• Having a hard time dealing with the world; so much heartbreak and loss and wanton destruction. Having a hard time dealing with Americans who actually support Putin, though they would never say it in so many words. Having a hard time dealing with those who tried to overthrow our government and would willingly try to do the same thing again. Having a hard time dealing with liars and cheats and would-be fascists.

I could go on but that’s enough for today.

I feel like I’m on a tightrope, constantly trying to face and fight against the harsh realities of our world but, at the same time, trying escape those realities. Does that make sense? I’m sure many of you feel the same way.

Don and I talk about this all the time. Do we tune out? Well, the reality is that we try, but, ultimately, we can’t. Nor should we.

• Rest in Peace to Robert Morse. I loved his work as an actor and he will always be the definitive and first J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It was a brilliant performance in a show that swept the Tony Awards and won the Pulitzer Prize. Years later he would win another Tony for Tru, a one-man show about Truman Capote. We didn’t watch Mad Men, but I’ve seen the clip of his final appearance on that show, singing The Best Things in Life are Free. It’s simply lovely and bittersweet, given the fact that we’ve lost him.

Don and I had a conversation about him a week or so ago, talking about how much we loved his work and how much we loved How to Succeed. Don knew him from his Los Angeles days and always said what a nice guy he was.

I listened to the brilliant “I Believe in You” on a continuous loop yesterday.

• We did some more work outside yesterday – pacing ourselves, of course. My back was getting a bit sore after a couple of hours, so as soon as I felt a twinge, I stopped. Tomorrow, we’ll mow the lawn for the first time. Today, I’ll cut down some of the stalks that I left for the birds over the winter. Time to do some more cleanup.

We got the cushions out yesterday. I tightened the screws on the Adirondack chairs. My budget for flowers is going to be much less than usual, so I’m spending some time thinking about just what I want in my pots. The gardens themselves are perennial gardens so, after 16 years of gardening here, I don’t really need to add anything to them.

We’ve had so much wind lately – every day. I swear it gets windier here every year.

Okay. Time to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Gosh, the rain was torrential and went on and on – all day and all night long. I think we got at least 2 inches.

Now the sun is out, giving us a one-day respite until it rains again tomorrow morning.

We got our boosters and are having the usual reactions – Don usually feels a bit achey and tired. I am always super tired for a couple of hours. My arm is sore, but not as sore as usual. We also stopped at the grocery store nearby and picked up a few things.

Wren and a couple of birds.

My back is getting better every day. Yesterday was a particularly good day. Nevertheless, I’m being very careful and mindful throughout the day. I want it fully healed so I can work outside. Don’s shoulder is much, much better.

The highlight of yesterday was the confirmation vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson. Cheers were heard in the Hill-Sparks house. Something good happened and our country is miles better for it.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Slice of life:

Let’s take a little trip around the photo.

In front of me, two books. I just finished Orfeo  yesterday and started The Lincoln Highway  last night while reading in bed. The books are sitting on a throw I knitted many moons ago.

My foot.

To the left –  a basket full of throws, sweaters, quilts, plus a quilt in the seemingly endless process of hand quilting. I crocheted the afghan on top.

Continuing on – the sheet music cabinet with the girls perched on top. The framed watercolor above the girls is of a windmill. We bought it many years ago in San Diego.

Then the steps and beyond them, the living room and kitchen where Don is currently making our second cup of coffee.

On the right, a favorite houseplant plopped in a piece of McCoy. A box of tissues. Art books in a big stack topped by another piece of McCoy. And a partial view of my beloved planner- underneath the planner is a book by Mary Oliver.

On my left, but unseen – my coffee cup, my phone, my book of passwords, a McCoy piece full of pens and brushes and crochet hooks, a lamp, a photo of Don and me on the beach in San Diego, Carmex, vaseline, various ear buds, the beautiful French bowl that I bought in Paris. Below the table – a basket full of books.

Also unseen: the heating pad currently warming my back, which is slowly getting better every day.

There you have it. The view from my blogging chair.

I used to do this kind of post fairly often and I think it’s time to bring it back into the rotation.

I’m thinking of reopening my Etsy shop. I have some things that I’ve accumulated over the years and it’s time to pass them on to someone else. Don’t worry, I’m not doing a big clear out because I love my collections too much, but there are items that I could bear to part with. However, my back has to be in shape so I can crouch down and take pictures of everything. So far, I’m just making lists of possibilities.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.