Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Morning Walk & Henry

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I woke up early today. It was still dark outside. I actually like it that way – there’s something lovely about the quiet and the dark. Add in some coffee and a good book and you’ve got the perfect way to start the day. Around 7 am, we went for a morning walk. It’s so much cooler in the mornings lately, the air feels fresh and brisk. A very nice way to start the day.

Then we came back and made our second cup of coffee. And we saw this:

Our boy Henry. We don’t see him very often, so it’s a big deal when we do. He has more gray hair and he’s a bit heavier. (Same.) Anyway, we were thrilled to see him. I ran for a camera and tried to take some photos with my telephoto lens from inside the kitchen.

We really love Henry and think of him as one of our babies. He’s been around here as long as we have, most likely even longer than that. We’ll have been here 14 years at the end of this month.

Anyway, he has a pretty good life: a great shelter under the shed – and the shed foundation is just fine, by the way – human beings who love him and let him be, lots of grass to eat. We’re just so delighted when we catch a glimpse of him.

Did anyone watch The African Queen  last night on TCM? Neither of us had seen it for years, so it was like watching it for the first time. What a great movie, with stellar performances from Bogart and Hepburn!

I’m still completely engrossed in The Overstory. I have a stack of books waiting for me, as well, not to mention Louise Penny’s newest, which is being published on August 27th.

Other than that, Don had a great day taking portraits yesterday. He worked at two venues, so it made for a long, but very satisfying, day.

Today? Grocery shopping. Well, it must be done, right? But the extra treat will be fresh sweet corn from our favorite farm stand (the same place where I buy plants for the garden.) I can hardly wait!

Happy Monday.

Sunday

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I love the light from the skylight at the top of the stairs.

I often forget to look for it, but thankfully, I saw it this morning. So lovely!

I did a bit more work outside yesterday. Today, I plan to take it easy and rest my back. Don is gone for the day and I’m feeling the nesting instinct. I always know when fall is on the way because I suddenly have a strong instinct to clean, rearrange, and feather my nest. I think that’s what I’m going to do today. That, and read and listen to music.

It’s another beautiful day here! Goodness, I feel like we were starved for sunny, non-humid, non-rainy, non-triple digit weather. It’s like manna from heaven.

The limelights are fuller than ever. So gorgeous. Even Don commented on them!

On books:

In addition to all the mysteries I read – some of which are written beautifully, almost like poetry – I think the three books I have read in the past few years that have had the strongest impact on me are A Gentleman In Moscow, All The Light We Cannot See, and the book I’m currently reading, The Overstory.

I cannot stress strongly enough how brilliant The Overstory  is, and how timely. Richard Powers is a lyrical writer. Yet he’s dealing with one of the issues that impacts our planet and our future on this planet: trees. Somehow he manages to write a novel that is complex, with interwoven stories/fables and compelling characters who eventually connect, all the while quietly educating us on an issue that couldn’t be more crucial. I recommend it highly. Even Don, who is Mr. Nonfiction, wants to read it.

It’s stunning. There’s a reason it won The Pulitzer Prize for 2019.

Okay, my friends. Time to do some work around here.

Happy Sunday.

A Beautiful Day

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It is the most beautiful morning!

A breeze, the faint sound of the wind chimes, blue blue sky, and so cool that we had to put on sweatshirts when we went out on the porch for our second cup of coffee. The sounds of mourning doves calling out to each other, cicadas, and crickets fill the air. Just glorious.

It feels almost autumnal – certainly not like early August. But I’ll take it. I’ve opened the windows throughout the house. After so many days with the A/C on, I want to air it out.

I plan to hang around the house today. Yesterday I pulled some weeds, watered, cleaned out the birdbath, and ran an errand. Today? Who knows? I do know that I’m not mowing today. Don is going to do that later in the day.

My back is much better. Thank goodness!

I’m in the midst of reading The Overstory, which is unlike any book I have ever read. I’ll share more with you when I finish it. Richard Powers is an extraordinary writer.

And we’re watching Trapped  on Amazon Prime. It’s an Icelandic murder mystery, filmed in Iceland with Icelandic actors. It’s opened up another world. The cast is excellent.

That’s all. I’m feeling relaxed and I plan to enjoy this day. Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Saturday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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