Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Let’s look at something that has nothing to do with the election. What do you say?

I received this beauty in the mail on Saturday.

This beauty was made by the incredibly talented Arlette Shelton, who also made the sofa/settee that you all love so much. I’ve had this bookmarked on my browser and favorited in Etsy for a long time. I finally saved up enough money to buy it.

Arlette’s work is impeccable.

 

I always like a dash of red in a room.

A late in the day photo in the living room:

Still not sure about this wallpaper, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to take it all down and put something else up! So I will hang lots of paintings and artwork, which I’d already planned to do anyway. It will help break up some of the pattern. Though it should be said that I want a lot of pattern in the room like you see in many English cottages.

I found some wallpaper on another site that I like even more and I’m going to use it in the bedroom. It will be quite pretty up there.

Side note: I had so much fun late yesterday afternoon. One of the guys I went to high school with – actually, I’ve known him since I was 12 – organized a Zoom reunion of those of us who were involved in drama and Thespians . There were people there from the classes of 1968 – 1970 and it was so lovely to see them after so many years. We laughed a lot, sharing stories of our mentors and certain productions, but a lot of time was spent in simply filling each other in on our lives since graduation. My best friend Laural was there. Donna, my decades long friend who, incidentally, reads this blog, was there. It was such fun that we’re organizing another session in January and are tasked with finding more students from those years. I’m on it.

I was very active in theater from the age of 12 on and, between junior high school productions, summer theater productions, and high school productions, I made many friends from all over the city. Both Laural and I remember those days fondly, so seeing some of my friends from those days was just the tonic I needed. (Of course, I blow dried my hair and put on makeup! Heaven forbid they see me “as is.”)

Okay. We have to go to Lowe’s.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

I had just turned the television on and five minutes later I was shouting for Don to come into the den because I could tell Joe Scarborough was about to announce this. We stood together, screaming and cheering and jumping up and down.

Minutes later, we went out on the porch and rang our cowbell over and over again. We could hear our neighbors across the road cheering in response. And as we rang the bell, a pick-up truck with a big Trump flag drove by. Oh, the irony. Perfect. (I haven’t danced in the street yet, but I will today.)

I was so moved by people everywhere pouring out onto the streets in celebration. It was like VE day, or more accurately, a day when a dictator is no longer in power. Stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it before in this country. Democracy is saved. Fascism is toppled.

And the fireworks in London, the bells ringing in Paris! The whole world was watching and cheering us on.

President-elect Joe Biden. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Hope. Compassion. Goodness.

This morning, I am feeling a peace that I haven’t felt for over four years. So is Don. I can’t stop smiling. Yes, I know OM will create any trouble he can, but you know what? He’s no longer relevant. I’m not going to allow him to enter my celebration. He’s out. And every grifter that he appointed is out, too. My best friend called yesterday and she said she was so happy but worried about OM and I urged her to just BE. To be in the moment and to enjoy the victory of good over evil. My sister called me saying “I just need to hear your voice.” Darko called. We spoke to our friend Rob out in San Diego. I imagine you were doing much the same.

Enjoy this, my friends. Bask in it. After four years of this madman, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank God.

Much, much love to you all.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

We mowed the lawn yesterday, probably for the last time this year. Because we finally got a lot of rain, it’s pretty lush and long. But it was exhausting – maybe because we’re out of practice, maybe because we’re both exhausted from too little sleep this week. I’ve been running on less than 5 hours a night and that isn’t enough for me. I need something close to 7 hours a night. So I’m wiped out, my eyes sting, and I look at Twitter too much, waiting for the electoral vote to officially hit 270.

I will be so, so happy when I don’t have to live with constant stress anymore. I can barely remember what that feels like. I bet you feel the same way, right? It wears you down. I’m pretty good at self-care, but my heavens, this has been a slog.

Even though we understand why the count is slow, we’ve started to yell at the television, “Call the election!!!” I know Joe has it. I know he’s President-elect. But I want it to be official.

I’m so tired that I can’t concentrate on anything. I’d do some work on the dollhouse but I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake.

Next week – on Thursday – we have a big dumpster (is that the right word?) arriving. It will be here for a week as we finally clean out the shed which is full of stuff we put in there 15 years ago and have never used, much of it ruined by mice. Yuck. It has to be cleared. I don’t want anyone else to have to deal with it someday and it will be great to have it free of crap so that we can use it more effectively. We’ll do a little each day. Cannot wait! I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time!

We also have outdoor projects to do before winter arrives. All of that will keep us busy, thank goodness.

I miss Paris. I’m so aware that we were there in October last year and the year before and I get sad, knowing we couldn’t be there this year. To be perfectly honest, we wouldn’t have been able to afford it, but knowing you aren’t allowed in the country, that there isn’t even a possibility of going is depressing.

And I find myself yearning for a Christmas tree. WAY too early, of course, but I think it’s because 2020 has been such a nightmare that I need pretty lights and ornaments and the smell of pine. Someone on IG or Twitter said they were going to put up their outdoor Christmas lights when Joe Biden clinches the presidency. I think I’ll do that, too.

Okay. Hang in there, my friends. I’m thinking of all of you.

Added: I’m leaving a comment on today’s post up until tomorrow. Please read Terri L. Crider’s comment. She defines the word ‘deplorable.’ It’s vicious. By tomorrow, I’ll delete it and block her from the blog.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.