Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Book Juggling and What are you Reading?

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It seems that everything has bloomed earlier than usual this year. Black/brown-eyed Susans usually bloom in August and they first flowered a couple of weeks ago. Same with the David Phlox. Today’s weather will do them no favors, so I’m going to go out and water this morning before the worst of the heat sets in. We have a heat advisory today and this will be the forecast through Saturday. Thank goodness for air conditioning.

We might get a severe thunderstorm around noon. Sigh. Yet another torrential rain.

Because I’ve been stuck inside, I’ve been playing with the girls.

I placed them on the ottoman for a moment and was taken with the way they looked together.

Believe me, playing with dolls at this age is a truly wonderful thing – something I had never even entertained! They have truly enhanced the quality of my life. Magic and wonder are in short supply these days, so why not grab them while you can?

I’ve been reading a lot. Reading War and Peace first thing in the morning is key. My brain is more open to all the details.  Later in the day, there are too many distractions. (Right now, we’re in the midst of a big battle in the War of 1812.) Then I usually follow with The Deptford Trilogy. I should be more specific about that: I’m reading the first book in the trilogy – Fifth Business. When I finish that, I’ll switch books in order to read Demon Copperhead  by Barbara Kingsolver. I got it from the library, so I have it for a limited amount of time. After that, it will be back to the Trilogy.

Unless another book that I forgot I reserved arrives at the library.

I feel like a juggler!

What are you reading?

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

 

Monday Stuff: Flowers, Groundhogs, Mosquitoes

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Monday. It may rain, it may not. Yesterday was so lovely, we tried to really be in the moment and lap it up.

Don suggested we sit on the porch since, for once, the weather was good. We sat on the glider. We had to leave because there were so many bees buzzing around the roses and other flowers.

We decided to sit in the secret garden. I got attacked my mosquitoes. We retreated to the house,

So much for sitting outside!

These day lilies are so gorgeous and I often miss them because they’re on the far side of the house. They’re also huge.

I might weed-whack a little today. The area around the secret garden is overgrown because we’ve had so much rain.

We’re sending off our deductions today. I’m glad that chore is finished!

No recent sightings of Buddy, though I did see the older groundhog who lives under the shed sunning himself on the ramp. That reminded me of Henry, who often took advantage of the ramp to watch the world go by. The baby groundhogs have grown up. They’re so big now. I was telling Don that I miss that time right after Mom fiercely moved them all to the other burrow and Buddy would sneak back down here during the day. When it was around 5:30 pm, he’d look around, make sure he was safe, and trot back to the gate, look around again, and make his way into the secret garden and then run up the stepping stones on the little hill. Then he’d run toward the burrow. He was so gosh-darned adorable.

But kids grow up so quickly, don’t they?

Katie bonding with The Dude.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

The Sun

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I briefly saw a monarch butterfly dining on one of the coneflowers the other day. I tried to quickly get my camera but alas, when I got back there, she was gone.

A brief appearance by Buddy (or one of his siblings) late yesterday afternoon. It’s hard to tell the difference between them now because they’re nearly full grown. Also, an equally brief appearance by a baby bunny.

It’s a lovely day today and I’ll take advantage of it by attempting to mow the lilac side of the lawn. I think it might stay sunny all day! How can that be???

Don got home at midnight last night. I was already asleep because I was darned tired and he told me not to wait up for him. He had a great time. Don loves performing and he hasn’t been getting enough of that during the past four years. Even though it was a long drive, he came back energized.

We like to work. We need to work. We need to perform. (As a former entertainer myself, I get it.)

So sad to hear of Tony Bennett’s passing. What an incredible human being he was. My mom LOVED him. And she got to see him live at least twice, maybe three times. She was so, so happy. I loved him too, but my favorite memory is of Mom singing along with his recordings.

The devastation from the flash floods of last week continues. We were lucky to escape the worst of that but there was definitely flooding around here, as well. All the rivers – and we have two of them within 100 feet of us – are incredibly high. My heart goes out to everyone dealing with the devastation, from just south of us, to Vermont, to Kentucky, and all places in-between.

I spent most of the day yesterday calculating and writing up our deductions – we always take an extension. I had to force myself to do it but I’m very happy it’s done! Now, Don has to finish his but I won’t bug him about it until tomorrow.

Nothing else new, I’m just happy Don is back safely and that the sun is shining today.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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