Monty looks bewildered by the jungle currently surrounding him.
Just spent about 30 minutes trying to figure out why I couldn’t load this photo. The message I kept getting apparently involves an issue with permissions. Don’t bother trying to understand it, I don’t either. Anyway, as I tried and tried to use an application that would let me check that, I had just about decided to give up. I closed the application, then decided I would try once more to upload the photo and it worked. Sometimes, it’s just better to wait and see if the issue corrects itself.
It’s sunny here today, but the temps will only be in the fifties. By Thursday, we’ll be in the seventies, which is where we should be at this time of year. This spring has now become the strangest spring I’ve ever witnessed. Two more days of this low-thirties-at-night nonsense.
I finished Love in a Cold Climate this morning. I loved it. It takes me a while to get into Mitford’s novels, but once I’m in, I’m hooked. Now for the next volume in the trilogy – Don’t Tell Alfred. Then I think I’ll move on to Robertson Davies.
Some outside chores are on the docket for the day, but first, I’ll move all the plants back out on the porch. They’ll come in again tonight and tomorrow night, then…back to normal.
That’s really all I have to share today. (I slept better last night, by the way.) Work on the puzzle is slow but the challenge is right up my alley, so onward!
Happy Tuesday.
I’m busy sewing masks for family members, Claudia. I’m also knitting an Aran cardigan and getting miscellaneous projects done, like cataloging the latest pile of stamp acquisitions by my daughter. I’m trying not to worry about all the reopening talk and action. Even though China is a bit ahead of us on the coronavirus timeline, I was appalled at Shanghai Disney reopening, the fact that masks don’t seem to be a requirement there, and how social distancing isn’t being followed all the time. It’s like a microcosm of what other public gatherings will look like. I, for one, will continue to shelter seriously and safely. I hope stable good weather happens for you soon. We have a bit of rain this week but temps are in the low to mid 60’s. Actually quite pleasant.
Opening up any theme park seems wildly risky…
Stay safe, Wendy!
glad warmer weather is on the way for you and your plants! and that you have the puzzle to work on and books to read.
claudia, thanks for all your time and efforts on your blog (including when photos don’t want to upload) and for all you share. it’s a very nice place to gather with very nice people.
between chores and hobbies, there’s lots to do here, but i am making another slow start at home today … but i have a plan. does that count? :)
saw online that the white house just listed des moines as a growing hot spot for the virus. our governor is now in only a “partial quarantine” after an “indirect” exposure at the white house last week (of course she wasn’t wearing a mask) …. while certain restrictions are still in place here, there are basically none for most counties in iowa, just the governor’s “asking iowans to do the right thing … wear a mask when you go out, stay home if you’re sick … “. last friday afternoon there were twelve people congregating in the lobby of my employer … twelve! that is definitely not “the right thing”! ugh.
on a happier note, there are more episodes of “portrait artist of the year” for me to watch online! as someone who paints and loves art, i find this british tv show very interesting … it’s an art competition where professional and amateur artists must paint/draw a portrait in four hours, competing for a huge commissioned painting and some money. it’s a reality show, but everyone has been supportive of each other and there’s no scheming, drunkenness, smarminess ….
best i get going on to something.
hope you are all having an easier day and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
That’s the way all British reality shows seem to be – at least the ones I’ve seen – polite, supportive and kind. But then look at who the host of The Apprentice was…
Stay safe, Kathy!
good point, claudia. i am happy that i never wasted time watching “the apprentice”. unfortunately i’ve seen too much of his other “show” … the ones he calls “press conferences”.
hope you have a nice night and stay safe! i’m going to search for more of “portrait artist of the year”.
kathy in iowa
Enjoy, Kathy.
Oh my…Monty does look bewildered. Only two more nights of this? I hope so. We had a frost warning…but, I threw caution to the wind and did not cover up my hostas. Thankfully they look fine.
Tomorrow or Thursday I plan to venture out to my first nursery…senior hours. I’ll have my list ready, and hope for the best. The evening temps starting Thursday will be in the 50’s, and by next week…80 if you can believe that. What a crazy spring!
Enjoy your book, your puzzle, and whatever else is on your day’s agenda. I’m going to putz my day away…and prepare my plant shopping list. Stay safe! ;)
I just worked outdoors for three hours (so did Don) and now we’re inside ready to grab some lunch. Stay safe, Donna.
It’s been raining today and feels cold, around 40F but we have had some unseasonably warm days lately.
Speaking of Monty, it was announced yesterday that one of Monty Don’s lovely dogs, Nigel has died peacefully. Monty said “He is now in the garden and of the garden” which I thought was a wonderful tribute. On a cheerier note, Monty was still asking for people to send a short phone video of their gardens to Gardeners’ World and said they’ve had contributions from all over the world and showed a clip from a young man in the States (I think he was from North Carolina).
Monty asked for the clips to be landscape as it shows the garden much better.
I thought of you and your garden immediately!
Happy Tuesday
Yes, I saw his announcement yesterday morning on Instagram. And I watched that episode yesterday afternoon – I wasn’t impressed with the North Carolina garden… But it was especially poignant seeing Nigel in his last episode. So sad. Stay safe, Dee Dee.
Oh, Monty. We are all a bit bewildered right now by so very many things! So know that we feel and appreciate your angst as you sit with those pretty flowers. Things have to get better. Right??
I have been watching the Hearings this morning for a bit. Listening to Rand Paul was painful. The 5 minutes seemed like 5 hours. I think I can only take about 20 mins of this at a time without losing my mind or hatching a stroke.
I think we may finally be past the freezing/ frosting night time temps now. Hallelujah!!
Rand Paul is truly an ass. He seems to like running off to Russia and catering to Putin more than actually serving his constituents.
Lucky you! We have two more nights of this stuff and then we’ll be done. Stay safe, Chris.
You’ll have to add Nancy’s “The Pursuit of Love” to your list while on a Mitford trend. It’s just as delightful. And find Debo’s book “Wait for Me!” Those girls knew how to write. I recently read a book about Wallis and Edward by Pamela Mitford too. It was clearly one-sided, no great revelations there, but pretty interesting.
We’re warming up here. I just finished watching the Fauci (and others) testimony and soon will be out for a walk. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Hopefully I can leave the seedlings out tonight. Life is good.
Oh, I read that first! I’m reading them in order.
Enjoy your walk, Jeanie. Stay safe.
Glad you got a better sleep in!
Thanks Vicki. Stay safe!
My scientific solution to technical problems is to turn the thing off and turn it back on again. Mostly works.
I was just looking out the front windows at our quiet street and thinking we’ll really know spring (and warmer weather) is here when the kids are still all outside playing this time of day. And I’m still outside on the porch of the back patio. I’m starting to dream about social distancing lately and that is profoundly depressing.
Stay warm.
Kay
Yep. Good advice!
I’m dreaming about puzzle pieces!
Stay safe, Kay.
Monty may be bewildered but he looks like the king of the forest! XO. And just for fun, who breaks a tooth in the middle of a pandemic? Honestly, between vet visits, chasing elusive cat pee around upstairs, and now dental visits, this pandemic has not been the relaxing staycation I imagined (as a privilege white woman). I’m so grateful for my dentist who, with his assistant, showed up within hours of my first call, checked me out, and referred me to an oral surgeon for the extraction, which will happen in a few hours today. Can you imagine? I’m amazed at what medical people are willing to do to help their patients. Not only are the personnel at hospitals and nursing homes brave and caring, but there are heroes in all fields of medicine to be applauded as well. The medical experts want to help, if only we had health care for all, they would be glad to do their work. My advice for everyone is stay away from granola for a while if you have old teeth. Or in my case, I blush to admit, stay away from Cap’n Crunch. LOL
I’ve lost part of a tooth from a Hershey’s chocolate bar! Stay safe, Nora.
hi, nora in ct.
sorry you’ve had those additional troubles. i hope the dental procedure went well, that you are recuperated, safe and have all you need.
i laughed about your cap’n crunch comment because to me, cereal is dinner at least once or twice a week. :) fruit loops would be my first choice, especially during this weird and scary time, but i’ve made myself get grape nuts instead and just add a bunch of raisins (and soy milk) to satisfy my cravings for something sweet. :)
happy, safe wednesday and every day to you and your loved ones.
kathy in iowa