Yesterday, we watched in surprise as several orange-colored county trucks pulled up in front of the house. Our culvert had been cleaned out with an earth mover a couple of weeks ago, along with the culvert of our next door neighbor. Just the other day, we noticed two long lengths of metal pipe in the culvert, which we assumed must have been dropped off by the county.
Sure enough, they were replacing the pipe that runs under our driveway. Pipe that had apparently seen better days. We’ve had some problems with flooding in the culvert from time to time, as have our neighbors. After dragging on a pair of jeans, I hurriedly ran outside to make sure they were alerted to the presence of our peonies right beside the driveway. Though they look a mess at the moment, the new stalks are slowly emerging from the ground. The guys were great. They assured me they wouldn’t harm one bit of the peony patch, as I call it. And they didn’t.
Lots of activity, lots of machinery. But they got it all done in about 90 minutes or so.
I was more excited about all this than was my husband, who kept on reading a book of poetry. I’m afraid I’m a little bit like Gladys Kravitz of Bewitched, always watching what’s happening on my little stretch of road, trying to figure out what’s going on at any given moment. I think that’s why I love Hitchcock’s Rear Window so much. It’s an excellent thriller, but what I totally get is living in an apartment in a big city, watching the life that goes on around you, noticing when there’s a light on in a window, watching people come and go – you know what I mean. I’ve lived in many city apartments and I was always curious about the lives of other tenants.
I also did a little work outside for the first time this year. Huzzah! I didn’t do much, knowing that I had to take it slowly, but I cleaned up all the stray sticks and small branches that had fallen during the winter. I raked up the many bean pods that dropped from the catalpa tree. And I started to clean out a tiny section of the big garden bed. I’m doing that very slowly because the temps have gone down to near, but not quite, freezing the last couple of nights and I don’t want to remove the leaf mulch yet.
Then Don and I drove to a market that sells Valencia Oranges, because he is suddenly into making fresh orange juice. (He loved those oranges we brought home from Florida.) We stopped at the bookstore because it’s right across the street and he bought a couple of books of Billy Collins’ poetry. I got a magazine – rare – and the first Harry Hope mystery by Jo Nesbo. I haven’t read any of his books but I’ve heard nothing but good things about them, so I figured it was time to read one.
But first I have to finish The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I avoided this one for a long time because of the constant comparisons to Gone Girl, which as you might remember, I disliked intensely. But one of the literary staff at Hartford Stage told me I should read it. As did Darko. (But he liked Gone Girl.) Anyway, I checked it out of my library and I’m about half-way through it. The female characters are rather hard to like, though I find myself liking them a bit more as I go on, and the story is quite compelling. I already sense it isn’t as manipulative as Gone Girl, thank goodness, though there is the same sort of emotional distancing from the protagonist. I’ll report back when I finish.
Lest you think I’m always happy, always full of gratitude, let me assure you I have my bad days. Tuesday was such a day. I woke up feeling out of sorts. My allergies were bad. I ran several errands, one of which was visiting our little library. On the way up the drive I realized it was the first time I’d been there since Scout died and I immediately flashed on the walks we took her on during the last year of her life. She loved that downward sloping driveway because it allowed her to lope on the way down, something that was increasingly hard for her to do on a flat surface. But after that time in Hartford when she galloped around the park, I wanted her to have that experience again. She was always so joyful in those moments, even though she would be very tired when we got home.
Then I walked in the door and Don wasn’t here and the house was empty and she wasn’t there to greet me and I was incredibly sad for the rest of the day.
We wrote that message on the chalkboard on the day Scout died. It’s been there ever since.
There are good days and there are bad days.
Happy Thursday.
Hi Claudia, Glad you were able to g out and do a little garden clean-up. I think the buds on our wisteria (and there are literally hundreds) are all toast thanks to last Saturday’s snow. I think/hope the lilac buds are ok…time will tell. Will be interested to hear your take on The Girl on the Train. I tried to read it but couldn’t…just didn’t like the characters at all. I’m having a hard time getting through the books on my Kindle from the library (as well as some “real” ones that I borrowed from the library) before they all expire! I had so many that I was waiting for (had on hold) and they all came in at once!
Oh, I’ve had that happen! And then you feel so pressured to read them all. Hang in there, Vera!
Good morning Claudia! Rear Window is one of my all-time faves. They don’t make them like that any more.
We lost our Molly 2 years ago and even though we now share our lives with our sweet Annie, Molly is still in our thoughts every day. She will be in our hearts forever.
Yes. They stay with us forever, don’t they? And that’s a good thing.
I feel a little like a nosy Nellie myself…checking out what’s going on in the neighborhood. I always gotta know. Guess I’m just a curious sort! Working outside today…just a little at a time…there are things to cut back…sticks to pick up. Like you…I’m fearful of clearing out too much that could act as cover for emerging plants. Just don’t know what the weather holds! Fresh squeezed orange juice sounds wonderful! ;)
I’m going to be cutting back some of my plants today, Donnamae. It will feel good to be outside. It’s still a bit cold at night and I don’t think it will stay no lower than the forties until Sunday. Slow and steady.
I had a good laugh when you mentioned Gladys Kravitz! Yesterday I was Gladys too. I watched a utility rep from the city mark gas lines, thinking that perhaps they were finally going to address the pot holes in our street. Turns out they were there to mark for my neighbor’s renovation project. I am glad your peony patch was not harmed. The good and bad days will persist, but eventually the bad days will be less frequent. Enjoy your new reads. PS: Rear Window is a favorite of mine too. Every little detail so perfect and so riveting.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I finally own a copy because I asked for it for Christmas a year ago. It’s really one of my all-time favorite movies.
One of my favorite things to do when I am riding in a car after dark is to look in the windows of homes and see what the people are doing. I especially remember one home years ago where the family was sitting around the dining room table playing cards. Most families are watching TV.
I used to do that all the time when I was living in Philadelphia and Boston. I’d walk around in the early evenings and sometimes I’d get a glimpse of life inside a window. Loved that.
Save the peonies!! So glad they were able to do so. I love my peonies, and I only wish the flowers lasted as long as the buds. They are with us for such a short time….shorter, still, if we have a heavy rain. Yay for nice and caring workers.
I couldn’t get into Gone Girl, either, but I did make it through The Girl on the Train. I had a hard time with getting to understand most of the characters. The way (and the when) of how they developed was interesting. I found myself frustrated with the main character quite a bit.
Fun that you were able to get out into the gardens and the yard.
Supposed to be mid to upper 50’s today and near 70 and above the following 3 days in our neck of the woods. And wonderful sun!! Finally!!
As for the main character, I feel the same way. I want to slap her sometimes!
I am Gladys Kravitz too! My neighbor checks in often just to hear what is happening on our street. I listened to Girl On The Train during some long drives. I know you don’t like to consume books in the recorded format, but I liked the way this one was read by three different voice actresses in accents I would not have conjured up in my head. It kept me sitting in the driveway a couple of times to hear how some of the plot twists would play out.
It’s hard to like the characters but I find the story really interesting, so I’m hanging in there with it. I want to know how it ends, Kaye!
Claudia, I hope the good days outnumber the bad ones. I went to the cat rescue adoption set up at a local big box pet supply place last Saturday. Plenty of cats looking for a home. I’m ready for two, but have some parental health crises that need to pass first.
They vary, but lately I think the good have been a bit more prevalent. I hope it stays that way. We’re coming up on the 2 year anniversary of my mother’s death, so I know that will be difficult.
I know you want more kitties and I hope you get them soon. I also hope your parents are feeling better, Wendy.
And here I thought I was the only one in the world who loves “Rear Window”, outside of my husband of course. I love the eclectic world of the residents who were portrayed there, a mirror of any street, any housing complex. Now that we live in the country, we don’t have as much “action” outside our windows …. lots of greenery and deer and at times, our friendly moose. but no windows to peek in! I love driving at night when curtains are open and lights are on. I’m always curious how people live. My little curious mind needs to know!
Love the note you have kept up, a piece of that difficult day. Thinking of you today.
Oh, I love, love, love Rear Window! I’m like you, Chy. Very curious. Don can’t understand why I even bother, but it’s a good thing one of us does!
I’ve had a lot of disappointments and shocks like anybody and I’ve noticed over the years that I temper my reactions to things as a consequence…and I’m afraid I probably lower my expectations in order to shield some blows. I wish it wasn’t so; I don’t like to approach things warily. It’s not really my nature but, you know, once burned/twice wise. When you’re young, or at least when I was young, I’d throw myself full bore into things and then wind up crashing down sometimes. My doctor calls it (after going thru a cancer battle with his young son) finding a way to under-react. Yesterday, I had a wild day on little-to-no sleep, having to drive to a city for a medical appointment on an unfamiliar road (a dangerous one to boot, locally nicknamed Blood Alley; I’m sure any area has one named the same). I tried to allow extra time and, following the appointment, I also had multiple errands, all the while with a pounding headache and feeling so weary. I don’t like facing a day thinking something is going to go wrong so I had to really combat that and be glad for every time I hit a green signal light (so I wasn’t late), feeling blessed that traffic was not heavy on the bad road, grateful it wasn’t raining when I had to drive someplace out of my norm, happy that I didn’t run into long lines at the stores…and so on. Five hours later, I pretty much fell into the house and felt pretty relieved that everything had gone fairly well. I hadn’t been to this doctor in a few years and I learned his wife had recently passed at age 64 and it really unsettled me. I had met her once. He said, “I miss her.” They’d been married for over 40 years and he’s only age 67; has longevity in his genes and no doubt feels he has a yet-lengthy life ahead without his partner so I’m not surprised he told me he plans to work til he’s age 80 if he can because I sensed a need in him to keep busy and that it’s unlikely he’d remarry. It seems clear as mature adults, as you say, we are going to have the good days and the bad days. I guess we really do learn to be grateful for the smaller things. Man, when I was young, the days seemed…in reflection…SO good, and infinite! I guess that sounds melancholy; don’t mean for it to!
Claudia, I’m kind of a neighborhood watchdog, too. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I’m home and a lot of other people aren’t, so I keep my eye out when I come and go. I have one really, really bad neighbor who is impossible to trust…he’s temporary, thankfully…and although I don’t want to be, I guess I choose to be tuned in to his routine because, for one, when he’s in my space/line of sight, I’d rather be elsewhere. Have to chuckle about this now, although it would irritate me slightly at the time because I was very busy in those days with work outside the home (intense job) and time at my house was so precious, but I once had an elderly neighbor who liked me and I swear she knew every bit of my schedule. The minute I’d pop open my garage door, take out the trash, open my gate or park my car, here she’d come trotting, bless her heart; I know she was lonely. She didn’t much venture from her own house although she seemed to know a whole lot about the neighborhood, so I think she must have sat in a chair by a window and watched a lot of neighborhood life; actually, with me being gone so much, she was sort of a treasure trove of information when it came to goings-on on our street! Everybody and everything has a place, right?
You know, I have GONE GIRL (movie) recorded on my DVR but I’ve never even watched it. You hit the nail on the head. I felt manipulated midway through the book. At first, I was really caught up in it and then it just got stupid. I felt so unsatisfied when I finished reading it. Like, don’t waste my time!
Have a good rest of your day. I’ve got another medical appointment but then I’m getting right back home and battening down. Southern California is in for high wind as the day grows long and the news reports sound kinda ominous, so I don’t want to be out. I just watered all my newly-potted plants and made sure the ones on ledges are secure. My husband is in the process of building a shed and he had to get up early to make sure it’s reinforced so that we don’t have flying pieces of wood. One thing that will be nice is that the wind should clear up a lot of low fog hanging over the mountains, which makes the day humid and the air mucky.
You’re wise to not overdo on your back, Claudia. Get at that heavy yardwork in increments; it’s such a big job for you each Spring.
I understand; the days seemed endless when I was young. Not so endless nowadays.
Gone Girl was so blatantly manipulative that I literally – and I do mean literally – threw the book across the room.
This one is manipulative in the way that all good mysteries are manipulative and that strikes me as normal. At least so far. The characters aren’t particularly likable and that usually keeps me from finishing a book, but in this case, the story is so well written and so compelling that I really want to know how it ends and, right now, I have absolutely no clue! That’s a good thing.
Just got in from working in the yard. I was out there about an hour and a half. That’s enough for today. Headed for a nice hot shower.
Stay safe in those winds, Vicki!
Claudia, I was thinking about this again and I really want to express my thanks for your daily posts. It’s really quite remarkable that you post almost every single day. I’m sure it must be quite a lot of effort with your fonts, colors, sentence structure, not too long, not too short. I know you wouldn’t do it if you didn’t enjoy it and find it cathartic in probably many ways but, really, as a reader, it’s of benefit…and I also think it’s nice that you answer your readers; that you acknowledge their visits to your blog. It’s polite and I do indeed do what you encourage, coming back at later times to ‘listen’ in to the continuing dialog. You have a really nice audience here.
Thank you so much, Vicki! It’s my pleasure.
There will always be good days and bad days. I found with Landen that just suddenly one day, my memories of him went from the bad times – all of the treatments, losing hair, etc. – turned into happy memories – times we did such fun things and laughed so hard. I haven’t gotten to that time with memories of John. I still have good memories but the loss is so great.
Have a good weekend my friend.
Judy
The loss of John is still so new and so painful, that it will take a while until you turn that corner, Judy. Much love to you my friend.
I love Rear Window and yes I’m a bit snoopy when it comes to what is going on in my neighborhood. I think it’s a good thing to be ‘aware’ (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). I am glad I read ‘Girl on a Train’ but did not like the characters at all. It was a challenge to read but a good one for me. I never read Gone Girl. So happy you are getting some outside time as I know the garden is a happy and healing place for you. I had to stop in PetSmart yesterday for some pill pockets for Mom’s cat and they always have cats up for adoption. My heart didn’t leap at any of them but they did make me smile. Maybe this summer Tiger and I will find a new kitty. I still have to give it time. Charlie is still everywhere for me as I know Scout is for you.
hugs,
Linda
Don’t bother with Gone Girl. You’ll get angry at the author. It’s a good thing the kitties could make you smile. When you’re ready, you’ll know. Same here.
When I saw the blackboard at the end of your post, I immediately thought of something I had recently seen on a friends facebook page. She had taken a few of her dogs most memory filled items, like his collar and pictures and a toy, and mounted them in a memory box/frame. It was simple but so sweet. And a little plaque with his name and the dates. It made me cry. It was a simple tribute, but it made me think of scout.
I have always clipped a lock of my dogs’ hair when it is time to say goodbye. I save their collars and I have their ashes. Usually, I loop the collar over the container of ashes. I don’t think I could look at a memory box all the time. Too painful. But we do have pictures of the dogs on display and I’d love to find someone to paint a portrait of Scout and Riley someday. That I would love.
Oh now I know just what to call myself too. I’m a Gladys Kravitz. Always watching the comings and goings in my apartment community. I get an excellent view of the clubhouse, pool and office building here, which gets a lot of activity. Residents, gardeners, workmen in and out etc. And I’ve been here quite a while so I often recognize which visitors arrive for which apartments, whose kids and grandkids belong to whom etc. It’s a little fun, and very “Rear-Windowy” too. One of my all-time favorite Alfred H movies. That, and “Suspicion.” I think you should frame a print of your chalkboard photo and set it out somewhere in the house, maybe in your office where you’d see it often, but not ALL the time. PS ? – I can totally relate to Don’s OJ obsession. There’s just nothing like a super-fresh orange, is there? DI-rect from Florida. I feel the exact same way in the Fall when our glorious New York State apples start appearing. THE best. ?
That’s a good idea, Janet. I may do that.
The orange juice ended up being the best I’ve ever had, so I’m going to encourage him in this new habit!
I told you that my family is dealing with a stress right now with my husband’s health, but what I didn’t say is what a calming and positive influence your blog is to me. I frequently view your beautiful photos, and the challenges that you have faced in the past couple years, and your honesty and attitudes toward them are of so much restful help to me. I seriously believe that the things we go through in this life are, at least partially, so that we can help others who will be going through things too. Thank you for sharing all that you share.
Oh, thank you, Laura. Your words are beautiful and they mean a great deal to me. If I can be of any help to others, well, that makes me feel better. Thank you.
Hello Claudia, Well, good for your road workers being so proactive in replacing the culverts before damage was done. Nice that they were careful of your plants too as I know that’s not always the case. I confess that from my “knitting chair” I can see activity in our neighborhood too. We have a rather interesting family across the street. Even if I didn’t want to watch, the noise they make attracts attention. I like being at the lake in the summerso I’m not drawn into their drama. In the winter it’s usually too cold for them to be outside.
When we lose a precious family member it’s just taking one day at a time and trying to survive. I have a vivid memory of driving to the cemetery in the funeral procession after my Mom’s funeral. All of those other drivers waiting impatiently for us to go through intersections, just going on about their day as if MY MOTHER hadn’t just died. I couldn’t comprehend their attitudes. (As if they knew what I was going through. They didn’t.) Life does go on but it takes lots of time and tears. I’m still praying for you and Don.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you so much, Betsy. Time times 3, I guess, because I’m mourning my parents and my dog. Sigh. I’m hanging in there.
Just remember that Scout would want her Mom and Dad to smile when they think of her…The three of you made such wonderful memories together…”Rear Window” is one of Hitchcock’s
best…although I pretty much love all of his work…
Still not ready to smile. That will take time.
Hello, I read both books but did not like them. However, I am so enjoying River on Netflix. Thank you so much for recommendation! Diane
You’re welcome. I have to admit I’m enjoying Girl on the Train.
Tender hugs, Claudia. xoxoxo
Thank you, Sheila.
I can just picture you, “Save the Peonies!!!” At all costs, save my flowers. I
feel the same. After all, our perennials are like old friends who reappear after being on holiday over the winter.
Claudia, I so appreciate how you share not only your daily life, but your feelings even when things are just not that great. There are days, like today, when simply reading that you, someone I haven’t met, who lives so very far way express so many things that touch my own heart. Things that I might be experiencing that day….like today. Some days I miss my kitties so much it is like a thick vapor and it is hard to breathe. (it has been about a year) And my face just does not want to smile…..and my heart doesn’t either.
Those days are much fewer, but they still crop up. And coming home to an empty house was one of the hardest things to face.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train…..
I thought it was just me, but Gone Girl became so twisted toward the middle that I decided I didn’t want to give it space in my memory bank. Rarely, do I
not finish a book even if I have to skim it quickly to get to the end….in this
case I was relieved to leave it unfinished. I didn’t want to return it to the library (which I did). I Wanted to throw it in the trash (which I didn’t do).
The Girl on the Train was less so, but came in close. As a result my reading choices are made much more carefully. There so many other uplifting, yet interesting books to soak up.
And now I think I will have a glass of fresh orange juice…..thank you, Don.
I must admit I’m intrigued by The Girl on the Train, in spite of the fact that I want to slap all three of the female characters. The plot is so well written that it’s keeping me engaged, much to my surprise.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joan.
Thank goodness they were kind to the peonies! Today I pointed mine out to Bob – they are just a few inches up – and threatened him with assault and battery, perhaps even worse, if he dares to step on them, OR pulls them out! He doesn’t know a weed from a Knockout Rose!!!!!
Happy weekend – like you I’m doing a little at a time in the garden, bad backs really are cruel!
Love, Mary
I noticed a hosta coming up yesterday, that is right by the outside entrance to our basement – I had to warn Don about it last year, and I’m going to be proactive this year and put something there to remind him about it!
I wish you many good days. They may even be better due to the bad days. We all have them. There was a song on th radio today when I drove to Frauenfeld. I started crying immedeiatelly because it reminds me of a teacher friend who died two years ago. I think it is nice to be reminded of our loved ones (alive and dead) even if it hurts. All the best! Regula
I agree, Regula. Thank you.
The Girl on the Train is worth it, keep reading because the characters do develop even thought at times you just want to scream at them to get it together! You know I hated Gone Girl, I could not even finish it. But I really liked The Girl on the Train and it all makes sense at the end.
Love you,
M
I finished it Mere, and I really liked it! I couldn’t put it down.