Wouldn’t you know it? After writing about the lack of groundhogs around here, I saw one by the shed in the early evening and he spent a long time eating the grass. He also spent some time resting on the ramp to the shed. Perhaps he’s staying in the den under the shed? One thing we’ve learned about them, they go back and forth from one den to another. It’s almost like a small town for groundhogs.

We had a lot of wind late in the afternoon, so much that I had to take down the hanging plants and stash them on the porch floor. More storms were coming through the Hudson Valley, but we had just a sprinkling of rain. We have more coming tomorrow morning and then we should be dry for several days. Fingers crossed!

Don had an event last night – an outdoor concert – that he emcees. He did this last year, too. It’s a summer concert series in a town north of us. It occurs once a month during the summer season and Don books the talent. (He doesn’t perform.) They were supposed to get rain, but miraculously, it didn’t happen. Tomorrow, he has a gig and on Monday he has to go into the city for a fitting as he has one more day of filming for this limited series he’s been working on. I think he has to have an additional fitting because he is putting on a Mummer’s costume in the scene.

I have to pack up an Etsy order this morning and get it out in the mail either today or Monday. And I have to get some gas for the lawnmower. That’s it. (Don is much busier than I am at the moment.)

Nina and I had some quality time on the porch yesterday. I braided her hair. But, as I look at those braids as she sits in the cubby across the room, I’m thinking her hair will soon be unbraided. Her hair is too beautiful and shouldn’t be tamed.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Another Mucha puzzle in progress. It’s rather difficult but I love the challenge.

Don got sunburned on his arms while playing at the Farmer’s Market yesterday. It’s rather painful and we’re using aloe and he has been ordered by yours truly to take it easy today. I am also taking it easy because I did a little too much mowing. But everything is mowed and it looks lovely out there. I need to weed whack but I’ll hold off on that for a couple of days.

We’ve been rewatching Northern Exposure  which – after years of petitions, etc. – is finally available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Oh my goodness, what a deep and mystical series it was, as well as funny, quirky, and heartwarming. I’m enjoying it even more this time around. It’s special to us because it figures in our story. Almost 30 years ago, on our second date, we went out to dinner for Chinese food and came back to my apartment with plans to watch Northern Exposure. It was a Monday, the theater day off. We sat together on the loveseat and, well, we got a little affectionate and didn’t end up seeing the entire episode. So, whatever episode that was, we promise that we’ll  see it this time around.

Yesterday, I had an intense desire to talk to my parents.  I miss them so much. My mom always had the radio on and she tended to listen to what would be called Easy Listening music – that, and standards from the 40s and 50s. Because of that, I know a lot of those pieces very well. Some of the stuff was what we would call ‘elevator music’ but much of it was lush and beautiful and I have a special fondness for it to this day. In fact, even more so as I get older. I miss the days when an instrumental piece could get play on the top 40 pop radio stations, along with The Beatles and The Beach Boys. That just doesn’t happen anymore. Over the years, I have heard certain pieces that take me right back to my mom and her radio and I’ve added them to my play list. Often, when I take a brief nap in the afternoon, I put in my ear buds and play one favorite on repeat. Lately, it’s been Stranger on the Shore  by Acker Bilk. He solos on the clarinet and is accompanied by an orchestra and it’s just beautiful. Oh, how I wished my parents were here, that we were playing a board game in the early evening (like we used to at their home in Northern Michigan) and the radio was on and I could ask my dad what the name of a certain piece was and he would answer Lisbon Antigua by Nelson Riddle and I would think “They know everything  about that era.”

It’s never easy, is it?

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

The secret garden with the addition of the Dame’s rocket/wild phlox that has just sprung up everywhere. I swear, my wish is that this phlox lasted all summer long because the tall splashes of color up in the woods and by the shed and here in the secret garden are so lovely. Plus, we have more this year than ever. But that’s the nature of Mother Nature, isn’t it? Things bloom and fade and something else starts to bloom and on and on until it all fades away as winter arrives. The bridal veil spirea has faded. My other spirea, which needs to be cut back, is about to bloom in a week or so.  (I won’t cut it back until after its bloom.)

I did a fare amount of work outside yesterday with my right hand, so it’s sore today. However, I’m heartened to know that it is getting stronger. I weed whacked, I pruned, I watered all the plants. And, I washed the dishes, which I really haven’t attempted since the sprain occurred. I have a few chores to do today, but I’m going to rest my hand as much as possible. Oh, and I drove! That was much easier than I thought it would be. Good news!

A very teeny-tiny spider on the boxwood. I love to take photos of spiders and their webs. I have to have just the right kind of light or the web won’t show up in the photo. I am fascinated by their intricacy.

I also sprayed the plants with the deer mixture. And yes, that scamp ate the tops of every phlox plant. My experience with this same thing last year tells me they will come back, but I’ll have to keep spraying in the meantime. And it’s going to rain tomorrow, so I’ll have to do the same thing again next week. They never dine on the bee balm. I don’t think they’re interested in anything in the mint family as the catmint is also ignored,

Don’s gig went well – it’s his favorite venue. He has another one this afternoon which is quite far away. I miss him when he’s gone and find I don’t know quite what to do with myself.

Since it’s a holiday weekend, I’m going to take Monday off as most of you will be busy with other things. So, I’ll see you on Wednesday.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.