The catalpa tree is full of blossoms. The scent is out of this world. It’s also so lovely to look at, with clouds of white blossoms everywhere.
I’m taking it easy today – we did a lot of work outside yesterday and the day before and my allergies have decided to complain rather loudly. More big old rocks were moved to the secret garden, weed whacking was done, as well as some hand weeding. Watering also, but that’s a given. The days have been so lovely with blue skies and big old fluffy clouds, abundant sunshine, bird singing, bees buzzing – it’s hard not to be out there. I’ll still snag some time on the porch today, allergies or no.
Late in the day yesterday, I started one of the puzzles that Terri sent me. It’s from Barnes and Noble and it consists of Pulitzer Prize winning books. I chose it because I wanted a break from the more difficult ones I’ve doing. Puzzles with a grid, graphics, different colors, and fonts are easier to do.
I did this in a few hours yesterday, so I suspect I’ll get this done today or tomorrow. I love looking at the book covers. Some of the titles I’m unfamiliar with – usually having to do with history – but most of them I know, including my favorite novel, which is bottom center. I’m remembering that I wanted to read several of these titles and never did. I’ll have to remedy that. Thank you again, Terri! This is awfully fun.
Okay. This is brief, I know, but I’m not feeling well and my brain is foggy.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I was looking at betweennapsontheporch.net for June 17, 2020 and noticed her post was on how to preserve puzzles for framing. I thought that you might be interested in it. The puzzle is mounted without glue.
Thanks, Christine. I’ve also read tutorials on a couple of puzzle manufacturer’s sites. I’ll check that post out. Stay safe!
If you haven’t read Empire Falls, I highly recommend it. And it’s fun to see those puzzles being enjoyed again. Cheers!
Empire Falls is one of the books I’ve always wanted to read, Terri. Thanks for recommending it. Stay safe!
I hope you feel well soon Claudia. This is the first Spring in a long time that I’ve had issues with asthma, which is a big worry with Covid. I have an attack at least once a day or every other day. Allergies are fine though. Be well and enjoy puzzle making today. I have a new one to start once I’m done my work today. Looking forward to just sitting still for a while!
Take care today.
X Chy
Oh Chy, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with asthma attacks. I hope this fades away soon!
Stay safe, my friend.
The cotton wood is sure flying around here, these days….I’m sorry you have to constantly battle with allergies. But, the puzzle should be a nice inside diversion. Hope the brain fog goes away! ;)
It may be because it took me so long to feel awake. But I’m less foggy now. Stay safe, Donna!
I just love the photos you post of your garden and flowers. They are a balm to our souls. Thank you.
Oh, thank you, Ruth. It’s my pleasure.
Stay safe!
I already see a couple of my favorites here — especially “All the Light You Cannot See.” Looks like a fun puzzle.
Lay low!
That book is one of the finest books I’ve ever read. I’m a huge fan.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Sigh…..I love catalpa trees. Such a reminder of my childhood. Their scent is incredible. The flowers are sticky on feet though!
I hope your allergies let up soon Claudia.❤️
Well, I’m never in my bare feet in the area where the blossoms fall, so that’s not a problem. The scent is unbelievable.
Stay safe, Robin.
Hey Robin, I sent you a reply but wanted to tell you it’s being blocked as spam by your email provider.
That picture of the bloom is fabulous!
iPhone! Thank you Jan. Stay safe!
Claudia, you have become a jigsaw puzzle enabler :-() I Have ordered both of the Nancy Drew puzzles, and, yes, the New York Times cover one, too!That’s definitely one to preserve and hang on the wall.
I did enjoy doing the 500 piece Nancy Drew puzzle with the quotes. . . especially this one, “There is nothing worse than to receive a threatening note that demands you stay at home when you’re just not the stay at home kind of gal.” Nancy would not have done under covid quarantine!!!
Stay safe. Stay strong. Have hope.
Happy to be an enabler, Janice!
I hope Nancy would have stepped up during a quarantine…maybe a jaunty mask?
Stay safe!
Hi Claudia, The catalpa tree bloom is amazing! I don’t think I have ever seen one up close, thanks.
That looks like a fun puzzle! Today, I just put away one “I had One of Those” which was of toys from Chatty Cathy to Silly Putty and everything in between. It was fun and I even had a couple although most of the toys I learned about from my friends. My parents weren’t much about toys for my sister or me. I remember the deck of cards we made out of cardboard and had tons of fun with. Can you even imagine a child today making a deck of cards?
Thank you for sharing your joy!
I love that we used to make things out of cardboard and it made us perfectly happy!
Stay safe, Kelly!
Sorry you’re foggy despite nice days. Darn allergies.
Speaking of puzzles with depictions of books … and so much in the news of Bolton’s book (‘former national security adviser is promoting a book that the White House has made clear it does not want to see published’ [CNN]); well, what about this . . . by happenstance, I came across a July-debut hardcover, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man” by Mary L. Trump.
Described on Amazon: ‘In this revelatory, authoritative portrait of Donald J. Trump and the toxic family that made him, Mary L. Trump, a trained clinical psychologist and Donald’s only niece, shines a bright light on the dark history of their family in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world’s health, economic security, and social fabric. Mary Trump spent much of her childhood in her grandparents’ large, imposing house in the heart of Queens, where Donald and his four siblings grew up. She describes a nightmare of traumas, destructive relationships, and a tragic combination of neglect and abuse. She explains how specific events and general family patterns created the damaged man who currently occupies the Oval Office, including the strange and harmful relationship between Fred Trump and his two oldest sons, Fred Jr. and Donald. A firsthand witness to countless holiday meals and family interactions, Mary brings an incisive wit and unexpected humor to sometimes grim, often confounding family events. She recounts in unsparing detail everything from her uncle Donald’s place in the family spotlight and Ivana’s penchant for regifting to her grandmother’s frequent injuries and illnesses and the appalling way Donald, Fred Trump’s favorite son, dismissed and derided him when he began to succumb to Alzheimer’s. Numerous pundits, armchair psychologists, and journalists have sought to parse Donald J. Trump’s lethal flaws. Mary L. Trump has the education, insight, and intimate familiarity needed to reveal what makes Donald, and the rest of her clan, tick. She alone can recount this fascinating, unnerving saga, not just because of her insider’s perspective but also because she is the only Trump willing to tell the truth about one of the world’s most powerful and dysfunctional families.’
I don’t want to, on the one hand, pollute my mind with anything more of ‘Trump’ yet my curiosity, on the other hand, is piqued. Have not come across anything about this book until now. Must be in the news but somehow just escaped me, til now.
Yes, that book has been in the news for the past few days. Should be interesting! Stay safe, Vicki.
hope you are feeling better by now!
glad you took it easier today. hope don did, too.
another perfect puzzle for you! looks great and fun … and like it will add some titles to your tbr list. :)
we have a lot of flowering trees, but i don’t know if there are catalpas here. going to look that up … the blossoms are beautiful and it would be lovely to see them for real. in the meantime, thanks for another pretty photo.
i am glad and grateful to be home for lots of reasons … including that this week my boss has not required the maintenance staff (that talk with her many times each day) to wear masks and she has also occasionally been in my office without a mask on. i do not understand that at all.
going to do some chores, then paint for a while. hope you all have a nice night and stay safe.
kathy in iowa
well, i looked it up and didn’t find much. learned catalpas are not native to iowa, but have been planted and grow here. images of iowa catalpas i saw were taken in ames (about 40 minutes north of here). nice little town, but i won’t make the trip now … i have your photo saved so maybe i can find a catalpa on a walk.
thanks for the inspiration!
kathy in iowa
They are gorgeous trees. There are a lot of them around here and we have four on the property. xo
Your boss, shall we say, makes questionable decisions. I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. She should be responsible for the tone set in the office and the tone she is setting is a dangerous one.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Hope you are feeling better today! I hear the humidity is coming back this weekend which puts a damper on outdoor enjoyment for most of us. I love the puzzle! I would be tempted to read every book depicted (some of them I have read), a fun quarantine project. BTW, I also loved Empire Falls. Stay safe!
I’ve read about nine of them. Empire Falls is now on my list, Nora. Stay safe!