Oooh! Little buds and some flowers on one of the crabapple trees here on the property. This one is right next to the catalpa. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see these bits of white from the den window yesterday. And that’s all I did until this morning as yesterday was full of rain, thunderstorms, and very high winds. It got very cold (and will continue to be for a few days) and my sinuses are currently screaming. But I ran outside this morning (still rather windy, but not as much) and took a picture for you. On our drive to the storage facility the other day, I saw lots of trees in bloom, especially one of my favorites, a big, gorgeous magnolia that has the most beautiful shape. Spring is here, though it doesn’t feel like it today.
We had another sad day yesterday. Don found out that one of his friends had been killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. Don was already quite heartbroken over the death of John Prine, and the news of his friend’s death was too much. Send some thoughts of solace and comfort Don’s way. This strange time has already taken us to a new normal, and the losses associated with it, including the death of my friend and colleague, Terrence McNally, are overwhelming. Somehow, you get to thinking that everything, every loss, has to do with COVID-19, but then you realize that life goes on and dear friends can be taken from us in other ways, as well.
These are unsettling times, when every trip to a market seems like something in wartime; every fellow shopper a potential threat to our health, people moving away immediately when they see you coming, bringing home some produce and other supplies and then the necessary disinfecting and washing. That’s how Don felt yesterday when he went to our very safe (relatively) local farm/nursery. He wore a mask that I found in my dollhouse supplies – a much coveted N95 mask – and wore rubber gloves. Necessary, but truly, truly surreal.
On to something cheerier, egg cups:
Top Row:
- A gentleman, part of a pair, though I have only the one. The egg/head comes out of the egg cup and functions as a salter. If I had the pair, the other egg/head would provide pepper. This is one of my favorites. It’s quite tall, so it didn’t make the cut for the egg cup cubby.
- A red transferware egg cup.
Second Row:
- A cherub/clown standing next to an egg cup.
- A beautiful goose that I found locally. It comes from France.
- Humpty Dumpty, made by Mansell in England. That egg is from Prague.
Third Row:
- Two wooden egg cups, a man and a woman. The eggs are salt and pepper shakers. This was a gift from a reader.
- A glass egg cup in white/orange. I found it about a year ago.
- Nothing to do with egg cups, but a teeny tiny little duck family that I adore.
I found the shelf in a little antique shop right after I began collecting egg cups. It’s so charming.
I’m reading The Lost Pianos of Siberia, a fascinating book by Sophy Roberts. I ordered it through Book Depository because it hasn’t been published in the States yet. Here’s a brief description:
Siberia’s story is traditionally one of exiles, penal colonies and unmarked graves. Yet there is another tale to tell.
Dotted throughout this remote land are pianos – both grand instruments created during the boom years of the nineteenth century, and humble, Soviet-made uprights that found their way into modest homes. They tell the story of how, ever since entering Russian culture under the influence of Catherine the Great, piano music has run through the country like blood.
How these pianos travelled into this snow-bound wilderness in the first place is testament to noble acts of fortitude by governors, adventurers, and exiles. That stately instruments might still exist in such a hostile landscape is remarkable. That they are still capable of making music in far-flung villages is nothing less than a miracle.
But this is Siberia, where people can endure the worst of the world – and where music reveals a deep humanity in the last place on earth you would expect to find it.
I’m riveted. It’s a beautifully written chronicle of the history of Russia, Siberia, and the search – by the author – for a piano for a brilliant Mongolian musician.
Happy Friday.
So sorry to hear about Don’s friend. It’s tough to process yet another loss during this time when grief is all around us.
Thank you.
Please tell Don that I am sorry for the loss of his friend. A tragedy like this is always difficult to deal with but during these upside down times even more so. My thoughts and prayers are with you both today. Take care..
I will pass your message on. Thank you Janet.
Don, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and the loss of John Prine . John Prine’s words were mighty and powerful. Wishing you the best.
Claudia, the book you have been reading reminded me of a book I read several years ago “Madonnas of Leningrad.” I do not remember the authors name.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you Kaye.
Condolences to Don on the loss of a friend. I’m so sorry.
Thank you, Cara.
Grief and sadness seems to abound. So sorry for Don and for you, too. I hope you both will be able to find some peace in the day.
The high winds have stopped here, but it is still quite cold outside. We have a chance of snow on Sunday into Monday. Hopefully it will stay farther north of us, but we all know what even 40 or 50 mile deviations can do to the forecasts.
The book sounds wonderful. Hope you let us know your thoughts as you finish it. I think it is a book my husband would really enjoy. Stay safe, kiddo, and stay home, everyone!!!!
It’s even worse – wind, I mean – here today. Unbelievable! I want it to stop!
Thanks, Chris.
Don…I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. There has been so much loss lately…I, too, hope you find some peace.
That really sounds like an interesting book to read. Think I’ll add it to my list.
There has been a robin, who has been attacking our living room windows since about 9 this morning. When I googled that behavior, I found out it is probably a male who’s seeing his own reflection, and is thinking it is a ‘rival’. He is merely defending his territory. However…he is slowly driving the 3 residents of this home nuts….not to mention our cat!
So, on that note….I wish you all a good day. Stay safe…and may you both find some peace. ;)
Could you temporarily tape some cardboard up on the window? Maybe that would help?
Thanks, Donna.
I closed the blinds and the drapes…unless I taped cardboard on the outside…but it’s five windows…up a story and a half. It’s bizarre. And it’s 2:20 here…and he’s still at it! Don’t think there’s enough cardboard! ;)
Oh that poor boy! It must be exhausting!
hi, donnamae.
we had a robin doing the same thing on a big floor-to-ceiling plate-glass window at work … he’d stand on the sidewalk, tap and fuss and fight at his reflection. i taped some darker-colored paper along the inside of the window at his level and that was enough for him to stop. which was good for him (and me, too … i know robins are territorial and can be aggressive, but it made me sad to see it happen and i didn’t want him to get hurt).
anyway, just want to echo claudia’s suggestion to put some cardboard or paper inside your window (especially if you want to keep the curtains open).
hope it helps the robin and you!
stay safe and well!
kathy in iowa
Please tell Don how very sad I am at the death of his friend. May memories of times together bring healing to your broken heart.
I will, Jan. Thank you.
Please tell Don that I am sorry to hear of the untimely loss of his dear friend. Ask him to focus on the good times they spent together.
Weather here is unseasonably warm, well in the sixties which is good for April, I’m making the most of it as it’s supposed to be a lot colder next week. I’ve dead headed the hydrangeas, pulled up a monster fennel plant which appeared from nowhere last summer. There’s a smaller one growing in its place.
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to you, Dee Dee! Thank you.
Please convey to Don my deepest sympathies for the loss of his friend. We are and will be dealing with great collective grief in these coming months. This isn’t a country that grieves well on a good day; I worry about the overload that is anticipated. It takes the wind out of sails, doesn’t it, news of another loss.
Weather has turned cold but not so windy as yesterday, which included rain, sleet, snow and hail along with patches of sun. We hold our breaths and wait.
The eggs are darling. What a handsome “gentleman!” I’ve enjoyed seeing all these and of course the bloom is life affirming. Thank you, Claudia.
It does take the wind our of our sails.
This wind has been going on for over 24 hours. I’m over it.
Thank you Jeanie. Take care.
My sympathies to Don. Losing a friend is always a difficult thing, but during this nightmarish time it must be doubly hard.
Your book sounds fascinating and for sure something I need to put on my reading list. After I commented yesterday about how gorgeous our weather was, the sun disappeared and we had several periods of hard-blowing snow squalls throughout the day. More snow is forecast for next week. Not surprising. April is a weird month in WI.
Take care of each other.
Kay
Crazy weather here, as well. Much colder, over 24 hours of strong winds, sinus congestion, and we really feel trapped inside today.
Stay safe, Kay.
Those little buds are so pretty! My spring allergies are bad first thing in the morning. I wake up quite congested. As the day goes on, I clear out. We had those high winds yesterday ~ sounded like a freight train coming through at times. Today the sun is peeking out between the clouds, but it’s only high of 47 degrees.
I am so sorry to hear about Don’s friend. Please let him know that I will be sending prayers of comfort his way.
xoxo
The high winds and the sudden temp change really makes me feel unwell. I felt pretty awful today but I know I’ll feel better tomorrow. The winds have just started to die down.
Thank you, Melanie. Stay safe!
So sorry Don…prayers
My best friend in life lost her husband almost two weeks ago,,54 years and my grands lost their paternal granddad a month ago. Sad times go on…not easy…
I’m so sorry. These losses are heartbreaking. Stay safe, Brenda.
Sorry for Don’s loss.The winds here are awful. Received an Easter card from our cousin yesterday. She said her daughter and son-in-law both have the virus. Fortunately,they are getting better. Your egg cups are lovely.
Marilyn
I’m glad they’re getting better, Marilyn! Stay safe.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 20(!!) times that I am ALWAYS learning new things on your blog, Claudia. Thank you! What a story about the Siberian pianos; who knew? I’m actually going to talk to my husband about this book because he has a bit (tiny bit) of Russian ancestry in the ‘ol family tree and he studied Russian history in college for awhile, so he has an interest in the Russia of a hundred-more years ago. (It’s all very Dr. Zhivago-esque to me when he talks about some of it!)
We’re actually coming out of a rainy period (much welcomed) in SoCalif and it was quite muggy today although a lot of cloud play, and the late-afternoon sun on the near mountains is just gorgeous; as, despite recent wildfire, they are awash in spring greens. I like to think of the wildlife who survived the fires, that they now have hopefully safe little pools of rainwater which they can drink when they’ve been so thirsty in the fire-scarred landscape; how they have new green shoots of wildflowers and grasses from which to feed.
I can’t believe we spoke this long on the phone today, but I had a 3-hr phone call with a friend I haven’t seen since January although she’s only 20 miles from me; have known each other since 1975 and we also at one time even worked for the same employer. Gosh was it good to talk and exchange perspectives of how we’re living, thinking, doing in this dreadful epidemic. Did me a world of good to talk to her as she’s a quite-practical, logical kind of person (was a career-long CPA) who can settle me down.
Claudia, I’m so glad you can feel renewed with signs of Spring. Isn’t it a tonic so needed for any of us right now; and, oh, to think of Easter Sunday and of other times when we’ve gathered, this year so different, but we’ll all make do.
And yes, of course, warmest healing comforting empathetic thoughts for dear Don, and I’m sorry you two have had to experience loss in such a short space of time.
I hope you’re having a good dinner right now, maybe with some fresh greens from your garden center; settle into a reassuring routine this evening with an absorbingly-pleasant show or movie on television. Have a good sleep and awake to more Spring Beauty on Saturday.
Claudia. Something very noticeable to me in a good way. Now, on the TV news shows where so many anchors and commentators/guests (also the medical experts) report in from ‘home’ … have you noticed that no matter where they seem to be (in like which room of their home, be it a game room or home office or family room or whatever; even a kitchen in the background), how almost all have a wall of bookshelves behind them as they speak … full of an assortment of ‘real’ hardcover and softcover books?? The ‘home library’ is alive and well! I even saw a piece where the semi-retired Diane Sawyer ‘called in’ and it looked like a big living room (who knows) but shelves and shelves and SHELVES of books behind her.
I can remember over the years when I’ve gotten such ‘crap’ from people I know, about how I buy books and waste a tree (even though many of my books are recycled; I’ve gotten them secondhand). About how glorious is a ‘Kindle’ and it’s the only way to go. Shelter mags which give the opinion that books are ‘clutter’ when it comes to interior design. To where as we ‘finish’ our living room with our modest home improvements (can’t really call it any kind of professional remodeling; just trying to freshen and update when we can afford it, although it seems we can never get done), I’ve reconsidered having books in my living room; that I should maybe put them elsewhere; maybe they’re too ‘busy’ and give the eye too much to have to settle upon. But, since I have no family room, there’s really no other place unless I relegate them to shelves in a dark hallway; which seems sterile, joyless, bleak & crowded and what they don’t deserve.
So, pooh on all of that! I’m gonna go ahead with my original idea to have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on either side of my non-operational fireplace. Doesn’t seem like I’ll be going against any norms by doing so, now that I’ve lately seen all these people on TV having books in their midst as they do their ‘reporting from home’ in the epidemic. Love my books(!!), even though my husband has grumbled plenty of having had to move them from house to house (although, truly, I’ve given away so many with donations over many years, to the library, to the Boys & Girls Club, to Goodwill, to the women’s shelter; even to Hospice).
Just glad to see that ‘out there’ in the world during this global pandemic and the various televised reporting, when we get these new glimpses of how other people live in their homes (even the ‘celebs’) when we’d normally see them in an an entirely diff setting, that other people love their books, too. Books as backdrop, why not. There is just something so satisfying about taking a book off a shelf, plopping down in a comfy chair with a good lamp or window over your shoulder, and sinking into an old familiar favorite or diving into a new story; it’s the best kind of preoccupation.
I’ve always thought that the best decorations in any room in any home are books. Many is the time that I had very little furniture, but I had books, and those books added a warmth and beauty to my lodgings. An empty space became a home. Those who scoff at books or tout the Kindle are missing something quite beautiful: the look of a book, the feel of the spine and the pages, the dust cover art, the words on the page. I’ve got a Kindle. I have a Nook. And though I certainly understand that some people prefer them, I don’t. I look at the computer screen enough during the day with this blog, etc. When I read a book, I want it to be a REAL book. So yes, I love that you’re seeing that out there. Walls of books, shelves of books, pride of ownership. It’s a wonderful thing.
Beautifully said. I’m sad to say that I know a few people without one book in their home and it always seems, to me, that something is missing. Maybe it’s because books seem ‘personal’. And their homes then feel impersonal. Like a furniture showroom; no real soul for as nice (generic) as it may look.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune on books. I haven’t been to them for a long time, and of course they wouldn’t be having the sales now due to distancing, but our Friends of The Library has I think monthly “Visit the Stacks” where you can purchase books so nominally, often in excellent condition, having only been read once. A younger person can build a home library ‘on a dime’ very quickly, as can a parent for a child or a ‘senior’ who’s on a fixed-income budget. We’d had a coffee/smoothie hole in our town…oh wow do I miss it…where the proprietor decorated the walls with tons of books, all for sale as low as fifty cents or a buck; just pull one off the shelf and have a ‘read’ while nursing a delish cup of joe. Was so cozy; I loved the friendly, welcoming atmosphere; I’d patronize the place two or three times a week.
Don’t get me started on people who shelve their books with the spine to the back so everybook is the same neutral color!
Our library constantly has books on sale. I’ve donated many of my books to them. Such a great deal for those on a budget.
You’re so right, Vicki. Spring is just the tonic. Renewed life, green things growing – it gives me hope.
Thank you so much! Stay safe.
hi, claudia.
will you please share my condolences with don for the loss of his friend? thank you. i hope don can feel comfort through memories of happy times they spent together. already prayed for don and his friend’s family. will continue.
condolences and the same wish to you, too, on the loss of your colleague and friend. more prayers …
when i think about what’s going on … all the fear and loss and changes and disinfecting and exhaustion … i hope everyone around the world has (along with food, shelter, good sleep and other necessities) safe, healthy ways to relieve stress and get their tears, anger and fear out. someone to talk with and reasons for hope. can’t know when, but i do know things will get better. in the meantime and always, hope you all are safe, well and have what you need.
kathy in iowa
I will pass on your condolences, Kathy. Don cried quite a bit on Thursday and it really helped. We have to release our feelings in whatever way seems best.
Stay safe, Kathy.
The wonderful world of Easter has many blessings.
Thank you!
We accumulate losses as we age and each one hits harder and harder as we become less and less resilient. Whatever the cause, it hurts. During the AIDS epidemic, a friend and I stayed at a beautiful guest house in Provincetown, MA. There was a piano in the common room, we were the only guests, and there was sheet music! I asked if I could play, and the owner, a very sweet man, said yes. I enjoyed about an hour or so of playing and afterwards the dear man came out of the kitchen with tears in his eyes, saying the piano hadn’t been played since his partner died…I was touched at hearing about another AIDS loss, but then the man said his partner had had skin cancer. Safe from AIDS but gets skin cancer. Can you imagine? I know you can. It was disorienting, perhaps like losing Don’s friend to a motorcycle accident in the midst of a pandemic. Thank god there are spring blossoms and pianos in between losses. Stay safe!
I agree. In the midst of loss, thank goodness there is Spring, pianos, and books! Thank you, Nora. Your story was very touching.
Stay safe.