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Fading Gardens

October 7, 2022 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Bits and pieces of the David phlox are still hanging in there, bless them. It’s clear, though, that they’re preparing to leave for the winter. We had a sunny day yesterday – so welcome after several dreary and rainy days – and I took some time to look at the gardens. They’re overgrown, of course. I haven’t been weeding because of my back. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn’t have weeded them anyway. I usually lose interest in weeding by August.

Once again, I have a morning glory climbing the chicken wire fence that is lovely but has no flowers. Do you remember the days when I routinely had tons of flowers on the vines? Now, they seem to bloom much later, if at all, and it’s always just before a frost hits. Climate change? Soil problems? I don’t know. I’m reluctant to give up on them because I’m ever hopeful, I guess. I loved the look of those beautiful morning glories. Sigh.

Truth be told, I sort of gave up on everything after the drought. I spent hours watering the garden beds, especially the chicken wire fence garden. And some of the beds revived and did well. But others suffered.

I finished The Ink Black Heart  yesterday. Excellent! I’ve never had 1000+ pages move along so smoothly and effortlessly. It was completely engrossing. Sometimes after a particularly wonderful read, I need a brief palate cleanser before I make a decision as to what to read next. I’ve found that Georges Simenon’s shortish Maigret mysteries are perfect. I chose Maigret and the Man on the Bench  which was on my TBR pile. I suspect that I’ll start Maggie O’Farrell’s newest, The Marriage Portrait, after I finish the Maigret.

Today, I’m going to mow. I’ll be careful and I’ve made a vow not to take on too much. I’ll start with the back forty where the grass is very long, then, the corral area. But right now, it’s too wet with morning dew so I’ll have to wait until it dries.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: books, flowers, garden, reading 16 Comments

Socks, Puzzles, and Miniatures

September 16, 2022 at 8:48 am by Claudia

Warning: If you’re offended by cuss words, I’m giving you a heads up. (I’m not, and I have a salty tongue that is in use regularly, just not on the blog.)

As you know, I was very down yesterday and I felt that way all day long. I feel much better today. I got a good night’s sleep, it’s a beautiful and cool fall morning and my back is a wee bit better. Don was out running errands. When he returned he came into the den with a gift bag.

In it was a card with a lovely note from him, a Cavallini jigsaw puzzle (theme: houseplants,) and a pair of socks that made me laugh out loud.

I’m in love.

It’s as if they were made for me – and every other avid reader in the world.

It was just what I needed, that belly laugh.

I was supposed to coach today, but the stage manager asked if I could do it next Wednesday instead. So I get a bit of a breather and that means I can rest my back. I find that when I’m sitting in my chair while zoom coaching, I often sit forward in the chair and my back tenses up. I’m not even aware of it until I start to feel pain.

Today? Reading. Maybe with my new socks on. Dressing a couple of dolls. Crocheting a hat.

I managed to wash the sheets yesterday but I needed Don’s help putting them on the bed. After a few skirmishes, we successfully completed our task and we had fresh bedding last night.

It’s the little things.

We’re entering the season where a new Michael Connelly and a new Louise Penny are published. I can’t wait. I need to buckle down, let go of all of the things that take my attention away, and read. Don’t get me wrong, I am reading, but I’m not reading in big chunks and that isn’t satisfying. Today, I hope to do that.

And I’m eyeing the next doll house project. Speaking of miniatures, the IGMA show is in a week. It’s just outside of Hartford. I’m wondering if I will go or not. I’d like to. I was reading the program this morning and I was so saddened to read that Barbara Vajnar passed away in July. I’ve mentioned her several times on this blog because I have a few pieces of her furniture. She retired a couple of years ago.

She made this:

And this:

Her work was exquisite. When she announced her retirement, she put her pieces up for sale on eBay, a few at a time. Most of them went for far more than I could afford, but I did manage to snag this corner cupboard. It will go in the Beacon Hill.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara and her husband as I dithered about buying the mustard colored cupboard. They were endlessly patient and kind.

Rest in Peace, Barbara.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, IGMA Show, miniatures, reading 32 Comments

Around the Property

June 2, 2022 at 9:27 am by Claudia

A big, fat bumblebee obligingly stopped long enough for me to get several pictures.

I love bumblebees.

We mowed a heck of a lot yesterday. Not that this is a contest, but I mowed more than Don. That’s only because I started out mowing the corral – without telling him I’d started – and then moved on to the front lawn. Then he joined me and we tag teamed the rest of the lawn and the Secret Garden. We still have to do the back forty but that was enough for the day. Good exercise, satisfying, and a lot of work!

We had lots of rain and thunderstorms later in the day, so we got it done just in time. More rain today and maybe a bit more rain tomorrow.

Came inside, showered, checked for ticks, had some lunch and worked a bit on the puzzle.

Then, a nap in my chair.

I finally did something I’d been thinking about for a long time. I moved the old piece of picket fence from its former position leaning against the shed to the area right outside the kitchen door. We used to have a short section of chicken wire fence there, but we took it down. So there was nothing coming out from the side of the house and connecting to our old gate. It bugged me.

I leaned it up against the fence posts that supported the gate and ran the idea by Don. He loved it.

When I realized it was going to rain and storm, I attached it to the posts with wire.

I’m pleased with the result. Now, the connection of fence to house to gate looks intentional. We have a proper enclosure outside the kitchen door. Such a simple thing and an idea I’ve had for a while. I’m glad it’s done.

I’d love nothing more than to have a picket fence along the edge of the corral so that the memorial garden and chicken wire fence garden backed up to the pickets. But fencing is expensive. This little section is chippy and weathered, as is the gate (which we found on the property,) as is the door frame, which needs to be repainted. I think it suits the look of our place. But I do have to repaint that door frame sometime soon.

I’m enjoying Elizabeth George’s The Punishment She Deserves. I read a big chunk of it this morning. I’m also reading Quiet  (the book about Introverts.)

And we’re watching the new season of Stranger Things, after having finished The Bridge  (our second time watching that series, which is one of the finest I’ve ever seen.)

Okay. Time to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: bees, books, reading 28 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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