Don and I are tired out. Don, of course, is even more tired than me because of Lyme. I spent a couple of hours cleaning up the yard (except for the downed tree, of course.) There were torn branches, downed branches, bushes that were hanging by a thread – everywhere. I had my loppers and a small saw with me and did what I could to clean up low hanging branches and all the debris that was scattered everywhere. The coleus that was planted in my vintage pots was broken in some places. Most everything looks a little tattered.
Such destruction with one huge gust of wind.
Then the arborist stopped by without even telling us he was coming. He didn’t have on a mask, but he kept well away from us as we stayed on the porch. Not only did he examine the tree, he looked at all the trees surrounding the house. I know that the big maple by the porch needs pruning. And I’m sure others do, too. I’m dreading the estimate, but nothing is going to happen right away, anyway, as he has to take care of people who have trees blocking their driveways or, even worse, that have landed on their houses.
There was a huge amount of damage from the hurricane and there are many who still don’t have power.
Today, we’re laying low. It’s been a surreal couple of days and I can see it taking a toll on Don. He’s been through a lot lately.
This morning, – for a split second – I thought it was August 15th. Why? This – everything, the pandemic, the insanity in DC, Don’s illness, the hurricane, self-isolating – has left my brain in a muddle and no amount of coffee seems to be cutting through the fog.
It will get better, I know.
I’m quite enjoying Melmoth. I should finish it today. Then, I think, I’ll move on to Hamnet, unless the Michael Connelly arrives in today’s mail. If that happens, I just may move onto Connelly first because he is always a guaranteed pleasure to read and a wonderful escape.
That’s all I have energy for today, my friends.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
Good Morning,
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend the Maple tree, so very sad to loose such a lovely tree.
It is my wish that you and Don stay healthy, stay safe and have peace of mind in these trying times.
I do want a reckoning for all those who looked away and those who enabled the immoral and criminal acts of the current administration. No pardons no mercy only accountability.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
I want that reckoning, too, Kaye.
Stay safe!
I do understand what you are going through with the tree situation
A few years ago we had a huge branch fall on our three season porch
Very expensive to clean up
After cleaning up that mess he walked around our property and told us about trees that were dead and needed to be taken down
The entire thing was so expensive but we did not have a choice
Property ownership is not just the mortgage
We are doing everything we can to pay off the mortgage before my husband retires
The upkeep of the house plus the mortgage can be very tight upon retirement
Hang in there
It is very tight and since we didn’t buy a house until we were in our fifties, that mortgage – unless we come into some incredible amount of money – will be with us for many years.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
That photo is so lovely – I love that bright purple. When it rains it pours! You have so much to deal with right now. Maybe your home owner’s insurance will cover the cost of some of the tree work since it was caused by the storm. Hope Don continues to recover. You both need some time to relax and rest.
I think it only covers the tree work if the storm causes the tree to hit the house, which it didn’t
Thanks, Ellen. Stay safe!
Don needs to rest as you both know. I was hoping for rain but if we got a quarter of an inch that would be an exaggeration. Stay well, counting the days until 11/3/20.
We had torrential rain for hours before the winds came.
Stay safe, Mary.
I see how terribly difficult this new mess has been on you & many others in the NE. I’m so sorry for it. Hopefully, you’ll both get the energy to deal with it & just continue on as best you can. At least you have electricity! Enjoy what you can right now!!
Nov 3 is coming soon….
Yes, we never lost power but there are so many who are still without it.
Stay safe, Priscilla.
Is that stunning purple beast a climatis? It’s gorgeous, whatever it is.
I feel for you with the clean-up. I think most of us have experienced some sort of post-storm nasty clean-up at least once in our lives and it is both exhausting and sometimes heartbreaking. Do take care. It doesn’t have to be done in 24 hours!
No, it’s a hanging plant that I buy every year from the nursery. Can’t remember the name at the moment.
I’ve cleaned up what I can; the rest will have to wait until the trees are trimmed and the downed tree is removed.
Thanks, Jeanie. Stay safe!
Sending love your way and thanks for keeping us posted.I do want to recommend THE HIDDEN LIFE of TREES if you have not already read it. xo
I own two copies, Annette!
Stay safe.
Your porch is such a beautiful summer oasis. A perfect place for you both to just slow down and rest. Know exactly what that “brain fog” is about. There are some days I just can’t get it together and accomplish a thing. Part of it for me comes from laying awake at night and thinking too much.
Now we’re concerned about our youngest son’s SO who was once again exposed to someone at her job testing positive for Covid. She’s back home for another 14-day quarantine. Last time they drove for 45 min. to get her tested (almost 3 weeks later result was negative but meaningless by then). This time they’re just going to wait and see. Just. Shut. Everything Down!
Huge sigh…
Take care and take it easy.
Kay
Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear this.
If everything, everywhere, was shut down for two months, we would beat this.
Stay safe, Kay.
I feel so sad for you both, sending you love as that is all I can do.
Thank you, Fiona.
Stay safe!
Gorgeous purple flower!! You and Don work so hard on that lawn. True devotion. I wish I had words of comfort or wisdom, but I know Lyme takes a toll. I do know friends who have recovered with no lasting effects so it’s not without hope. My husband at 88 just spent an hour in our driveway doing clean up. He’s determined to keep active. Take care!
Oh we know. Don had Lyme years ago and was fine afterward. So was I.
We’re not worried about the future beyond this, but until he finishes the antibiotic and has a week or so more under his belt, he’ll still feel tired.
Kudos to your husband, Nora!
Stay safe.
Gorgeous flowers. Yep. Rest.
Thanks, Kay.
Stay safe.
Thankfully, you were able to find some beauty today amidst the chaos. Your purple flowers photo is exquisite. Take it a day at a time. You and Don both need to make your health your first priority. The last major storm here in Michigan took out several trees and a major transformer. All of the power lines to my home had to be replaced. I was so upset and couldn’t sleep for several nights without power. When the utility company workers finally showed up they told me what a beautiful yard I had. They not only admired my flowers but they took extra care not to damage them. I now have trimmed trees and all new power lines. That was about six weeks ago. God decided to make my flowers grow even more beautiful. Now, I am sitting in my screened porch watching the birds eating bread crumbs and smelling my sweet scented flowers. I know that its very hard not to be upset about the tree and the financial cost but try for Don’s sake as well as your peace of mind. You and Don will be in my prayers.
We’re okay. Both Don and I worry about the cost, but we’re resigned. It must be done.
Thanks,
Stay safe.
Sit down and go to YouTube. Google videos of the Great British Garden Revival Show. There are so many episode to watch for free. These gorgeous shows saved my sanity during my power failure. Luckily, I was able to use my cellular data for viewing.
I’m not really into videos at the moment. It seems to be a time when I’m more likely to immerse myself in a book. I’ve been reading all afternoon. I just finished Melmoth and I’m anxious to start a new one.
Thanks, Nancy.
Right there with you. Except for the trees. We are on the opposite side of the country so we missed that weather. I can’t even watch tv. I keep thinking that they are not social distancing or something. And these are shows made well before the pandemic. Years ago. I think my brain has gone even worse!!
I understand, Jan!
Thank you and stay safe!
We are all on overload. But losing a beautiful tree like that in the middle of all of this nonsense is almost more than one can take. A friend was out walking her little granddaughter in her stroller this morning and texted me. I met her in our driveway and it was so wonderful to chat in person for 20 minutes. We both recognize that our little grandkids are not having “normal” experiences. They don’t go anywhere, and only have 5 or 6 people that they see regularly. She was finally smiling and giggling a bit before they continued on, but was quite serious and not quite sure of who these strange people were. It is all such a cluster.
Experiencing a loss sets us back. I hope some days of peace and rest will restore your souls. It takes time and patience ~ which I know can be a challenge. ♡
It is a challenge, but we’re making ourselves rest. Don is napping as I write this. I did some chores today and then I read for the afternoon and finished my book, which was truly a stunning and powerful read.
We got a quote from the arborist. Much more reasonable than we’d thought it would be. Hopefully, they’ll be here sometime next week.
Thanks, Chris. Stay safe.
I’m going to spare you the cheery assurances I’d like to give. It does suck, especially when you’re worried about Don and money, too.
I always get stronger after a day or so of coming to terms with things. We’re doing much better, but we are resting, for sure.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
I’m sorry for the devastation of your tree. Hold on to your hat…tree trimming is incredibly expensive.
I know you’ve been feeling down lately over lots of things, so sending you a virtual hug. In the meantime, your flowers are gorgeous…are those purple ones in the first photo, clematis?
We know. We had our weeping willow taken down years ago, remember?
But we have heard from the arborist and the quote – though a lot of money to us – is much less than we feared it would be and it involves not only the removal of the tree but taking down a couple of dead ash trees and pruning others. A full day’s work – what they can get to, they’ll do.
No it’s not clematis. It’s the same hanging plant that I buy every year – I buy three of them for the part of the porch that faces the street. I’m sorry but I can’t remember the name at the moment. I’ll have to look it up.
Thanks, Melanie!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, just want to wish you and Don a beautiful day tomorrow!
Take care…
Kelly
Thank you so much, Kelly!
Stay safe.
Claudia, when you have this amount of yard cleanup, what do you DO with all those trimmings and debris? Where I am, we have City pickup with our regular weekly yardwaste bins and of course we can order a larger one for large projects. But I know you’re out in the country and you can’t just be stacking all that ‘stuff’ in the North 40, true?
We have a pile over by the woods. The branches provide a home for critters. But the tree and the clean-up of all of that will be done by the tree guys. They’ll feed everything into a chipper.
xo
Just thinking of you as you deal with the aftermath of Lyme and the storm. I’m glad that the quote was less than you feared. May that be the first of good news, for a change!
Thank you, Roxie!
Stay safe.
missed yesterday here … work, went home and slept for ten hours.
sorry you and don have so much to deal with. glad the estimate from the arborist is not as much as you expected. will you have them turn part of your beautiful and beloved maple’s trunk or branches into stools/tables for your secret garden or porch?
hope today is much easier and brighter for you both and that don continues to mend, you both take it easy.
keeping you in prayers.
kathy in iowa
We’ve thought of it, but maple is very heavy and frankly, we don’t have the funds to have something made at this point.
Thanks, Kathy.
Rest up and stay safe.
could a big-ish section be cut and saved for making into a little table/stool some other time? or cut and used as is right now? in case you want a keepsake of your beautiful maple tree …
sweeter dreams ahead!
kathy in iowa