Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Birds, Wildflowers, Butterflies

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My favorite time of year; when wildflowers are everywhere. In this case, Dame’s Rocket, also known as wild phlox, which is all over the place – the secret garden, alongside the garden beds, on the edge of the woods (as in the above photo) and in the woods. This period doesn’t last long, but I try to take as many photos as possible. This is the border of the woods that is right next to the main path.

I actually worked on Memorial Day. I had a coaching session with someone. A longtime friend of mine (who I coached years ago in the National Tour of Oklahoma) recommended me. So we worked a bit on a British dialect for an audition she has on Wednesday. So I spent a bit of the day in prep, and then we had the session.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday, but quite hot. I just read in the NY Times that this summer is supposed to be hotter than usual – especially out here in the northeast. Sigh. It’s already been very dry here. We really need some rain. Last summer we battled drought, so it makes one wonder – more of that this summer? I hope not.

In the meantime, I saw a goldfinch yesterday and, for the second time, an eastern swallowtail (butterfly.) The swallowtail was beautiful. I saw the mama and papa Carolina wrens chase off a larger bird that was hanging around. I just now glanced outside – I can see their nest from here –  and both parents are busy feeding the babies. And it’s intense; constant flying in and out of the nest. Those babies must be quite hungry this morning.

We watched a series – on HBO Max – about an infamous cult that was based in Albany – just an hour north of us. It was call NXIVM – pronounced Nexium. The name of the series is The Vow. I’m fascinated by cults and always have been. People got sucked into it thinking it would help them be better people. I won’t share the sickening details, but the cult leader is now in prison with a 120 year sentence. I have many adjectives on the tip of my tongue to describe him, but evil and vile will do for now. All of this was going on while we lived here and we were sort of oblivious, though I do remember reading about them when sentences were announced because one of the enablers – charged with sex trafficking – was an actress years ago on the series Smallville, so the press jumped on that. I still can’t get the whole thing out of my mind.

We’re now watching a two-part documentary on George Carlin.

I finished the Elly Griffiths and I’m trying to read something really short while waiting for her final two books in this series to arrive at my local library. And, of course, I’m reading a chapter a day of War and Peace. We will reach the midway point of this readalong on June 1st.

Okay. I’m also starting a new puzzle – another Renoir painting – but this one is darkish in color so it will be a challenge.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Wildflowers

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Dame rocket or wild phlox is one of my favorite wildflowers and it has, seemingly overnight, cropped up everywhere on the property. There’s a clump in front of the big garden bed,  in the secret garden, on the edge of the woods, and in the woods. It’s in white and a soft lavender and it’s quite tall. My favorite time of the late spring is when rocket and fleabane and wild mustard have made their presence known. The woods look magical, there is color in places that are usually just green. The birdbath is surrounded by fleabane, as is the funky patio – wildflowers are everywhere. I feel like I live in a wildflower meadow at this time of year.

I had a somewhat sleepless night with lots on my mind. So I’m running on about one cylinder. Nevertheless, I’m going to do some more work outside today, simply to keep myself busy. I finally sowed the zinnia seeds yesterday – about three weeks later than usual. I did some pruning. I cleaned up the memorial garden bed. Today, I may mow and I need to clear out some particularly pesky poison ivy.

Keep busy, keep busy – I do some of my best work when I’ve haven’t had enough sleep.

I’m nearly done with the Klimt puzzle, but I’m dealing with what I consider the most difficult section; various shades of brown for the woman’s hair and various shades of skin tone for her neck and chest. Everything else is pretty much finished. I’m a huge fan of Klimt and this puzzle has been a pleasure to work on.

Okay. I need more coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

A Little Story

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Wild mustard growing down by the road. I know it’s considered a weed, but like most flowering weeds, I change that to ‘wildflower.’ There’s a beautiful clump in the secret garden.

I managed to get Microsoft Word back on my computer after signing in to my Microsoft account. Under my account information, I found my purchase history which gave me the option of downloading the version from 2016 – which is really all I need. Hurrah!

Then I tried printing something from my laptop and discovered I really didn’t need the software for the printer. And then I went on Canon’s site and put in my printer model and there was the software for the ‘scan’ option on the printer, so I downloaded that. I scanned the Italian dialect notes that I need for my coaching session today. Success.

So I think I’ve, at least temporarily, solved my problem. I’m not downloading a bunch of photos and documents that I really don’t miss from my backup drive. I’m keeping it spare. Just what I need.

A quick story for you. My dear friend Jan, who lives in my hometown, is 79 years old.  She, like my friend Joe and my best friend Laural, was adopted. Joe gave her a DNA kit from Ancestry for Christmas and she did the test and submitted the information. Ancestry contacted her with a DNA match saying she had  a cousin or sibling.  She has recently been contacted by her half-brother and half sister! At the age of 79!

She knew that her mother was from Boston and came to Detroit to have her baby. And her adoptive mother showed her the birth certificate. But she never had any inclination to find her birth mother. She was raised in a loving family and her father was a Methodist minister. Her half-siblings didn’t know until later in life about their older sister. Their mom had married a man several years after giving birth to Jan and though he knew about the baby she gave up for adoption, they didn’t. When they found out, they started searching for their sister. They’ve been searching for years. And now, this miracle! Her brother contacted her right away and they’ve been communicating. Last week, she had a zoom session with her siblings. And next month her brother – a Unitarian minister – will be traveling to Detroit to meet her.

Isn’t that amazing? She sounds so surprised and happy and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her.

There you go, Some good news today.

Have to go prep for my session today.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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