There’s always something to observe in the gardens. Bees are everywhere.
The hostas are starting to bloom. The flowers are so delicate, so pale.
We took another trail walk yesterday. We bought some groceries and then proceeded to forget one of the bags in the car and the food spoiled. We sat outside in the Secret Garden. And that’s about it. It’s slow going this week at the cottage. We’re both exhausted. So we’re taking time to just be.
I’m still working on all my feelings about the closing of Margaritaville. The Broadway community was less than supportive (that’s putting it mildly) and that has left me feeling very disillusioned. Yet there’s a new musical opening based on the Go-Go’s music, there’s one about Donna Summer, there’s another coming based on Cher’s life…but somehow they didn’t think Jimmy Buffett had any business bringing his happy music to Broadway? I’m thinking of a word that starts with F followed by a word that is ‘them.’
I detest snobs.
Together, Don and I have a combined 80+ years in the theater. I’ve managed to make my living in the theater. But I find less and less joy in it. Maybe the Universe is telling me it’s time to wind down. This next year will be Darko’s last year at Hartford Stage. He’s moving on, as he should. He’s been there 7 years and he’s done what he wanted to do there. With a new artistic director, the focus will change and I’m sure I won’t be working there anymore, certainly not in the way I did with Darko. It’s been a wonderful ride and I’m extremely grateful to Darko. I’ll miss working with him. He’s been a loyal and inspiring and brilliant colleague.
Anyway, I’ve known he was going to leave for a long time now, I just haven’t mentioned it here. Change is never easy for me, but I know from experience that it’s the anticipation of change which is more troublesome than the actual change itself. I’m sort of ready for this one.
It’s a strange time here at the cottage and in our life. But we’re hanging in there.
Oh, I saw this guy on one of the hostas yesterday. He blends in perfectly.
Happy Friday.
Your gardens are so lovely and calming. Starting your day, outside in your Secret Garden, must be the best way to start a day. I miss having gardens so much. Hopefully next Spring this hip will be replaced and I can fill my patio with plants once again! Just to difficult to garden when your hip doesn’t cooperate!
My heart still aches for Don and you and the whole cast. Unfair doesn’t seem to state my whole feelings about it. Both of you give so much of yourselves to the theater and acting. I cannot even think of how to express my heartache and my extreme annoyance over it all. I just don’t understand it.
On a bright note, yesterday someone sent me something that may cheer you up a bit. Supposedly there is a new British saying that was brought on by that guy’s visit to England: Trump off, mate! I sort of took it one step further: Trump off, you wanker! Thought it gave it more meaning!
I hope you both have a lovely day!
I rather like “Trump off”! It’s much more empowering than simply being Trumped, over and over, on a daily basis. Thanks, Debbie!
“Trump off”…love it Debbie! Thanks..it just feels right! ;)
Love, love “Trump off!” Perfect.
Been in a bit of a slump myself. Retirement is strange. I go from maniacally busy to days and weeks of sluggishness—and, well, sluggishness has been taking over, lately. I’ve always been one to make things—paintings, rugs, clothes, home things, silly books, etc. But lately, I just don’t feel that I need anything, so why make more stuff? I haven’t given up, but I’m becoming very impatient with myself!
Okay, now I’m rambling. Well. don’t forget that ‘changes in latitude, changes in attitude’…if we weren’t crazy, we’d all go insane.’!
Me too. I’m not officially retired, but I’m awfully close to it, and I go through the same extremes.
My boss is retiring next year. We’ve just entered the season of “this will be my last…”
I am both sad (because he is great to work for) and uncertain (in all sorts of ways).
So I understand. Maybe there is a fresh theatre you can work for. I am sure where ever Darko is going next, he’ll reach out!
I’m sure he will at some point, but it all depends on where he works and what he’s working on.
I so identify with what you’re going through right now – the part about pulling back, retiring I guess from something you once enjoyed. I will retire on August 3. My husband, who is 9 years younger, keeps asking me what I’m going to do with my time. I don’t know for sure yet.
Having lost both my parents (well into their nineties) in the last two years, I know I’m now heading into the final chapter of life. Yet I firmly believe we still have a few good years ahead of us – and I’m speaking about all of us sixty-somethings. We just need to sit down in the quiet and contemplate how we can both please ourselves and continue making a meaningful contribution to society. But first comes that sitting in the quiet part.
I know I’m looking forward to no more arbitrary deadlines, procrastinators whose crisis suddenly becomes your crisis, office politics, etc, etc. And I also know that my immediate retirement plans include working to help unseat our idiotic Republican congressman by volunteering for his opponent. Getting involved where I can to ensure the proper people are elected to government, both local and national, is the greatest legacy I believe I can leave my children and grandchildren. After all, we’ve all just been given a bitter lesson about how much voting matters.
Good for you, Kay! Having lost both of my parents in the past four years, I know what you mean. My brother – who was the eldest child – died many years ago. So now, I’m the oldest of the children and it’s a strange feeling. On one level, I want to pull back on things, on another, I want to pursue the things I feel passionately about.
Lovely hosta blooms. We transplanted quite a few about a month ago. They’ve taken hold…and are blooming. Unfortunately, the ones closest to the sidewalk have been chomped off. It’s the deer, I’m sure of it. The only others to use the sidewalk are humans with or without dogs, and the cranes. Deer eat hostas, but, to my knowledge, humans, dogs, and cranes do not.
With all you two have been through….’sluggish’ seems a natural response. I flitted around the house yesterday, we were having friends over for dinner and getting things ready…and I have no ambition to do anything so far this morning. It’s hot and humid, and I’m very sluggish. I’ll have to water of course….but I think that will be it for the day.
Stay cool! ;)
Deer chomp on mine every year. Also, this year, they’ve been food for some of the groundhogs, as well. Sigh!
Hang in there!
Groundhogs…really? Those little devils…I didn’t know they could reach that high! ;)
They get on their hind legs (like prairie dogs) and accomplish quite a bit!
Thanks…learn something new everyday! ;)
xo
Hello dear friends of Mockingbird Cottage – Turn on your TV’s – There’s good news to buoy and cheer us — just when I was loosing hope after Trumps horrible performance in Europe and yesterday’s Congressional torture of a FBI agent: Mueller has indicted 12 Russians for DNC hacking. As we say in the South, often with tongue in cheek and the dramatic fervor of an Evangelist “Thank you Jesus.”
Eileen, I want to match your enthusiasm, but I just can’t muster it any longer. What will that news mean by the time the evening news airs tonight? If you watched the “press conference” from London today, he writes history as he sees it. Day by day, and minute by minute. And the repubs love it. I just don’t feel like anything Mueller is doing is moving anything forward. I am exhausted by the ups and downs of all of it. The cheeto is just a waste of skin as far as I can see, and I don’t know how to engage in all of it any longer. We never had fake news until we had a fake president. Depressing is all I can say. But I am so happy that you, and many others, are still feeling the fight. Maybe my energy will return at some point.
Trust Mueller. That’s all I can say. This is a master strategy and everything is planned. They know what they’re doing and when they’re doing it. It has to be done precisely because there’s no second chance. So even though we all get overwhelmed and impatient, we have to KNOW that Mueller knows exactly what he’s doing. These indictments were rolled out two days before Trump meets with Putin. That’s on purpose.
I know you are right. I am just truly exhausted by all of it. I have not watched news all week, but after seeing snipets of the travesty which occurred in the halls of congress yesterday, I did watch a couple of hours today. I have complete faith in the work Mueller is doing, but I am so very afraid that one day he will be gone. When Trump opens his mouth I can feel my BP soaring to new heights.
Again, I do know you are right. I just feel like we are in a row boat in the middle of the ocean ~ trying to find a way to get to safety and we are short a paddle.
I understand. Yesterday’s hearing was a nightmare. But the reality is that it made the Republicans look very, very bad. Strzok made mincemeat of them.
Yes, I saw that when it happened. It’s all part of Mueller’s plan and I’m thrilled.
I’ve just read this exchange…thanks….you’ve given me hope!! ;)
xo
The whole concept of ‘when it’s time’ – – I was SO against my husband retiring soon and felt he should work a couple-more years for our financial stability but I knew to back off when he seemed to really have his feet planted in concrete on it (ha) and, once I got used to the idea and we talked about it A WHOLE LOT, I am more and more ready for the change and the new life without ‘work’ and just living for him and me. We know it’ll be an adjustment in so many ways but after so long together, we also know we’re gonna be okay; the panic gets overtaken by the assurance (a sort of ‘knowing’) which suddenly just sorta comes out of nowhere about things being right. That this is what we need to do and where we need to be.
Next subject: On one of my slew of recent doctor appointments, I was talking to this doctor I like SO much (I swear we could talk at each other for three hours) and he was telling me how he’s created, specifically, a bee garden at his home (which took a fair amount of research on his part). We’ve all been so worried about the bees because they’ve been so non-existent, fearing our agricultural environment (heavy ag here in our part of SoCalif) with its pesticides or maybe even the drought have killed off the poor bees which conversely is so important (their survival) because of the need to pollinate and what will happen here to our orchards and groves if the bees can’t do their job? Anyway, his endeavor has been very successful and he’s ‘lousy’ with bees now; they just need a little help.
Red-letter day here; we were in the front yard where we casually threw in some seed for a small patch of wildflower/meadow flowers and while we were just standing there chatting, A MONARCH fluttered around us and settled on a daisy. We became statues so as not to startle it. Rarely ever see a monarch in these days; what a treat. I know you said you just saw one, too. Birds, bees, butterflies; aren’t we lucky; wow.
A monarch is a real miracle! I saw one this morning, as well. There’s hope!
Your garden is always so peaceful looking. Change is hard and I do not do well with it.
Marilyn
Me either, Marilyn!
Thinking of you. Just keep going. Like you said worrying about the changes are often worse than the change. We are struggling with some changes to but just have to keep moving on.
Aren’t we both lucky to have good husbands to go through changes with?
We sure are, Kay!
My hostas are blooming also Claudia…and I found a volunteer one at the side of the carport…I’m thinking that is good please just continue to spread across there and you will be lovely!…I saw one of those little guys early last evening and proceeded to have a bit of a talk with him…I have talks with all of nature…and all creatures great and small….I care not if people think I am crazy!…lol….You two take your time and rest…you deserve it!
Lucky you – I’ve never had a volunteer hosta! I talk to my plants all the time. And the birds, and the bunnies, and the deer, and the groundhogs!
As a retired person I can say the change is hard. Of course now I work very hard taking care of my Mom. It is exhausting, still I am blessed to have her still with me. I am still trying to find the balance of caregiver and taking care of myself.
It’s tricky. Your mom needs your help, but you also need help (time to yourself.) Take care, Linda.
“The wheels of the gods grind slowly, but they grind fine” -As does the work of the Special Counsel. Keep the faith.
Yes, indeed.