Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Pretty, But Invasive

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A pretty picture of a wildflower that has popped up on my property and on the edges of the big garden bed. As I researched it this morning so I could give it a name, I discovered that it’s a version of Knapweed, which is invasive and can keep other plants from growing.

Uh oh. I guess I know what I’m doing today.

But, it’s lovely, isn’t it?  Why do lovely wildflowers have to be invasive?

Sigh.

It’s Labor Day and a strong cold front came through yesterday, which means we woke up to cooler temperatures. Finally! I did some mowing yesterday but it was very humid, so I ended up only mowing a third of the front lawn. More mowing today. And I guess I’ll be yanking this weed, as well.

By the way, I had a nice chat with our neighbor yesterday, catching up on all the news. I had been pulling yet another invasive plant that was vining itself around my bridal veil spirea. In the course of this chat I discovered that their lawnmower isn’t broken. (I didn’t bring it up.) No, she’s just been “too busy” to mow, even though they have a rider mower. I’m talking grass that is more than a foot high. Interesting…

As to Labor Day: My dad and brother were members of unions. My husband is a member of three unions. (I wish there was a union for what I do, but there isn’t.) We support all laborers and honor them on this day.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Friday

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Fleabane by the gate.

Friday. I’m very tired; didn’t sleep too well. Plus, my allergies are a wee bit haywire.

Record high temperatures predicted for today. Hopefully, thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. Then much cooler weather tomorrow. So we just have to get through one more day of this.

It’s been a pain in the tush without a/c but we’ll install them next week. I didn’t want to strain my back, neither did Don. So, we toughed  it out, just like I used to when I was a kid and we didn’t have any a/c. In fact, I never had an a/c unit in my bedroom window the entire time I was growing up.  And it used to get very humid in Michigan. I distinctly remember sleeping with my head at the bottom of my bed so I could get the benefit of the fan. That is a very strong sense memory for me!

I have much to do in the big garden bed. It’s already looking rather wild. I will probably wait until tomorrow, however, as it will be much cooler then.

We started watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel   from the very beginning. We decided we need to watch something brilliant and beautiful and witty, something that makes us feel good. We need an escape. It was the right decision.

That’s about it for today, my friends. I need some more coffee!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

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.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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