It rained all day yesterday; a quiet, steady rain that we very much needed. The rivers are low here. Our cottage is just a short walk away from two rivers and I’ve been shocked lately at how low the water level is.
The gardens are loving it. I’m hoping that it rains every few days while I’m gone so my gardens can thrive in between visits home.
This is what it looked like outside this morning:
Sunlight peeking through the trees.
This photo rather reminds me of one I took last year in the summer of 2013. While I was out of town working in Hartford, (sound familiar?) I used it to illustrate a Leonard Cohen lyric. That photo had such pretty bokeh! You can see that particular post here.
But I digress. I say all that only because I seem to be captivated by rays of light coming through the trees. Today’s photo was taken while it was still a bit foggy out, with drops of rain still hanging from all the plants. It’s all rather magical and you have to run outside and try to capture it before the light changes. That kind of light always seems to transport me to another world; a world of beauty and spirit and possibilities.
But, brrrr! It was nippy outside this morning. Autumn is definitely in the air. Along with my non-flannel pajamas, I’m wearing my shawl and a pair of socks. However, I refuse to turn the heat on this early. I simply can’t.
Back to yesterday. Scout and I tucked ourselves in for the day. I finished Act Four of Hamlet and I sent off our tax deductions. I was quite pleased with myself. Then I read and read and read some more: Deborah Crombie’s newest, To Dwell in Darkness. How lovely it is to read a new book by a favorite author, but what a double edged sword it is. I become happily immersed in the writing and the plot, while at the same time, I try to stretch the experience out as long as possible. However, it can’t be too long, because I have other books to read and review.
A quality problem, that’s for sure.
Today: Act Five and then I’ll be done with my Hamlet prep. I’m also doing a load or two of laundry over at my neighbor’s while they are away for the afternoon. Bless them. I will take advantage of the opportunity to play with their adorable cats.
It’s time to start making lists of all the things I have to take with me as I prepare to leave for Hartford. And lists of all the things I have to do before I leave. Then the inevitable worry: what the heck will I blog about? This is my sixth go-round in Hartford, which is a nice city, yes, but not very lively. I feel like I’ve completely plumbed the depths of that experience.
Ah well.
Happy Sunday.
It’s cold here and we are using our heat :( I sure wasn’t wanting that to happen this soon. It looks like we will be putting in an outside wood burner this year to help with the heating cost, if it’s going to be like last winter it will be horrible weather. It sounds like you have everything under control in Hartford and making use of your time.
I shudder to think about the cost of heating oil this year, Dawn.
I think sharing Fall in Hartford with us will be fun! I think the Fall season anywhere is quite beautiful. (If only that next season wasn’t lurking in the bushes waiting to pounce!) Your pictures are always so wonderful, we won’t be bored, I assure you! Will you have your own little apt. again/ not have to share with a room mate? Well,,,,,, except for Miss Scout, of course!! Just sharing what you take along and how you “decorate” your temporary spot is always a delightful read!!
Hope you have a great day today and enjoy the cool temps!!
I will be in a hotel for a couple of weeks (hopefully, not quite so long) and an apartment for about 3 weeks. I’d rather be in the apartment right away, but there is another show running at the moment, so those actors are still being housed in the apartments. No roommates but Scout.
Claudia, you could blog about the cracks in the sidewalk and we would feel like we missed out on an amazing experience! Don’t ever worry you have nothing to blog about!
Hugs,
Deb
Aw, Deb, thank you for your kind words!
It’s been unseasonably cold here too….30’s at night…so we did turn the heat on for two nights. Fortunately we’ve gotten plenty of rain this year…our rivers are near overflowing. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things to blog about in Hartford…you always do! ;)
Crossing my fingers, Donnamae!
Light coming through the trees is the most amazing thing to experience. It seems to be one of my favorite things to photograph.
I think the time in Hartford might be a good time for our favorite guest blogger to do a post or two. Hartford seem through the eyes of Scout.
We turned the heat on the other morning when it was exceptionally cold. Like 55 in the house. Now it is just to take the chill off each morning.
Scout will most likely be guest blogging about Hartford and New Haven (she’ll visit her dad a couple of times).
No heat for me..All my windows are open..I just love this weather..Missed your post yesterday..sounds dreadful !! We had the same rain, I guess..Less than half an inch and none in the for cast for the next week..Tired of watering..Three of my neighbors are on a cruise so now I have more watering to do..What are friends for?? Problem is that the plants/hanging baskets at one of the houses that I’m watering are done..Ready to be tossed..A waste of my time and water..Oh well…Happy Sunday
My windows are open, too. Love this weather!
We have the opposite situation here with the rivers running too high. At least it is sunny today and the temperature in the house may come up to a bearable degree. Like you, I refuse to turn the heat on yet but it took flannel pj’s to stay warm last night.
Flannel PJs are my favorite thing, but I need to buy some new ones this year.
I hear you, Claudia. It’s just denial on my part I know, but I never turn the heat on before October 1. Last year I made it all the way to Halloween because [A] the weather was very cooperative and [B] I wasn’t home most days except in the evenings. PS – maybe while you’re in Hartford, you could ask a native for one of Hartford’s best-kept secrets. You may find out about something terrific to see or do you’d never have heard of otherwise. I was at the cheese counter in my supermarket the other day and when the staffer asked what she could get me I asked for a recommendation [something my Dad did all the time] and learned about a delicious new Havarti I probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise. Who knew?
I might not be able to explore as much with Scoutie there. We’ll see.
Wow..that is one of your best shots Claudia..rays of light shining through clouds and trees are just breathtaking some times..and those flower photos..on my screen they look like I could just reach out and touch them..I think we all have no doubt that you and Dame Scoutie will find something to blog about..I would certainly love to hear what her highness has to say about her travels..lol..
I’m sure she’ll have a few choice words, Nancy.
We had some rain here this weekend and I’m sure the plants loved it. I’ve been in the bed for two days with a mystery illness. Headache (almost gone) stomach pains and today the dreaded diarrhea. So now I’m hoping the worst has passed. The worst part is I was suppose to go meet some of my Atlanta blogger buddies for lunch but I don’t think I’m well enough to go. It’s been way too long since we got together. It is what it is. I just want to feel better! You have a busy week and you get ready for you trip.
hugs,
Linda
Oh no! So sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather, Linda. I hope today finds you feeling much better, my friend.
Love your pictures!
Thank you, Heather!