Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Yesterday was rather crazy around here. A big shopping trip – we were out of virtually everything – so more items to disinfect, wash, etc. We didn’t even get around to our second cup of coffee until well after 11 am, when all the shopping and disinfecting was finished.

We showered and had some lunch and then I proceeded to text bank for Biden for about 4 or 5 hours. Then dinner, then the debate (Bravo Kamala!) and then some good news via email about our taxes and then I was so wound up that I couldn’t get to sleep until 3 am.

Yikes.

I’m looking forward to a calmer day today.

Oh, forgot to add that we had a huge wind event that went on for hours, along with rain that blew sideways.

Crazy.

You know that Don and I do our best to rescue flies that we find here in the cottage. That’s just the way we are. But I must admit my favorite fly now is the one that landed on Pence’s head and stayed there for two minutes. Don and I were beside ourselves with laughter.

The perfect symbol for this administration.

Just playing around. I rather like this moody photo.

Plus, it helps to motivate me. I like the way the floor is turning out and the way the sofa looks there. And the bookshelves and the wallpaper. Yes, I’m getting used to it now.

Today I’m going to tackle that glue that is stuck on the floor and then finish laying the wide planks. I’m making a list of materials I need to order. I have to get on with the windows and the door – my least favorite things to do!

The email versions of my post have been going out rather late. This happens every once in a while and I’m powerless to correct it. As always, just come here directly if you’re wondering whether I’ve posted.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

My goodness, fall came on quickly! We must be nearing peak colors by now. It’s gorgeous and I love it, but it also means winter is on the horizon. Sigh.

We mowed the front yard yesterday. There’s more mowing to be done, but for now, the front of the house is looking good. Today…the always exhausting grocery shopping. Do we have the hand sanitizer? Do we have a disinfecting wipe? Our masks? Then the avoidance of any close contact in the store, hoping we don’t have to use the bathroom (actually, we never use the facilities these days), putting everything in the car, immediately sanitizing our hands, unloading everything, wiping it down, etc., etc. Then a shower, clothes in the washer.

And that’s it for the day as far as our energy goes.

OM is hopped up on steroids and last night was a constant barrage of insane tweets from an insane man, who happens to be the Commander-in-Chief. Why the heck don’t they invoke the 25th Amendment? He is not in his right mind. And then Pence, challenging the use of a plexiglass divider in tonight’s debate after having approved it. Challenging it in the face of more and more people at the White House testing positive for COVID. I’m through with these hypocritical idiots.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that OM is the superspreader. He wasn’t getting tested daily because he didn’t like it. 

I have no words.

We’ve been watching Rachel every night because there’s too much happening not to.

In the meanwhile, I texted for Biden yesterday and will do the same today.

Will there be a time when I never have to hear or read anything about that man again? I’m praying to all the gods that there is.

Okay, my friends. Have to get going. It’s a lovely day out there and we have to replenish the larder.

Hang in there. I know this daily assault is relentless. I know how hard this is.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Let’s escape to the world of miniatures for a moment.

It’s one of the few things keeping me sane.

This arrived in the mail yesterday:

It’s sitting on top of a book of matches.

Isn’t it adorable? It’s made by Jane Graber, who makes wonderful miniature pottery. I have another piece made by Jane. I’ve been wanting one of these crocks for quite a while. Jane is doing fewer miniature shows now and is heading toward retirement, so I thought I’d better get one while I could.

The lid is removable. Here is the design on the lid:

I’m sure it will end up in the kitchen area of the dollhouse, perhaps on one of the shelves in the mustard-colored cabinet. It’s signed by Jane on the bottom. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the IGMA show in Hartford a couple of years ago. She’s lovely. I also have some gorgeous miniature pots made by her niece – they’re more contemporary in feeling.

I’m slowly collecting miniature books for the shelf unit in the living room. Yes, I could make them, but I’ve tried that before and I didn’t do a very good job of it! Wisdom comes in acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, don’t you think? I have several little books on the way from England and I’m anxious to see how they look. Slowly, slowly, as budget permits, I’ll order more. I have to remind myself that Hummingbird Cottage took 6 years to complete. Now, part of that was because I was working more frequently then and many of those jobs took me out of town for long periods of time. But it also took a long time because of budget. I did that house on next-to-nothing because I had to. I hadn’t yet become familiar with all the wonderful miniaturists out there. Now, fortunately or unfortunately, I know of the wonderful and detailed creations that are available. I can’t afford to buy them all, but I do try to use a few beautifully made pieces that will appreciate in value. I’m a collector by nature, as you know, and I love collecting the work of talented miniaturists.

Didn’t sleep all that well last night. I usually fall asleep with no problem. It’s the waking in the middle of the night and the restless sleep that follows that’s the problem. But I think I’ll do some mowing. The grass is really long. It will get me outside doing something productive. Leaf raking is on the horizon, as well!

Block Count: 2 (another one today.)

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.