This says it all; a surprise day lily and fallen leaves right next to each other. Every day I see more leaves on the ground. The leaves from our big maple tend to fall first. It’s a very old tree and I wonder if that is part of the reason. But maples in general, especially on our windy property, shed their leaves before the other trees, with the oaks and catalpas waiting until well into autumn.
Lord, is it hot here! The heat index had us well over 100 degrees yesterday and it was just plain awful to be outside for more than a few minutes. I watered everything in the morning, then stayed inside the rest of the day. More of the same, with even higher temps, today. It will break tomorrow.
Don, as luck would have it, has to go into the city today for an audition. The audition is no big deal – just one line in a tv series – but it’s going to be 96 degrees there today and you know that means the heat index will be off the charts. Better him than me, but I hope he gets in and out of the city quickly. I’ll be happy when he’s safely home.
I’m almost done with my deductions. Don has yet to do his, but he’ll be starting today. Might I add that he’ll be starting today because I have had to bug him about it for several days, several times a day. Sigh.
We watched La StradaΒ last night, Fellini’s masterpiece. I had never seen it. A couple of years ago we saw Nights of Cabiria with Giulietta Masina, Fellini’s wife, in the lead role and I was utterly enchanted with her performance. I think I wrote about it on the blog. She was the kind of actress that had a face for film and you could not take your eyes off her. Still can’t. The same thing happened in La Strada. But what was revelatory about this film for me was Anthony Quinn’s performance. I’ve never been a big fan of Quinn. He was a good actor and I certainly saw my share of his films. But this! He is amazing, playing a brutish character with such nuance that in the end, despite his actions, he breaks your heart. Wow. Add to that a young Richard Basehart in a role so much more interesting than anything he was saddled with in later years. It made me see him with fresh eyes. Quinn, too.
You can tell I’m still thinking about it this morning, can’t you?
Most of the coneflowers are still hanging in there after having opened quite a while ago, but here and there I see some that have just opened, like this one.
I’m sad that we’re coming up on Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer.
I’m not ready yet.
Happy Wednesday.
kathy in iowa says
hope the heat and humidity break for you soon! we are having a nice cooler day today so maybe that will travel soon enough to you ….
best wishes to don on the audition!
and the taxes!
i appreciate you sharing about movies you’ve watched and books you’ve read … gives me suggestions for when i want something new, good. thank you!
happy wednesday!
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
I’m happy to share. I like to share what I find interesting, especially a book or film I’ve just discovered!
Shanna says
Still hot hazy and humid around here, too. I’m melting! I don’t envy you your tax-figuring.
Since we were focused on weeds yesterday, I found this amazing article (Especially the photos!) in the Times magazine:
How the Common Weed Has Grown on Florists (and Chefs)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/t-magazine/weeds-flowers-food-trend.html
The cloud-like floral… er, weed arrangements styled by Mary Lennox are stunning! I can’t take my eyes off of them. (I even had to steal one for my screensaver!)
Claudia says
I just stole one for my screensaver. They are unbelievably stunning!! Thanks so much for the link, Shanna!
Shanna says
Don’t you just love the background, the distressed plaster wall, too?
Claudia says
I love it. It’s gorgeous! The whole thing is stunning. I saved all of the photos.
Linda @ A La Carte says
IT has been so hot. I have had to stay inside much of the day. Yesterday my A/C just couldn’t keep up. I got a new bird feeder and some new seed which the squirrels aren’t suppose to like. Just waiting for the birds to try it. I know it can take up to a month for the birds to eat a new food. I miss seeing them but they will be back! I also can’t believe it’s almost Labor Day! Where did August go. Of course Sept is looking great to me as I get to spend a week in Cali with my girl Ashleigh. Can’t wait!
Claudia says
So glad you’re going to see Ashleigh in September!
Kay says
Found a yellow leaf on the ground yesterday and brought it inside. The heat finally broke here this morning, but we’re still under flash flood warnings after all the inches of rain. This really has been a summer for the record books. Let’s hope for a nice, long mild autumn. Everything is so nice and green again it should be a pretty one!
Claudia says
I would love a nice, long and mild autumn. That would be so lovely!
Donnamae says
Oh…sure you hope you get our cooler weather. Itβs cloudy…but much cooler…refreshing. We didnβt get as much rain as predicted, but still under flood warnings. The central part of the state got up to 12 inches…and that water has to go somewhere. Mostly downhill I predict.
I think it would be fascinating to watch a movie with you. You have such insight, and would look for different things than the average movie watcher would look for, because of your training and background I believe. I think it would be really eye-opening.
Enjoy your day…stay cool! ;)
Claudia says
I think it’s dropping to the eighties tomorrow and then to the seventies the next day. Thunderstorms tomorrow.
Bring it!
Vicki says
Your photos today are such a treat for the eyes!
Claudia says
Thank you, Vicki!
Marilyn says
This heat is awful. I saw that over the week end it should be cooler with thunderstorms. Keep cool. Hope Don has gotten home safe and gets the job.
Marilyn
Claudia says
Thanks, Marilyn. He’s not home yet but should be here in about 30 minutes. He’s going to want to take a shower after being out in that heat all day!
Nancy Blue Moon says
Day lilies and Autumn leaves…quite the odd couple….lol…I hope that Don survived the city heat!
Claudia says
He did!