Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Flowers, Dolls and Lots of Rain

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The second Rose of Sharon has started to bloom – the color of the flowers is slightly darker than those of its neighbor. Hang in there, bush – we’re going to be pummeled today with rain as a result of Tropical Storm Debby heading up into the Northeast. Lots and lots of rain and some winds – there’s even a tornado watch at the moment. Yikes!

Did I mention the other day that we needed rain? Apparently, Debby has responded to my request.

Don’s response to Debby? He’s going to make an apple pie. We haven’t had one in a while, so it’s time.

Yesterday morning was spent running to the post office for a box for an Etsy order. On my way there, the tire pressure sensor light went on, so I drove to the gas station and filled up my rear right tire, which was the culprit. Then I ran into the grocery store to grab a few things, came back home and packaged up the Etsy order. Then back to the post office to send it off.

I don’t have the space to have a variety of boxes on hand, nor do I want to amass a lot of boxes that I don’t need. So I end up seeing the two guys who work in our post office a lot. Kevin and Gene. They are such great guys; kind, helpful, and funny. Kevin is going to retire in a year and a half and we’re already sad.

The Olympics have been spectacular and such a godsend in the middle of this election season. We’re ready to get back to our normal schedule, but I know we’ll miss them. I have always watched the Olympics, ever since I was young. The stories behind the athletes are so inspiring. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re not watching, you’re really missing out. I am not an athlete – never have been – and I am incredibly inspired by them. Don and I sit here screaming our heads off as we cheer for the swimmers and runners.

Sophie was overdue for a photo. My first Blythe. She is so lovely. A couple of years ago, Rosa, her customizer, told me that she had been her very first customization. I was so impressed. Little did Sophie know when she arrived here that several more sisters would eventually share this space. Someday I’ll show you the freckles on her forehead. Adorable.

Remember little Wren? She’s on her way to me, hopefully arriving on Monday or Tuesday. I haven’t told Lily yet, it’s a surprise,

Stay safe.

Happy Rainy Friday.

Muggy and a Monarch

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Wouldn’t banning assault weapons be a good thing to do?

Just thinking.

Heavens! I’m either completely lethargic, like I was Saturday, or I’m on overdrive, as I was yesterday. Maybe yesterday’s energy was due to my not venturing outside until later in the day. The a/c was on and I dusted, vacuumed, did a load of wash, straightened the slip cover on the sofa in the den (always a pain,) took many photos of the things I wanted to add to my Etsy shop, listed all the items (which means measuring, weighing, etc.) and then watered everything outside.

I wish I had that kind of energy on a daily basis.

It’s completely crappy out there; hazy, hot, and humid. I am doing my best to stay positive. Gratitude: working a/c units, my husband, who keeps me laughing, and the knowledge that this will break on Wednesday. Hopefully.

The day lilies on the far side of the house are blooming. As we sat down for the evening last night, Don said “Oh look! There’s a deer right outside the window!” I knew that meant trouble, and sure enough, he was ready to chomp on the day lilies.  I knocked on the window and he took off. Sweetheart, you’re beautiful, but stay away from my day lilies! This property is full of green things you can eat. Head on up to the woods.

My first Monarch sighting was yesterday.

I followed him around as he dined on every one of the coneflowers. But he was skittish and it was hard to get a clear photo.

At this point, I was on the porch leaning over the railing trying to catch that second when he would open his wings. A bit blurry, but I got it. I take that back – ‘she.’ She doesn’t have the black dots that the male has.

Don’s gig on Saturday was cancelled at the last minute. The owner of the bar (which apparently has a terrific menu) called Don because she hadn’t had any customers the night before and she was panicked about money. (She pays the performers, unlike a lot of other venues where the only money comes from tips.) She was very apologetic. Bless her heart, she’s trying to make a go of it and that’s very hard these days. I hope things pick up for her.

And, yesterday, I reached the point where I could I could not stand my hair any longer, so the team of Don and Claudia whacked 3 inches off. So much better!

There are a few new items in the Etsy shop.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Flowers in the Garden

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One of the Rose of Sharon bushes is full of blooms. The other is a bit behind. I got the cuttings from my friend Noble at the same time, but “Junior” was not quite as big a cutting, so he’s grown more slowly. I actually like this because I’ll have blossoms on the other bush when this one is fading.

Thank you, Noble, for these sweet little cuttings you gave me several years ago. Noble and Tina have since moved to another house, but in their former garden he planted several Rose of Sharons flanking a path and they were magnificent.

I weeded for quite a while yesterday, mostly by hand, because the battery died on the weed whacker. I didn’t get to mulch this year, so the big garden bed is full of weeds and I’m just now able to ruthlessly pull them out. The mulching didn’t happen because of my hand injury, as well as a flat tire on the much needed-for-mulching wheelbarrow. So the weeds are a bit of a pain. I’ll weed whack a bit more this morning and then, on Sunday through Wednesday when we’re hit with another round of heat and humidity, I’ll stay inside. The long range forecast shows temps dropping into the eighties after this next blast. Fingers crossed.

The gift that keeps on giving. I have to say it: right at this moment, our gardens are darned charming. And now that the brown-eyed/black-eyed susans are flowering, there’s a wonderful splash of yellow and brown, along with the red of the bee balm.

I contacted my friend who has Wren. She said the delay for the replacement body will be 8 months! So we chatted about the broken finger, which she had glued back on, and I decided I was fine with that. So I’m going to sell a few more things on Etsy to help with the funding – have to work on that today – and I should have her within a month.

I have to help Don with a self-tape audition this morning. He’s got a gig tonight.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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