Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Monday Thoughts

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I had to turn the heat on for a short time this morning! It’s going to warm up nicely later in the day. The rain of yesterday was rather gentle but it lasted all day long. I did manage to sneak in a few outdoor tasks.

The lamium Yellow Archangel is in full bloom in the big garden bed. This is one of the very first things I planted here in 2006 and it has been absolutely dependable every year since. Like clockwork. It has spread into a nice mound and I really love it.

This is the tiniest little wildflower that is blooming in a couple of places just in front of the big hosta flower bed next to the porch. I don’t know what it is, but it’s so delicate! That pale pink is lovely.

Sweet woodruff in the bed on the other side of the house (where yesterday’s fern is). It spreads hither and yon every year.

Last night, I could find absolutely nothing to watch on tv. TCM was doing its usual war movies thing, which is not my  thing, so I went to Netflix. I ended up watching White Christmas.

What can I say, it makes me happy.

And of course, I cried when all the soldiers surprise the retired general. Actually, now that I think of it, it’s the perfect movie for Memorial Day.

I’m never sure why we say Happy Memorial Day. If it’s really about honoring our fallen soldiers, well, then it should be sad and serious.

But it wears two coats, this holiday: what it was originally created to be and what it has also evolved into, which is the unofficial start of the summer and a day off and a chance to barbecue and have fun. (If you are doing that today, have a lovely time!)

So I’ll just say that it’s Memorial Day. We honor all those who have died while serving this country. The most fitting form of honor for these brave men and women would be to never, ever go to war again.

Happy Monday.

 

 

 

On Sunday

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You think you see everything, but quite often, you’re missing something.

Case in point: I was taking a photo of fleabane. I saw a little bug on the plant, so I quickly snapped a picture.

I kept shooting because I wanted to make sure the fleabane was in focus. And look what I got:

Two little bugs flying around!

I love surprises like this.

The oriental poppies should be opening soon. (I hope it’s before I leave for NYC, otherwise I might miss them.)

This fern has been popping up in one of my beds for a couple of years. This year it’s pretty big. I’ll have to keep my eye on it, because it’s right next to some coneflowers. But I like it.

And this morning, I walked out to the porch and saw this:

First daylily blooms!

It’s a rainy day, but so far it’s a gentle rain. I sat on the glider as it began to fall. It’s a strong sense memory for me, afternoons sitting on the porch of my childhood home, watching the rain fall, staying there as long as possible before the rain started to hit my feet and legs and I had to run back inside the house.

Yesterday was incredibly hot and humid and my allergies have been through the roof, so I mainly stayed inside in the A/C. Of course, I couldn’t help but go outside a couple of times to pull a few weeds and I had to water everything as well, but mostly? Inside.

I watched hours of coverage from the Chelsea Flower Show on YouTube. Amazing. The British are true garden lovers, of course, but as far as I can tell – correct me, British readers, if I am wrong – the BBC covers the Chelsea Flower Show twice a day. There’s an afternoon show, and then there’s a prime time show in the evening. And I think it goes on for a full week.

Can you imagine that happening in this country? HGTV can’t even give us an hour or two of garden programming.

My ancestors were predominately British, so maybe it’s in my blood. Goodness! I love seeing their passion for gardening. I’m going to watch more today. The perfect escape.

Happy Sunday.

 

I Was Just Going to Get the Dove…

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Blooming:

Good to know the bugs are already eating the hosta and coneflower leaves.

What can you do? Nothing. This garden is pesticide-free.

I went to the shop to get the dove. And only the dove.

As you can see, this dove is very different. Rustic, bits of stones showing, a faint trace of the paint, much more weathered. He’s a bit smaller, as well.

I think he’s lovely.

Reunited. Or forcefully mated by yours truly.

Anyway. My intentions were honorable. Get the dove. Say hello to everyone. Then head home.

Instead, I came home with this:

An old street sign from Woodstock, NY.

How could I leave it there?

I’m not sure where it’s going to live. Right now it’s in a garden bed. But I’m sure I’ll move it around today.

And that’s not all. I saw this and I swear I heard angels singing:

Oh my heavens. This is the kind of thing I dream of but never find. But I did find it! I think it was there all along but I was so obsessed with the pots that I didn’t see it.

Where will I put it? I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m just thrilled it’s ours.

I can’t go back to that shop for a while. Three trips in two weeks and major damage done every time.

It’s a beautiful morning and I’ve been sitting outside on the glider. It will turn into a hot and humid day, however, just like yesterday when the temperature reached 89 degrees with high humidity. Wildly uncomfortable.

Then rain tomorrow.

But for now, I’m going to enjoy the porch while I can.

Happy Saturday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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