Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

When a Work of Fiction Changes You

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I just finished reading Bewilderment  by Richard Powers. I’m shaken. This story will stay with me for a long, long time. I’ve mentioned before that Powers is a brilliant writer. His works are fiction and he somehow manages to tell a compelling, heart-filled story that is laced throughout with science or music or nature or the universe.

This book spoke of climate change and what we are doing to life on this planet. It spoke of the universe and planets and whether there might be life elsewhere, billions of light years away. Above all, it told the story of a widower and his young son – a child who is on the autism spectrum –  and their grief for the death of wife/mother, their deep bond. A love story.

Frankly, it’s all I can think about right now.

Powers has once again taken me by the hand and turned me inside out.

I can’t recommend it enough. But – it’s not passive reading material. You are challenged throughout, challenged to take in big ideas, to try to wrap your mind around concepts that, if you’re right-brained like me, might require a bit of slow, concentrated reading. It’s worth it.

I cannot praise this man enough.

So. It’s Sunday. We’re due for rain. Don is snoozing in the living room. I’m not sure what I’ll do today other than my Sunday washing of the bedding. Maybe paint? I’ll certainly start another book from my To Be Read pile.

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Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

There’s Much to be Done

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Sunny today, thankfully, but more rain tomorrow and three days of rain next week. Sigh.

If you want to sum up my days lately, you can file them under “Waiting for Spring.”

Lilac buds that are growing larger every day give me hope.

Birds singing give me hope.

The return of the peepers gives me hope.

But, boy, I am restless this year. I have to be careful about my back, and it’s so much better. Yet – I have to be cautious. The shed needs cleaning inside. The porch railings need cleaning. The siding needs cleaning. And the gardens have to be cleaned out – I always leave plants in place over the winter to supply food and shelter for the birds and I leave leaves there as well because they function as a good mulch. All of that has to be taken care of this month as well as a number of other things – like cleaning up the yard and raking debris.

I might venture out today to clean the porch railings. That would be a relatively easy start.

Sisters.

This may be the only sunny day for a while, so I’m determined to spend some time outside today.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Some Needlework

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Big thunderstorms last night, heavy rain for hours, and I opened the front door this morning to see no leaks. None inside the door, none on the siding next to the door. It’s a simple thing, but oh my goodness, what a blessing to finally have it fixed! I only wish we’d done it sooner.

I know we’re supposed to have rain later this morning and the sky is still darkish, but the sun poked through and it’s beautiful. Plus, the peepers were back last night!

Since I have yet to be inspired re painting in oils (that will come) I pulled out a quilt that I pieced several years ago when I was working in Hartford. I’ve hand quilted it off and on – more off than on. I should have been finished with it by now. It has been sitting in the same basket where we stash throws and the heating pad (ever present lately.)

Imagine my surprise when Mei plopped down on it.

She knew that these colors and stripes worked very well with her outfit.

Luckily, all my supplies were here in the den, so I sat in my chair and watched Gardener’s World while doing some hand quilting. I have to be very careful that I don’t lean too far over the quilting hoop – my lower back is still fragile. It was a challenge and I feel good that I’m back at it again. A little bit every day. The quilt is about the size of a large throw and I’ve been thinking it would look good on the sofa in the living room. That’s just a thought – I may use it elsewhere.

We have several days of rain in the forecast. I’m so anxious to get out there and do some work, but this happens every year – it is Spring, after all – so I’ll be patient. As I finish this post, the sun has disappeared and it’s cloudy again.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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