The crabapple blossoms opened a couple of days ago. We have several crabapple trees on the property and the look of the blossoms vary from tree to tree. But this is always the first one to bloom.
It’s sunny today but we’re to get a little snow tonight – about an inch at most and it will be gone quickly. I can count on about 3 fingers the number of times we’ve had snow during the first week in April. We’ve been living in New York for 20 years, so that tells you it’s rare. But mid-April? I can’t swear to it, but I think that’s never happened. Anyway, it’s went down to 29 degrees last night. From the looks of the forecast for the week ahead, it won’t go below freezing again.
Between babying my back and the bizarre weather we’ve had this month, I really can’t begin to clear the garden beds until mid-week. I don’t think I’ve ever waited this long.
We had a low-key day yesterday. Since it’s only the two of us, we don’t do anything special. We don’t eat meat, so it was the usual vegetarian dinner for us. (I try not to write about my feelings on this subject here. Suffice to say, I’ve been a vegetarian for 35 years.)
Don did make a sugar-free apple pie, so we had a nice warm piece for dessert. Delicious!
I did a little tour of the office/studio on IG the other day. Would you be interested in seeing those photos here on the blog? Let me know. I’d be happy to share them with you. What can I say, I was bored and restless so I started taking pictures!
I am in the middle of The Sea of Tranquility and I love it. I am a big fan of Emily St. John Mandel. Station Eleven was my introduction to her writing and it was excellent. I remember I borrowed it from the library and immediately after finishing it, I wanted to buy a copy so I could have it in my library. Note to self: You still haven’t done that. Get on it.
A couple of you asked what book I bought the other day. This is it. It came out in hardback when we were in the early days of lockdown and everyone raved about it. It’s supposed to be very funny. I held off on purchasing it for some reason and then, over time, forgot about it. But there it was, on the fiction shelves at Barnes & Noble, so I grabbed it.
Most of my TBR pile is now on top of my bookshelf in the bedroom, but I do keep 3 or 4 books in the den – a little pile on the floor in front of the dollhouse. That’s where Fleishman is in Trouble lives.
Alright my friends. I have to help Don tape an audition, so I have to get going.
Oh, I forgot! Don posted a song that he wrote about me on YouTube. If you want to hear it, here’s the link.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Yes, please. Photos of the studio! And thanks for sharing the new book!
I’m babying my back, too — and the same with the weather — 1-3″ of snow predicted but nice later in the week. April isn’t quite as fickle as May but it has its moments.
We had a lovely quiet day — brunch in the morning, a shirmp risotto for dinner (and dinner tonight — and probably tomorrow, too.) I painted, read, watched the Midwife. All good! Happy week!
Take care of your back, Jeanie!
Stay safe.
We had a dusting of snow last night but it is just on the grass. My daffodils are hanging their heads but they are still blooming!
What a sweet song for you by Don! Gosh, you guys are sure lucky!
We work hard at our marriage, but yes, we’re very lucky.
Stay safe, Ellen.
Oh, Claudia what a beautiful tribute to you from Don. What brought me to tears was the joy expressed on his face singing it to you.
Thanks for the photo of the book and please show photos of your studio. I have left all social media platforms.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Okay. Will do!
Stay safe, Kaye.
The sun is nowhere to be found today and we are expecting freezing rain turning into 2-4 inches of snow later on. I was feeling very down at that prospect but your Don’s song put a big smile in my face and made me sway with the melody. Could you both be any sweeter and loving? I don’t think so! Thank you for bringing the bright light of the sunshine into my heart. A big virtual hug for both of you!
Oh, I’m so glad that song gave you an escape from gloomy weather, Marlene.
Stay safe.
Love the song that Don wrote for you. You’re a lucky lady!
I am, indeed!
Stay safe, Cathy.
I have so many books around this place! I get them mostly at Half Price Books. You would think they were gold the way I keep books. I find it so hard to give them up. When I do I take them to the library and they go into the stacks of “Friends of the Library” for sale at a small amount. Then I can get more!!! I will have to watch Don’s song today. I have listened to a few and he is a great writer and singer.
It’s very hard for me to let go of my books. When I’m in a tough-minded mood, I stack up the ones I no longer want and donate them to our library sale.
Stay safe, Tana.
Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the song very much. You are both lucky. I hope your back is better soon. Spring is too lovely to be hampered with a bad back.
My back is much better. I’m just being careful and mindful when I’m working.
Thanks, Beverly.
Stay safe.
Yes please on the office/studio pictures.
Thanks, Lynda!
Stay safe.
best wishes for your back, don’s audition, more blooms and weather good for gardening.
yes, please, to the studio tour as a blog post. i don’t have an account so, if instagram lets me see anything, it’s usually just one or two images. thank you.
we had almost 1.5 of rain that turned into snow yesterday. very wet, added up slowly on everything but the streets over about eight hours and beautiful. weather guy this morning said we’ve had snow in april the past three years (02, 18 and 17).
thanks for the book tips.
happy, safe monday!
kathy
will have to listen to don’s song later. lunch break is over.
how very sweet, though, that he wrote a song about you!
kathy
xo
Not looking forward to the snow, but what can you do?
Stay safe, Kathy.
I love all your photos of anything ever, so send ’em our way. Today’s with the raindrops/dew on the blossoms; so beautiful. Snow? Really? Wow!
I know. I just want SPRING. No remnants of winter. No summer. JUST SPRING.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Yeah…..I’m idling along here, too. Good way to describe the situation. We woke up to about an inch of snow…it is all melted now, but still barely above freezing.
Loved Don’s song….how great is that! It had me smiling the whole time. Hope Don’s audition taping went well…good luck to Don on that. Enjoy your day! ;)
He’s had a few auditions lately. But it’s such a crap shoot. The two that he submitted last week were EXCELLENT. But nothing came of them.
It’s not an easy life.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
What an absolutely beautiful love song to you! It melted my heart.
Oh, thank you, Carolyn Marie. I’ll pass that on to Don.
Stay safe.
Pre-Covid my book group read station 11, and all of us liked it. I think it was the good writing, but it was also a great story. I just listen to Don’s, could it be any better? :-) I love it
Thank you, Nora.
You’ll really like her newest – The Sea of Tranquility – if you liked Station Eleven.
Stay safe!
Snow?!! Well, I guess if they got more in Tahoe for Easter to ski on, you might as well get some on the East Coast, too. Bizarre and annoying for you, I’m sure.
I haven’t checked in on IG in a few, but always happy to see all photos on your daily journal as well.
We’re mostly veggie people at my house as well. We just gravitated that way over 30+ years ago.
The song: Couldn’t be any better than that! How sweet it is – thank you, Don, and thank you, Claudia, for livening up one of my early mornings. Gorgeous setting, great sound recording, & beautiful tone from the guitar. Honestly, best outdoor recording I’ve ever heard. Usually nature intrudes.
Hoping your new day goes better today wishing the same for myself. ;-))
I’ll definitely share your words with Don, Martha. Thanks so very much!
Stay safe.
What a loving tribute of a man to his wife! It was beautiful! You both are so lucky to have each other! And love the pictures of the studio!
Stay safe.
Thank you so much, Lottie!
Stay safe.