life — Page 63

Hollyhocks

July 2, 2021 at 9:05 am by Claudia

Yippee! The hollyhocks have started to bloom. It’s very rainy here today and it looks like it will be rainy for the next few days. Actually, I love taking pictures of the flowers with water droplets on them.

The guy from the alarm company is here right now upgrading the system and he’s a bit chatty…I’m trying to write this post and he keeps asking us questions about what we do for a living, how long have we lived here, etc. – all very nice and friendly, but I can’t concentrate!

I was completely out of it yesterday, still suffering the after effects from the crazy weather. It really does a number on my sinuses and allergies. I’m feeling a bit more with it today, as I got a lot of sleep last night. The technician, by the way, is wearing a mask, as are we. This is the first time we’ve had any service person in the house since before the pandemic. I’m going to go around and spray everything he’s touched when he leaves…just out of an overabundance of caution!

I’m going to paint today. I wasn’t in the mood to tackle it yesterday but, thankfully, I am today.

I heard a Carolina wren singing this morning, very close to where I was sitting in the den. I knew he had to be on the porch. Sure enough, he was hopping from plants to the porch floor to the picnic table, singing his heart out. How I’ve missed that beautiful song! Is he planning on trying to build a nest on the porch? No can do, buddy. I didn’t see him near the trailer, though I kept hoping he’d fly up to his perch on the tree. I’ll keep an eye on things, but what a lovely way to start the day!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Roseville Series and Blog Business

July 1, 2021 at 8:37 am by Claudia

So far. They’re propped up on the music stand and I’ve run out of room! Quality problems, I know. I’m going to start a new one today.

I’m enraged by the technicality that let Bill Cosby leave prison. Don’t forget, I know someone very well who ran out of his house in NYC when she realized what he was about to do.

But, even if I didn’t know her, 60 women came forward. He was found guilty. This is the kind of ‘technicality’ that only someone who is enormously wealthy can afford to pursue. And still his wife defends him. And Phylicia Rashad. Real and Fake wives remain resolute in turning a blind eye to the facts.

And don’t get me started on the judge’s decision as to Brittney Spears.

Okay, I’ll stop.

We had a big old thunderstorm last night and the temperatures have dropped. It’s still humid out there, but not nearly so oppressive. More rain is on the way.

Some blog business. I’ve been a bit remiss. After deciding that ‘tomorrow is another day,’ I didn’t pursue the email subscriptions to the blog ending in July. It’s July 1st. I have no idea when in July they will cease. Maybe today? Maybe not.

So I took a survey last night on IG. (Side note: I don’t know how to phrase a survey question as was painfully obvious.) The vast majority of readers who answered said the email subscription wasn’t necessary. Some, of course, like getting the emails and I understand that. But I am reluctant to take on more blog expense at this point in the life of the blog for the less than 20% who would like an email. And, as this was unofficial, I don’t even know if those who responded regularly read the blog.

Here’s the deal: I provide all of this for free. I don’t want you to have to pay to read this blog nor do I want paid subscribers. I’m not comfortable with that at all. Yes, I know everyone and his brother is climbing on the Patreon wagon, but that’s not for me. I have done my best over the years to be as user friendly and available as I can be. There was a time when I loved nothing more than adding new things to the blog, trying out new services. Those days are over.

Don’t worry, I plan to keep blogging, but the fact is, the blog does have a finite life. I am particularly uncomfortable with taking on an added expense at this point.

And here’s the key point: You KNOW I post every day. In the rare case that I don’t, I let you know that I’m not posting via Instagram. This isn’t the case of a blogger who posts sporadically so you need to know when a new post is up. I am not that blogger. I blog every day, in the morning, so that the post is published by 11 am at the latest. Why should I have to let you know what you already know via an email subscription that costs me money and I’m not even sure how many of those subscribers read the blog any more?

The answer is obvious. I shouldn’t have to.

And the solution, for those of you who love getting the email, is to bookmark or favorite the blog via your browser. It couldn’t be easier. One click. Then, around 11 am or earlier, you click on that bookmark or favorite and you’re taken directly to the blog. That’s how I read blogs, and I read several every day. The alternative is to follow it in a feed reader like Feedly or Bloglovin’. I am on Bloglovin’ and I used to have a box on my sidebar that you could click to follow me there. I’ll put it back in the next few days.

Then, when you check your particular feed reader, you’ll see my post. And, being the wonderful people you are, you’ll click on the post and go directly to the blog.

This is what I’m going to do. No more email subscriptions.

My friends, this blog is in its 13th year. Writing a post every day has been a source of satisfaction and joy. And I wouldn’t be here without you. I know that.

Sometimes I consider ending it, but I’m not ready for that. As Don reminds me, “You would regret that decision.” He’s right. But, having just paid my annual fees for security, for backups of the blog so I don’t lose posts should something nefarious happen, and for my host, I just can’t stomach paying for something that simply isn’t necessary.

And there you have it.

If you need help with bookmarking or favoriting the blog, I’m happy to help.

Stay safe.

Happy this seems like a Friday but is really Thursday.

Water Lily, Number 5

June 30, 2021 at 8:53 am by Claudia

Number 5 is finished, unless I tweak it a bit more today.

Water Lily, one of my favorite pieces. I distinctly remember bidding on it on eBay.

I learn something every time I tackle a painting. I am reminded that I am new to this, so I have to be kind to myself while challenging myself to grow. I love really getting to know these pieces of pottery in a way I didn’t before I studied them in detail. And the result is that I fall in love with them again.

I’m not sure what the next piece will be – I have a lot of small pieces and low-to-the-surface planters, etc., but I think the higher, more vertical pieces are best for these studies – at least, right now.

I sat in the kitchen, sweating, for two hours in order to finish this one yesterday. One more day of this dreadful heat and humidity and then we’re going to get thunderstorms and rain for the next couple of days as the system breaks up and moves out. Our brains are mush. Don put the container of dry brown rice away in the refrigerator instead of the pantry. Whoops. Half the time we don’t know what day it is.

Oh wait a minute…that’s normal for us.

I water around 7 am and keep refilling the birdbath all day. Speaking of birds, yesterday, I noticed a robin up in the branch of the black walnut tree right outside our kitchen. He kept moving around and I thought he might be preening himself. Today, I looked out there and realized he’s making a nest. I mean it when I say it’s right outside our window. Very close to the house. So this morning we watched him work and work at making his nest. He sort of stamps his feet to tamp down the nest materials and his whole body vibrates. I’m going to take some photos.

Of course, this means we’re eventually in for another round of chirping and attacks. But watching all of this happen is an incredible opportunity, so we’ll put up with it.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Hollyhocks

Roseville Series and Blog Business

Water Lily, Number 5

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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