This coneflower has a little story. It’s in the big garden bed where there are lots of other coneflowers all of them now turning brown. For the longest time, I noted that the tiny petals were not opening fully. Eventually, I thought it just might be one of those flowers that never fully opens. But, about a week ago, I was surprised to see it like this, big and full and beautiful. It’s as if it decided to hold off a bit so I could have one fresh coneflower when all the rest of them are now fading.

It’s a beauty.

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Bird stories.

On Monday, late in the afternoon, I was watering the plants near the funky patio. I use a copper watering can which holds a modest amount of water. So I was going out, watering, coming back in, filling it up, etc. At one point, I walked in the kitchen making my way to the sink and there – right outside the window, no more than 5 feet away from me – was a Cooper’s Hawk. He was perched on the lowest branch of the tree, staring toward the secret garden. I gasped and quietly called out to Don. He couldn’t have been there more than 30 seconds before he took off. (Don didn’t get to see him.) I tracked him to a tree in the back forty and then, a tree in the woods.

I have never seen a hawk that close, nor have I seen one on a low branch. He was right at my eye level. Stunning. Such a gift!

Then, yesterday, Don and I mowed the front lawn. When we were done, we sat on the glider for a bit to catch our breath. I noticed some turkey vultures in the sky, riding the air currents. There must have been 15 of them, swooping and gliding, and it was beautiful. We noticed this a couple of weeks ago, as well, but this time they were closer to us. Sometimes, they’re circling an area where an animal has died, but that wasn’t the case yesterday. They were just enjoying the air currents. (Turkey vultures hang out in groups. Hawks are solitary.)

Suddenly, just underneath them, many, many starlings appeared, flying in a formation.

And then, as I stood there watching the starlings, a bald eagle appeared directly under them and flew in a straight line toward my neighbor’s property.

All that in about 5 minutes.

We felt so blessed that we’d been in the right place at the right time.

Another gift.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

An almost-Fall foggy morning,

Let’s see, what’s up for the week ahead?

Mowing. I mowed the corral area yesterday and tomorrow Don and I are going to mow the front lawn. When we finish that, all of the grassy areas of the property will have been mowed. It’s been quite dry here lately and the rivers are really low. Wednesday and Thursday should bring some rain, which is why our mowing deadline is tomorrow.

I have to package up an Etsy sale and send it out today or tomorrow.

A library walk today, I think.

I have to research a dialect and prep for a private coaching job I have coming up at the end of the week. Other coaching opportunities seem to be drying up. I had a realization about a month ago that my career – in terms of coaching productions – has come to a close. It was a feeling in my gut. I sat here in my chair and cried. I’m not ready for it to be over and we certainly need the money, and I’ll be happy to be proven wrong – but all I can say is that I had a ‘knowing.’

I can’t believe that the first day of Fall is on Sunday. How can that be? All that time spent dreaming of spring and the emergence of green things and flowers, then the beauty of summer – it went by in a flash! Leaves are falling all over the property, especially the Black Walnut leaves that are always the first to turn yellow and fall to the ground. The maples are turning gold, the virginia creeper is turning red.

Don and I constantly remind each other to stay ‘present.’ Especially with each other. Time seems to speed up when you’re older. I think I read of a study that said it actually does speed up, but that was long ago and I can’t remember the details. Anyway, the seasons and years seem to fly by these days.

I’m really enjoying the newest Kate Atkinson mystery. I read everything she writes from short stories to novels to the Jackson Brodie series. She has a wonderful dry wit. This newest Jackson Brodie does not disappoint.

Okay, my friends. Have a good week ahead.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Maeve and I are wishing we were in Paris, my favorite city in the world. Paris is also the venue for a spectacular Blythe event and show – Play and Party Paris. I’ve been looking at everyone’s photos and videos from the event – which will go on until 5 pm, Paris time. The venue itself is stunningly beautiful and there are so many vendors there! There are lots and lots of Blythe creatives in Europe, so a fairly central location like Paris gives them the opportunity to have a booth, whereas they might not be able to travel to the United States.

Wish I was there and had scads of cash on hand! Anyway, I will live vicariously through my fellow Blythe lovers and try not to sob.

Speaking of beautiful, we have another gorgeous day here in the Hudson Valley. It’s sunny and I’m starting to see that golden light that comes in the Fall, even though we have a week until it’s officially Fall. We’re both fairly groggy this morning and are having a hard time waking up.

This morning, I made a list of the books I’ve read this year – so far. Just seemed like the thing to do. My friend Pat, from back home in Dearborn, was a voracious reader. He kept a small notebook and recorded every book he wrote along with some notes about each book. I often wonder what the final count was. Pat died last year; his devotion to literature was inspiring and I loved chatting about books with him.

Anyway, the number so far is about 34 or 35. In my days as a book reviewer, I had to read a lot of books and read them quickly, which eventually led to burnout. Going forward, I vowed to read at a more leisurely pace. And I do exactly that these days. Just started Kate Atkinson’s newest Jackson Brody mystery (it’s been a while since she wrote one) Death at the Sign of the Rook. It was just published and, as luck would have it, there was a very short queue at the library.

We might mow today. We’ll surely take a walk at the library.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.