Right next to the catalpa.
What did I say to Don this morning?
“It’s Spring. And I’m fully vaccinated.”
Those six words say it all. Very, very grateful.
We had heavy rain yesterday, so the ground is saturated. I’ll probably wait until tomorrow to do anything outside. I’m anxious to visit our nursery/farm stand as it’s been two weeks since I purchased the pansies and I know they’ll have more stock. It’s time to clear the rest of the garden beds, buy another hollyhock, and plants for the Secret Garden pots and the pots on the porch and Funky Patio. Time to move the Adirondack chairs back onto the porch and dig those cushions out of the closet under the stairs. And, in about two weeks, time to sow seeds.
Wednesday’s book haul:
Uprooted is by Paige Dickey, well known gardening columnist, and it’s all about having to move and start a new garden.
The Paris Library takes place during WWII and the Occupation of France and centers on The American Library.
The Rural Diaries is by Hilarie Burton Morgan. She and her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, are actors who relocated to Rhinebeck from the West Coast, bought some land and started a farm. They are very active in the Rhinebeck community. This book came out during lockdown and, at least for a while, a percentage of the proceeds was going to support Oblong Books. I’ve been wanting to read it for a long time and just started it this morning.
The Glass Hotel is Emily St. John Mandel’s second book. I absolutely loved her first, Station Eleven.
Maigret and the Informer – another Georges Simenon because I love Maigret. I’d love to have a full set someday.
And here’s the puzzle:
Delicious colors, don’t you think?
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Eileen+Bunn says
We heard Emily St. John Mandel speak at our local library when Station Eleven came out. I enjoyed the book and will read her next. It is rather surreal to think you are protected against what you have been avoiding for so long. It’s hard to get your head around the fact that a small prick in your arm can give you your life back. I am just so thankful.
Eileen
Claudia says
I am, too, Eileen.
I love Emily St. John Mandel. How lucky you are to have heard her speak!
Much love to you, Eileen.
Stay safe.
Shanna says
That puzzle! Beautiful. And thanks for all of your reading recommendations. I seem to like most of the things that you do. Reading a John Connolly right now. Wearing out my online library card!
Sounds like you had a fun day getting out a bit. This isolation has been strange, but it seems to have only fed my desire to be solitary to a fault. It’s very comfortable for me to be a hermit. I sort of have my anxieties on alert for the coming summer and house-selling at the lake. Of course, we have to get through two more chemo sessions before that. One step at a time.
Claudia says
I am also a hermit. The change here has been much bigger for Don than for me. Hope that the chemo is over soon, Shanna, and that you and Fred can enjoy your last summer at the lake. Sending you love and peace.
xo
Claudia
Marilyn Schmuker says
I just finished reading The Rural Diaries. I think you will enjoy it. I have wanted to visit Rhinebeck for a few years. Mainly, to go to the Sheep and Wool Festival. Now I want to visit the bookstore there too. It will have to wait. I have no desire to go to any crowded festivals right now.
That looks like a happy, fun puzzle…perfect for spring.
Stay safe
Claudia says
I’ve been to the Sheep and Wool Festival a few times. My sister and I used to go together. I no longer knit or crochet, so, unless Mere comes up to visit, I most likely wouldn’t go. It’s always in October. I haven’t heard whether it’s on for this year or not.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Connie says
That puzzle is beautiful! I like gallison puzzles. I’ve read station eleven and like it, I’ll have to get the new book. Tell us how you like all of your new books.
We are getting a mix of rain and snow here in south central Massachusetts today. Bring on the spring!
Claudia says
My friends in CT had some snow this morning! It’s crazy, but that’s the Northeast for you.
Stay safe, Connie.
jeanie says
What a fabulous puzzle. Tougher, I think, than it looks on quick glance because one is so blown away by the colors and graphics. It looks like a very good book haul — I think that will keep you busy for two or three weeks at least!
Claudia says
Most likely longer because I work on the puzzle, work outside, work on the dollhouse and clean, so there’s not as much time to read!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
jan says
my husband is binging Maigret ebooks. And now I will be binging on some of them myself. Good reading and good shows if you have them on PBS. We prefer the ones with Michael Gambon, but both his and Rowan Atkinson’s are good. Unfortunately, our library doesn’t have them all.
Claudia says
I always prefer Michael Gambon – in anything. But I most likely wouldn’t watch either series until I’ve read them all. I had a chance to watch a French version of the Maigret series and I didn’t – just because I want it all in my imagination first! Enjoy the books, Jan!
Stay safe.
Janet+Jensen says
Love the puzzle. Might be tricky with the same color palette. We got vaccines on the same time frame. Yesterday I got to hug my 7 year old Granddaughter in over a year. Just saying that brings tears to my eyes. We sat together and I read her stories. It was wonderful ❤️
Claudia says
So, so happy to hear you saw and hugged your granddaughter yesterday! How glorious! So happy for you, Janet.
Stay safe!
Vicki says
This is some wonderful stuff you got on your day out!
Claudia says
Thanks, Vicki!
Stay safe.
Chris K in WI says
Great haul, Claudia!! Fun times ahead…. take care.
Claudia says
You, too, Chris.
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
Nice variety of books…love that puzzle! Stay safe! ;)
Claudia says
Thank you, Donna!
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
mystery solved! :)
that puzzle looks fun and what a perfect way you described the colors … they are delicious!
that sounds like an interesting mix of books. adding a couple to my list. will skip the gardening one (no offense to anyone … just not one of my things … mostly because as an adult, i’ve never had a good place to garden), but the mystery and rural diaries sound fun.
i think it’s a mix of curiosity, the enjoyment of reading and all that books imply (entertainment, knowledge, having time and a place to read …) that makes me smile seeing other people’s stacks of books. thanks for sharing.
glad you can get to another happy place for more plants … but i don’t envy you having to move all the egg cups and that cutie cupboard to access things in storage under the stairs. good luck with that!
long day yesterday with work, physical therapy and two doctor appointments. news from one of them … the L5 vertabre fracture is not fully healed, but because i’ve started physical therapy and the L5 is so low the brace doesn’t affect it much (plus it’s been 22 weeks so it’s about as good as it will get), my doctor said i can try using a stretchy support instead of that big bulky back brace. glad about that!
hope you have a nice weekend ahead!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Moving the cupboard is easy, but it’s easier doing it with two people. We’re doing that today.
So glad you can stop using that back brace, Kathy! Good news!
Stay safe.