Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

The Gardens and the Readalong

at by

White violets in the garden bed on the other side of the house.  They’re quite beautiful this year.

I wandered around with my camera yesterday afternoon so I could have a record of this particular moment in time. It’s good for me. I feel my shoulders drop. Instead of a quick glance, I really see  what has emerged from the ground.

I caught the bridal veil spirea a bit late in its bloom, but better late than never. I love the frothy look of what is usually a random green bush.

We’re laying low this weekend. My back needs a rest, Don’s had a difficult week. I’m working on my puzzle (Klimt) while Don plays his guitar and ukelele. I’m reading a lot as well. Both of us are stunned by Tolstoy’s writing. I’d put him right up there with Shakespeare – truly one of the greatest writers ever. What a gift this readalong is! I’m reading War and Peace – a tome I would normally avoid because of the commitment it requires. But with a chapter a day? No big deal. I love it.

The same man who started this is planning on a readalong next year of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy by Hilary Mantel. In this case, these are books I have avoided because I’m not a big fan of historical fiction. Yet I’ve heard so much praise for her writing, especially in the articles that were written at the time of her untimely death. So I’ll probably do that as well. Next year.

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Thursday

at by

Well, we carted all the plant pots inside for the night – I think there were 19 of them. Don carried the heavy pots from the secret garden. Anyway, it did go down to 31 degrees last night – or rather, this morning at 6 am. I’m glad we did it. That should be it until October. After I finish this post, I’ll start moving them back outside.

Some mowing today, I think. Certainly for the secret garden and the lilac side of the lawn. We are getting rain all day Saturday, which is very welcome, as there is a fire watch because it’s so dry. It amazes me how quickly things can change. It was only a few weeks ago that I was worried about trying to get all the grass mowed between endless rainfall. Don couldn’t do it because of his hand. The rivers were raging, there was flooding. And now, we’re too dry.

I miss my robins.

We finally got the ladder out and grabbed the trailer birdhouse for some cleaning. I dumped all of the old nest material and cleaned the inside. Don placed it back in its little niche in the big maple tree. Something is keeping the carolina wrens from moving back in, so maybe a clean house will help.

I gave Maeve a neck joint last year, but her head has always been a little loose, so I took it apart and tried to figure out the problem. Lo and behold, I think I did. It’s much better now. That called for a fresh outfit and some boots and late afternoon photo session on the porch.

Gosh, she’s photogenic.

That’s it, my friends. It’s cold right now, but it’s sunny.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

More Lilacs

at by

While we still can:

Taken the day before yesterday. The scent is heavenly, we have more blossoms this year than ever. Now, if I could just see them on a sunny day. Sun? Where are you?

Yes, today – the day where we were finally going to have no rain – will be rainy in the afternoon. I am over it.

Come Sunday, the temperatures will hit the seventies and, boy, are we ready.

I have to run to the grocery store this morning and then I’m going to try to do some mowing and pruning. Fingers crossed.

Shhhh! I have to say this quietly: I am really ready for the removal of Don’s bandage so I no longer have to cook and do everything around here. He did help make the entree last night, which is a step in the right direction. And I was grateful, believe me. I think he was happy doing something, as well. If I’m frustrated, he must be three times as frustrated. Anyway, here’s to Monday!

The other day when I was mowing, the robins were giving me warning chirps the entire time. Even when I was rather far away from them. So have the babies been hatched? I’m not sure. Because I don’t want to upset them too much, I end up racing through any mowing that occurs near the shed. It’s exhausting.

The honey bees are back as well, constantly flying around the opening in the catalpa tree.

For those of you who missed it, Brenda left a comment on yesterday’s post, which I copied and added to my post. You can scroll down to read it. I’m relieved to have heard from her. Writing comments, for some reason, is difficult for her right now. When she’s ready, she’ll share more. Or not. I’m just very happy to have heard from her.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives