When I feel a certain level of stress, I find myself gravitating to some chore that is so all consuming that it takes me away from the endless repetition of fear thoughts in my head. Yesterday was one of those days. I yanked tons of weeds. I weed whacked. I mowed the back forty.
I guess it’s the equivalent of a good workout – I felt much more centered after all of that. Tired, but centered.
The hollyhock is still blooming. I love the raspberry color of the flower.
I rinsed a lot of sand off a lot of sea shells.
Though Scoutie has her share of aches and pains and has a lot of trouble getting around, the one place where she can be her old self is here. As she heads on in from the corral and reaches the little hill, she begins to gallop. I managed to catch her in mid-stride yesterday.
Tonight, Don and his pals, Dan and Dewitt, are playing a gig just down the road from our house. You might remember that they played together a few months back and it was an incredible evening. I was determined to get back from Florida in time to be a part of the audience. Can’t wait!
Don and Dan stepped into the recording studio a few months back and recorded a live album in one day. Don’s words and music, his guitar, and Dan’s incredible work on multiple instruments came together for the perfect CD. They held a fund-raising campaign on IndieGoGo to raise the money needed to master the songs and package the CD and by the day before yesterday, they had managed to raise all the money they needed. I’m so excited for them! Soon, Don will have the CD he’s always dreamed about; a truly professional (and beautifully recorded by Rick Gedney) CD of some of his favorite songs. Whoo hoo!
I’ll tell you more about it when it’s finally packaged and ready for release. I’m thrilled for Don. He’s worked very hard on this project and witnessing his joy when he heard the recordings was a beautiful thing indeed.
This may be a day for some Top Secret Project work…
Yesterday, I realized I hadn’t picked a winner for the book giveaway of The Reinvention of Albert Paugh. Yikes! I quickly changed that little scenario and the winner is Linda. I’ve contacted her and she’s excited. Congratulations, Linda!
Happy Saturday.
Claudia, It sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful day in the neighborhood! Have fun. Doris
Thank you, Doris. I’m so looking forward to hearing Don and his friends tonight!
The CD is a great accomplishment…have fun at the performance! Love seeing Scout gallop…
Me too. It gives a little lift when we need one!
Have a fun night of music! P.S. Thank you for recommending the Jane Casey Maeve Kerrigan books. I’m almost through the 5th in the series and enjoying them very much! I adore a good police procedural set in London :-)
You’re ahead of me, Vicki! I still have to find time to read the other books in the series. She’s a good writer, isn’t she?
I love that photo of Scout! Such joy on that face. Enjoy your evening! I love Don’s music and look forward to hearing more about the CD release! I’m enjoying a day at home with Charlie and a good book!
hugs,
Linda
We feel better about her when we see her run down that hill. It’s enormously comforting. Have a lovely day, Linda.
A CD…now that’s exciting! Pretty seashells…they are a lovely reminder of your trip. Great pic of Scout…you’ve captured her energy! ;)
We’re just happy that she still shows some energy, Donnamae. It makes us very happy.
I hope Scout gets plenty of outside time as long as the weather is comfortable (i.e., no snow storms or pelting rain). She looks so happy! CD sounds great!
I’m dreading the winter in terms of Scout. She won’t be able to handle too much slippery snow or ice.
Hooray for Don! And for Scout, too! Every time Victor, our 16 year old cat, uses his box he charges up the stairs like Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace and then races down again to complete his victory lap. We have no idea why.
That’s so funny! I guess Victor feels somewhat triumphant!
We’ll have to get him a bugle!
I’m feeling triumphant too having returned from the library this morning with Louise Penny’s new book.
Lucky you! I’m on the waiting list at my library – which is just as well, since I have other books I need to read/review first!
Doing the happy dance and squeal for the CD!! Have fun tonight and take pictures if you can. Have you found anything to put your seashells in? I have mine in different jars and some on my ledge that divides my kitchen and living room. I just love seashells. Please give Dame Scout a gentle hug and a kiss on her nose from me.
Hugs to you and Don,
Deb
I found one piece that will hold some of them, but I have to keep searching for more containers.
Go, Dog. Go! (Couldn’t resist – I just mailed a board book copy to a friend’s little one.) With Scout looking so full of joy and the terrific news about Don’s music, I’m thinking Saturday is off to a pretty good start in your home. Enjoy the day!
You, too, Barbara. I’ve been seeing your name on a couple of mini blogs and it looks like you’ve been gift giving! You’re such a good person.
Scout looks beautiful and happy! And congratulations to Don. How exciting to have a CD.
Blessings,
Betsya
She’s a beautiful girl. She has perked up the last couple of days, and we are very grateful for that!
Claudia, So glad to hear happy news about Don and Scout!
I want you to know that I received the copy of “The Daughter.” I have already finished it and have passed it on for my neighbor to read. She grew up in the UK so I thought she would especially enjoy it. I couldn’t put it down and as a mother of two young adults I will admit I have been a bit haunted by it.
So glad you received it. It’s an amazing book, isn’t it. And yes, very haunting. I knew that my readers would like this book!
What a great day for the three of you…it is so good to see that picture of Scout running like a pup again…it must bring you joy to see her do it..beautiful shells Claudia…Congratulations to Don once again..such a talented guy…I am proud to sort-of know him..lol…Have lots of fun tonight you two!!!
We will, Nancy! Thank you!
Oh, sweet Scout! She looks adorable in that shot! And congrats to Don, too!! So wonderful when any of our dreams come true.
We are also going to a House Concert this evening. Looking forward to some wonderful music. Take care, and hope you have fun with the TS project today.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get to it yet!
Don has done some house concerts and really enjoys that atmosphere. Have fun!
Congrats to Don on his CD. It feels good to get out in the yard and do a little work when feeling stressed. Scout looks like she is having fun and that is great. Nice car your dad gave you. Love the shells you collected. Have a great time tonight at the gig!
hugs
Thanks, Nancy! There are lots more shells of all types. I really love sea shells.
nice to see Scout happy and frisky :)
We treasure those moments nowadays, Deb.
So glad you are home! Sounds like you had a busy day. Exciting news about Don’s CD. Scout looks great.
Judy
She has good and bad days, but a gallop down the hill makes for a good day, Judy.
that sounds like a very good day … being home with your loved ones, hearing live music, awaiting time for creativity, time outdoors …
… your sweet scout looks like she is having fun and feeling good … yay! …
congratulations to don on his hard work and achieving a dream! (thanks in advance for letting us know when the cd is available for sale) …
i am happy for you all and pray you all have many, many more of those very good days!
kathy
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Kathy.
Love, love, love that photograph of Scout. What a sweetheart.
She is definitely a sweetheart, Nancy.
Sunshine, nice weather and grass to run in is good for all of us. Nice to see Scout romping about. Congrats to Don on seeing his dream realized. Best wishes, Tammy
Thank you, Tammy!