Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Hydrangeas, Books, and Babylon Berlin

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My Endless Summer Hydrangeas are really providing a show this year! It must be because of all the rain we’ve had, because the previous two summers yielded about 2 or 3 blooms. This year? Lots and lots! The soil pH must be changing as well. The colors of the flowers are very striking.

These are in the garden bed that adjoins the memorial garden. So they’re just outside the kitchen door.

I’m going to do some weed trimming today, but not too much, as I think it’s going to rain later this morning. Don is going to recycle at our transfer station. He just served me some eggs, bless him. (I’ll have some oatmeal – my favorite – later.)

I finished a great book by Rob Rinder – a British author – yesterday. Thank you to reader Dee Dee, our resident librarian, who recommended him. He’s, among many other things, a barrister who has written two mysteries involving a young barrister. He’s a fabulous writer and boy, was this first book – The Trial – great! I ordered it from Blackwell’s in Oxford/London and it arrived very quickly. I’ve started the first book in Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles: The Light Years. (Also from Blackwell’s, but a couple of years ago.)  I’ve heard raves about this famous series for years. In fact, here’s the blurb from this edition: “If I were sent to a desert island with one book this would be my choice” – HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen of England.) She is a strong advocate for reading and books and I read her recommendations often.

And speaking of Dee Dee, if you’re reading this today, I’m happy to say we’re going to begin the 4th season of Babylon Berlin tonight. I know you watched it a couple of years ago, but we couldn’t see it because Netflix had some issues with the distributors, When I learned last year that Netflix had given up on Babylon Berlin, I was so, so disappointed. Periodically, I would do a search to see if anything had changed and this year, I learned that MHz – a streaming service – had acquired the rights to stream all four seasons, though they just released the 4th season this week. Babylon Berlin, as I have written on this blog in past posts, is simply one of the best series I have ever seen. We’re so excited!

I just learned that the brilliant Martin Mull passed away. I loved his work, hearkening all the way back to Fernwood Tonight  so many, many years ago. I still watch clips from that series on YouTube and laugh out loud. Rest in Peace, Martin.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Flowers, a Dove, and a Puzzle

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Right after I took this picture, I yanked the invasive vine that was about wrap itself around my day lilies.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful birthday messages for Don. He had a great time on the set. In this scene he’s dressed in a Mummer’s costume and how I wish I could share the photos with you because it’s FABULOUS, but we are bound to secrecy. All I can say is Wow!!! He got home in time for dinner and he opened presents after dinner. All in all, a lovely day for my dearest husband. He deserves it.

The hydrangeas have survived the intense winds that came as the hot, hot weather exited our region. Rain, thunderstorms, wind and, so far, they’re okay. There are more blooms this year than I’ve ever seen. I expect that’s because of all the rain we had this winter and spring.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day and Don and I sat on the glider, drinking our coffee. We noticed a mourning dove flying to our big maple. A minute later, he would fly back across the street to our neighbor’s property. And on and on. From Don’s seat on the glider he could see the dove land, then walk up a branch, stop, and then turn around to walk a few steps down the branch – then back across the street. So, obviously, we thought there must be a nest there. After watching this sweet bird for about 45 minutes, I finally saw a worm hanging from his mouth as he headed back to the tree. Aha!

It was such a pleasure watching the dove and listening to all the bird calls. We didn’t want to leave, but we had to get ready to go vote in our primary.

By the way, I stood under that tree and, try as I might, I could not see a nest. Since it’s such an old tree and has lost several limbs over the years, I was sure I would spy the nest. Nope!

Today we assemble the new lawn mower. It’s pretty easy, but both of us are needed to get it out of the box.

This is the Klimt puzzle I finished the other day. This was a hard one! I spilled water on some of the edge pieces and had to cram them back together. And one brown piece is missing. To tell the truth, I was glad to see it finished. It was a bit of a pain in the tush.

I am not going to watch the debate. I cannot stand to see or listen to that man. His voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Don doesn’t want to watch either. We will retreat to the land of Northern Exposure  instead.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Coneflowers and Birthday Boy

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Slowly, they’re developing petals and soon there will be lots of coneflowers around here (save for the ones the pesky deer chomped on.)

The weather broke overnight after several thunderstorms. It’s in the 70s today but will be 88 tomorrow. It’s very breezy right now as the heat dome departs our region.

But today, today is my husband’s birthday! Happy Day!

It’s also Little Z’s birthday, who – after this post – can no longer be called “Little.” He’s 13 today. What???? How can that be? We had a communal FaceTime session yesterday to celebrate our boys.

Don is not here today because he’s doing what he loves to do; filming the last episode of the limited series he’s been working on. When he was told he would be filming sometime this week, he secretly hoped it would take place on his birthday. He got his wish. So he got up at 4 am this morning to drive to the filming location in Westchester County. He’ll be tuckered out but happily so. Depending on how long his day goes, we’ll celebrate this evening or tomorrow. We will definitely have to wait to blow out the candles on any sort of cake/cupcake until tomorrow because he has my car today and I can’t go buy anything.

He was supposed to call me when he got there so I could relax and know he made it on time. Did I receive a call? No. So, though I’m almost 100% sure he’s there and in hair and makeup as I write this, I worry a little. He does this often and when it happens I could throttle him. Ah, well. Take a deep breath and remember it’s his birthday today, Claudia.

You know how I feel about him. I’ve said it all before over the past 16 years. He’s simply the best partner/boyfriend/husband/companion/playmate I could have hoped for back in those days when I wasn’t even sure I wanted to marry anyone. He came into my life at the perfect time. He’s the best person I’ve even known. I thank God for him every day.

Happy Birthday, darling Don!

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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