The forsythia is gorgeous this year. At times during the day, it is such a vivid yellow.
It’s ridiculously hot here. Yesterday it hit 89, today it will hit 90 degrees. As I walked around the property, taking photos, moving some chairs off the porch and into the Secret Garden and Funky Patio, and picking up branches that fell during the winter, I didn’t think that this unseasonably warm weather would wreak havoc with my allergies. Well, actually, I did, but I didn’t think I was out there long enough for it to impact me. I was wrong. I started coughing late yesterday afternoon and into the evening and my night’s sleep was ruined by yet more coughing. It’s so frustrating! My cough was all but gone. Don felt crappy, too, and he went outside to clean out the culvert. Idiots throw their beer cans and trash into it as they drive by.
Anyway, today we are staying inside, especially because there is an air quality advisory having to do with ozone levels.
It was nice to be outside, though, and I felt twinges of excitement at the thought of cleaning out the garden beds, planting some pots – all the things I do in the early spring. Usually, I’ve planted pansies by now. But everything has been thrown off by being sick and working on the show.
Tomorrow, the temperature drops and we’ll have rain for the next few days.
The beginnings of the lilacs.
Except for War and Peace (and we just passed our 100th day of this read-along) I’m reading nonfiction at the moment, which is not like me. I can’t seem to find any fiction in my voluminous To Be Read pile that excites me at the moment (don’t worry, that will change.) So, I take it as a sign that I’m meant to be reading nonfiction. I’m close to finishing Underland by Robert MacFarlane. It’s simply extraordinary. I’m also reading a bio of Rodgers and Hammerstein called Something Wonderful by Todd Purdom. I’ve read several bios about them in the past, but this one is newer and it’s very well written and researched. Decades ago, I sang the song ‘Something Wonderful’ when I was in a production of the The King and I.
I also have a book called London Fog that I’m anxious to start.
This morning, I started reading as soon as I sat down and didn’t turn on my phone until I had to retrieve these photos for the post. I used to do that every day in the days before iPads and phones and laptops. I would make a cup of coffee and read for hours. I need to do that more. Actually, I didn’t want to stop, but it was my turn to make our second cup of coffee and I had to write this post.
But today will be a reading day. Don is actually reading a book by James Michener as well as War and Peace. He usually reads nonfiction. What the??? We’re topsy-turvy.
Adrian got out of bed yesterday and sat in a chair for a short period of time. Such welcome news!
And for the first time ever, two huge crows stopped at the birdbath for a drink of water.
Note: Sometimes when I send comment replies, I get a message back from the email provider of the addressee saying that they can’t authenticate my email, or that it’s suspicious, or bulk. This has to do with your email providers. Today I got one for Chris K, but it happens with others, as well. Nothing you can do about it, I suppose. I’m just letting you know that 98% of the time, I respond to comments, so if you don’t get an email saying I’ve replied, check back here anyway. xo
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
hooray and thanking God for adrian’s progress! that must be such a relief for all involved. my prayers continue.
hooray also for those beautiful forsythia and lilac starts, for creatures finding water and shelter, for rain after heat and for reading (maybe especially the topsy-turvy kind)!
now if you could just feel 100% better (i know you’ll get there).
i have a couple of hoorays for me! within the space of 24 hours, i bought two things … the first being a very nice old ethan allen tv armoire. with thanks to my brother and two guy friends, this very heavy piece is now in place in my living room. I’ve cleaned it and am working on making some removable, free-standing shelves for it (so i can use it as a bookcase). so far, very pleased. :)
my second purchase comes with a bit of nervousness and a whole lot of excitement. the nervousness is because i am not fond of being out alone at night nor of going to an “event” by myself and because i will be in a crowd and covid is still around. also for driving at least a bit afterwards in the dark and outside of chicago (about five hours from here). but i will be safe and smart doing these things and it will be worth it because i got a ticket to hear someone whose music i’ve loved for 47 years (and whose shows were always too far away) … i get to see gino vannelli in september!!! unfortunately no one is available to go with me, but the upside of that is i got a seat that is fifth row center! :)
okay … now back to stuff around here.
happy, safe friday to everyone and may you all have your own hoorays!
kathy
Kathy, congratulations on going to see Vannelli by yourself. That happened to me once when “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” was recorded at Austin’s Long Theater. I’d long wanted to go, but the tickets were expensive. However, I sat by myself next to a woman who was a professor at UT Texas and thousands of other people who loved the radio program as much as I do. Have fun!
thanks, linda! it’s bit of “a dream come true” for me. :)
i haven’t ever caught it very often but i love that program, “wait, wait, don’t tell me” … and am so happy you could enjoy it in person!
hope you are keeping comfy and safe and have a good weekend ahead.
kathy
…kathy! I love-love Gino Vannelli! I probably have multiple copies by now of his cds from the late 70s (my faves from him, like maybe 1978-81; somewhere in my ‘stuff’ is my original vinyl; fantastic tunes!); hugely underrated rock-pop Canadian singer (who I would mostly hear on FM Radio), hugely loved by his devoted and admiring fans; you are going to have such a good time; he is so talented; I think he’s like age 70 or 71 now(?); I also think he teaches music in addition to touring these days, like a master’s class or something; I should google him again; it wasn’t all that long ago that I came across him in some reading online; I’ll be so glad to hear your review of his concert; have a terrific time!
(I know what it is to yearn to see somebody in concert whose music you’d listened to for years and years; in a case with me, it was the musical artist Kenny Rankin; he hardly ever got AM radio play in the 70s but he too was on FM [I think I discovered him on FM in like 1976 or so but I was still listening to him in the 90s with new stuff he was putting out] and he was not only an incredible singer [jazz, blues, pop, easy listening, rock, a bit of doo-wop; don’t even know how to categorize him as he was a man of many hats] but also a great guitar player [and songwriter]. I used to feel he sang right into my very soul. It took some doing at the time, but I was able to see him do a benefit concert in Beverly Hills, maybe sometime like 2003-2007 or something; was a couple/few years before he died when only in his late 60s; he died within mere weeks of getting a fatal diagnosis of lung cancer. This particular concert of which I speak wasn’t widely advertised; he’d had a website and I think that’s how I found out about his concert schedule; anyway, was a small venue; a church actually, so the acoustics were beyond-incredible. Just him and his guitar, and he needed nothing and nobody else. I so wish the concert had been filmed. A real highlight of my life to see him perform in person; perfect pitch, perfect evening, perfect everything. The quality of his voice was so pure. He sang, “On Broadway” (he was a New Yorker) which he never recorded; I’ve only found him doing one other performance of it, on youtube. He was a fan of the Beatles, and Paul McCartney was a fan of Kenny Rankin; I think Johnny Carson was too. I’m not fact-checking myself as I write this; is just pouring out of my head.)
Longtime fan of Kenny Rankin – have several of his albums. Also of Gino Vanelli, a guy Kathy and I have discussed many times!
thanks, vicki!
so glad you could hear a fave in person! had to look up kenny rankin’s songs … he did well, in part for having paul mccartney, johnny carson, claudia and you as fans. :)
i love gino … been a fan since i first heard his music as a freshman in college. that’s a long time … i expect to cry during some songs (“people i belong to”, for one … i hope he sings it) and dance during others … people gotta move! heehee!
music is a powerful thing, a good thing … and hearing it live is even better!
prayers continue for your husband’s recuperation, you, the pup, everyone.
how are you all doing?
hope all’s well and you have a nice, easy weekend ahead.
kathy
and yes, same here about having numerous albums (in this case, gino’s). also the bodeans, a few jimmy buffett’s …
another favorite of mine is joe cocker. had his live cd; it was stolen once (when i worked for twelve years as a part-time barista while also still doing full-time social work after grad school) and a couple times i handed it to people who loved it as much as i do, so had to replace it three times. worth it. :)
happy friday!
kathy
Well, you know how much I love Gino Vanelli, Kathy. If I was there, I’d be going with you!
I did go to see Gregory Peck’s one man show all by myself. Such a great memory.
Congrats on the bookshelf solution!
Stay safe.
come on over! i’ll get you a ticket and give you the better seat! :)
more likely … gino has concerts listed for warren, michigan and somewhere in pennsylvania (a suburb of pittsburgh, maybe … check his website). would either of those work for you?
xo,
kathy
Too far away! But I’ll live vicariously through you, Kathy. xo
so glad you could see gregory peck’s show and hear his wonderful voice (so powerful and full of gravitas), especially for loving “to kill a mockingbird”!
do you have a copy of that movie? how about “spoiler alert”?!? i hope so!
I also hope you and don have an easy, relaxing, healing, cooler weekend!
kathy
I have several copies of that movie and I own a copy of Spoiler Alert – it’s on my Amazon Prime account. But I need the actual DVD, which I don’t have. (Our DVD player isn’t working.)
I cried through most of Gregory Peck’s show.
So proud of you for stepping outside of your comfort zone to see Gino Vannelli. Especially since you’ve been a fan for so long. Great music, that sadly I had forgotten about. Loved his songs. Take care! ;)
thank you, donnamae! :)
a couple times when thinking about it, i’ve felt nervous about the idea of being out at night in chicago (western suburb, to be specific, but i have a fear of the dark … and so will be alert and prepared (full tank of gas, etc.)) … but there will be lots of people heading to their cars in the same parking lot so i won’t be alone that way. and i will have my family and friends like you cheering me on. :) thank you.
if you want to hear some favorite music, i bet you can find it online … official videos, etc. gino has a bunch. :)
also, am a fan of bodeans from the beautiful state of wisconsin that you and chris k call home. :)
how are you? hope all’s well and you enjoy a wonderful weekend ahead!
kathy
Claudia, you’ve inspired me to put aside some of the multitude of tasks I’d assigned myself and read for a few hours.
Oh good! Enjoy, Linda.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I just want you and Don to get well so that you can start enjoying your beautiful property, gardens; spring, summer. Forsythia; I’ve never known much about it. Gorgeous. I’m so drawn to anything yellow; I just bought a pale-yellow, lightweight cardigan for the season (short-sleeved; cover up my batwings). Best to do as you’re doing to stay out of the crazy temperature fluctuations in your weather; have some enjoyable reading indoors. I’m glad you’re having better news about your friend.
I’ve been preoccupied with my husband’s health but he got a good report from both of his surgeons yesterday, two weeks post-surgery. They feel he’s progressing favorably. On the other hand, one of my best friends is undergoing biopsy on both breasts this morning; and my first cousin, who’s like a brother to me (he’s age 74), was diagnosed with bladder cancer; very aggressive tumor and he soon (Monday) begins a minimum of three months chemo. It’s so unfair. He is among the best of people I’ve ever known, a giver; my prayers go to his rapid recovery. I’m a cancer survivor and reminded him that we’ve got warrior genes in our family tree; it’s in our DNA to fight adversity, so he needs to fight. I’m too far away from him, 1500 miles, to be of any help; I can’t even hold his hand. For my friend (she’s age 72) being biopsied as I write this, she’s nearby in miles and contact; maybe she’ll get a good result and why not. She has family with her today. (But why is it always something.)
This is, unfortunately, the time of life where we hear more and more bad news about the health of friends and loved ones. I wish it wasn’t that way. But I started losing friends at a young age; children I babysat for (2 of them died from cancer,) classmates, a neighbor who committed suicide. I saw a lot from the age of 12 on. It’s pretty much been ‘always something’ for my entire life. Students murdered, students dying too young from cancer, and on and on. And like, you, losing a sibling much too young. Sigh. You’d think it would be something we come to terms with, but how can you? A former student from San Diego is currently battling cancer. It’s so unfair and so worrisome.
I’m glad to hear your husband is recovering nicely, Vicki. Sending love to you and your patient. xo
Stay safe.
Thank you, Claudia. You’re right; things are especially complicated now due to age.
I’ll change the subject.
Did you catch that fascinating bit on 60 Minutes this past Sunday night/Easter about the restoration/rebirth (resurrection) of Notre Dame Cathedral? I hadn’t realized it’s already four years since the fire devastated it. Was such a hopeful piece
(We can still dream of returning to Paris, right?!!)
You don’t have to change the subject!
I didn’t see the piece of 60 Minutes, no. But I’ll look for it.
I still dream of returning to Paris, but unless I come into a lot of money, I don’t see it happening!
xo
It’s been hot in Nebraska too and so windy! The dirt is blowing everywhere thanks to the many fields not planted yet. I own some property that is full of cedar trees, so I’ve been out cutting the small ones. It’s really been nice to get outside and get some exercise. Lucky for me, I’ve never suffered from allergies.
I watched the Netflix documentary on the Boston Marathon bombers last night. I highly recommend if you are looking for something to watch.
Have a great day everyone!
I envy you not having allergies, Darlene!
Stay safe.
I’m glad you got to take your stroll yesterday. I’ve been doing yard chores…slowly but surely, it will all get done. It’s always exciting to see new buds emerging, and plants springing up. And, then there’s the anticipation of not knowing if your plants survived the winter. While this heat has been hard to adjust to, it is speeding up the budding process. And crazy as it sounds, we may get snow Sunday night…lol. Typical Wisconsin Spring.
Enjoy your book reading! ;)
I haven’t done anything outside yet and now we’re going to have rain for a few days. That’s okay – gives me a bit more time to recover.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
I am so happy to her Adrian got a heart and is doing so well. Good news is so welcome especially when so much seems to be going wrong. My allergies have had me down for several weeks and I want to feel normal again. My sweet Grandson fractured his foot playing baseball so is out for the rest of this season. He loves baseball and will go back to it in the fall. I have been reading a great deal although it makes me so sleepy. This too shall pass. Hugs!
Oh no! I’m so sorry for your grandson. It must be very frustrating for him.
Stay safe, Linda.
Strange weather everywhere! We are also having allergy warnings…thanks to the breezy conditions lately.
Nice that you were able to walk around outside for a bit yesterday…feels good to have some direct sunshine! I’m meeting friends in Napa tomorrow and hoping the weather is nice for that.
I’ve always been a reader, but lately I’ve realized I don’t read till bedtime. I need to start reading earlier!
I enjoyed your photos today!
Read in the morning – it’s the best time for me because I’m relaxed and not preoccupied by other things.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Reading time is never wasted. But it seems I spend more time reading blogs than reading📚 books. Both are good but when reading blogs it’s as if you’ve received a letter from someone special. Glad to hear Adrian was able to sit up in a chair for a bit. Enjoy your garden. Your forsythia bushes are so pretty. I mix branches of it with pussywillows, both faux, but so pretty inside until we can pick the tulips and daffodils in the garden. Hugs, Elaine
I never pick my flowers, I like to see them outside in the garden.
Stay safe, Elaine!
Claudia I was thinking of my son as I read your post. He too suffers greatly with seasonal allergies. He finds that a Neti pot rinse is helpful. I keep the Neti Med sinus rinse kits here for his visits. Living in CO and visiting FL is a triggers his allergies. If you have not tried doing a nasal rinse perhaps it is worth the few dollars for the kit and a bottle of distilled water. You can boil your own but it is easier just to purchase distelled. On another note I am so pleased to read of the progress made by Adrian. Will continue to pray for he and his dear wife. Have a relaxing day enjoy spring from inside the cottage. Leaf mold and pollen are not your friends as you know all too well
Yes, I’ve tried the Neti Pot but I’m not crazy about it.
Thank you so much, Patricia.
Stay safe.
That sounds like the perfect day — gorgeous weather and good books. Can’t beat that! I’ve read “Something Wonderful” — and I agree. It’s very good. I’m back at Michael Feinstein’s excellent but very dense book on the Gershwins. Actually, it’s beyond that — almost more about the craft and art of songwriting and interpretation, along with the careers of George and Ira thrown in. It’s an excellent book but big, small print (loads of great pix, though!) and came with a CD, so of course that slows things down. But it does give one a far deeper appreciation of the art of music and lyric composition. There’s enough bio info there, too, to make it interesting and personal — both as regards the Gershwins and Feinstein. I’d recommend it but it isn’t a book you bang through so I’m doing what I rarely do and also reading a Donna Leon along with it.
I bought mulch today, which Rick is going to have to help me with because lifting those bags is over the load limit for my shoulder. But it will help the garden look much improved (and hopefully slow down the weeks!
I have a book about Gershwin on my TBR pile. Can’t remember the author but it also supposed to be somewhat technical. I’ve read a lot about them over the years – Favorite modern day composer.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Claudia, have you tried wearing a face mask while outside during the worst of allergy season? I know it helped me immensely back in 2021 – I could actually walk in my local park for an hour with no symptoms. Too hot here in NJ also, 90 degrees in mid April! Thankfully, back to some normal temps tomorrow.
I just dove into Louise Penney’s latest, and have Jacqueline Winspear’s The White Lady up next; lots of good reading ahead for me.
Yes. I often wear a mask, but if it makes a difference, I can’t see it. I also wear sunglasses to try to protect my eyes from pollen.
Stay safe, Barbara.
Yardwork and allergies and forsythia…signs of Spring! I have the first two and the third is finally budding out. It’s so slow this year, but not any wonder after the long long long winter we’ve had. I thought of you when my allergies were at their worst, because I know they get you too.
So nice to read all the comments and comments on comments on your post today. Hurray for all of us!’
Enjoy!
It seems wrong that we should be allergic to spring!
Stay safe, Roxie.