This is a kind of sedum that I planted in the memorial garden. (I can’t remember the name.) I’m always surprised when it blooms. Bonus points: it spreads.
I mowed a lot yesterday and then I spent even more time outdoors pruning things in the big garden bed, trying to get at those white flies. I was happy because I love being outdoors and working on the property, but I’m paying the price today as my allergies are especially troublesome. Every time I check the weather I see this: “The pollen count today is high.”
I know. In fact, I knew that without checking the weather app.
So for today, I’m going to stay inside except for watering the porch plants and shooting water at the white flies. This afternoon we’re supposed to get thunderstorms, so hopefully, they will take over the role of ‘water cannon.’
I’m reading my next Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News? Dang, I like her writing style! An absolute pleasure to read. There are two more in the series to read, as well – whoops! – make that three, as a new Jackson Brodie mystery has just been published.
Next month: the new Louise Penny, A Better Man, comes out on August 27th. Huzzah! On the same day, the newest in the “The Girl Who…” series, The Girl Who Lived Twice, will be published. Originally written by the late Steig Larsson, they are now being written by David Lagercrantz, and I have to say – he’s doing a bang-up job of it.
Deborah Crombie’s newest, A Bitter Feast, is being published on October 8th. And Michael Connelly’s newest Harry Bosch, The Night Fire, is being published on October 22nd.
All of the above authors are favorites of mine.
I like the idea of all sorts of books written by authors I love lined up, ready and waiting for me. It’s like a secret stash of good things to come.
And reading saves me in these times. Truly. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
Gardening, too.
Happy Thursday.
Looking forward to the new book by Deborah Crombie. She is one of my favorite authors. Seems like it has been a long time since a new one has come from her. Anne Perry has a new mystery series starting Sept 2019 set pre-WWII with the main character Elena Standish. I am just finishing up a book by a new author that I am enjoying called “The Long Flight Home” by Alan Hlad. Sad to see it come to an end. The book isn’t a mystery. Set during WWII.
She’s such a good writer, Trina!
I love gardening and reading, too. I just came in from working out in the yard and cleaning things up a bit. I was in the direct sun and got too hot, so time to come in to cool down. Oh, my weather app says “high pollen” every single day. That’s nothing new here all summer. And like you, I don’t need a weather app to tell me that. I’m always stuffy and have very puffy eyes. What saves me is Flonase (generic).
Can you believe it hasn’t rained here for like 5-6 days in a row? It’s a miracle!
A miracle indeed! It’s just about to start storming here.
Since we overdid garden work on Monday…we took it easy yesterday. But, this morning is nice…so we will finish a couple of quick projects. I really appreciate my hubby’s help…and, it’s always more fun to have someone to chat with when tackling larger jobs.
There are lots of new books on my radar…you mentioned some of them. I do love having a stack of TBR books…I think it’s the anticipation of being taken into different worlds. And, it’s always a treat when the weather cooperates, and I can read outside…surrounded by nature. What a simple pleasure. That might have to wait, however. We have alert days starting Sunday, into the foreseeable future. Ugh.
Enjoy your day!
hi, donnamae!
i like that expression you used about reading a book outside being for you a “simple pleasure”. i have never, ever been a fancy person, but in my younger adulthood, i pursued bigger hobbies, was always on the go/not home enough and (to be honest) in some ways sure complicated my own life. maybe it’s me getting older (I’m 61) or maybe it’s me taking better care of the introverted part of me. and maybe everyone goes through it … but nowadays i seek what you mentioned … simple pleasures … and thank God for them!
also, if you don’t mind sharing, what are “alert days” … warning of possible bad weather? hope you stay safe and cool.
kathy in iowa
Hi Kathy! An alert day is day that we need to mindful of because of severe storms, or high winds, or in this case, with temps in the 90’s predicted, a heat index of 100+ degrees.
I’m big on simple pleasures….not taking things for granted and enjoying even the simple things in life. So…enjoy your day! ;)
thanks, donnamae. our weather sounds similar. hope you are keeping cool and have a good day!
kathy in iowa
I love reading outside. But with the pollen count as high as it’s been, I don’t do that very often this summer.
Yeah…good point. Plus the humidity just makes it hard to breathe. I’ve thought of putting a fan on the deck just to move the air…but reading outside is definitely reserved for cooler days. ;)
xo
glad you have both books and gardening to enjoy!
i like having a “tbr” pile, too. so much more fun than a list of chores. :)
my joy list includes (among other things) painting, writing, knitting, counted cross-stitch and especially being with my family! :)
hope everyone stays cool!
kathy in iowa
TBR piles are an enormous comfort to me. I feel protected somehow.
Yes, those Alert Days Donnamae mentioned are for heat indexes of 100* to 105*. Thank goodness for AC!!
If it wasn’t for reading, I’m afraid I would be under a table rocking. I can’t stop! Book after book ~ and I have to say it is saving what little sanity I have remaining. Seeing all of our beautiful flowers also soothes the soul. And as I read from my chair, I can see the bird and Hummingbird feeders and they, too, are entertaining.
We must take care of ourselves. I remember just weeks ago we thought we would be dancing in the streets!! Beyond horrific. Thanks to everyone for listing what they are reading!! My list keeps growing. It is my lifeline.
We have some of those coming as well.
Music, reading, gardening, talking with my husband – all of it helps.
Love Deborah Crombie. The saying about having a library and a garden is all you need is so true!
Cicero, I believe. I’d love to have that framed and on my wall, Dawn.
I can’t argue with gardening and books! Two of my most favourite pastimes! At the moment, I’m mulling over whether or not to have the four or five leylandii trees that separate my garden from next door, permanently removed. Normally, I would think it a travesty to get rid of trees but these are the Devil’s bane of the tree world. My ex husband planted them over thirty years ago
because they grow very quickly, at least three feet per year. Conifers as they’re more commonly known suck the life blood out of anything close by. I put down lawn turf less than two years ago and it’s all but disappeared. My neighbour says she is happy for them to go. Plus they’re already too close to my house.
I am due a tax rebate in the next couple of months as I have been placed on the wrong code for a year and that would cover the cost. Decisions!
Happy Thursday
Certain pine trees here leave the surrounding soil bare – nothing can grow there. Good luck with the trees, whatever your decision.
Your garden is gorgeous and it’s clear how passionate you are about it and how very hard you work to make it so lovely. Bravo — you deserve a reading day!
Crombie and Penny are two of my very favorite mystery writers (along with Jacqueline Winspear — they are my Divine Trio.) I am so excited that new books by two of my faves are coming out so soon! I wasn’t sure after the last Penny what might come our way. She could have called it quits, wrapping up the loose ends. I’m so glad she didn’t. And it’s been ages since Duncan and Gemma were part of my world. I’ll need to re-read the last one again!
Louise Penny writes a book a year, but Deborah Crombie takes longer between books. So it has been a long while since we’ve seen Duncan and Gemma!
I worked out side doing a little weeding in the flower bed and now my allergies have gone crazy again. The cough is back and I’m so tired. This has been a rough time with the allergies. I’ve seen my Dr and so I know I must do more avoidance of allergens and that’s just how it has to be. Hope you are doing well. I have continued reading and it’s wonderful to escape into a book again.
Mine too. It makes me so angry that I can’t be outside without paying for it! This has been the worst year I can remember for allergies. So glad you’re reading again, Linda!