Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Rain, Movies & Dollhouses

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The meadowsweet flowers are turning brown. Equally striking, I think. Especially when the sun is hitting them, as it was when I took this picture.

Feast or famine. After a long stretch without any rain, we’ve got 4 days of it on the docket and, as I write this, it’s teeming down. The hydrangeas have been pummeled.

But…I must not complain. We need it.

We had brunch at Rick and Doug’s yesterday and had a lovely time – as we always do. They’ve fenced in a big part of the yard for Sam and we got to see him run like the wind, chasing a ball. Sam is so happy with his new space! He was especially glad to see Don, who has been absent from our brunches for a while.

Don and I watched Chocolat  last night via Netflix. For some silly reason, we’d never seen it. What a wonderful and magical movie! Completely enchanting. Beautiful performances by all, especially Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench.

Don goes into the city today to work with Louis Mendes. I’m going to help Rick do some plant shopping.

I haven’t done anything with the rescued dollhouse yet, but I’ve been eyeing it when I’m upstairs in the office. I’ve been saving some exterior ideas that I’ve come across on the web. I just have to make a decision. Plus, I have to figure out how to replace those parts of the house that are missing. It’s the Arthur dollhouse by Greenleaf. Greenleaf no longer provides replacement parts (drat!) and if I buy an entire kit, even a used one on eBay, then I end up with a lot of excess parts that I don’t need and don’t have room to store. So, I’m currently stalled as I try to figure out what to do. When I do start in, I’ll share it with you. I’m going to use the rainy days ahead to do more research.

Happy Monday.

Lots to Do

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The clematis buds are increasing by the day. Last year, there was very little bloom because the boxwoods surrounding the plant were too big and blocked the sunlight. This year, I pruned the boxwood at the very beginning of the season. Lesson learned.

I have a lot to do in the next two days before I leave for the city. Mowing, for sure, though I started in on that last night. Weed whacking. Errands. Get gas for the lawnmower (first up today.)

It’s supposed to rain and storm all weekend – both here and in NYC. Dang it. But what can you do? We’ll just have to deal with it.

The catmint is starting to bloom and as it’s going to hit 86 today, I suspect I’m going to see a lot more purple in the garden.

I spent the afternoon with Rick yesterday, which was, as always, lovely. (And Sam, too.) I’m crazy about that dog. There’s a lot going on at their house: bathrooms being redone, new roof going on, etc., which is all taking longer than expected. Isn’t that always the case with construction?

Okay. Have to go and get a move on!

Happy Tuesday.

City Gardening & Old Friends

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What was to be a work day outside yesterday turned into a rainy day. All day. Not heavy rain, just a constant light rain. Curses! I was surprised by the rain. Did I check the updated weather forecast? I’m not sure now. All I can say is that I was sure it wasn’t going to rain, so at some point, that’s what the forecast said.

Anyway.

This is going to be one of those weeks where there are maybe two days without rain. Today is one of them. Thursday is the other. I know we need the rain, but frankly, it’s cramping my style!

I forgot to share these pictures with you. When I was in NYC last week, Don told me that he wanted to show me the courtyard behind his building, so we went out the back door and saw this:

Someone is gardening there. I suspect it is the tenant on the first floor because it looks like that apartment opens on to the courtyard and I saw some grow lights and seedlings inside. (Yes, I peeked through the window.) Is it open to all of the tenants? I think so, because you can get out there quite easily. Nevertheless, I think it’s probably part of that tenant’s lease. Don’s going to find out.

Isn’t that neat? Another way to grow things in the city.

I’m fascinated and want to learn more, of course. But we didn’t linger, just in case we weren’t supposed to be there. There are other raised beds and this contraption looks like it was an investment, so I think my instinct about it being the ground floor tenant’s domain is correct.

I saw her one day. Hopefully, I’ll run into her again and we can chat a bit.

Don’s great friend of 45  years and his wife were in town from California yesterday and they saw the show. They loved it, of course, as does everyone who sees it. Then the three of them went out for dinner. I chatted with them via FaceTime. There’s nothing like a friend who has known you for that long. Incidentally, both Don and his friend Adrian have the same surname. I’ve known Adrian as long as I’ve known Don, and I got to work with him when I was back at the Old Globe several years ago coaching the Shakespeare Summer Repertory. If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you might remember that Adrian had his dog with him and his apartment was right next to mine so I got to hang out with both of them.

Old friends are the best.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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