Let’s get the under-the-weather stuff out of the way. Still feeling crappy. Still congested. Have now entered the coughing my lungs out stage.
I was trying to decide whether to go to a run-through of Kiss Me Kate on Sunday or Wednesday. Well, no one needs to hear me coughing constantly as he/she is trying to remember lines and sing and dance, so Wednesday it is. Thank goodness I have some flexibility there.
And I just found out I’m going back to Chautauqua for 3 weeks to coach Our Town. The director is an old friend of mine – one of the most delightful people I know – and I loved Chautauqua, so this is a win-win. Don will hold down the fort here. Don was just in Our Town. Now, I’m coaching it. Full circle in the Hill-Sparks household.
And you’ll get to see photos of Chautauqua – a delightfully charming place, which is like another world. Sort of like Brigadoon.
I ventured out in the afternoon yesterday to see what was happening on the property. My word for this post is: Green. New growth is everywhere.
Spirea
Flowering quince buds
Climbing hydrangea
Lilacs – just about ready to open
Wild honeysuckle
Limelight hydrangea
Glorious. Everything is late this spring, but today’s temps in the high seventies and bright sunlight will move things along.
I still haven’t mulched, simply because I don’t have the energy to go the garden shop to buy it. Maybe Monday? For now, I’m taking it easy because I have no choice. I’m just about finished with my current book and then I have to start another one to review. I have several book reviews coming up in the next month or two and that means more giveaways. Huzzah!
That took all my energy. I’m going to sign off now.
Happy Saturday.
That is one wicked virus that you have Claudia. It’s been going around here, my Mom got it, and quite a few other people too.
Our lilacs are just a smidge sooner then yours…but downtown they have been blooming for longer. Apparently it’s about 3 weeks early this spring…
Jen
And we’re about three weeks late! Ah well. I’m glad it’s finally here!
Feel better soon! Get some sunshine and have tea on the porch. ;) Can’t wait until you show us Chautauqua! Happy May!
Chautauqua is so gorgeous. I look forward to sharing it with everyone.
I’m sorry you’re still struggling with that nasty virus Claudia. I’m looking forward to seeing Chautauqua through your eyes since I’ve never been there.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy!
It is funny that Don was recently in OUR TOWN. And now you’ll be coaching it. I love seeming green budding out. Who says flowers have to be opened to be beautiful?
Absolutely! Green is gorgeous!
Gorgeous photos of the green in your yard. I do love when things start to bud out, one of the prettiest times of the year to me. I hope today’s rest will help you feel better. How fun to get to coach Our Town. I look forward to seeing Chautauqua through your lens!
hugs,
Linda
It’s so charming, really like another world.
Sorry that virus is hanging on so long. Sounds like a good day for hot tea and reading. I’m glad that everything is budding out…that’s a relief after your long winter. Because of you…I bought 2 limelight hydrangeas…planted them the other day…along with quite a few hostas. Still more planting to do…I need a rain day to get caught up on laundry and housework. How fun that you are going back to Chatauqua! ;)
It will be lovely. I’m looking forward to it, Donnamae!
Good news about work! Get better my sister.
Mere
Feeling so crappy, Mer. I just want to be able to get outside and mow and plant and mulch. Darn it! I don’t leave for Chautauqua until about June 14th.
Isn’t it wonderful to see green again. With the temps we have had the last couple of days things are really popping up. I think the bleedinghearts have shot up a foot in the last couple of days. Congratuations on the new job! It sounds like you will have a reunion with an old friend. I have opened a new blog and hope that I won’t have the problems that I had with the old one.
Crossing my fingers for you, Teresa. Let me know your blog address!
Gardensandcamera.blogspot.com
I hope you’re on the mend soon. Honestly, who has time to be sick?
We’re expecting snow mid-week, so I’ll have to content myself with looking at your lovely photos of “outside”. Spring this far north sometimes doesn’t arrive until June. How exciting for you about Chautauqua! I hope you’re able to visit the miniatures shop again – it looks amazing.
I sure don’t have time to be sick! This, besides making me feel crappy, is extremely bothersome.
Snow?
Oh, I forget how far north you are and how fickle the weather can be in the early spring. Hang in there, Barbara!
I am definitely going to the mini shop again!
It took me about 10 days to get over my cold and another couple of weeks to get rid of the coughing, which aggravates my asthma. Bleh… Drink lots of warm honey lemon water to get ready for Wednesday. Love all the budding happening around your property. I live in a development (my late hubby’s choice, less mine) and I have been bugging the homeowners association to trim the pines behind my house. Finally was done a couple of months ago and my poor plants have sunshine again! They have been going wild, sending out new shoots. The lemon tree bore more fruit than it had in a while…juicy juicy fruit with thin skins, not the mean meager thick-skinned fruit from the last couple of years. They are thanking me for the sunlight!
Those plants are definitely thanking you, Wendy. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a fresh lemon!
I’ll take your advice about the warm honey lemon water.
Claudia, sorry you are still feeling so bad. Have you been to the Dr? If this hangs on much longer it would be a good idea to go. Take care, rest, rest, rest.
I tend to stay away from the doctor unless absolutely necessary. I have bad allergies and sinus problems almost every day of my life, so when something hits – like a cold – it’s pretty bad. I don’t have a fever. I think it’s just the crud.
Thanks, Marilyn!
That nasty virus does like to keep hanging on Claudia..wishing you the best..
Thank you, Nancy.
Hey, that’s terrific news about Chautauqua. What a spot in which to spend three Summer weeks! I’m already looking forward to your posts from there. Great photos today too. No one, NO ONE, can take nature close-ups like you, Claudia. Love seeing bright ‘newly-born’ leaves and plump little buds just waiting to pop. PS – if cough drops would help at all, those Halls sugar-free citrus drops are very effective [and no extra teeth brushing required]. Feel better and enjoy the weekend as best you can… :>)
Thanks for your kind words, Janet! I’ve got Ricola sugar-free drops here…though with a cough this bad, there’s only so much they can do, I suppose!
I’m telling you this respiratory bug is the worst. Most people think it is just allergies until they are so sick they can’t take a breath without a coughing attack. I hope you get over it soon so you can go on with all the plans popping up.
Really! I need to get this thing done! I have too many things to do!
Your lilacs are ahead of mine in Western NY. The leaves are just emerging from bud here. No planting anything until closer to the end of May. :(
Well, I’m certainly not putting anything new in the ground until at least Mother’s Day!
Sorry you aren’t feeling well. You had to miss ‘National Garden in the Nude’ today :)
I hope you start feeling better soon! pam
You just can’t get a break from this respiratory stuff. Could allergy be triggering it.
Congrats on the up coming coaching job. I will look forward to your pictures.
Feel better.
Your ‘green’ photos were so nice. I can’t believe when you don’t feel well that you still blog and show us pictures. (Thank you!) I hope it means for the rest of the day you’re putting your feet up, wrapping yourself up in a cozy afghan or quilt and drinking something hot, sleeping when you can! Coughing is exhausting.
I’m looking forward to your shots of Chatac-whatever although of course I’ve heard of it because it’s a well-known place (just can’t spell it). Love to see your comings and goings, as the locale is so completely different than anything I know and I always appreciate it when you take us right along with you for a tour. For now, be well!
I had one of those change of season things that just wouldn’t go away. Lots of ginger, honey and garlic in various combinations in tea and broth helped a lot.