Blythe dolls — Page 74

Fog and a Package from Ukraine

May 5, 2022 at 9:24 am by Claudia

Early morning fog. I rose early to a lovely foggy view and the sound of birdsong.

But it’s sunny now and the high for the day (so Don tells me) will be 70 degrees. I have some work to do outdoors so this makes me very happy.

I received a package in the mail yesterday. It took a long time to get here as it was sent from Kharkiv, Ukraine. Holding that box (stamped with the name of the postal service in Ukraine) in my hands was very moving. Somehow, with all the daily horrors, the postal service keeps running. I’m saving the box.

A Blythe customizer who lives in Ukraine was selling some things because, understandably, income is desperately needed. I wanted to help out. I’ve hit a pause on buying Blythe things as money is also very tight for us, but I’d sure love to buy one little thing from every Blythe lover/creator in Ukraine. A bit at a time. Anyway, I purchased this on March 24th and it arrived yesterday.

It’s a 1:6 scale chair. This is the scale used for Blythes and Barbies and, I suppose, other dolls that I know nothing about, as I work in 1:12 scale with my miniatures. I wanted to buy a chair for the girls to pose in, so when Sana posted this chair for sale, I snapped it up.

Someone seems to be enjoying it. And yes, of course I chose Madeleine for this photo op – she’s color coordinated.

Thank you, my friend from Ukraine. Praying for you and for everyone in your country.

I’m currently compiling a list of all makers/customizers in Ukraine and I will eventually post it on my Blythe IG account. I think it’s imperative that we support them in any way we can. One woman, who makes clothes for Blythes, had to flee to Germany. Surely she needs income. She’s lost her home.

Also, in case you’re interested, I did a quick little video tour of the interior of the English Cottage. It’s on my regular IG account. The house is nearly finished, just a few tweaks here and there.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday (Some Days I Just Can’t Think of a Title)

May 4, 2022 at 8:56 am by Claudia

Late last night, I closed the comments on yesterday’s post. The whole point of being pro-choice is just that. My choice as to what I can do with my body. Your choice, as well. One comment was judgmental and, in a moment in time when emotions are understandably running high, we don’t need that. I do my best to make this a safe place.

Anyway – years ago I gave up debating this subject with anyone who holds an opposing view. It’s fruitless. While I respect those views, I draw the line at someone imposing them on me, and I really draw the line at the government/courts legislating what should be a personal choice.

Really? We can’t tell you to wear a mask but you can tell me what I can and can’t do with my body? Shove it.

So we won’t debate this here. I am not going to get into it other than what I just wrote, as I spent most of the day yesterday working outside for hours in order to fight off the anxiety I was feeling. And yes, the rage, which I had to work through during the course of the day.

That’s why I had her by my side in the morning:

I went to the nursery and purchased some more plants for my pots, then came back home and potted for hours, walking back and forth with plants and heavy pots, lugging a heavy bag of potting soil, sweeping the porch and the shed floor. Then Don and I mowed the front lawn because it had grown by leaps and bounds and we have rain today and Friday. It would have been that much harder to mow later in the week. By the end of the day, I’d worked up a sweat and had a lot of exercise. I’d flushed out the emotional toxins. Then I took a nap.

I’m also using the Calm app, by the way. I’ve been using it daily for about two weeks and it really helps me meditate. That helped enormously.

By the way, we spoke to our neighbor while we were mowing. Mr. Pickens, the rooster, just fell over one day and died. She doesn’t know if it was a heart attack or something he ate, but he died of natural causes and not from the attack of a predator. We miss his loony call, unlike any other rooster I’ve ever heard. He really protected the other chickens. We were very fond of him.

Rest in Peace, Mr. P.

We’re taking it easy today.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Wind, Wrens, Magazines, And Books

April 28, 2022 at 8:59 am by Claudia

You were going to get another photo, but after editing it, I realized our stair treads were all scuffed up and not at all attractive, so you get this one instead: Maggie Rabbit and Olivia on Easter Sunday.

Suddenly, Maggie – who previously seemed on the petite side to me – looks huge!

Well, yesterday was an extremely windy day and today looks like it will be, too. So I can’t do anything outside because of pollen/wind. The wind was so bad yesterday that Don even commented on it. And we’re going down to freezing tonight. We are now two days from the beginning of May but it feels like March.

I want to scream.

I’m trying to stay positive and I do, for the most part. But to be perfectly honest, there were some tough stretches yesterday. We also have a fire danger warning because of the combination of dry air and high winds.

I am enjoying the latest Michael Connelly – gosh, it’s so wonderful to know that you’re in good hands. As I’ve read everything he’s written over many years, I know that I will immediately be immersed in the plot and that the writing will be so uniformly excellent that I can just sit back and go with it. I read a big chunk this morning and, given the weather forecast, I’ll read another big chunk this afternoon. I got an email yesterday afternoon saying that the other books I reserved are in, so I’ll drive on over to the library later this morning and pick them up.

These writers – Michael Connelly, Louise Penny, Susan Hill, James Lee Burke, Deborah Crombie – are like old friends. I trust them and I’m never disappointed.

The Carolina wrens: I still think the wrens were scared off by that trailer bird house tipping forward. I don’t see any activity. But I have often heard another wren on the porch. This Carolina wren has a higher pitched song. Late last night, I started to wonder if he’s made a nest somewhere on the porch. The only place I could see that happening is in the pots that contain my now-dead lavender from last year, which are right outside the picture window in the den. I know the wrens will make a nest just about anywhere. I’m going to investigate – carefully and quietly – later today. Another sleuthing expedition!

No news yet on Country Living. I mean, really, it’s April 28th and the May issue isn’t on the stands? The newest issue is usually out at least two weeks before the start of the month. Given the state of magazines in general, could there be problems at CL? I hope not. Even though it’s not my favorite magazine, we need print. Digital just doesn’t cut it. Just as a three-dimensional book feels absolutely right in my hands, so does a three-dimensional magazine. Since this month marks the sudden end of Martha Stewart Living in print, things seem a bit ominous.

Added to original post: Verna wrote to relay this information: There’s an April/May issue and a May/June issue, which comes out on May 29th. I believe Dee Dee mentioned this, as well. The editor originally said “May issue” but perhaps she meant May/June. I will try contacting her again (though she never responded to my first request) to clarify that. If it’s May/June it will be another month until we see it.

Update on the update: Just heard from Sarah – “Hey Claudia! So sorry, I missed your first email. Our May issue ended up becoming our May/June issue. It will be out later in the month — 5/24. Please get in touch closer to then and I’ll mail you a few copies!” Okay. We have an answer!

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Fog and a Package from Ukraine

Wednesday (Some Days I Just Can’t Think of a Title)

Wind, Wrens, Magazines, And Books

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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