Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Monarchs & Flowers

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This Monarch has been hanging around off and on for the past week. There may be two of them; I thought I saw another one in the distance yesterday. I love Monarch butterflies and as I said on Instagram, I’m not sure if these Monarchs come from our milkweed or if they’re passing through on their way to warmer climes. I’m simply happy they’re here and that I have flowers still in bloom that they like. They’re not interested in morning glories, but they love the geraniums and the zinnias.

I feel a special spiritual connection to them.

In the meantime, the bees do  love the morning glories!

I wonder what that little bug is? Such distinctive markings! The bee just ignored the bug and climbed right in the center of the morning glory.

My unofficial count today (from inside the kitchen) of morning glories is 32 in the memorial garden. I have yet to count the blooms in the chicken wire fence garden.

The hollyhock is still going strong. What a winner this one is! Beautiful.

Today: recycling, and an overdue oil change. And some errands, of course – when aren’t there errands?

Don’s got sinus problems or a cold. He’s stuffed up and isn’t feeling tip-top, but he’s hanging in there. As he said, “Better this week than next!” – ’cause I’m headed to New Orleans next week! I have a lot to accomplish before I leave next Thursday. Chop! Chop!

Happy Wednesday.

Cocooning on a Rainy Sunday

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Yesterday afternoon with the sun shining and splashes of sunlight throughout the living room and kitchen. Today, on the other hand, it’s raining. But that’s okay. We could use some rain. There will be more raking to do, of course, as the rain brings brings the leaves down. Also okay.

I’m enjoying this rainy morning, sipping on my coffee, reading the newest Jan Karon.

I counted 34 morning glory blooms this morning when I went out to get the New York Times  from the driveway. When I first get up and it’s barely light, they look rather other-worldly and mysterious. I’m grateful. Winter is coming and I’m trying to wrest every ounce of gratitude and satisfaction out of this beautiful autumn.

Don’s flying in a private plane this afternoon! No check-in at the airport. Just a car picking him up, delivering him to Teterboro Airport in NJ, and then…off to New Orleans. I must admit, I’m impressed. I’ll miss knowing that he was in NYC, just a bus ride away, but New Orleans will be exciting.

Last night’s sunset was truly spectacular. I was just about to close the blinds in the den when I saw it. In the nick of time. I threw on my Birkenstocks and ran out to the porch to get some pictures.

It’s that time of year. I’m hearing the honking of Canada Geese as I write this. I love that sound.

Today will be a lazy sort of day. Reading, maybe some organizing and sorting (my desk needs some serious attention.)

Happy Sunday.

 

Blooms, Weather and Leaf Peepers

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Oh, Claudia, ye of little faith, this morning glory that you were sure was a dud, all leaves and no flowers, has bloomed prolifically. Today’s count: at least 30. What an amazing surprise from Mother Nature. Every morning I wake up and peek out the bedroom window to see how many flowers have opened. While everything else is dying back, these beauties are more than making up for it.

Another bee diving into the center of the flower.

Well. Don is supposed to fly to New Orleans tomorrow and, as you must know by now, a hurricane is headed there tonight and tomorrow morning.

Hmmm.

Many of the actors are now flying on Monday instead of Sunday. Don and a group of actors who need to be there at the start of the tech rehearsals for the show (which start on Monday) are another story. Last I heard, one of the producers was thinking of flying them down later in the day tomorrow on her private jet (!!!) But it’s all up in the air now.

Never dull, is it?

I’m checking in on the weather but staying away from the Weather Channel hype, because they drive me crazy. Does anyone watch the show where they have a set that looks like a bar? I think it’s Weather Underground. Really? You need a set that looks like you’re hanging out in your basement?

Just show us the maps and give us the weather. Don and I laugh every time we see that set.

I did end up driving north and I bought a few things at my favorite natural foods store and at Home Goods (I’ll show you tomorrow.) But I’m still a bit tired after Wednesday and I forgot my vow at this time of year: Don’t drive anywhere other than the grocery store on a Friday or a Saturday or a Sunday. It’s Fall. Leaf Peepers are everywhere. Our local farmsteads are packed with visitors sampling the cider and the cider donuts and picking pumpkins. The amount of traffic is, to say the least, annoying.

I made the mistake of thinking that a couple of hours between 12 and 2 or so would be pre-the weekend craziness.

It wasn’t.

So I’m staying home and doing some work in the house, but mostly reading and enjoying my little bolthole.

Did I show you the dishtowel I found in Manhattan last weekend? I posted it on IG but if you missed it, here it is. It’s perfect.

Happy Saturday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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