Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Puzzle Solving and Some Critters

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Finished puzzle:

By the artist Alphonse Mucha – “Zodiac.” I love, love his work and it was a joy to solve this puzzle.

Entirely with my left hand, by the way!

It’s getting much better.

It was both a rainy and a sunny weekend. Don mowed on Saturday and I did some pruning and weeding outside. Yesterday, it rained. Today is going to be sunny and then more rain for Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is the day we go into the city to see the play. Fortunately, the theater is only a few blocks from the bus terminal – that works out well!

Over the weekend, we observed this year’s bunnies, a groundhog, a deer on the front lawn, lots of birds, and two beautiful mourning doves who stopped for a while on the birdbath. Oh, and a squirrel drinking out of the birdbath, which I’ve now seen three times this spring. I’ve never witnessed that before in all the years we’ve lived here. Is it the same squirrel every time?

And robins are building a nest in the burning bush. They built one there last year, as well. Welcome, little robins! I suppose I will be scolded every time I try to weed the big garden bed. Oh, boy.

I finished the book I was reading, so we stopped at the library to pick up the two books that I had on hold. They are The Instruments of Darkness  by John Connolly (a favorite author) and Close to Death  by Anthony Horowitz, another favorite author. I’ve already started the Connolly. Connolly writes detective novels unlike any others I know of, as they  have a supernatural element, as well.

Just saw a chipmunk on the porch railing, chowing down on some sort of snack. Adorable.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Fog

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The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Carl Sandburg

I think of this poem nearly every time I see the fog. So simple, yet so evocative. I was in a production of The World of Carl Sandburg  many moons ago, and it was a lovely experience. Consequently, I can recite great swaths of his poetry at the drop of a hat – all these years later. My great friend from my school and theater days back in my hometown was in it with me. He died several years ago, much too young.

A melancholy memory on a foggy morning,

Today will be rain-free, then more rain tomorrow. And on it will go, throughout the week ahead.

I’ve been informed that two newly published books that I had on hold have arrived at my library, much sooner than I expected. Suddenly, I will have to scramble to finish The Heist  by Daniel Silva, so I can read the new arrivals in the 14 days allotted to me. I read a big chunk of the Silva this morning. Fortunately, they’re fast-paced thrillers, which surely helps.

Did anyone see the Northern Lights? Nothing here, but it was cloudy last night and we were told not to expect anything than the occasional green flash of light. In the brief time I observed the sky, there were no flashes. I’ll have to check the neighborhood Facebook page to see if anyone around here saw them.

I saw them once when I was a camp counselor working in northern Michigan. We were on an overnight with our campers – my fellow counselor on the overnight was my boyfriend at the time. They were stunning. That would have been the summer of 1972.

Oh, to be young again!

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Friday Thoughts

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Color-coordinated.

This might be one of my favorite photos. I took it a week or so ago and forgot to post it here.

It’s a rainy day today. We’re both tired as we did a lot of chores outside yesterday. And Don took care of some things I couldn’t handle because of my sprained hand. Very satisfying! But allergies are sure to follow at this time of year, so today I’m feeling stuffed up and my eyes are irritated.

I managed to wash the bedding and then make up the bed with one hand. Don had offered to help but I wanted to see if I could do it. I did! It’s the little things.

We have only a few things left to do outside, besides ongoing maintenance. We have to clear a couple of beds so we can sow some zinnia seeds. I’m going to try some morning glories again, but they haven’t done too well the last couple of years. And we have to grab the porch cushions from under the stairs, which involves moving the egg cup cubby.

I’m looking out the window towards the shed and, suddenly, there’s a dense and green forest out there! It’s amazing how quickly all the trees are filling out. What we long for over the long winter months is finally here.

So, because I’m feeling slightly irritable – a small gratitude list:

Green leaves, green grass, daffodils, wild mustard, newly planted pots in the secret garden, a gentle rain, a husband who has been a gem during this hand adventure, old movies to watch in the evenings, great spy thrillers to read, bunnies hopping around the property, birds singing every morning when I wake up, eagles, gardens, spring, and the apple pie Don is going to make this afternoon.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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