Good morning.
I’ve been averaging about 3 hours sleep a night since last Tuesday. On Sunday, the cumulative effect of that left me feeling as if I was going mad. Thankfully, last night I had a normal night’s sleep, but it will take me a couple more days to recover.
We also had some rain last night – a light rain that lasted several hours. We are in a drought, so it was very welcome. There are several wildfires in my county and neighboring counties because of extremely dry conditions.
Sunrise yesterday morning. Right after I took this picture, a fox ran through our back yard.
Bluebirds stopped off at our ‘inn’ the other day. And there were more this morning. I’ve never seen bluebirds stopping off here on their way south until this year. We’ve lived here nearly 20 years. There were also more mockingbirds – appropriate, don’t you think?
The nighttime temps went down to 27 the other night. I’d had it with transporting all the plants inside and, since I was sleep deprived, it seemed overwhelming. Time to let them go. We did cover them with a tarp on the porch, but as expected, the impatiens are slowly leaving, they’re always the first to succumb to the cold. I trimmed back some of the frost damaged sections and they’re hanging in there, but since we have 3 freezing nights coming up this week, I suspect they’ll be gone soon. The other plants – the calibrachoa, and the hanging plants (I can’t remember the name) – are still going. I brought the Boston fern and my geranium inside. I’ve been overwintering them for at least 7 or 8 years.
The pansies, however, are cold weather lovers and they’ve come back beautifully.
That’s a little gift and boy, do we need them right now.
We went to Target the other day and I found this:
A large version of the little Target reindeer that I have the girls’ shelves. This one is 13 inches high and was only $10.
Pru looks a little wary. I can’t wait to have more fun with this guy when it’s the holiday season – which can start anytime, by the way. We need it.
I’ve reached this point. I still believe there’s something off about the vote count. Actually, I believe he cheated. I have to trust that it’s being investigated behind the scenes. So I have to stop stressing about it. It’s taking a toll on my physical and mental health. As of today, we are hunkering down here at the cottage, giving ourselves the space for self-care (an overused term, but I can’t think of a better one.) I’ve spent days endlessly scrolling my Threads political feed and now, I HAVE TO STOP.
We will resist, of course. But for now, my almost-72 year old body, mind, and eternal spirit are at the Mockingbird Hill Cottage spa/retreat.
You should do the same sort of thing. Trust that things are being dealt with, though I know we have no proof of that. Take care of yourselves. Do what brings you peace and joy. Be around people you love. Or, if you’re an introvert like me, retreat into solitude. (I’m lucky that I can do that and still be around Don.)
This little spot on the internet will remain a safe haven for you.
Much love to you, my friends.
Happy Monday.
good morning. happy monday and happy, healthy days with many thanks to veterans (including your father and mine)!
glad you had some rain and especially that you slept better and went looking and found a bunch of sweetness (and shared some of it in all these photos)!
doing much the same here, though with fewer plants, and subbing a group of traveling redwing blackbirds for your mockingbirds and bluebirds. earl and burl provide lots of entertainment each day and look like little furry ballerinas when chasing each other on the top railing and jumping over the finials (i can see them from where i’m sitting right now). also, i’ve finally been cross-stitching! there was an error in the pattern that i didn’t find until i’d nearly finished the largest item (argh). meant taking out a bunch of stitches, but i figured it out and it’s all good and i am pleased.
claudia, thank you for taking time and efforts to share good things and sweetness here at mhc, for sharing parts of your life, your thoughts and heart and photos (and taking breaks as needed for your own sake). you’ve created a wonderful place for people to gather, and you and everyone else here have helped me through some very painful times and i thank you for all that. may God bless you, don and everyone else.
xo
kathy
Thank you, Kathy. Bless you. I’m glad you get to see bird, and Earl and Burl. These are the delights that keep us sane.
Stay safe.
I read your every post first thing in the morning. You have been for years, and you still are, a blessing to me 🌹💝
Oh, Carol, thank you. Tears in my eyes. I so appreciate your presence here.
Stay safe.
You are smart to take care of yourselves. My husband and I are doing the same. He quit watching political shows and I am monitoring what I watch. I believe there are things people are doing to protect us from him that we don’t know about yet If they can do enough is not clear but I am glad they are trying. This is history in the making but YIKES!!
Yikes, indeed!
Stay safe, Wendy.
Well…I’m glad to hear you got a little more sleep. You need to sleep in order to resist.
I was watching a very boring football game yesterday, the Packers were not playing, and I was scrolling threads and instagram. I found myself getting more depressed, and crying. So, shut off the game, closed my iPad, said enough is enough, and found a show to stream. It took me blissfully out of reality….and I so needed to do that. I didn’t realize.. No social media for me today…thankfully, we are off to visit friends in Oshkosh. We all have to find what works for us. Fortunately, I have activities planned for this week, that all involve like minded family and friends…my sanity.
Are you thinking of putting Christmas lights up early this year? I have toyed with that idea..I normally don’t do anything until after Thanksgiving, but I feel the need this year. It might be time to start the joy earlier this year.
Thanks for being a respite from the ‘ugly’ out there in the world. We are going to need you more than ever! Enjoy your day! ;)
I might put them up early. I NEED Christmas!
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — so good to hear from you — I have not recovered from the distress of last week. Not sure if I ever will — trying to think good thoughts but is so enormous for me — worrying about futures of our gchildren which seems impossible to understand — my life is nearing the end but theirs are only beginning — can only hope they will have a future. hope you all have a good week. stay safe/healthy
We have to resist for everyone, including your grandchildren, Linda.
Stay safe.
Such a very hard time since the election. Grateful my oldest daughter made the decision to immigrate to Canada several years ago. With the way things are going in the USA she and so many others are not safe. I am sad beyond words. I’m 74 and hanging on to hopefully see some good changes before I go. My Grandchildren are inspiring as they already consider right and wrong in this world and want change. God Bless us all.
Yes. God Bless Us All, Linda.
Stay safe.
Good to see you back, Claudia. Was wondering if the wildfires were in your neck of the woods. Was thinking of going to Target today and that reindeer has sealed my decision.
After spending the rest of the week tuning out the news networks, I’m feeling a bit better too. Thinking about how if his loyal minions give him enough rope of enablement, the demented one will sooner rather than later hang himself and his whole sick administration and that comforts me.
Took lots of pots in a couple of weeks ago when their contents died off. But still have four pots going strong with geraniums and, yup, pansies. Was so glad to see those little purple faces make a comeback.
Take care,
Kay
Just watch out for Vance. He’s the real threat.
We are not watching any news, especially any of the networks. I’m sick of them and they’ve failed us.
Stay safe, Kay.
Wishing you peace, Claudia.
The same for you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Loved your peaceful and encouraging post, Claudia. There is so much beauty in the world so we must concentrate on that. How cute is Pru riding her Christmas reindeer? We watched the Remembrance Day ceremonies from Ottawa. Very somber and very moving. Christmas will be front and centre now and boy do we need to concentrate on celebrating. Hugs, Elaine
We sure do. I’m looking forward to it, Elaine!
Stay safe.
Claudia, that pansy is beautiful!! Those little bluebirds are lucky for your birdbath, especially since it’s dry. We are the only home in our neighborhood that has a heated birdbath for winter and this is a special time to see unusual visitors just passing through. So nice. Even Mr. Hawk comes by for a drink and a splash (which doesn’t make the other birds very happy). You have a beautiful spot to relax. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I wish we could heat our birdbath, but it’s too far from the house. Good for you, Verna.
Stay safe.
Echoing Carol Dunlap’s comments. Will never mention the name or title of he whose name will not be spoken. He is forever The Felon or The Orange Felon. History will not be kind to this monster.
Exactly, Chris.
Same here.
Stay safe.
Sending much love and big hugs to you and Don!
Right back at ya, Cathy!
Stay safe
Ed and I are doing much the same. We have stopped watching the news….even local news. We just can’t stomach it. We are just staying home, listening to Holiday Traditions on sirius xm and either working on a jigsaw puzzle or reading. We’re still recuperating from the car accident in May (it takes a long time for all these broken bones to heal at our age) but we are planning to do Thanksgiving here. We have for years and most of the time we’d have all the family on both sides on Thursday and people from church on Friday. We’d cook two different Thanksgiving dinners. Now it’s our kids and grandkids on Thanksgiving day and that’s the only meal we cook. That’s a good thing this year because most of our extended family and friends all support him. I’m not sure how I could deal with that right now. I have been making noodles and stuffing bread today and I thought of how much more joyful it would be if only………..But then I decided that enough is enough. I won’t let him destroy this time of year for me. It’s my favorite time and I intend to be happy. I hope you get your Christmas lights up early if you want too. We may just do the same. Take care.
I think we might put them up early, Lorinda. If we had an artificial tree, I’d put that up early. But Don insists on a real one, so December it is.
I hope healing is going well, even though it’s slow.
Stay safe, Lorinda.
I’m glad you’ve gotten some rest. I have been trying to shut out the news for a few days and it helps.
My 15 year old granddaughter is on a school trip to Washington DC this week. They will be going to the White House and Congress as well as all the other must sees there.
I have some hope that this young generation will value our democracy enough to hold onto it.
Take care
I do, too. I really hope so.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Claudia,
I try to practice self gentleness as defined by Femke Bakker, one of my meditation teachers on Insight Timer. It helps during these tough times.
Self gentleness:
“Radically accepting yourself as the most important person to consistently deserve your own gentleness.”
Take care,
Luanne
Lovely, Luanne.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Grief is very difficult to overcome. I grieve for what I believe a democracy should be. But still have hope in the Constitution, our country and all of our fine citizens. I must believe in the goodness and grace of our human race. I can no longer dwell on what happened on Election Day. I cannot change it. I can only pray for our country. I cried so many tears but now I must move on. Life gives us just one chance to live well. So that is my plan. Trust in God,. Appreciate the beauty of this amazing world, nurture my loving family and take care my garden . But I must never forget to also take care of my physical and mental health. Hopefully, I will gain strength in mind and spirit. Respectfully, you must challenge yourself to accept what this point in the history of our country. This does not mean complacency. But it may mean that you will not suffer from overwhelming depression and anxiety. Your readers care about you and Don loves you. You are blessed immeasurably. Please take care and thoroughly enjoy the holiday season. Even it is in small but meaningful ways for you and Don.
Thanks.
Stay safe.
I was happy to see a post from you today. You are a lovely light in my day and I treasure
you and your words.
MY heart is sad and my mind is a afraid, something wicked is all around us but so is hope and goodness.
Take Care and greeting to Don.
Kaye
Thank you so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Hello Dear Claudia, like you last night was the first night since the election that I had a regular nights sleep. My husband and I have stopped watching the news. It just heightens the anxiety which I have more than enough of. I have decided to get a real Christmas tree this year because I need the joy of it. I’m cross stitching and knitting every day; the gentle rhythms are soothing. I will be donating to the ACLU. These are the things I will do in order to continue. Thank you for keeping a safe space for like minded people to visit.
Any sort of needlework is so soothing, like meditating. I’m glad you’re doing that.
Absolutely donating to the ACLU!
Stay safe, Melissa.
I have swapped news for what seems like an endless diet of Midsomer Murder episodes and the movies I’ve recorded. (I even watched a Hallmark Christmas movie, which goes against my “respect the turkey” grain, both in spirit and artistically. But I needed predictability, niceness, safety and you can’t get any more predictable, nice or safe than a Hallmark holiday movie! I’m getting ready for my sale, making countless trips to the laundromat and otherwise trying to more forward while we can. The sale is over the next few days and that’s a good diversion. Meanwhile, there is comfort in being with like-minded friends (today’s lunch a great example of that) as we process and regroup. One day at a time. (I bought that reindeer too!)
Don and I are hunkering down, trying as best we can to shut the world out.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.