I’m thinking it’s Monday, of course. But it’s Tuesday. And so goes a week where I will continue to question what day it is.
Oh, goodness, I was melancholy yesterday. It was due, I think, to a number of things: the seasonal change, which seems to affect me more and more the older I get, the anniversary of my brother’s passing and the awareness that it will soon be a year since my father died. I finished A Great Reckoning. If you want to know my thoughts on this extraordinary novel, scroll down to yesterday’s post. I finished A Fine Romance by Susan Branch. And we took a little drive to shake off my melancholy.
A recap of the past several days (some of these photos were on Instagram so I’m sharing them with everyone today):
We sent this photo in a text to Little Z because he couldn’t grasp the fact that our lawnmower is the kind you push, not the kind you sit on (as is used on his lawn).
The den in the morning. It’s darker outside when I first get up. Soon it will be completely dark at 6 or 7 am. Not sure how I feel about that.
I had a lovely two hour phone conversation with my dear friend Christine (a fellow voice and speech coach who I met when I worked in Wisconsin five years ago). My favorite quote from Christine during that conversation: “You can’t make somebody not nuts.” It’s a quote she read a while back and boy, do I need to remind myself of this at times.
We took at trip to Saugerties, where we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant (Mexitarian – our new word for vegetarian Mexican food) and saw this vintage Roy Rogers guitar in an antique shop. (You know I love to get Don anything Roy Rogers, but this was $200!)
This came in the mail. Be still my heart. And it still sits on this cabinet because I haven’t decided where it should go. It’s 8 inches high and several inches wide. Am I running out of room?
And this is complete. Sigh of happiness.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of my brother David’s death was on September 4th. The sheer magnitude of that number is too much for me to handle. Dave gave me this brooch during his fight against the lymphoma that would ultimately take him from us. I wore it for a couple of years but I placed it in a shadow box after he died and it sits on my desk.
We took a drive to Rosendale yesterday and ate at our favorite vegetarian restaurant. These cheery flowers were on the table.
Of course a visit to Rosendale means a visit to my favorite independent bookstore.
This planter is outside the shop.
Would I love to have a ceiling like this one? Yes.
We had a lovely chat with Jesse and Maggie, talked about books and reading, perused their offerings (I bought Mycroft Holmes by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and some pretty notebooks by Rifle Paper Co.) and watched an adorable little girl run in the shop with her dad, all set to pick out a book. Later on, she went up to Don and said, “Are you an old man?” He answered, “Yes.” And then we laughed. To that little moppet, Don is an old man. To me? Nah.
The sugar maple is dropping leaves like nobody’s business (it’s always the first tree to start the change.) I read up on bird migration yesterday because I’m missing my birds – I don’t see them anymore. But at the end of the day, my mourning dove appeared to drink some water from the birdbath. That made me happy.
Happy Tuesday.
Good morning Claudia, I wasn’t able to comment yesterday because of internet issues. I like your brooch , a very special gift. The little girl’s question— they sure are honest. I worked with 5 year olds and they are brutal with how we look!!
Oh my gosh, they can be absolutely brutal!
This post touched my heart in so many ways dear Claudia. Little Z’s not knowing about a push mower – precious. The light in your home, I really love seeing the play of lights and shadows in my own home. My favorite is in the winter when it’s cold outside and sun rays come in a window. Your reminder of your brother – so touching. How you love books and a visit to a book store. Our lives couldn’t be more different and yet we have so much in common. Thank you for making my days a little better and more interesting.
I feel the same way about that winter light! We have a great deal in common, dear Janie, and I’m proud to call you my friend. xo
That picture of the display at the bookstore – my heart beat faster!
I too am exploring my feelings about autumn, and I am trying to write a small essay on the subject. Many ideas.
It’s the change, isn’t it? The transition from summer to leaves falling and plants dying. Beautiful and tough at the same time!
You definitely touched on quite a few different things. But, the one that struck me the most was the little girl in the book shop. I am now the same age as my grandma was when I was little, and thought her old. While technically I may be old….I don’t feel old. That is, until we have a 3 day weekend, and I can’t remember what day it is….then I feel old and confused! Cute story about Little Z….but, how would he know? And that brooch…Priceless! Happy random day to you! ;)
I don’t feel old, either, but to little one – our gray hair and wrinkles sure must make us look that way!
When we were on the phone with Little Z, he kept asking us where we sat on the mower and we would explain that we walked behind it and pushed it – He just couldn’t take that in!
Little Z wanting to know where you sat on the mower..priceless…Maybe that little girl thinks people keep growing so Don must be really old since he’s so tall..lol…you just never know with kids…Oh..to feel their wonder with the world again..The RR guitar is cute but I’m sure you can find it cheaper…
Ah, but he was sitting at the time, Nancy! So that won’t work!
Oh well…I guess he just looks like a old man then..Sorry Don..I tried to help..lol…
xo
The next 4 months are my favorite of the year. I LOVE the cooler nights, having the windows open, the glorious colors (here in upstate NY anyways)….apple picking, cooking more instead of grilling, cozy afghans, hot tea, crocheting, scrapbooking, journaling……AHHHH. I love what awaits.
Glorious colors here as well, we’re also in upstate NY – though it’s really the Hudson Valley. People call it upstate, but I bet where you’re living is more upstate than we are!
Is it just me or does Don seemed to be delightedly shooting the lawnmower? Maybe it’s just my feelings about mowing the lawn affecting my take on the photo.
I understand your grief for your brother. Twenty-five years cannot erase it—only soften the raw edges of it, slightly. Our son has been gone for over twenty-one years and I can still hear his voice and feel his hugs. He’s been gone now for nearly as many years as he was with us. But there are times that I still can laugh at his jokes, too. We keep them with us however we can.
Are you sure it’s Tuesday? Sheeeeez!
Nah…he’s pointing to it! We actually like mowing the lawn, Shanna!
I can still hear my brother’s voice, as well. We never get over it, do we?
Claudia, not that you need any more to do, but I bet you could write a book. Have you thought about it?
I wouldn’t know what to write about, Gail. And I don’t know if anyone would buy it??
Novel, mystery? You’re such a good writer.
I once thought seriously about writing a mystery but, in the end, I don’t think I will. Thank you, Gail, for your kind words.
that gallery wall of your babies’ art is wonderful! glad you have it.
wishing you peace, every day and especially on those anniversaries and other bittersweet days.
wishing you more books and time to read them. wishing you more flowers, light, room for pottery/art on walls and other things (like that little girl’s question) that make you laugh and smile.
kathy in iowa
Ah, thank you so much, Kathy! That means a lot.
You hit the nail on the head, Claudia. Fall is a melancholy time of year, at least in the Northeast, for a number of reasons. For once, though, I’m looking forward to some relief from the perpetual steam-bath of this summer.
Don is such a good sport. You can tell he’s imagining his nephew’s face upon seeing that photograph.
Can you do lawnmower facetime, to show him how it’s done? For kids, there’s nothing like a demonstration. Don could do his best Mr. Rogers shtick. Fun for all!
I believe that the little girl’s question had to with this: she picked up on Don’s virile bearing and attitude and was having trouble reconciling that with his gray hair. She was having trouble categorizing him because he wasn’t behaving like an old man.
Thank you for the nice photographs, Claudia, especially the cheerful zinnias and black-eyed Susans. Clearly, we readers love going on these little field trips with you.
I will pass your theory on to Don, Nancy! He will be very pleased.
The idea of lawnmower Face Time is a good one, Nancy! We’ll have to give it a try.
I love the potpourri feeling of this post, Claudia. I injured my right arm so I can’t write very much. However, wanted to leave a comment of appreciation for your sharing your life’s moments. I am trying the dictation mode of the iPad keyboard and I’m not quite sure whether I like it or not but since I cannot type with my right arm it’s the best I can do.
I’m so sorry to hear of your injury, Wendy! I hope it won’t take too long to heal. xo
Love the idea of Face-timing a lawnmower demo with Uncle Don is perfect!! I bet Little Z would sit in absolute wonder!! Fun!
Sounds like you had a nice weekend. The little girl’s question was priceless. I often think of people I thought quite old when I was young, and laugh about it. Have a great Tuesday!!
Oh, we say the same thing. Those people I thought we old? Much younger than I am now!
We just commented his morning about how dark it is at 5:00 a.m. Today compared to last week! When my husband leaves for work he has to have a light on now as compared to just five days ago. On the shortest day in December it won’t be light up until around 8:00 a.m. and then dark again by 3:30. Lots to love in this post Claudia. I hope today is a great day for you.
Blessings,
Betsy
I can’t even think about the shortest day of the year! At least we ease into it, so by the time it comes, it isn’t so shocking!
We had our annual Labor Day family picnic and campfire on Sunday and everyone commented about how much earlier the dark was coming. In June we would have started the fire around 9 pm but on Sunday we started gathering kindling at 7:30, and lit the fire shortly before 8. These seasonal adjustments can be weird, for sure. I must say I do like eating supper by lamplight – one of the nicest parts of the Winter for me. But if it’s dark at dinnertime I want light for breakfast, and for most of the Winter it’s dark at both ends. Oh well. I sometimes find myself wishing we just didn’t bother with Daylight Savings Time anymore too. Especially since so much of the world is 24/7 now. Didn’t DST start out as a way to help farmers anyway? Now I’ll have to go look that up! Have a great evening. PS – watched the “Poisoner’s Handbook” again on YouTube this weekend. So interesting. And great job too, Don, by the way… 🌓
I definitely think DST should be called to a halt. It simply doesn’t need to be anymore.
Of course Don did a great job! He’s the best! Glad you enjoyed it again, Janet.
Today felt like Monday to me also. I had a sad day yesterday, but today my watercolor of Charlie arrived. It is gorgeous and I can’t wait to get it framed and hung. Thank you and thank Shanna for sharing her awesome talent!
hugs!
Yay! From what I saw, Shanna really captured Charlie. I’m so happy for you!
Hi Claudia,
Just another quick thank you for this blog. I’ve said it before, but want to say again how much it lifts my spirits every day to read your blog, no matter the content. I love your honest approach to life and sweet spirit. Thank you.
Oh, thank you so much, Brooke! That makes my day!