Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Books, Paints, & Birds

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The early stages of the next painting. Since we went on our little excursion yesterday, I didn’t have a chance to get to it, but I’ll work on it today.

It was a lovely day yesterday, perfect for our drive to Rhinebeck. We walked around the town, wandered into a few shops – masked, of course. Our first stop was Oblong Books, where we ended up leaving with a bag full of books. They have such a great selection there. I’m on Oblong’s mailing list and this past week they said they are going to require masks for everyone. Wise choice. Rhinebeck was very busy yesterday as lots of people drive north for the weekend. Since it was so crowded on the sidewalks, we kept our masks on.

It felt good to get out and go somewhere else – in this case, on the other side of the Hudson River. The river was beautiful and sparkly, sailboats were out, the scenery was gorgeous. Not for the first time, we stopped to appreciate the beauty of the Hudson Valley and said a little thank you for being guided here when we were looking for a house.

I just finished another Elly Griffiths and will start on number six later today. I’m really enjoying this series.

The garden is at its peak. More phlox is blooming, the Rose of Sharon has blooms that are opening, the limelight hydrangea is in full bloom. It’s positively glorious out there! And our robin babies are getting bigger and bigger. For a moment this morning, I thought they might have fledged, even though I suspected they weren’t quite big enough yet. But finally, I saw Mama feeding them. They shoot up so high now to get their food. I see them moving around a lot in the nest, testing their wings, so I have to believe fledging will happen in the next couple of days. Fingers crossed that we see it, but I’m not counting on it. Somehow it always seems to happen when we look away for a few moments!

Speaking of moms, my mom’s birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you and miss you.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Flowers, Robins, and What are you Reading?

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Today is sunny and beautiful. I am feeling extremely lazy (in the best sense of that word) and am determined to move through the day slowly and deliberately. We did a heck of a lot of mowing yesterday and we’re tired! Some of that mowing was rather hurried as we took pains to finish the area by the nest as quickly as possible so mama robin wouldn’t get stressed. The only section we haven’t dealt with is the Secret Garden and that’s because it’s still too wet back there.

Those baby robins are getting bigger. Now, when they are about to be fed, I can see not only their beaks but part of their bodies as they they thrust upwards in search of food. We are so lucky to be able to watch it all from the kitchen and bathroom. It’s like having our very own television screen permanently set on the Robin’s Nest Channel.

As far as the Opening Ceremonies go, I’m afraid we didn’t even last beyond the US team marching in. It was already nearly 11:30 pm and we were tired! I’m sure it was spectacular but I’m fine with missing it. I can always search for highlights of the ceremony online.

Is it time for another edition of What are you Reading? I think it is.

I’ll start. I’m reading A Dying Fall  by Elly Griffiths and The Life and Works of Monet, both of which are excellent.

Now it’s your turn!

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Flowers, Books, Laptop

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I’ve never seen so many flowers on this particular day lily open at the same time. I happened to walk around the side of the house to this garden bed and what a sight to behold! If only day lilies weren’t day lilies, if you know what I mean. Shouldn’t these beauties be allowed to bloom for a week? Or longer?

Today promises to be sunny and hot, but where will I be? Driving over an hour to the Apple Store to finally take my laptop in. Reminder: the ‘t’ key isn’t working. All this time, I’ve been delaying appointments, either because of the weather or because of my shoulder/neck problems which made me uncomfortable driving. Or because I just wasn’t in the mood. I downloaded photos for the blog via my laptop and then wrote the posts on Don’s laptop. This morning, I downloaded several photos to the blog so I’ll have some available for future posts should I have to leave the laptop for repair – which seems likely. I forget how much I rely on my little computer.

Anyway, this will take up much of the day.

What else is new? I’ve been reading a book on Monet, which I’m enjoying. I’m reading an Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway mystery. We are watching the Swedish version of Wallander and, let me tell you, it is stunningly good. Far better, in my opinion, than the Branagh version. I really like Kenneth Branagh, but Krister Henriksson, who plays Wallander in the Swedish version is brilliant, beyond brilliant – as is the rest of the cast. Henriksson is Wallander. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

We’ve been watching so much Nordic Noir that I now want to visit Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. If only…

I’m not hearing quite as much birdsong in the morning, which always makes me sad. I know it happens every year, but oh, how I miss it. There’s still birdsong, but not nearly enough. I did hear a wren this morning, but it’s now clear that our ‘tenants’ aren’t going to have another brood in our little birdhouse. Mama robin, on the other hand, is still on the nest. I watched her yesterday and I think she was feeding at least one baby, but I can’t swear to it.

Okay. Have to go and start getting ready for the trek.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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