Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Black Swallowtail

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This gorgeous black swallowtail hung around these coneflowers for several hours yesterday. Before the torrential rain came. As many times as I’ve seen them, I hadn’t noticed that the body had dots. Mother Nature is the best artist. Ever.

I’d like to thank this beauty for being so fixated on the flowers that I was able to get several photos.

We had unbelievable amounts of rain yesterday, starting off with a huge – and I mean huge – thunderstorm in the afternoon. It seemed to last forever, you could barely see through the sheets of rain, lots and lots of thunder and lightning. And then we had another one a couple of hours later – tons of thunder again. And then more heavy rain overnight.

I have had my fill, thank you very much. However, we have more in store today, so pardon me while I emerge from the cottage during the thick of it and let out a primal scream.

Mostly, I worry about mama robin. I mean, she had to have been bombarded by heavy, heavy rain. There she is, this morning, sitting on the eggs. The eggs, which, if I have counted correctly, should be hatching any minute. I pray for the safety of mama and her babies.

As Don said, she doesn’t look for praise, she doesn’t have any ego in it, she just does what her instincts tell her to do, and she is totally committed. Hero.

I started another Elly Griffiths but, as I read the first chapter which had some updates referring to what was the previous case, I realized I’d missed one of the books, as I’m reading them in order. I relied on a website which had the wrong information. Nevertheless, I will continue and then catch up with the book I missed.

I started another painting. I usually spend a couple of days trying to get the correct outline of the shape of that particular piece of pottery. After gazing at it this morning while having coffee with Don, I see that some tweaking needs to be done, so I’ll do that today.

Other than that, life is peaceful here at the cottage. We are content and at this point in my life, content is everything.

Thanks so much for clicking on Don’s bio! You’re the best.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Number Seven – White Rose

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Number 7 in the Pottery Portraits series: Roseville White Rose.

I’m fairly pleased with it. When I finish a painting, Don always says “This is my new favorite!”

He’s adorable.

The rain continues, though most of the thunderstorms in the area spared us yesterday and for that I’m grateful. We might get one today, but so far, it’s drizzling off and on and it’s very gray out there. This will continue for this week and then it looks like next week might bring us several days with no rain…fingers crossed.

I admit it – I suffer from lack of sun and there has been very little sun for several days now. I’m more tired. My mood is not bad, but it’s definitely a bit dark. I obviously could never live where it’s cloudy and rainy most of the time. Anyway, this is no big deal in the larger picture of life, but I do have to force myself to stay upbeat. Plus, the constant rain plays havoc with my allergies, so I feel foggy.

Ironically, the garden is blooming like crazy so I’ve made a vow to get out there today and observe the flowers. I don’t want to miss them because of the weather. Bee balm, phlox, day lilies, balloon plants, hydrangeas, coneflowers everywhere, roses…it’s quite beautiful.

And mama robin patiently sits on her little eggs. I watch her a lot – every time I go into the kitchen (and sometimes from the bathroom as well) I check on her. So does Don. Yesterday, despite the fence that is now up, some of the chickens from next door got on our property – I think there were three of them on this side of the fence. I assume they entered from the place where the fence stops, but I’m really not sure as I didn’t see them come over. I just heard them and immediately knew they were too close. I let my neighbor know and in the meantime I went out there in my pajamas to try and herd them over to their property. Two of them flew over the fence, but one didn’t know what to do. In the meantime, the rooster was crowing, trying to get the chicken back on his side of the fence. He was clearly distressed. Eventually, my neighbors managed to herd her back. A few hours later, I noticed the fence had been extended. Hopefully, the chickens, who don’t like to get too close to the street, will no longer stray.

Anyway, I had to walk back and forth under the tree where mama is nesting and she didn’t like it. Just a chirp or two, but she let me know my presence was not wanted. We try to avoid that area as much as possible so she doesn’t have to worry, but sometimes it’s unavoidable, as it was later in the day when I had to go outside to clear lint off the dryer vent. You know, of course, that the minute there are live babies in that nest, those gentle warnings will be much sterner and some dive bombing will occur.

2021 – The Summer of the Bird Nests.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Rain (Dreaming of Provence)

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In process. It looks lighter in color than it actually is due, I suppose, to the light coming in from the kitchen door. More tweaking today before I add the background color.

And the rain continues. It rained during the night, was raining when I woke up (way too early, by the way) and then turned torrential for about 45 minutes. Thunderstorms are predicted for later in the day. And this same weather forecast could be repeated for most days in the next week. Also flash flood advisories and warnings everywhere. I don’t remember the last time we had this much rain.

We are fairly positive people, but this endless rain is bringing me down. Don’s a bit better with it, but not much. Lord knows how long the grass will be by the time this is finished!

In the midst of the torrential rain, there was mama robin, patiently sitting on her eggs. She is amazing.

I cleaned a lot yesterday and washed the sheets. Then I rewarded myself with a session at the easel. I always feel calmer after painting. It centers me. It’s the result of my entire focus being on one thing. The rest of the world goes away and I can feel my tension and worries melting away. It may be only temporary, but it’s lovely, nonetheless.

Oh, for a little stone house with pale blue shutters in Provence. I will transport myself there in my daydreams and smell the lavender and wander little streets in very old towns, visiting the markets and buying fresh flowers and french soap.

It works for me!

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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