The first of the purple coneflowers has opened. I have so many coneflowers in the garden and I hope a few more open before I leave on Monday. They make me happy.
I made up two batches of deer repellent and sprayed everything in the big garden bed and the bed on the side of the house. They don’t seem to go for bee balm (yet) or catmint. This morning I woke up way too early – at 5 am – and started thinking about all sorts of troubling things including my marauding deer, so I got up and immediately checked out any activity in the gardens. So far, so good. Since it’s going to rain this weekend, I’ll reapply the repellent on Monday morning before I leave.
And that’s all I can do. Not easy for a girl who is a bit of a control freak.
I mowed the back forty yesterday and I think I’ll mow the front lawn today. Noble came by and we talked about a loose schedule for watering the plants. He brought along little Petey, their adorable dog, so I got to dote on him a bit.
Then I had dinner with my friends Rick and Doug. They saw the house yesterday and they love it, but have some reservations about the outside. Putting in a pool might be problematic and the house – being surrounded by trees that go up a sharp slope in the back of the house – might not get enough light, despite it having lots of windows at the back. While we were waiting 30 minutes or so for a table at a local restaurant very near to the house, we went back and walked around on the property. It’s really lovely, but I understand their reservations about it. They haven’t ruled it out, but they’re looking at another property today. I’d sure love to have them close by, but they’ll most likely be in this part of the Hudson Valley anyway and they need to find the right house for them. Maybe only six minutes away from the cottage was too good to be true!
I have to say how lovely it was to spend time with them. Rick and I have known each other for 30 years. I’ve moved a lot in my life and my closest friends live far away from me in Michigan and Chicago and California and Florida (my sister is also my friend.) I have lots of casual friends out here and lots of colleagues, but being able to spend time with a friend like Rick (and Doug, as well) is a gift. I’ve missed that so much.
So we’ll see what happens.
I have to pick some more black raspberries today. Yummy.
Happy Thursday.
Oh, who needs a swimming pool in the northeast (really!) and light in the back of the house is over-rated (it’s rained almost every day this spring & summer anyway). ;)
I don’t think that’s going to cut the mustard with these two San Diego guys!
I had the trees at the back of my house pruned. It didn’t make a difference to the light coming into the house (it’s very bright and I love that) but it’s made a huge difference to the sun getting to my garden. Your friends have a lot of considering to do, deciding what is really important, what can be fixed/changed and what cannot. I would love my house to have bigger rooms, not more rooms, but that’s not possible since I refuse to spend that kind of money. Real estate is impossible in my area so I’m staying put and enjoying my house as is.
Real estate is impossible in San Diego, too! Their home there is worth a lot because house prices are so sky-high there. We would never have been able to buy a house there.
Your gardens look lovely…I’m curious about the catmint. Does it bloom all summer? I’m in love with those purple flowers. Rick and Doug have a big decision ahead of them…so many things to consider when buying a property. It sounds like no matter where they buy a home…you will be seeing them more frequently…and that is good. How are you coming on your to do list? ;)
Catmint wanes a bit in the summer – it still blooms but it’s not as purple. It’s good to cut it back and then it will bloom again.
I finished all the mowing today and I’m tired but that’s checked off my list. Tomorrow I have to have the mail held and the NY Times and I have to run some errands and recycle. I’m doing laundry at the moment. I’m checking off my list items.
Thanks! Sounds like you are making great progress. Enjoy your rest! ;)
xo
Love the pictures today. I hope the repellant works for you. We love the wildlife, but the amount of money and time we put into the yard and gardens is important, too. Why can’t we all just get along?? Seriously, I do hope it works.
The idiot really out-did himself this morning. Finally the Repubs are actually saying something about it. Does he really have nothing else to do??? Not sure if that is good or bad, actually!
Have a great Thursday, Claudia. Hope your To-Do list is getting check marks made.
I could not believe what he said. In fact, I gasped out loud, which, considering how many stupid and inflammatory things he utters, says something. Offensive on every possible level.
Oh, what an embarrassment he is to our country! Wait, he’s an embarrassment to our species!
Hope your friends find just what they want, and near to you, too. It sounds like you have thought of everything to get ready for your getaway. So exciting!
He is sub-human, if that is indeed a thing.
Your gardens look wonderful! How nice to have friends buying something near your cottage!
It would be lovely. Fingers crossed, Debbie!
Hi Claudia,
Sorry for your troubles with delicious flowers disappearing! I have to confess my heart always leaps to see your various neighbours like Henry,deer and the birds and bunnies etc.appear on the screen,as well as the flowers! I love to view things in a romantic way however i do know that nature has it’s ways of keeping balance and it isn’t always easy. Your lovely blue eggs in the nest come to mind.
Also,i just want to wish you well with your upcoming journey. It is rather exciting even from afar although i am sure you’ve your mind and hands full with preparations not to mention your garden visitors and their gourmet tastes.
All the best!
I understand the balance and know that the deer doesn’t know how to distinguish my flowers from the green weeds growing on the edge of the woods. It’s all the same for him. Thank you for your kind wishes, Grace!
From my fantastical flights I have to say you are fortunately far more grounded than I am in these matters. :) Take good care!
Ah, but that doesn’t mean I don’t mourn my flowers! And that I wouldn’t give him a piece of my mind if I could!
We must all mourning your flowers…and yes, to be able to communicate would help:)
xo
As always, the beautiful pictures you post brighten the day!
All the best for a safe, wonderful reunion with Don. Have a terrific time both in California and on your cross country drive!
Thank you, Sue. I’m so looking forward to simply hugging him once again! I feel like my shoulders will drop and all will be well.
Busy, busy Claudia…I feel so excited for your trip…I can hardly wait to see all of the sights you will be showing us!…I hope that Rick and Doug will find their perfect dream home…
I hope they do too. I haven’t heard from them yet today, so I don’t know if they liked the house they were going to view this morning.
Hopefully Rick and Doug will find another house near you if they pass this one up.
Marilyn
Hopefully, Marilyn! It’s been so nice to be with Rick again and it’s as if no time has passed, so it would be lovely to have him (and Doug, who is a great guy) nearby.