A gorgeous eastern swallowtail dining on the zinnias. The sun was shining directly in my eyes, so I couldn’t see much. I just followed the butterfly from flower to flower, hoping something would turn out.
Oh boy. I really worked my butt off yesterday. I pulled weeds, weed whacked, carted buckets of weeds to our debris pile, I pruned and trimmed. And then I mowed the top of the front lawn, which is up the hill and leads to the secret garden. The secret garden was still too wet to mow.
Needless to say, my back is complaining a bit today, but it was so satisfying to finally get a chance to clean things up out there! Still more weed whacking to do, but the battery died, so I had to charge it. Just as well, as the weed whacker is a bit heavy and I was feeling it. Don mowed the corral and the trails in the woods.
My mom’s birthday was yesterday and the day was filled with memories of her. I miss her.
Today, we’ll take it easy and then tomorrow…back at it.
Groundhog appearance on the porch yesterday. What is the attraction, I wonder? Also, a couple of times lately, I have gone out on the porch around 8:30 pm to put something in the recycling bin and I’ve startled a bird that is resting/sleeping on top of the porch light. I’m going to try to go out there an hour or so earlier. Same thing with the hanging plant. I normally water it earlier in the day but one day I didn’t get to it until late and I startled another bird settling down there for the night. I wonder if there are other pots that provide a bed for the night? There’s probably a whole world of activity I know nothing about.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Debbie says
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=906552e1-a4ad-4998-ad12-d74401cac152&v=sdk
Article in the LA Times regarding SAG health insurance issues.
This is the only way I thought I could pass it along to you and your husband.
You can delete if you’d like.
Praying for a resolution….
Claudia says
Yes, that’s a real issue. Don has it because he’s a senior performer, but it’s all the little things, residuals, etc. that help add up to the minimum needed to qualify for health insurance.
Thanks for this, Debbie.
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
you and don did a lot of work yesterday. hope you both can take it easy today!
and what an incredible photo of the butterfly … beautiful!
glad you’ve seen buddy (or one of his siblings) as well as the birds by the porchlight, to know that they are there.
we’ve seen earl a couple of times a day maybe three days in the last week. he still flops down on his belly, something that makes us laugh (because he looks like a little kid laying in front of the tv) and feel good (knowing that he feels safe with us). we have worried when we haven’t seen him, but are glad that he goes other places, too, so he keeps his skills sharp and is not depending just on us. cutie.
i did some usual stuff yesterday, also went through lots and lots of old papers. not easy, but got rid of most of them. well, they’re in a couple paper bags awaiting a paper-shredding event in september. anyway, necessary and good to do! other things to do today, but will finish the paper stuff soon and be glad about that, too!
hope you all have a good, safe day. happy first day of august!
kathy
Claudia says
Sorting and rehanging some things up in the office/study today. (That always includes throwing out paperwork!)
Stay safe, Kathy.
Petra says
“There’s probably a whole world of activity I know nothing about.”
Too right! Animals have their own life, and we touch upon it only occasionally.
Claudia says
Absolutely. It’s a privilege when we are allowed a peek into that world.
Stay safe, Petra.
Vicki says
Good job, Claudia (and Don); that’s a lot of work in the yard.
I’m feeling pretty miserable in the heat of Southern Calif. It’s very humid at 9am-ish, full sun with clouds and 80 percent humidity. Choking air, like it’s so thick to breathe it. In July and August, we’re sure making up for our nice-cool weather of spring. Just gotta get thru it but we’ll still be warm in October although the nights (hopefully) will start cooling off. Eerie moon last night encased in a buttermilk sky.
And of course we have ants in the house! Again!
Claudia says
The humidity is very hard on me and I imagine it’s extremely hard on you, Vicki.
We have ants, too, but they haven’t got out of hand yet. Knock on wood!
Stay safe, Vicki.
Donnamae says
You worked really hard on your yard yesterday. Glad you had a good day for it, today you can rest.
My husband came home yesterday from his volunteer stint at the EAA. He brought with him a cold…at least I hope it’s just a cold. A test will be taken later today.
Gorgeous pic of the butterfly. Enjoy your day! ;)
Claudia says
Fingers crossed that it’s just a cold, Donnamae!
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
It’s covid. Mild so far. Hope it stays that way. ;)
kathy in iowa says
sorry to hear that, donnamae. glad your husband’s symptoms are mild and hope they stay that way. praying that he recovers quickly and that you don’t get covid!!
kathy
Donnamae says
Thank you Kathy….prayers are always welcome! ;)
Claudia says
Darn it! I’m happy to hear it’s mild, Donnamae. Hang in there!
Elaine in Toronto says
You and Don worked really hard yesterday. Hope you had a more relaxing day today. I am so happy you were able to buy one of The Pumpkin Belle little dresses for your girls to share. Her dresses are beautiful. Can’t wait to see it. That’s a lovely shot you captured of the butterfly. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
jeanie says
That butterfly is a beauty! I am trying to visualize a groundhog climbing up on the porch! Sounds like you were super busy and that all is good apart from being tired and sore! I finally finished the London puzzle — one pieces is missing. I’m not sure if I should blame the puzzle company or the cat, though we’ve searched everywhere!
Claudia says
Doesn’t it make you a wee bit crazy when there’s a piece missing??
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Kay in SE WI says
Those swallowtail butterflies are so beautiful. You were lucky to snap a good one. Sounds like you and Don worked like fiends yesterday. Now you can take it easy for a few days until it all needs to be done again.
The humidity is back I guess because it’s August. I can hardly believe we’re in the home stretch of summer It was mostly awful when it came to outdoors but it went by fast.
Take care,
Kay
Claudia says
So far, the humidity has stayed away but I know it will return. That’s August, for sure.
Stay safe, Kay.