A short post today as I’m really tired. I didn’t sleep very much, so I’m not at my most articulate, nor am I able concentrate for any length of time. (I guess we’re all having trouble sleeping during this time.)
This is a little bird house/trailer that a friend of Don’s gave him a couple of years ago. The other day, Don had the idea of sticking it on a little ledge on the maple tree – a ledge formed by the loss of a massive branch several years ago. So we hauled out the ladder and Don carefully placed it in the niche. Whether birds will use it this year or not remains a mystery, of course. But we like it there – it’s a little piece of garden art that we can see from the living room.
I like that splash of red.
I watched three episodes of Gardener’s World yesterday afternoon – episodes from last year that I never got to. So calming. Truly. I’m going to watch more today. I’m itching to get out there, but it’s going to rain today. Soon – probably by Monday.
We also watched a great old movie last night – Séance on a Wet Afternoon. It starred Richard Attenborough and the late, great Kim Stanley. She has always been talked about in reverential tones – a graduate of the Actors Studio, she was in the original Broadway productions of Bus Stop and Picnic, she was nominated for Tony Awards and the Oscar. She was the voice of the adult Scout, the narrator, in the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird. At her memorial service in 2001, Estelle Parsons called her ‘the greatest actress of this century.’ She was a theater legend. Well, Don and I had never seen this movie, though I’ve always known about it. Her performance was stunning. We couldn’t take our eyes off her. Mesmerizing, brutally honest and real. I can only marvel at how powerful she must have been live on stage.
Wow.
So, life goes on. We’re hanging in there. I’m taking it easy today and praying I can get a nap in there somewhere.
Happy Friday.
I didn’t fall asleep until about midnight last night and then was up several times during the night. I don’t usually nap during the day, but I’m hoping to at least take a little rest on the couch this afternoon with my book.
I love that red trailer birdhouse up in the tree. Looks like it was made to fit right in that space.
I’m doing laundry right now and I think I’ll make a batch of muffins. I have a craving for them!
Wishing you a peaceful day – and hope you get a nap in!
Let’s cross our fingers for naps this afternoon. Enjoy your muffins, Melanie. Stay safe.
You might try anxiety relieving guided meditations – so many available on Youtube. I like the ones produced by the Honest Guys, a really soothing voice that relaxes and centers you.
Well, this lack of sleep was caused by coughing – I have some sinus stuff going on, then getting too warm, plus drinking too much water before going to bed and then having to go to the bathroom three times during the night! Ah, well.
Thanks so much, Anne. Stay safe.
HI,
I think the little trailer in the tree would make a great painting.
Wishing you and Don the best and take care.
Kaye
It is lovely, isn’t it? Thanks so much Kaye. Stay safe!
I’ve been spending time reading old children’s books. Very calming.
I imagine it is! Good idea. Stay safe!
I love your garden art Claudia
When everything went wrong for me in Sydney, and it was clear that my husband and I were no more, I found myself at a free showing of Seance at one of the beautiful galleries . It was wonderful being able to escape for a moment from my disintegrating life, and that movie provided that space for me
Hopefully you will be able to enjoy a little gardening time with Monty et al, and then sleep
Hope everyone is staying safe
Siobhan
Siobhan, you’ve mentioned hard times in past posts, but I never knew until now that you and Tony had separated. I thought you were in Australia and then I realized you were in England. Now it all makes sense. I am so sorry, Siobhan. Ending a marriage is heartbreaking. I hope you have found solace and comfort with those you love back in England. Sending you a big hug. Stay safe.
Just love the little red trailer! Hope it attracts a little bird family, too.
I do, too. Stay safe, Shanna!
I love your little trailer in the tree. It is a great place to put it and makes a lovely picture. Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome! Take care, Jane.
I love the sense of humor that makes one put a toy trailer in a tree…that’s brilliant! Hope you get your nap in this afternoon. I might take one just because. Take care! ;)
I hope I can, but usually, when I REALLY want one, it doesn’t happen. But it does occur when I’m trying to stay away for something important. Go figure. Take care, Donnamae!
I can top all of you! I sat in my chair to (try to) read about 90 mins ago and I DID fall asleep!! Before noon! I watched a few Frasier episodes last night quite late, and woke up too early this morning. I just find it so hard to concentrate.
It is a cloudy day today. But, it is supposed to be a sunny weekend which will be lovely. Might have to go for a drive at some point. I have a feeling another nap might occur whether I plan it this aft or not. Take care everyone!!
Grab those naps when you can, Chris. You are now our Champion Napper!
Hopefully the weekend will be better than today here, as well. Stay safe!
That camper is so cute! I find I spend lots of time gazing out the window, no matter where I am in the house. Longing for the weather to turn warmer. And drier. At least there’s birdsong now. The more I hear about summer things cancelled or postponed around here (Dem Convention, Summerfest, all the arts exhibits/sales) the happier I am that we at least have our ourdoor oasis at the back of the house. I can’t wait to get the patio furniture out and sit in the gentle breezes.
Not finding I’m able to enjoy watching much tv. There are plenty of series I’ve been wanting to see, but just no interest right now. I find my moments of zen by knitting. Just the quiet movement of the yarn through my fingers brings a relaxation I can’t find any other way.
We’re about to embark on the world of online grocery ordering ourselves. I realize I have to plan way ahead just to get a spot and that’s hard for me to do. I’m one of those run out to the store the day I decide what I want to make for dinner types.
My poor nephew has been waiting ever since March 13 (when he returned from a business trip to Europe) for the results of his Covid 19 test. First it was going to take a week. Then they lost the results. Then they told him they sent the results to Illinois (He was in self-quarantine just over the border in WI where he took the test. Had recently been in this area staying with my brother and his wife in Northern Ill). Finally, this week told he tested positive. Not a surprise since he’d developed symptoms. Nothing left but his cough now, so he’ll stay in quarantine another 6 days at least to make it 25 days in total. Andy wasn’t even told at the airport to do this. He had no symptoms but went into quarantine out of caution for his parents. This whole testing thing is a complete crap show. How inexcusable that this country is so ill prepared for this.
Stay safe.
Kay
I’m so ready to get out the porch and patio furniture, Kay.
You’re so right – this testing is a sham. I have a former student whose husband was very, very ill, scarily ill, and it took at least 14 or more days to get his test results. It’s shameful. Turns out he was positive. But there is no excuse for it taking that long. I agree with you!
Take care, Kay.
Oh, Kay. I’m so sorry about your nephew and the testing. You’re right — it’s horrid no one said anything about things at the airport. I’m sure the worry was so intense. I’m glad he is on the mend. Stay well.
Thank you, Jeanie, for your words..
Kay
We watched ‘Harvey’ with James Stewart last night. Grandson had never seen it. What fun! Today I found him at the TV, he said ‘I don’t know the name of this show but I like it.’ It was Dennis the Menace!!! Wow, that’s an oldie.
Our local high school has over 300 students in band. Today at noon every band member was asked to go in front of their house and play the high school fight song. We went a few streets away to watch friend play. A fun activity. Neighbors were sitting outside their homes listening. A cheer and a wave then we moved on.
The birdhouse trailer is whimsical.
Such a wonderful movie, Jan! I love your story about the band – a great sense of community. Stay safe!
Love the bird house, too! Hope you get some rest, Claudia. I want to thank you for posting almost every single day. It’a sweet things like this that get us through the days!
You are most welcome, Jenny. Stay safe!
That’s just the cutest birdhouse and what a wonderful spot for it. I hope many a resident checks in — or at least one!
It was a funky sleeping night for me too. I hope tonight is better for you, Claudia.
Last night was better, Jeanie. And I took a short nap in the afternoon which helped me to get through the day. Stay safe!
Hope you get a nap in, Claudia. The red trailor is so sweet nestled in the tree. I’m watching 42nd Street via broadwayhd.com. I have a free subscription for a couple of weeks since I am a season subscriber to Berkeley Rep, and I won’t be able to watch two of the plays in person. I watched the two Berkeley Rep plays and we were encouraged to take advantage of the subscription to watch other performances. I am knitting my cardigan as I’m watching.
Sounds like the perfect quarantine activity, Wendy! Stay safe.
The little trailer in the tree: How sweet. Gardeners World: Britbox? I’ve resisted (read that too cheap) paying the subscription fee. Is it worth it?
I can’t tell you whether it’s worth it for you, Carol. I subscribe because of Gardener’s World, but there are also a lot of British shows on there. It’s $6.99 a month which is the cheapest of any of the subscription services that I am familiar with.
Claudia, I feel for you. I too am not a good sleeper (last night was after 2:00 a,m, after watching a couple of movies, then reading for another hour. Total exhausted but forced myself to go hiking with Don at a local state park. It was too beautiful here to stay inside. Can never nap during daytime hours, not even when sick. That little camper will bring much joy, and I’m sure you’ll have a little sassy wren or chickadee scout it out for their home. Take care.
That birdhouse is adorable. It is so calming to watch the birds.
Marilyn
It is. Thank you, Marilyn. Take care!
The style of the little red trailer is “teardrop”. How fitting that you put it in your tree at this time.
Unlike you I have no problems sleeping. Maybe because my shift was graveyard at the casino where I work. I can sleep twelve hrs. straight.
I have to thank you. You have talked about giving up sugar for a long time now. I finally did it. It’s not that hard. My muscles feel so much better. My snacking between meals has ended. Best part I know my jeans will still fit when I go back to work.
Oh yes, we know all about trailers – before Margaritaville closed, we thought we’d have the money eventually to invest in one. Ah, well.
The only time I could sleep twelve hours straight was when I was in my teens.
Glad you’re giving up sugar and feeling the benefits of it! Take care, Olivia!
I also find it hard to sleep, especially in summer in Oz. I think I have just learnt to operate the next day on autopilot. Some nights I can’t close my eyes and I thrash around the bed, so it is necessary to get up without disturbing the male sleeping beauty beside me……
I understand, Robyn! You just get through the next day. Take care!
Sleeping is so important to our immune systems. Naps are a wonderful thing to be able to have. I remember when the kids were little 4&1/2 hours of sleep a night was par for the course. No naps because they didn’t all take naps at the same time. I still am lucky if I get 4&1/2 hours of sleep at night, but now I can nap to my hearts content. Morning nap, afternoon nap, or both! What a blessing I find in napping and I hope you get your nap everyday if you need it.
Love to you and Don, especially during these days.
I did get a little nap in yesterday and it helped to take the edge off. I slept well last night. Stay safe, Tana!