Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Hello garden!

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Two days at home = two days of mowing. I’m exhausted. And mowing the front yard is extra hard as we have ruts from all the work on the tree and the septic system. No time to work in the garden, but next weekend I am determined to weed and plant my pots and window boxes. It’s been very cold here at night lately but the week ahead promises warmer weather, so it should be okay for planting my impatiens next weekend.

I’m going back to Hartford to rest!

The garden is starting to fill in – lots of green but not too many flowers yet. I missed the bloom of the yellow daffodils, but I didn’t miss the bloom of my favorite daffodils:

They were already here when we moved in. I didn’t know about them until the following spring and I was entranced.

To tell you the truth, yellow daffodils have never done a whole lot for me but these make my heart sing.

The lilacs are blooming. Oh my goodness, what a glorious scent! My little bush is hanging in there but it only has a few blooms. Anyone know the secret to more blooms? Should I prune it after the bloom is finished? I haven’t been home at this time of year for the last 4 years, so this year I can tackle things like that.

Oh, and look what’s coming!

My peonies are budding! For those of you who are new to this blog, peonies are my absolute favorite flower. I. love. them. This cottage came with two peony bushes that are planted close to the road. I treasure them. And I haven’t been home to see them for 4 years! Yes, I know I’m away in Hartford right now, but I can get home for visits! It makes a huge difference in my life. My garden is my favorite place. Gardening is good for my soul. I find peace there.

So here’s to spring at home, here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage!

This and That

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Thought I’d share some shots from my walks around Hartford:

Hartford is the home of many insurance companies, including Travelers. Recognize their red umbrella?

This Alexander Calder sculpture is next to the Atheneum.
Love the deer. Or is it a stag?
An angel atop the arch in Bushnell Park.
I love this building with the beautiful inlaid tiles next to and between the windows.

And these in the more modern extension that’s been added on to the building in the previous photo.

It’s been a good week, but a stressful one. We’re in that part of rehearsal where everyone is a little tense, trying to make sure they know all their lines as we put the whole play together. I’m taking tomorrow and Monday off and Don is picking me up in the morning. I’ll be glad to get home for a couple of days, though I’m sure I’ll be mowing and cleaning much of the time! I miss my little cottage, my husband and my doggies. I need to be with them.

I’ve been eating too much sugar – rehearsal halls are notorious for sweets. I need to cut back as I’m sure I’ve gained weight. But tonight….I’m treating myself to a Drumstick. I need some comfort food. Hey, it’s been a tough week and I’m only human!

Playing with banners. I’ve uploaded 6 different banners this morning while waiting for Don!

A Request

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A look at the sky as I walked home the other evening. That’s the Capital Dome off to the left. I love moody skies – that’s what I call them. Clouds swirling, light peeking through, ever-changing; a reminder of the vastness beyond our little world. It helps to get me ‘right-sized.’ It’s so easy to get so wrapped up in the minutia of my life, forgetting that there is a world out there beyond my little world.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on…”
 Prospero, The Tempest
I have some friends that I’ve known since my very young years. I’ve known Debbie since we were in kindergarden. We grew up about a block and a half from each other and spent countless hours together- playing, riding bikes, studying. Her mom was our Girl Scout Troupe Leader. I knew every inch of her house and she knew every inch of mine. When we were in high school, Debbie’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Eventually, decades later, it would come back and take her life.
Debbie has 2 sisters. Her older sister, Karen, fought cancer for many years and died last year. Debbie has been waging her own battle with this dreadful disease for over 7 years. I just received an update from her Care Pages site. After being in remission for a few years, it has come back. It’s the same cancer (non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) that took my brother’s life. All this as she is preparing to welcome her second grandchild. And as is always the case with Debbie, she is more concerned for her pregnant daughter than she is for herself.
There is a tie, a link, that binds us to everyone we have ever met. Debbie and I grew up together and were shaped by many of the same influences. I feel this cord that connects us stretching across the miles to Michigan, where she lives. She is so brave, so full of grace, despite what she is facing. I cannot get her out of my mind and that’s a good thing.
If you have a moment, please send some healing thoughts Debbie’s way. Surely our thoughts, our energy, focused and directed to one in need have a power we cannot even begin to comprehend.
Have a wonderful Friday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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