The first day of September brought rain during the night and a foggy, cool and wet morning. It’s as if Mother Nature said, “See? It’s now September. Prepare for Autumn. Now.”
This is what I’m looking at this morning. Leaves on the roof, in the gutter, on the ground.
I’m not ready yet, Mother Nature. You may be. But I’m not quite there. Give me a bit more time, won’t you?
Thank goodness for the Memorial Garden. Yet again while in my pajamas (new ones, thank you very much!) I went outside to record what’s happening there.
Those are morning glory buds, my friends! Better late than never. I love morning glories and one of the pleasures of late summer/early autumn here is the chance to see their beauty. And photograph them, of course.
On the other hand, this is the moonflower vine, which has really taken off and is climbing up the trellis and on the fence. Gorgeous, green and all over the place – but no flower buds in sight. Not a one. I planted these seeds late in the Spring, so I’m still hoping. I examine it every day. I do so hope it blooms, but even if it doesn’t, I love looking at these large, beautiful heart-shaped leaves.
The roses given to me in honor of my father are still blooming! This one opened up today.
As is the Sentimental Balloon Flower. Beautiful.
Oh yesterday, what a day! On very little sleep, I was bound and determined to finish sorting receipts, going through bank records, calculating and recording so that we could submit our deductions for 2015 today. Six hours at the desk, with a quick break here and there, while Don was downstairs calculating his deductions.
Darned if we didn’t finish! Today I’m mailing them off to our accountant. I’m sure we’ll owe money, the only question is how much. Gulp. (Doesn’t seem fair that our hard-earned and long-awaited Social Security is taxed. Boo.) But I feel a great sense of accomplishment – silly, really – because I tackled this task I detest and met my deadline. On about three hours sleep.
Last night, I slept beautifully and started the morning with some Peet’s French Roast and some Louise Penny.
I thought I had mentioned that we wanted to travel next year – I did, didn’t I? Maybe I just hadn’t mentioned where we wanted to go. I have a modest inheritance from my father. Don has always expressed a longing to visit England (we’re both Anglophiles). I’ve been there several times, but he hasn’t. On the other hand, I have never been to Paris (though he has). So I decided that I was going to use part of the inheritance so that we can take this long-dreamed-of trip.
I’m not sure when it will take place because I have coaching commitments from late December of this year through May of next year. Maybe right after that. I think my dad would be very happy indeed that he is giving us the gift of this trip.
Happy Thursday.
That should be a marvelous trip for both you and Don! Unlike you, I am definitely ready for Fall and happy September is here!
I am not ready yet, Vera. I’m sure I will be. But fall means my garden is in decline and winter is around the corner!
I have mixed feelings about fall too. I love all the colors of the leaves but raking and cleaning the yard has become a hard chore.
Yes, it can be very hard, Doris, and it seems to go on forever! And we have to keep all of our gutters cleaned out, as well. It’s a pain in the tush!
happy that you and don have the tax stuff done and, even better, that you two can make such a big trip/dream come true … don can see england and just cross the channel and you’re in france! even if you have to wait until later in 2017, think how much fun you will have planning for and dreaming about your trip!
happy weekend ahead! i am ready for that and fall’s cooler temperatures (but not the earlier sunsets).
kathy in iowa
Oh, I know! The days are getting shorter and I’m not at all happy about that!
Love the color of Dad’s rose!!! So happy you get to take your trip this next year! I hope to finally visit an exchange student, who lived with us an entire year back in 1996, in Northern Brazil this next year, she is married w/ 2 kids now!!!
Oh, that would be a wonderful trip for you, Lori!
Paperwork of any kind is not my forte. Glad you got that job behind you. Your trip sounds wonderful! We had a lot of rain last night and are expecting more today. Hope you get to enjoy your beautiful flowers for a little while longer.
Lots of rain and scariness headed my sister’s way today, Janie. I’m hoping all will be safe.
Way to power through the taxes! I’m so ready for fall…this has been an unusual summer for us, and I so welcome the change. Though, not the earlier darkness! I do hope though, that the colder temps stay away for awhile yet….so you can enjoy your yet to bloom morning glories! ;)
Yes, please! I don’t want an early frost to take them away from me as happened last year.
Your garden looks beautiful, Claudia! I will keep my fingers crossed for no early frosts so that there will be time to enjoy late blooms. I am so excited for you and Don and your much-anticipated travels abroad! Can’t wait to hear about all your adventures in England and France and yes, I’m sure your father would approve! Enjoy the book – I am running to Barnes and Noble right after work. You might understand this–I was in the grocery store two days ago and there sat the book. But I simply couldn’t buy it there, stuffed between the hot rod magazines and the cases of soda – it didn’t feel right. No ritual attached. I want to pick it up, hold it, feel the soft cover, and then perhaps order a cup of tea in the cafe and slowly savor the first chapter over a hot cuppa and a biscotti before bringing it home. You understand, right? My husband thought I was nuts… :-)
I totally understand! I couldn’t have done it, either. The ritual is everything when buying something this special!
I envy your travel plans for England! I just watched the Inspector Morse episode with the American tourist group and thought it was wonderful, although the tourists were not portrayed in the best light, I so wanted to be one of them!!!!
I do have to say that the English actors (in the 80s and 90s) did a dreadful American accent. I cringe every time I hear it. The dialect coach in me wants to slap them!
So happy to hear about your proposed trip plans! You are both so deserving of that, and I agree that your dad would be very pleased that he will be a part of that!
I think he would. I’m starting to do a bit of research and want to buy a notebook to corral all of the research.
Dream of England and/or France, and forget the rain! I love both places and would like to return some day. Lovely that you still have flowers and flower buds. Hurray for completing your tax task!
Oh, the rain isn’t bothering me at all! It’s rather nice seeing it rain today!
Bravo on your trip!! I am sure you will thrill us with the pictures you take and the tales that you will share.
Another large bravo for getting your tax information to your accountant. My husband is a CPA and the fall tax season is much more stressful than the spring tax season. (and the spring one is very stressful) I am sure he will be happy to have your information long before the deadline.
Now, back to that trip, enjoy the planning, the trip, and then the wonderful memories it will fill you with.
And you are welcome to send your excess rain my way. Please.
This particular account is in Los Angeles and she deals with actors a lot – since there are lots of residual payments and deductions involved, I’m betting she has a lot of late filers to take care of!
It was lovely here on this first day of school. Sunny and only in the low 70’s. No classrooms have AC, so it really is truly wonderful when we don’t have a scorcher to kick it off. When people complain about teachers, I often wonder how many of them could do no AC in a contained classroom of about 30 kids for hours, and sometimes for days. OK, no ranting,,,, just pondering.
Sounds like you had a productive day yesterday. That is always a good thing. The trees aren’t really turning yet here, but at the tops we can see a few tinges of yellow starting. And, for sure, it is dark before 8 now. That does make me sad knowing what lies ahead. Hope your day is a great one!!
Oh, our schools never had AC – nor do the ones around here! I don’t think most schools in the ‘north’ have it, do they? I used to hate it as a student when it was really hot – I can’t imagine teaching in it all day long!
Yeah – so glad you will be going on a trip you both are looking forward to. I have been to England, but not Paris. We are going to Cape Cod for the next week and it is usually a bit warmer this first week of September. With school back in session the crowds and traffic are gone so it’s a great time to be there. I’ll still be in a summer state of mind until I get back, but am realistically packing for cooler weather.
Hopefully it will be nicely cool for your trip – you don’t want to deal with scorching temps, Karen!
Oh, Claudia – how I love your plant close-ups! That moonflower especially, with the fully-grown leaves alongside the little baby vine and leaves just starting out. So cute, and so fresh & green. And your Dad’s rose is lovely. Petal upon petal of soft apricot color. I just might have to add these to my “Claudia” folder. So very pleasant to page through on those days when I really need to see some Beauty… 🌷
Yes, especially in the winter! xo
It is good to hear you got the dreaded paperwork done. I do it but I don’t like it! The garden is still looking so good, here we are suffering from heat and not much rain. The deer were eating my rose leaves this afternoon, oh well. I am so excited about your trip and I will be offering my info and experiences from my trip to Paris with you. I know your Dad would be so happy for you and Don to take this trip.
hugs,
Linda
I am relieved it’s out of the way, Linda! I am so looking forward to the trip – whenever we get around to going!
I think your Dad would be very happy to know that the money he left is being used for the two of you to have a well deserved vacation..a gift of fun, adventure and beautiful memories is money well spent…I can hardly wait to see what you share with us!…Now..Is Meredith ok and does she have to evacuate?
No, they’re okay and Meredith wasn’t too worried – she drove up to North Carolina during the rain to visit her friend for the weekend!
I love your home. I love the porch. I love the way your house it’s situated on your land.
I just love everything that I’ve seen. Your garden is something else. Wow!
The roses that were given to you for your fathers remembrance are absolutely
beautiful.
I’m obviously commenting on more than one post. I have had a hard time recently
commenting here. It’s most like me, I’m sure. The page freezes up and just stops
functioning. This is my 3rd time today attempting to leave a comment.
I hope you and Don get the chance to travel to Europe. Your dad would be very
happy indeed. I thing that’s an excellent way to use his gift.
What else? Not being able to sleep is all too familiar with me. ;o( I’m glad you
finally got a restful night.
I’m ready for the Fall but this heat needs to take a hike. I bet your grounds
look amazing in the Fall. That’s my favorite time of the year.
Have a nice evening,
Monica
p.s. Has Don been on any CSI or Law & Order episodes? I did see him on Mr. Robot a week or two ago. He looks very familiar. He’s very natural. Good job!
I’m sorry you’ve been having problems, Monica – most likely your internet connection and/or your browser. I’m glad you finally got through!
Don hasn’t been on CSI, but he’s done several Law and Order episodes.
Outstanding photography, Claudia. You have some prize-winning images there. That Campanula could be on the cover of Horticulture (Magazine). And you captured the intriguing beauty of the moonflower vine perfectly. Stunning. Your dedication to this blog is so appreciated. Thank you.
Oh, thank you so much for your kind words and your support, Nancy!
I love the Fall! It gives me that feeling of a transformation. The same as spring with the reborn feelings. So enjoy your trip!
Dear Claudia, I got your reply on my comment, by email. I’m sure you know my comments are not spam, I’m a real person. Sorry to hear that. Regarding the addresses, you can see them as part of a plan, ;-) . If you mind about them, sorry again. Tell me and I’ll stop commenting. I really like your blog and you can find my comments at least friendly if not useful.
I know you’re a real person, Sydney, and I love having you comment. But I can’t have advertising for various sites as part of the comment. That is considered spam. Can you simply use your email address instead? That would work beautifully!