Right after I took this picture, I yanked the invasive vine that was about wrap itself around my day lilies.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful birthday messages for Don. He had a great time on the set. In this scene he’s dressed in a Mummer’s costume and how I wish I could share the photos with you because it’s FABULOUS, but we are bound to secrecy. All I can say is Wow!!! He got home in time for dinner and he opened presents after dinner. All in all, a lovely day for my dearest husband. He deserves it.
The hydrangeas have survived the intense winds that came as the hot, hot weather exited our region. Rain, thunderstorms, wind and, so far, they’re okay. There are more blooms this year than I’ve ever seen. I expect that’s because of all the rain we had this winter and spring.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day and Don and I sat on the glider, drinking our coffee. We noticed a mourning dove flying to our big maple. A minute later, he would fly back across the street to our neighbor’s property. And on and on. From Don’s seat on the glider he could see the dove land, then walk up a branch, stop, and then turn around to walk a few steps down the branch – then back across the street. So, obviously, we thought there must be a nest there. After watching this sweet bird for about 45 minutes, I finally saw a worm hanging from his mouth as he headed back to the tree. Aha!
It was such a pleasure watching the dove and listening to all the bird calls. We didn’t want to leave, but we had to get ready to go vote in our primary.
By the way, I stood under that tree and, try as I might, I could not see a nest. Since it’s such an old tree and has lost several limbs over the years, I was sure I would spy the nest. Nope!
Today we assemble the new lawn mower. It’s pretty easy, but both of us are needed to get it out of the box.
This is the Klimt puzzle I finished the other day. This was a hard one! I spilled water on some of the edge pieces and had to cram them back together. And one brown piece is missing. To tell the truth, I was glad to see it finished. It was a bit of a pain in the tush.
I am not going to watch the debate. I cannot stand to see or listen to that man. His voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Don doesn’t want to watch either. We will retreat to the land of Northern Exposure instead.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
sounds like you and don had a lovely day. always good and especially so on birthdays.
safe lifting and work with the new lawnmower. as you know, i am reading the “little house on the prairie” books. while i try to live my life with gratitude, these books, among many other things, remind me to be thankful for the tools and other inventions (indoor/outdoor lighting, smooth roads, plumbing …) that help make life easier. i know you’re happy to have this new lawnmower!
learned the results of a family member’s colonoscopy yesterday … all fine … i am very thankful to God for that, too!!!
hope you all have good-news days, too. stay safe and cool.
xo,
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy!
Stay safe.
Oh, we used to watch northern exposure. Fun! So glad you have a new lawnmower. Gosh. I felt bad for you to push that old thing. But you were probably strong from it.
Happy Wednesday. I have housework today. And my diary is so behind, I don’t know what to do. Yikes
I’m pretty strong, Irene.
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
I love your day lilies…and the abundance of your hydrangeas … so pretty! I saw a Klimt exhibit once and enjoy all the pieces of his paintings… perfect for a puzzle. I’m sure it’ll be nice for you to get the lawn mower assembled and ready to use. I plan to watch the debate, out of interest and curiosity….though they both agreed to the terms, I’m wondering if one of the debaters might try something else….no matter, it’ll all be in the news afterwards. Enjoy Northern Exposure, that was a show I always looked forward to watching.
I still thinkk he might back out, Barrie. We’ll see.
Stay safe.
I am glad you and Don had a lovely day with each other.
I too, am choosing not to watch the debate for the same reasons as you. Lately, as I see all these members of congress/senate/people come out in support of xxx this comes to my mind “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” The Tempest
I hope today is as lovely as yesterday was,
Kaye
Perfect Shakespeare quote for this time!
Stay safe, Kaye.
I’m so happy Don had a good birthday! I will not watch the debate either. I can’t let that voice in. So much evil. Hot days right now and it’s still June.
You’re right. I can’t let it in. It has no place in my safe space.
Stay safe, Linda.
I don’t think I commented on your last post. I know I intended to go back to it when I had time to comment and wish Don happy birthday.
So…Belated Happy Birthday Don! It sounds like he had a very happy day.
We had a huge storm early yesterday morning. Lots of rain and what I think were straight line winds, estimated at about 70+ mph. There are hugh trees down all over the area and major power outages.
Some people are saying it was a tornado but all the trees are down in the same direction so it doesn’t look like a tornado. The only damage to houses seems to be due to trees coming down on top of them. We slept through the whole thing and no damage here except a few small branches/limbs in our yard and amazingly we have power. It was bad just a few miles north of us. Our son and daughter lost power at both their houses (no trees down in their yards) and they all made it to work. Our 12 and 15 y/o granddaughters were home without power though so hubby went to bring them to our house. He had to make many detours because of trees across roads to be able to get to both houses. It’s going to take days to get the mess cleaned up and everyone’s power restored.
Our son’s is back on but not our daughter’s yet. We took a little drive around last evening and it’s sad to see so many beautiful big trees down. It is good to see people helping neighbors and businesses that do have power offering for people to come in and charge phones, etc. Many restaurants closed but a couple were feeding all the police, fire, utility workers yesterday. A couple churches are out today with men with chainsaws helping people who have trees down. It good to see neighbors helping each other. There is still much good in the world.
I think I will start watching the debate, but not sure how long I can stand it. I really hope Biden has a good night.
Take care
Oh my goodness, Marilyn. How awful! Could it have been a microburst (as happened here once)? Although it sounds like a bigger area was impacted. I’m so sorry for the damages, the loss of power, and the loss of trees.
I’m glad you and your family are safe.
Claudia, pleased Don had a memorable birthday day. A Mummer!
Mourning doves are a particularly favorite bird in my household. My daughter had to adopt an animal name when she was a zoo summer camp aide. Since her dad died a few months before she started that volunteer work, she chose Mourning Dove. Now, even as an adult, whenever she sees one, she always says, “Hi, Cousin!”
Love that. They’re my favorite birds.
Stay safe, Wendy.
dear Claudia/Don — glad that heat wave has lessened for you — not so for us –one day in the 80s is all we get then more humidity/heat but we are still alive, haha!! those hydrangeas are very beautiful — did you know that doves make nests out of sticks not using dried grass or anything — they put a bunch of sticks together on a branch and begin “nesting” — how the nest survives wind/rain is a mystery to me unless mom is sitting “on the nest” — they also feed young with “milk” from their craw like pigepns do, totally fascinating to me. I know these things happen b/c have witnessed it, stay safe/healthy
It lessened for a day, but today and yesterday were 90 degrees and humid. I think the temps will begin to drop tomorrow.
I did know that about their nests. I encounted one once, but I didn’t know it was a nest in progress and started to pull the sticks off the shed windowwill. As soon as I realized what it was, I put it all back, but I think I scared them off.
Stay safe, Linda.
That picture of your daylily is beautiful. What a gorgeous colour. You know who’s voice makes me cringe but we’ll probably watch the debate. Sure hope Biden comes out on top. Lovely to see the mourning dove feed its young. Have fun test driving your new lawnmower. Be careful. Hugs, Elaine
Biden won both debates last time around and Trump wasn’t yet a convicted felon. I think he’ll do well.
But I still wouldn’t put it past Trump to withdraw for some bogus reason.
Stay safe.
I am thinking the Supreme Court will come out w/ some big “win” for Cheeto tomorrow so he has something to talk about. The one that “accidentally slipped out today” might not be one he wants.
Horrible hot & humid here, too. We have had sooooo much rain!! Had a big storm on Sat evening and it blew the MD nest down w the 2 babies in it. It was scary. But those stick nests they make are not very sturdy at all!!!!!
Hope Don had a grand BD. It is on our Anniversary…52 years!!!! I thought of him during the day. Time does fly. Did the lawnmower come out of the box easily? Hope it did and that it is easy to use. Take care.
Happy Anniversary, Chris! Congratulations!
Stay safe.
HI,Claudia! Thank you for the Sarah Perry recommendation. How have I lived this long and never heard of her? I,too,will not be watching.I can only hope and pray that enough thoughtful people wiill vote for decency and sanity. Thanks again for your lovely blog.I don’t comment often enough,but I do appreciate you. xo
Thank you, Annette!
Stay safe.
Can’t imagine watching the debate – I just want the election to be over with a positive resolution. I guess if I was undecided I might watch but that certainly isn’t the case. I too like Mourning Doves – we almost always have a nest teetering on top of an outdoor light under our eaves and it’s a mystery how it stays there. Sometimes I find dead fallen baby doves under it which makes me irritated with the parents, but they don’t seem to learn.
Thanks as always for the glimpse into your day.
Ceci
Thanks, Ceci.
Stay safe.
Oh my gosh such a beautiful puzzle. I adore this painting. Thanks Claudia
It is beautiful, isn’t it?
Thanks so much, Mumsy.
Stay safe.