Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Flowers, Books & Puzzles

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This is one of the giant zinnias that just opened. I’ve purchased these seeds in the past, but I’ve never seen them get this tall. I haven’t measured, but they’re over 4 feet tall, maybe even 5 feet. I thank them for providing some color and interest in the garden at this late date – I looked them over the other day and there are more buds getting ready to open. As we’re not going down to freezing this week, I expect I’ll get to see more flowers. It was so windy when I took this that I had to hold the stem in place.

Rain yesterday, rain today. Sigh. 2023 will be called The Year of Rain. Over, over, over, OVER it. But so far, it’s a gentle rain, not a big storm, so that’s a plus.

I’m going to gather some books together this morning and take them to the library. On Saturday afternoons you can drop off books to donate to the Annual Book Sale, so I’m going to start taking advantage of that. I have to be ruthless, of course, and they should be in good to excellent condition. Then I’ll pick up my copy of the newest Thursday Night Murder Club series – The Last Devil to Die – which arrived at the library yesterday. I’m more than halfway through The Running Grave, so I’m determined to finish it in the next couple of days because I have to get going on the other two short term loans I have here, as well. But The Running Grave  is such a pleasure to read! I want to linger but I can’t.

Well, maybe just a little,

This is the puzzle I’m working on. It’s from a favorite manufacturer; Lawrence King. I’ve done several of these puzzles. They’re always beautifully designed and full of clues, as well as places, characters, and people associated with the author. Excellent quality. I love the matte finish on the pieces, rather than something too glossy.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Mrs. Maisel and Klimt

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I finished this a couple of days ago. It’s truly the most beautiful puzzle I’ve ever worked on. It was hard, yet at the same time, it was pure pleasure. I’m a huge fan of Klimt. This is Lady with a Fan.

This was one of the puzzles I got when Galaxy Puzzles went out of business – made in Austria. Now, I want to find more Klimt puzzles, as well as a book about Klimt.

We watched the finale of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel  last night. Brilliant on every level. This may be my favorite series ever. The concept, the incredibly talented cast, the brilliant design which is so much a part of the show, the locations in NYC, the writing, the writing, the writing. Without writers, we have nothing. Support that strike. It looks like the actors will soon follow.

This last season has been put together like a jigsaw puzzle, a mosaic. Each piece is carefully placed, leading to something else, which leads us back in time or forward in time – in the end, everything answered. We have been stunned by its brilliance throughout the series, but never more strongly than this season.

There are not enough superlatives. I can never use enough. We stayed up much too late talking about the final episode, just as we did last week with the penultimate episode.

We are going to watch the whole series again. Once a week, a night will be reserved for Maisel. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you to Amy Sherman Palladino and Daniel Palladino, who are the creators of this jewel.

Side note: the best music/soundtrack ever. Time after time, some obscure song I already loved appeared during an episode. Apparently, Daniel Palladino has a vast collection of what would be now called vintage vinyl – a huge amount of musical theater, lots of artists in the Great American Songbook. I don’t want to give anything away but last night there was an homage to well known and beloved artist who appeared on Broadway in a certain show (one that both Don and I have performed in) and the final scene is another homage that not everyone will get, but we did – immediately,

Anyway, I can’t get it out of my head this morning. What a gift it’s been.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Wildflowers

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Dame rocket or wild phlox is one of my favorite wildflowers and it has, seemingly overnight, cropped up everywhere on the property. There’s a clump in front of the big garden bed,  in the secret garden, on the edge of the woods, and in the woods. It’s in white and a soft lavender and it’s quite tall. My favorite time of the late spring is when rocket and fleabane and wild mustard have made their presence known. The woods look magical, there is color in places that are usually just green. The birdbath is surrounded by fleabane, as is the funky patio – wildflowers are everywhere. I feel like I live in a wildflower meadow at this time of year.

I had a somewhat sleepless night with lots on my mind. So I’m running on about one cylinder. Nevertheless, I’m going to do some more work outside today, simply to keep myself busy. I finally sowed the zinnia seeds yesterday – about three weeks later than usual. I did some pruning. I cleaned up the memorial garden bed. Today, I may mow and I need to clear out some particularly pesky poison ivy.

Keep busy, keep busy – I do some of my best work when I’ve haven’t had enough sleep.

I’m nearly done with the Klimt puzzle, but I’m dealing with what I consider the most difficult section; various shades of brown for the woman’s hair and various shades of skin tone for her neck and chest. Everything else is pretty much finished. I’m a huge fan of Klimt and this puzzle has been a pleasure to work on.

Okay. I need more coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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