space to do that; and for your patience and kindness, Claudia.
Good idea to start checking now as to anybody else who can be called for help when the small town can’t handle a big problem although I AM SURE there will be comments in the newspaper in Friday’s edition because so many people and animals would have been adversely affected; maybe there’ll be a new plan for 2024.
We all did get some sleep; so, today-Thurs is a better day. Still had fireworks throughout the evening last night (Weds) but it could’ve been worse; maybe the idiots used ’em all up!
It’s very hard on most animals, but certain breeds really find it terrifying.
xo
oh, vicki …
that must be awful for the three of you. i’m sorry you’ve had to deal with all the noise from fireworks, etc. … probably feels never-ending, but hopefully it has stopped by now.
i echo claudia’s suggestion about calling another source for help with the illegal fireworks. and would add writing letters to your civic “leaders” and elected officials.
does your town have a noise ordinance? i am grateful that des moines does and, most importantly, that it is 24 hours a day. that part is very helpful … and not only for people who work nights!
also, a friend’s dog benefitted from wearing something called a “thunder-shirt” (brand name, maybe?) … a snug t-shirt-style thing that was held in place with velcro, put on when lightning and thunder were expected. i recently saw something like that advertised on tv (sorry … cannot recall the name), but would guess a search online would show some possibilities.
your vet might have suggestions that could help your pup.
hopefully you three are feeling better and sleep well.
sending hugs and praying for you all!
kathy
… thank you as always for your kind words and thoughts, kathy … yes, we have a thunder shirt for the dog but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to calm him although it helped in the earlier foster/adopt days when he still suffered from so much trauma of what the experts said was abandonment anxiety (he was in the shelter five months and out on the streets, in the wilds actually, before that; no way to know his background) … we’ll keep trying to figure things out for him, dear boy … he’s about to turn age 4 already!
… hope you’re having a nice day today …
I was just thinking I would like a huge plot of coneflowers instead of 5 or 12 spread around. Then I realized that I would have to dig up a load of golden rod and bittersweet; not enough energy , too hot, and my husband is having his other knee replaced at the end of July so cannot help. I’ll just pretend they are there. Maybe next year!
The phone issue is a good plan. Will remember this in a couple years when we are retired.
hej, betsy …
prayers said and will continue for your husband to have a successful surgery and quick recuperation and no pain now or then! good things for you, too.
kathy
Thank you Kathy. He had the other knee done last summer and it went well so hoping this one goes as smoothly.
Betsy
Way too hot to dig up anything, Betsy!
We aren’t retired at all but still – too much social media.
Stay safe.
It sure has been hot!
We will never be fully retired. One of our daughters works with us and we hope she will take the helm and we can work for her in a few years! Less stress, less service phone calls, maybe a little more time to relax. Who know what tomorrow will bring!
That would be ideal, Betsy!
Stay safe.
After admiring your coneflowers for years, I finally put in seeds this Spring. The first batch flopped, so I’m hoping this second sowing in our summer heat will flourish! Yours are so lovely!
You and Don are both so talented. I’m loving his songs on YouTube! Here’s to your counting many more years together.
Mine were planted as potted plants from the nursery. I didn’t use seeds. Once you get them going, Roxie, they will eventually multiply.
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
I should plant some coneflowers up here — I love them. I wonder how they’d do in sandy soil?
They’re pretty sturdy. Many of the flowers that have self-seeded are coming out of the hard packed edges of the driveway. I think you would be successful.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Beautiful flowers.
Thank you!
Stay safe, Kay.