Coneflowers are blooming all over the property. I must have well over a hundred of them. I’ve planted a lot, but they self-seed prolifically, so I often discover them in other parts of the gardens – or even outside the garden beds. This year, I see some white coneflowers coming up at the top of the big garden bed. I didn’t plant them there. Such a delight!

Yesterday was a strange and unsettling day for me and my anxiety was also flaring up. I think last week’s exposure to too much news was the prime instigator. But I did get some more work done on Dove Cottage. I only have to put some stones on the base at the back and then I can start my experiments with ‘grout.’

If you read Meredith’s blog, you already know this. Her work as a therapist requires her to treat young children in their homes and/or foster homes. She has been working throughout this pandemic – with the greatest of caution, of course. Her post goes into this more deeply, but suffice to say, one of her foster parents – whom I know – neglected to tell her that her older son was home from work because his bosses had been exposed to COVID-19 so everyone had been sent home to quarantine and he was in the house when Mere was treating the other kids. I think it’s been nearly two weeks now since that exposure, but my God! She didn’t inform any of the therapists who routinely enter that house for therapy sessions. She still  hasn’t said anything. They’re Trumpers, of course, who think this is all a hoax and that they shouldn’t have to wear masks.

I want to go there and smack her across the face; this could have endangered my family, as well as the other therapists and their families. My sister had cancer many years ago. Because of her treatment at the time, her immune system is not always functioning at full strength. My little nephew had respiratory issues as a baby (for heaven’s sake, he died at birth and had to be brought back to life!) and this woman knows him and knows of my sister’s medical history.

I am sick of reading about this selfish behavior. Now it’s touched my family. It’s not enough that my sister and her family are living in state with a Governor who has mishandled every stage of this pandemic, but now my sister’s compassionate and humanitarian work as a therapist has brought her into contact with a family who simply doesn’t care about the health and welfare of others.

I had a mini-meltdown yesterday about everything. I know that some of you have had them lately, as well. I think it’s a good thing. We have to find a way to release our anxiety and anger and outrage about the mishandling of the pandemic, the terrible loss of life, and everything to do with the corrupt carnival barker who is masquerading as Commander-in-Chief. I’ve never been through a time like this. I don’t think any of us have.

May we find some peace in the midst of this horror show. May we find moments of quiet and wonder and maybe a small (or big) spark of joy. May everyone stay safe.

Happy Monday.

I’m writing this early in the morning as I want to get outside and do some work before it rains later in the afternoon. Happy about the rain, of course, but this is the first morning where the temperature has been bearable and I want to take advantage of it.

You are dear to me – all of you.

When I wrote of being on a tight budget yesterday, it was not my intention to paint a dire picture, just to state the facts. We are not special. So many without work are struggling and have children and bills and mouths to feed. I have noticed a larger sense of worry among my actor friends as this goes on and on. No one knew that theaters would be closed for what will be nearly a year. It could be longer. We couldn’t grasp that back in March, when everything suddenly shut down. On one hand, we’re freelancers and have always had to deal with periods where we weren’t working. On the other, we’ve never had to deal with absolutely no possibility of work for months and months. Anyway, I thank you for caring and for reaching out.

I don’t think either of us is comfortable selling prints of our photos. I take pictures because I like to do that and I like to share them with you. I see others marketing their photos, but that’s not really me. And Don’s camera is meant for portraits – Polaroid portraits. It’s not meant for landscapes. Neither of us has ever been comfortable with marketing our extra-career skills. I sold scarves for a while on Etsy, Don has sold his CDs, but it isn’t a place where we exist with ease.

Anyway. Today I’ll do some weed whacking, a little mowing, some pruning and cleaning up. I’m not going to let Don do anything as his back is really bothering him and he is not doing any lifting or pushing for a week. It’s slowly getting better, but it’s my turn to take over for a bit, just as he has done when my back was bothering me.

I’m about 2/3 done with the stonework on the dollhouse. It’s looking good.

R. – I’ve been thinking about you lately. We haven’t heard from you for a while. When you have a chance, would you let us know how you’re doing?

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.