Let’s start with one of my favorite beings – Henry.
I’ve spotted him several times over the past few days. He comes out of his underground home, eats, stops, listens, gets scared, and retreats. Meals must be so stressful for him.
These photos are taken from my hiding place inside the kitchen, of course. If I tried to move outside, he’d immediately retreat.
He’s getting gray. He’s moving a bit more slowly. (Just like us.)
He’s always alone. I worry about him being lonely, just like I worry about the single mourning dove. I wish they knew I think of them as my friends and that I’m right here, watching them. Love you, Henry.
Spotted yesterday:
Moonflower buds. They’re tiny, but they’re there.
Don and I took off for the town of Saugerties yesterday. We ate a yummy vegetarian lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and spent time in two different bookshops. I bought Felicity, Mary Oliver’s latest book of poetry, and a used copy of The Lyre of Orpheus by Robertson Davies, one of my very favorite authors. I own most of his books, but – you guessed it – they’re in the dreaded shed. So I’m slowly rebuilding my collection.
We arrived back home to see a box waiting for me. I knew what was in it.
Hello, gorgeous Roseville in the Ixia pattern!
You might remember that I purchased a vase in this pattern several months ago. It just might be my favorite pattern – at least for now. I especially love it in this soft green (it comes in other color combinations) and the art deco styling of those handles. You’re looking at the front.
Here is the back.
I haven’t been bidding on any Roseville for a long time, partly because I was putting any funds I could spare into Don’s mini studio, but also because prices, especially starting bid prices, on eBay had risen and I wasn’t about to pay that much. But I occasionally stop in and check out what’s new. This vase was listed at a very fair price, but the shipping costs were way too high. So, after learning my lesson the last time I bid without checking the cost of shipping, I emailed the seller. He kindly checked into it and (this is the second seller who has told me this) said that eBay had estimated that cost – why, he didn’t know – and he promptly revised it. So I bid on it. And no one else did. What??
It’s in perfect condition.
Here are my two Ixias.
We’ve been having absolutely gorgeous weather; mid-seventies, no humidity, blue skies with big fluffy clouds. Grateful.
Happy Sunday.
Wendy T says
Glad you’ve spotted He try again. He may have been retreating from the heat and humidity. No way he can take off that coat! In fact, soon he’ll be thickening his fur for winter. I’m sad you have to keep some of your things in the shed. I try not to store in the garage things that I want in the house. They just seem to away from me. Nice Roseville find. You seem to stumble on a few where you’ve been the only bidder. I have come across the same issue with shipping costs estimated by the selling site. I recently bought on Etsy, and without my asking, the seller refunded 50% of the shipping costs. She could have easily kept it for herself, since I already PayPal’d payment. I have dealt with her in the past (I always buy my planner refills from her) and I appreciate her honesty.
Wendy T says
How the heck did spell-check turn Henry to He try??
Claudia says
Spell check is a mystery, Wendy!
Claudia says
I wish we had more room here – so much has had to go into the shed or storage and all my record albums have been ruined over the years as well as many of my books. I’ve retrieved as many as I could, but what can you do?
What a good and honest seller on Etsy!
Frog Hollow Farm Girl says
Hi Cluadia, I love your new Roseville piece! You know, I thought it was a lily of the valley flower at first, one of my very favorite flowers. Did Roseville make any lily of the valley pieces? I don’t recall any from your collection, but I might just have missed them. Such a sweet, fat ground hog, and gray no less. It must indeed be the stress of constantly watching – they are so shy! xxoo
Claudia says
I don’t think there are any lily of the valley pieces – I’ll check.
It makes me sad to see sweet Henry so gray!
kathy says
glad you’ve seen henry again and won that pretty vase.
also glad that you and don had a nice day-trip to saugerties. does he enjoy reading, too?
i am grateful to have a job, but am glad for a day off work tomorrow! happy labor day to everyone, especially those who have to work.
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
He does, but nearly as much as I do! I am the big reader around here, Kathy! Happy Labor Day and I’m glad you’re getting a day off!
Linda @ A La Carte says
That new piece of Roseville is gorgeous! I really love that pattern. I guess I need to keep in mind that sometimes the high shipping costs can be reduced if contact is made with the seller. I’ve not bought any Roseville for a long while now either! So glad you saw Henry and he seems to be doing well. The last few days have been cooler and I’ve really enjoyed being outside. Three years ago I was heading to Paris! I enjoy going back and reading my blog posts from that trip! It was glorious!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia says
Yes, always check! I learned just in the nick of time when I bid on a piece and won it and then saw the shipping cost! Luckily, the seller changed the price! It’s been beautiful here, Linda. Warming up again mid-week.
Melanie says
Henry is so cute. We used to have a groundhog living under our front porch for awhile, but I haven’t seen any groundhogs now for a few years. Don’t know why. They can be destructive though. They will dig tunnels under porches, sheds, etc.
Bought Felicity when it first came out. As you know, Mary Oliver is my favorite poet, too. With your books being in the shed, can you make it a project to start lugging in and going through one box at a time?
Love that Roseville piece. Just gorgeous.
Weather here is the same as yours – 70’s and low humidity. Divine!
Claudia says
They dig tunnels because that’s where they live – in a highly intricate set of tunnels, one for living, one for sleeping, one for defecating. So I don’t mind. They live under the shed and have lived there for years. We all get along.
The shed needs a huge clean-out and a lot of stuff needs to be dumped. Right now there is so much in there, that I can’t even GET to the books! Hopefully, that’s on the docket for next month.
The weather is so heavenly!
Shanna says
Henry is an adorable being! I’m glad he’s shown up again…probably stuffing himself to prepare for hibernation, which, sadly, can’t be too far off. I also love the Roseville find. I must be careful not to admire it too much as I have so many addictions already. That downsizing a couple of years ago didn’t even start to cure me of my collecting affliction. Oh, well. I’ll be starting another pet portrait today or tomorrow, with two more waiting in the wings. That should keep me from shopping on the internet too much!
Claudia says
I have so many collections, Shanna – in so little space. It’s really rather alarming! For instance, I’m wondering where the heck I’m going to put this new piece of Roseville!
Someone just contacted me today asking for your email address. You’re going to have some worked lined up, my friend!
Nancy Blue Moon says
It seems like all members of the rodent family are so cute..I do hope we get to see the moonflower in bloom…I like the art deco style of those vases too Claudia!
Claudia says
So do I! I’m praying that there isn’t an early frost! Next year, I’ll plant them much earlier.
Judy Clark says
Good to see Henry again, Is he a groundhog? Love your new vase. Gorgeous.
Judy
Claudia says
Yes, indeed! He’s an adorable groundhog, Judy!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Awww….. sweet Henry! He doesn’t look like he is TOO scared to eat!! I’m sure they need to bulk up a bit for winter.
I have my 2nd bloom on my MG, but I can only see maybe 3 more buds and the plant has climbed up about 15 feet. Lots of leaves………. hardly any buds. I will just enjoy the few, I guess!! Have a great rest of the day!!
Claudia says
Hopefully, there will be more buds, Chris!
Grace says
Henry is so lovable…..he looks cuddly although surely that is not what he has in mind. He should be nice and cozy in his thick coat for a comfortable winter snooze. It must feel magical to see him out in your garden,it even did for me seeing your picture!
Reading about Winston and Riley along with Scout and their images made me so grateful for the love the two of you have embraced them with. That is something to celebrate ,beautiful ,for all the heartache along with it.
The delicate representations on the Roseville ,
and the Moonflower i am wondering to see bloom
somehow seem perfect reminders of the everchanging nature of our existence here.
thanks as always and keep up your spirits Claudia.
Claudia says
I’m sure hoping to see that moonflower bloom, Grace, but now I’m worried I’m mistaking a leaf bud for a flower bud! I hope not. Thank you for your lovely words, Grace.
Grace says
And, some more Louise Penny reading needs to go on to my ridiculous TO DO list:)
Claudia says
She is simply wonderful, Grace.
Janet in Rochester says
Catching up today. Big all-day family picnic yesterday and I never opened my laptop once! First time in a LONG time I can say that. Anywho – glad Henry is still around. I imagine he was laying low during the hideous heat – can’t blame him for that. Smart fellow. But now that the weather’s being much more cooperative, I bet he’s glad to have a chance to pop out a bit. We actually had a campfire at our picnic last night, and haven’t had one since May [we usually have them all Summer]. So that was nice too.