Mockingbird Hill Cottage

We’re due for some rain this afternoon, maybe a little thunder. That’s okay with me, as we plan to take it easy this weekend and a rainy day sounds rather lovely. Oh, it just started to rain!

Last night, we attended the last concert in the series that Don coordinates. It was a lovely night and I got to see several of Don’s musician friends again. Sometimes it takes place in a park, but last night it was in a barn – Don’s favorite venue. I can see why. It’s very old, the inside is covered in a warm, natural wood. There’s a little area for a stage and two chandeliers hanging down from one of the beams. It’s an intimate space and the two barn doors – one on either side of the room were open, letting in the night air. Simply magical.

The first act was a group that Don discovered on one of his many searches for local musicians. They’re called Hammerhead Horns, and they play New Orleans style blues. They’re terrific. They have a lot of personality and a lead singer. Utterly charming.

The second was our friend Michele, who brought along some fellow musicians. One of them, John, played in the band for Escape to Margaritaville  and performed earlier this season with his own band in this same summer series.  Michele said it was the first time they had performed together in public and boy oh boy, were they great! It’s good to know that Michele is writing music again after the untimely death of her husband, Rick. Rick was an extraordinary person – he had a long career in big business, was a musician, and an incredible painter. He specialized in the glorious scenery of the Hudson Valley and his attention to detail was exquisite. He also had a recording studio and it is there that Don and his friend Dan recorded their CD. We miss him. So, it was a emotional and beautiful night. Michele is so talented.

Since I haven’t posted a photo of one of the girls in a while:

Here’s Pru.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Fading goldenrod.

Another chilly morning. I’m wearing a sweater over my pajamas. I know we’re in for some warmer temperatures in a week or so, but so far the change in overnight temperatures has been quite dramatic. And it all occurred in the first week of September.

Both Don and I are indulging in book reading. I always am, of course, but Don is often doing things other than reading. He’s cracked open another Jim Harrison book. After doing my morning walk at the library yesterday, I checked out yet another Harrison that I had on hold. So he’s set for the time being. I’m just about to finish Hellbent, and then I’ll start the next book in the Orphan X series.

I’m liking these chillier, cuddlier mornings. The air is brisk!

Don books the talent for a concert series in a town north of us – the concerts are on the first Friday of the month. Tonight is the last one for the season and I’m going with him. A friend of ours is singing. If you remember, one of our friends died last year from a rare form of pneumonia and Michelle was his partner in life and art. They performed together. One of the first things Don did last year was to ask her if she would be willing to perform in this series. She said yes. She has been slowly getting out there, performing solo. I can’t wait to hear her.

And we have appointments for a Covid vaccination next Monday, as well as the flu shot. We’ll also get RSV, but on another day. We had a little reaction to that last year, so we’re handing that separately. Edited to add: Thanks to my cousin, I now know that RSV is a one-time shot, so we don’t need to get it this year.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.