Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 908 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Pie, Mulch, Don & A Chipmunk

May 12, 2017 at 9:37 am by Claudia

A sunny, lovely day today, which I will take full advantage of, since Saturday and Sunday will be rainy. I did a lot of weeding and mulching yesterday. There’s still a bit to go but the bulk of it is finished. I think I’ll hold off on potting the impatiens until the weekend and Monday’s winds are over.

Or maybe not. We’ll see.

A big old Julian apple pie arrived via FedEx yesterday. Ordering one to be sent directly to your home on the other side of the country is expensive, as Katheryn mentioned in yesterday’s comments. That’s why we rarely do it. Since Don is working at the moment, we are indulging – just a wee bit.

Also in the box? A T-shirt for me! Red, long-sleeved, with the logo on the front and the back…I love it! Don’s message on the note enclosed with the pie was “Sugar for my baby!”

Ain’t he the cutest?

His show is in previews now and he’s having fun. First preview was full of Jimmy Buffett fans and that made all the difference. They get the jokes, they sing along, it’s a great evening for all.

The leaves on the sugar maple.

And the forget-me-nots are getting ready to bloom.

Finally, for yours truly, there’s not much that’s cuter than a chipmunk. This little chippie has been seen in the back forty, on the porch, in the area behind the kitchen – always busy – and yesterday I saw him in the memorial garden, so I took some pictures of him.

Some adorable cuteness for your Friday.

Happy Friday.

Mini Gifts & Violets

May 11, 2017 at 9:19 am by Claudia

I was the lucky recipient of a package from Barbara. Inside were presents for Caroline and Mini Don and a couple for me, as well.

For Caroline: two Petite Princess chairs, a lovely wooden tray (looks like tole!), three pieces of china in a sweet bird motif, a pillow and a Maxfield Parrish!

A clearer shot of the Maxfield Parrish.

Also in the package for Caroline:

Three Nancy Drews with cover illustrations by Russell H. Tandy. It took me a while before I realized that they actually open.

The famous orange silhouettes inside the cover.

More illustrations and text. Amazing.

Mini Don received some treats as well:

British-themed pottery (perfect for a Beatles fan) and a metronome.

And two beautiful Swarovski Crystal bunny rabbits for me. Aren’t they sweet?

It ain’t easy taking a good photo of faceted crystal!

Thank you so much, Barbara! We are thrilled with our gifts and humbled by your generosity.

I finally got a shot of the violets that grow under my sedum. It’s actually larger than this, but this is all I could capture without trying to lift the sedum branches and handle the camera at the same time:

Today, I’m buying mulch, more potting soil, impatiens and maybe some other plants. Then weeding and mulching, which will continue through tomorrow, potting and planting.

Happy Thursday.

Sadness and Anger

May 10, 2017 at 8:42 am by Claudia

I’m just throwing this in the post to have a photo and not just text.

I’m sad today. And frightened. And angry. These emotions are a response to two entirely different occurrences.

First, I was outside yesterday, mowing and doing yard work (too much of course) and I decided to check on the nest. What I saw was heartbreaking. One unhatched egg remained. Along with what were clearly some baby birds, but to be frank, all I could make out was a mass of fluff and part of a beak. It was as if they had been smashed.

Hoping against hope, I watched to see if they were breathing. But they weren’t. And I waited on the porch to see if mama or papa would visit the nest. No visit. The last time I saw the five eggs was last Wednesday or Thursday when I was mowing before it rained. Mama flew out of the nest when I passed by and I saw the eggs.

I have no idea what happened in the meantime. Was it a predator? Another bird? Was it the deluge that fell over the weekend – was it too much for them? Was it the cold? Was there something wrong with them causing the parents to abandon them?

So sad and so heartbreaking. I’ve left the nest alone. But it drew me back at least three times yesterday as I tried to figure it out and as I said a prayer for the babies.

Second – the firing of the Director of the FBI, James Comey. Despite the spin put on it, it’s abundantly clear that he was fired because he is investigating Trump/Russia. Trump is obstructing a Federal Investigation, enabled by Jeff Sessions who is recused from anything to do with Russia and Rod Rosenstein, whose claim of impartiality in his hearing is now laughable.

Our democracy, our republic, is in danger. Grave danger. This was the act of a dictator, a Fascist, a banana republic. In less than four months, he has taken everything we hold dear and desecrated it.

I woke up before 5 am this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I’m feeling about as frightened as I can be about the state of our country.

I’ll be back with something cheerier tomorrow. I debated whether I should tell you about the baby birds, but you were a part of the discovery of the nest and the eggs and I thought you’d want to know.

Say some prayers for our country. Take action.

Happy Wednesday.

Pie, Mulch, Don & A Chipmunk

Mini Gifts & Violets

Sadness and Anger

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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