I do love fall colors, don’t you?
• Why, oh why do we keep having to change the time twice a year? It drives me nuts. I’ve read all the reasons behind the original idea and they seem entirely outmoded now. Now I have an entire winter of darkness arriving at 4 or 4:30 to look forward to. Thanks a bunch.
• I’m still making coffee the new way. I really love it. The coffee maker hasn’t been used once since I returned home. What I find amazing is that the taste is so much better and the ultimate cost is so much less. Filters and coffee. That’s it. And I find myself really looking forward to the ritual of pouring the water into the filter, bit by bit, until I have a full, aromatic mug of coffee.
It’s the little things that can turn out to be big things in the end.
• I caved yesterday and ordered one more Emmie Blind from someone on eBay. It was more expensive than the ones I previously ordered, but there seem to be only a couple of them left out there in the width I need, and as I walked into the bathroom and saw the same dreaded tie-up blind that I had in the living room, I knew I had to do it. I’ve searched and searched for something comparable on the internet and haven’t found it. And interestingly, the fabric blinds I did find were all more expensive than the one I was dithering about on eBay, so what the heck? I did it. By the end of this week, Emmie should be happily established on all the living room and bathroom windows.
• Goodness, am I enjoying watching Netflix on the new television! We all know there is a dearth of quality programming on most of the networks, so having the option of watching Netflix on a big screen rather than my 13″ laptop is greatly appreciated. I’ve been watching the BBC series Luther, starring the amazing Idris Elba. Have you seen it? It’s a gritty cop series that takes place in London. Excellent writing, acting and direction. I can’t wait for Don to get back home and see our new television. I envision many cozy evenings ahead.
• I’m not watching Death Comes to Pemberley on PBS. Not because I don’t want to, but because I want to read the book first. I usually avoid all those Pride and Prejudice take-offs like the plague (why mess with the best?) so I avoided this one. But I am a huge fan of P.D. James (I met her once!) and I know anything she writes is of the highest quality. I was having a conversation with Darko’s assistant, Sarah, when I was in Hartford. She’s a fellow book lover and her mother is a librarian, so we loved talking books. She raved about it, which was enough for me. It’s now on my list. A list, by the way, that is so long I could easily be daunted if I thought about it for any length of time. So I won’t.
• Missing my mom. I had a hard day yesterday in that regard.
• Scoutie slipped off the loveseat and fell yesterday. She usually jumps up there and looks out the window before she lays down and her two rear feet are on the outside edge of the cushion. Sometimes she slips because she her feet are too close to the edge. I heard a thud from the living room and ran in there to help her up. I think she must have really bruised herself as she was definitely in pain last night. Today, she’s a bit better. Poor girl. We will take it easy today and I’ll give her some more Rimadyl, which seems to be the only medication she can tolerate. I worry about my baby girl so much.
• I drive to New Haven on Friday to bring Don home. It’s been way too long. Our pack needs to be back together in our little cottage. It can’t come soon enough.
Happy Sunday.
We have Netflix on our smart tv too. We love it and rarely watch regular tv anymore. Luther is great. Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren is very good. There are some older but good Inspector Lynly and Inspector Lewis series available. MI5 is another good British series.
I saw Prime Suspect when it first aired. Love it. And I’ve seen almost all of the Inspector Lewis series (a favorite of Don’s). I’m sure I’ll find lots more to explore!
Luther is brilliant! Really like it and I think I have watched every BBC program there is! I have been watching Gracepoint, which is America’s version of Broadchurch. David Tennant is still playing the lead detective. I am not sure why David is using an American accent, but it really spins my head! I’m sure that somewhere in America there is a police detective that has a Scottish accent! Anyway, moving on :)
I cannot get over how many people you and Don have met. P. D. James? Wow! I would have liked to have talked to Agatha Christie, Edgar Allen Poe and definitely Shakespeare. Anyone who bares their soul and writes amazes me.
Poor Scout! I do hope she is doing better. Our cat, Keeko, has been falling off of the top of the couch lately. Maybe it is just something that happens as they get older and they aren’t as flexible. It was amazing how Scout played in that park! She is such an adorable dog! Many gentle hugs to her from me!
I met P.D. James years ago when I was living in Cambridge. She was speaking about her newest novel and I went to the presentation. Somewhere I have an autographed copy of the book…most likely, in the shed!
I’d love to be able to speak to Shakespeare. I have a lot of questions for him!
Two beautiful fall photos, Claudia. You have a great eye! I’ve been watching Foyle’s War on Netflix which I enjoy and just finished the first of a series of books by Laurie R King, the first being The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. The TBR pile just keeps growing!
My TBR pile is growing and growing, too!
We were given a flat screened HD tv last year for Christmas ( from the kids) and well it’s not ” smart” it does have the capacity for hook ups. It would be interesting to try Netflix or something other than Regular tv programming.? I think programming is going away – as to time change- I think now is NORMAL isn’t it? Longer days is mans adjustment to Time. I like this time I’d like to go to bed when the sun goes down and get up when it comes up!
If you stay up you have to burn the lights longer!
So I don’t know – maybe I have mixed feelings about it.
Hope Scout is feeling better after her fall. Hang in there just a few more days and y’all will be reunited with Dad!
I’m sorry you miss your mom Claudia- I miss mine and it’s been 15 years! It gets a little easier in time. Remember the good times! And smile for your mom.
Now might be normal, Pat, but I don’t like it!
You can get boxes like Roku or Apple TV and hook them up to the tv- they let you stream things like Netflix.
Claudia, You sound like you are getting things done. I love fall colors so much, I hate to see them go. You know the size of the catalpa leaves, they have covered our back yard. LOL. The wind from Friday took so many down. I hope Scout can get better. It’s sad. I know it will be wonderful when you get Don home with you and Scout. You will be a family again. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
We have them all over our yard, too. They’re so big!
Probably a good thing we can’t get Netflex streamed in….I would do nothing but watch movies! We get most of ours from the library. We are watching Luther now…love it! Another BBC series is Last Tango in Halifax…pretty darn good…and not any violence etc which is nice for a change. Last night we watched The Last Stand…very good, I thought.
We love Last Tango in Halifax!
That should be The Last Station….
Nah…it’s Last Tango!
I wish we could keep Daylight savings time all year…I like daylight so much better! I bet you can’t wait until Friday…it is time to get the little band back together! Hope you and Scout have a restful day! ;)
Yes, I can’t wait to have everyone under the same roof!
The fall time change is helpful to us for about a month – then it’s only about five hours of daylight and bitter cold every day for the next four months. No wonder the animals hibernate!
Goodness, your post had me thinking. It will be three years this Christmas since my parents died, but I still miss the family gatherings they used to host and a chance to see everyone. Everyone seems to have such separate lives now. My mother was an advocate for children living with HIV/AIDS (not a popular choice of career back in the day) and I just heard the other day that her hometown has planted a tree in her honour. It’s a long, expensive journey, but I’d like to be able to see it for myself one of these days.
Didn’t David Tennant play Hamlet at some point? I ran into ‘Doctor Who’ buying socks in a shop in London some years ago and thought he was manic.
Your photos are lovely. I have asked Santa for some new pastels (the good ones are about $6-$8 a stick here) so that I can have a go at drawing some autumn leaves.
As you can see, your post had me thinking of all sorts of things. I do hope that Scout is on the mend – enjoy the rest of your Sunday. :)
Unfortunately, because of distance and the dog(s), we haven’t been able to spend holidays with our respective families for years. Don’s family is in California and mine is in Florida. It’s the new normal, I think.
Poor Scout, i hope she is feeling a bit better by now. hang in there just a few more days and Don will be home and you can be a happy family again,
enjoy your Sunday
She’s sleeping a lot today and I hope she’s starting to mend.
So great that Don will soon be home. yay! Poor Scout. Hope she is feeling better today! ouch! We just noticed a lump on one of our Grey’s legs on Thurs., took her to the vet, and tomorrow we have to go to the UW School of Veterinary Medicine for a consult w/ an Oncologist. Oh, how I hope it is minimal and found early. She surely isn’t acting sickly in any way, shape or form at this point. If you are able, a good thought or prayer for our dear Mary would be so appreciated. She just turned 9 and I am so not ready to go through this……
Prayers on the way, Chris. If it’s any comfort, both Riley and Scout have lumps all over the place. So does my sister’s dog. Let’s hope it is harmless, my friend.
I can’t stand the time changes either! Just give us one or the other and then leave it alone!!! I’m glad you’re enjoying your new TV, and happy for you that you’ll have Don back in less than a week. Will you get to watch him in a performance when you go to pick him up?
I understand having a “missing mom kind of day”. For some reason I’ve had a few of those here lately for both of my parents. Maybe it’s the time of year … moving towards the holidays.
Oh poor Scout! It’s SO HARD watching our pets decline :(
You’ll be glad you went ahead on the shade. I hate it when I wait too long, then have to scramble around on eBay trying to get what I want. What’s going on with your washer?
I’m calling to set up an appointment this week. I wanted to wait until we weren’t that far off from Don coming home, as we have to take two doors off their hinges to allow the repairman to get to the back of the washer. Wasn’t going to do that alone. This week? The laundromat.
Hope Scout is feeling better! I’m looking for some new programs to watch so I’ll check out Luther. I hate the time change but it is what it is I guess. I know you are ready to get Don home! I’m glad you went ahead and got the other Emmie blind, I think you will so happy you did!
hugs,
Linda
Me too, Linda. I would really regret it if I let it slip by and there were no more to be found.
Glad the “pour-over” method of coffee is working out for you. I’m sticking with my French press for now since I can get two very large mugs [Royal Doulton calls this size the “breakfast mug”] of coffee from a single batch. Two mugs will do me for the day and if I used my pour-over filter I’d have to make coffee twice rather than once. I watch Netflix on my laptop [no flatscreen yet]. This past week I watched a Walter Cronkite documentary and thoroughly enjoyed a whole round of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” It was on too late for me as a little kid in the 50s of course, but I can remember my parents talking about good stories they’d seen. Truly was the Golden Age of Television back then. PS Claudia, I think you’ve summed up perfectly what I’ve been realizing myself the older I get. In the end, it really is the little things that turn out to be the big things. I hope more people realize it too, because I think a lot of “complicated stuff” we’re doing these things is not much good for us and the planet in general. Hope Scoutie feels better and enjoy your Sunday! Chilly [mid 40s] but beamingly-sunny here.
I don’t mind making two separate mugs of coffee. I’m getting into the whole thing.
Very cold here, but sunny, as well!
We don’t change our clocks in AZ . Only problem we encounter is having to remember that Nevada changes their time. We only have to drive five miles to the bridge and cross the Colorado River to be in Nevada. Gets confusing if you are going to the movies or shopping. Good part is your just early. When they change back in the spring we are on the same time again.
I wish the rest of us would follow AZ on this one. Not everything, but certainly time changes!
Oh Claudia..I know how you feel..I hate the early darkness so much..it makes me feel as if I have no sooner gotten up than it is bedtime again..absolutely hate it..I am glad that you broke down and ordered the blind..I believe you wouldn’t have been happy until you did..Warm hugs for Scout and I will be happy also when you are all together again..You are such a loving family..
Yes, it’s almost dark now and it’s 5:05!
It gets darker even earlier here in IL…it was getting dark at 4:45. :-(
I’m looking forward to the day when I can get a new TV. Every time I start getting my savings up something seems to break down. Oh well, one of these days. Then I will get netflix again. IN the meantime I am glad that my very old TV still works like a charm. xo Laura
You can get Netflix on your computer, Laura. I’ve watched shows on it for over a year.
I just want to thank you so much for your blog. Your recommendations on books, TV and movies are invaluable. I also can really relate to your worries about Scout. I have a wonderful 17 year old cat, and he is having a hard time right now. He’s such a good friend. It’s going to be so hard to loose him. I cherish each day we have together^..^
I’m sorry about your cat, Jill. It’s so tough, this watching our pets age.
Thank you for your kind words.
I passed along the suggestion of “Luther” to Brian – he loves cop and/or suspense shows and books. We use a Chromecast dongle that plugs right into our TV to watch Netflix shows. We don’t actually use it much but since you can have two users on each account, Tim is able to use Netflix at school. And he’s a movie buff, so he uses Netflix a lot.
I *hate* the fall time change. I have never understood the rationale (at least not in today’s time) for it either. It was getting dark here at 4:45. Pitch dark at 5. Makes the evening seem endless. I have so much less energy this time of year and start to feel depressed. Definitely have SAD.
Beautiful pictures…I hate the time changes. I want Daylight Savings Time year round.
You might consider a small step stool for Scout. I had one for my Himalayan cat. I put it behind the bed so she had an easier time jumping onto the mattress.
Just a quick “hi”…as always I read on my phone but don’t get to comment much.
Am IN LOVE with your photos today..is it possible they are even better than normal which is always fantastic???
Sorry to hear Scout slipped…poor baby girl…hope she rebounds quickly…
Glad Don will be home soon..
OH, and a “favor”…I have pondered going back to my old “drip cup” ways..cannot for the life of me remember how much coffee to water ratio I used…any helpful hints to get started again ??
I understand about missing your mom…
big hugs..to you and your family…as always, I will be peeking in every day…
M
Forgive my not answering your e-mail dear – just no time! I’ll have a little post soon about everything that’s going on.
Sorry about Scoutie’s fall and hope she’s better soon.
I was thinking of my dear mum today when we arrived here – and how she loved visiting Asheville and the NC mountains when she came over from England one year and we drove her out here. It’s so long since she’s been gone – but the love, the memories and the missing never diminishes.
‘DOC MARTIN’. You have to watch it, if you haven’t. It’s hilarious but not in a silly way (personally I’m not a lover of comedy). We love the series so much – you won’t believe Martin Clunes amazing portrayal of the quintessential British physician! The location is a really beautiful Cornish village – all the characters are fabulous.
Hugs – looking forward to Don’s return and hearing how you are snuggling in front of the new screen!
Mary X
So sorry about Scout. I have a 16 yr old doggie that could not get through the day without rimadyl. Ticho has had both back knees repaired (at one time he could not stand up) so we are protective of him. Always watching for that slide off but ultimately it happens. Scout looks like a lovely dog, sorry he has to be in pain. He is lucky to have you and vice versa. Hope your little family has a great reunion and lovely weekend together.