Very cold morning! The plants have been inside for four days and as far as I can tell, I have only two days where the temps don’t go down below freezing before I have to say goodbye.
Sob.
I woke up to the sound of a Carolina wren singing away. I heard the same bird yesterday. It’s awfully nice to hear that cheerful sound as the days get shorter and colder and we head toward a period of time that is always difficult for me.
Behold, the World of King Arthur!
This was a fun one. I was obsessed by King Arthur when I was young, probably fueled by my love of the musical, Camelot. This brought back a lot of memories as well as new information about the legend, as the maker always includes a key to all the figures. Loved the big red dragon.
I’m expecting a new one today – not from the same designer, but a fall scene in the city – presumably Manhattan or Brooklyn. My birthday is next week and I told Don not to get anything for me but when he pressed me, I sent him the link to a puzzle. Why not, right? They keep me sane and I’m sure he’s grateful for that!
Our concrete repair work is looking really, really good. We’re surprised by how good it looks. We just have to do the skim coat and it’s best to wait a few days for that. Most likely Thursday or Friday, which will be a bit warmer than usual.
Don had a gift card given to him by the people who ran that concert series last summer. Don booked all the performers and oversaw everything; he’s doing it again next year. Anyway, he was in his favorite music shop the other day and was searching through a pile of used instruments and he found a banjo. For $75! It’s in pretty good shape, but it needs some cleanup. It was so fun to hear him playing it yesterday. He has had a lot of instruments since I have known him, but never a banjo. I love to watch him when he gets something like the banjo, he is so excited. Don has always had a charmingly childlike (in the best possible way) enthusiasm and it has never left him. I am profoundly grateful for that. He teaches me to be joyful.
Pictures of a couple of girls:
Holly wearing the hat. We’ve got a definite color story here.
And Miranda.
Don’t cross her. She sees right through you.
By the way, British friends, Spoiler Alert is now available in Great Britain. I believe you can find it on Apple+ and Amazon Prime Video. You can see my coaching work with Ben Aldridge and a little bit of acting in a hospital scene.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I enjoy hearing birds singing in the morning… it’s a nice start to the day! Your King Arthur puzzle looks fantastic…and detailed. That’s helpful to have a key with the puzzle, explaining more about the characters. How cool that Don got a banjo! For some reason, because I’m not musical in the least, I’ve always been drawn to banjos…maybe even because of their look. That’ll be fun for Don! The girls look darling, as usual… especially with the hat! Stay warm!
I think that Banjos are cheery instruments! You can’t help but smile when you hear one.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Good for Don to treat himself
I bet he doesn’t do that very often
Also it is always a blessing when someone is appreciated for their work.
He treats me before he treats himself, so I’m glad to see him do that.
Stay safe, Linda.
That puzzle is stunning. These days it’s important to find something to keep you sane. For me it’s counted cross stitch, something I’ve been doing since my twenties. When I get “in the zone,” I feel my blood pressure coming down and a wonderful calmness.
Like the ukulele, I love to hear a banjo. Such a happy sound. My musician son loves to prowl music stores looking for hidden gems too. The janitor for his building was in his apartment last year and noticed all Nick’s guitars. He told him that a tenant had left behind several guitars and would Nick like to see them and see if he wanted any of them? Would he. He wound up with a really nice acoustic guitar and a look-alike Paul McCartney violin bass. Once he took them to his favorite shop and had them cleaned up and minor repairs done, they looked terrific.
I had the latest Covid booster yesterday and last night I had all the Covid symptoms: severe chills, fever, achy joints, etc. Dean is a bit ahead of me with the vaccines because he’ll sometimes have two at once. I’m too needle phobic for that. Anyway, he had no reaction. Saturday he had the RSV shot and again no reaction. That one is next for me.
Take care,
Kay
How wonderful for your son! And so nice of the janitor to let him know about the guitars.
Glad you got the booster, Kay, but of course, sorry you had that reaction. Are you feeling better today?
Stay safe.
Enjoyed your pictures of the girls. Both are so adorable. Loved Holly’s scuffed little shoes. Fun to see your completed puzzle, too. The banjo was a lucky find for Don. He’ll enjoy it for sure. Hugs, Elaine
He’s really loving it – though it smells musty and he’s trying to make that better,
Stay safe, Elaine.
The hats! !!<3
My dad taught himself to play the banjo when he was around 40 so we could sing around the campfire with accompaniment! As a young teen, I was not in love with this idea but once I got over my 13 year old self, we had so much fun. This summer, m husband and I saw Martin Short and Steve Martin's comedy show. Oh my, can Steve play ! He had a great group of guys come on stage with their banjos too. I have to look up what their name was. Don was so lucky to find the perfect banjo ( banjoy!)! I love when someone gets a gift card and finds the perfect thing to spend it on.
It's very cold here but the sun is out! I think I will play some banjo music to make my day even happier. :)
I have to say, he’s sounds like he’s been playing the banjo for years! Love your memories of your father playing his banjo.
Stay safe, Betsy.
i like all your good news, your own enthusiasm as well as hearing about don’s! :)
how nice the group showed don that they appreciate him, all his time and efforts with the concerts and out of that he found a banjo (at a great price)! the sounds of banjos and ukuleles always make me smile.
as does that puzzle. i don’t recall ever reading king arthur (no one in my family is into that genre except the youngest ones who love harry potter books and movies). it’s the colors and art, the focusing on something fun and having the time and a large surface space to do it that i enjoy about jigsaw puzzles. that and especially the happy memories of doing them with my family. :)
went out for dinner on monday night with all local-ish family members (13) to celebrate my father’s birthday. first time all together like that with young kids since once this past summer and then last Christmas-time (we remain very cautious due to some other health issues). one of them woke up yesterday feeling sick, like he had a bad cold, and tested positive with covid. it’s my nephew-by-marriage, who sat next to my father for nearly two hours. so, we watch and will test as need be. i will get groceries, birdseed, earl’s peanuts and other supplies later today by curbside service. same with the gino vannelli thing from my sister, as it has been framed. trying not to worry or cry, but i am (like everyone else) soooooo very tired of covid (and other hard things)! prayers for my family are very much appreciated!
…
ugh.
…
beautiful weather here so we will go for a walk and a ride today and see what we see. usually cows outnumber them, but we saw lots and lots of horses yesterday (including three with riders on them) … such beautiful creatures.
i need to get going on some stuff.
hope you all have a good day and stay safe and well.
kathy
ps … good job on the steps. of course it looks great!
kathy
Thanks so much!
xo
I don’t think of King Arthur as a genre – it’s just a neat story/legend. I read it because I was curious about it and wanted to know more.
Happy Birthday to your father, Kathy and prayers for your family.
Stay safe.
You’ve got some good fun in your life, Claudia. Don and the banjo (LOVE a banjo!), that amazing puzzle (so colorful and FULL of ‘illustrations’); your boho Blythe beauties. A hedge against dreary outdoors; just stay inside with your world of whimsy!
I must! It’s what gives me comfort and keeps me somewhat sane.
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
Well done Don for finding the banjo! I really like the colours in the King Arthur jigsaw. As a teenager, we used to go on holiday to my Uncle and Aunt’s home in Cornwall. He lived near to Tintagel Castle which legend has it is associated with King Arthur. It’s on the coast and quite dramatic scenery.
Thanks for the info about Spoiler Alert. My son has Amazon Prime so I see if he can purchase the film for me to watch. Hopefully, I shall see him this weekend and he can arrange it.
How wonderful! I’ve always wanted to see Tintagel Castle.
Thanks so much, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
Hi, I had a brown dress just like Holly’s. I only wore it to sunday school, and I wore a hat (white) gloves and black patent leather shoes with it. Did you guess I just celebrated my 85th birthday . My goodness, I loved that dress!
Happy Birthday, Barb!!!! And many more!
I’m happy that the dress sparked a happy memory.
Stay safe.
That puzzle is a beauty! I’ve been enchanted by King Arthur and company since Camelot days, too. This really does it well.
I’m glad you’re getting a new puzzle for your birthday! YAY! And it’s always fun when another birthday comes around. And so nice that Don was given that certificate. I can imagine the smile on his face with the banjo. I expect pretty soon we’ll be seeing a banjo video online?
I think he may have posted an introductory video…but I’m not sure!
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I so enjoy your sense of fashion with your dolls. They are a reflection of a part of who you are I think.
Oh, thank you, Leora! Such kind words.
Stay safe.