Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mowing, Noble Robin, & Baseball

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Mowing was exhausting! Even though we love mowing, we mowed the entire front lawn (both sides), the far side of the house, the secret garden and the grass strip in front of the former corral. We tag-teamed, of course, but still…

About 3 pm, I fell asleep in my chair for an hour.

And this morning, we woke up at 4:30. Things are topsy-turvy here.

Another view of the bridal veil spirea. The blooms don’t last all that long, so I’m enjoying them while I can.

We’re supposed to get thunderstorms this afternoon. I’m hoping that’s the case because I won’t have to water the grass seed. Or the flower seeds.

If you look closely, you’ll see Noble Robin in the catalpa tree. That’s Don’s name for him. He fiercely protects that nest, chirping warnings at us, sometimes swooping over our heads to let us know we are not welcome. I took this when I was smelling the lilacs; he followed me there to see what I was up to and to make sure I wasn’t planning on doing anything nefarious.

We’ve been watching Ken Burns’ documentary, Baseball. Some of it I saw when it first aired. We’re really enjoying it, and learning a great deal, to boot. We also watched a little bit of baseball yesterday, part of a Twins game, and a bit of the Yankees (they are the enemy, since I am a diehard Boston Red Sox fan.) I do like the Mets, though. Anyway, it was fun, and we’re trying to figure out whether we want to fork out for MLB Extra Innings this year so we can watch the Red Sox. The jury is still out on that one.

Okay. I’m tired. I’m going to make some oatmeal to help ground me on this ‘lack of sleep’ day.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Blooming

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An early morning shot of the bridal veil spirea. It’s in shadow, so I’ll try to take one later in the day after we’ve finished mowing. But, as you can see, it’s laden with blooms this year. Sometimes there are less flowers, but it sure is spectacular this year! Same with the lilacs. I just looked up (via search on this blog) when I planted the lilac bush: May 2008. So it’s taken 13 years for it to get to this point. In gardening, patience is a virtue.

I take no credit for the spirea. It was here when we moved in and I suspect it’s been there for a long time, just as the peonies have. The peonies and the spirea live right at the edge of the culvert down by the road.

Today we mow. We’re so silly – both of us woke up excited at the prospect of mowing. It’s highly satisfying and it’s also good exercise.

The seeds have been sown, all the pots have been filled. The only thing I have yet to do is mulch and I’ll do that on Monday and Tuesday. We’re due for rain tomorrow.

In the meantime, I watched one of the robins fly back and forth to the nest this morning. I haven’t seen the wrens at all lately, so I am, of course, worried that something happened to them, or their babies – if they had them. The female sits on the eggs for 10 – 16 days, so maybe she’s in there? Don’t know. If only I had a camera in that little trailer!

Don is making some eggs to, and I quote, “fortify us for mowing.” Okay! I’m lucky, and I know it, that he likes to cook. Both Meredith and I married guys who do most of the cooking.

Okay my friends, have to go. As soon as we go get the lawn mower from the shed, that robin will go nuts.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Flowers and a Paperweight

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The bridal veil spirea is in full bloom. Oh, how I love this bush! It’s down by the road. I’ll get some more photos with my big girl camera later today.

Aside from rampant allergies, all is well. We have to do some mowing today or tomorrow, but Don’s recycling this morning, as well as running to the grocery store, so I assume we’ll mow tomorrow.

I have had my eye on this paperweight from John Derian for almost two years. Derian is known for his decoupage, using vintage images. Once a year, he has a sale on seconds with minor imperfections. Last year’s sale did not include this particular item.

But this year’s sale did! There was only one available and I grabbed it for half off the original price. It was delivered the next day. All of these items are handmade in their studio. The glass is very heavy and it’s simply beautiful. I can see a couple of teeny bubbles, but they’re hardly noticeable and more importantly, they don’t bother me at all.

Isn’t it pretty?

Well, the CDC has given us new guidance on mask wearing and it’s very exciting. I am still a wee bit hesitant about not wearing one indoors, and for the time being, I’d have to wear one anyway as Governor Cuomo, as well as the Governor of New Jersey, have stated that our mandate is still in effect until they review the guidance with experts.

But it does give us a view of what might be happening soon.

All that being said, I think everyone has to do what he/she is comfortable with. We’ve been in the grip of this pandemic for over a year and hesitancy is to be expected.

I’m trying to figure out what I want to paint next. The jury is still out on the next ‘experiment.’

In the meantime, I finished the latest Jane Casey – she is such a wonderful writer! – and I’ve started to read Nine Coaches Waiting  by Mary Stewart for the 100th time.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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