T minus 6 and counting.
I’m off to Hartford in less than a week. I can’t linger on that thought for too long or I get sad. The garden is looking pretty gosh-darned abundant, my husband is about to return home and my little girl will once again be confused and sad. So what’s wrong with this picture?
Two months away from the cottage this time.
I’ve got a lot to do between now and Monday. Finish work on the scripts, get my hair cut, find a new pair of shorts that isn’t torn, mow, figure out what to pack (don’t have a project in mind yet,) write up an extensive list of the chores that Don has to take over, and there are many; most of them to do with watering potted plants, filling birdbaths and watering the seedlings. Oh, and a reminder (again) on how to empty the canister on the vacuum which he simply ignored last time I was away. Plus I have to drive up to the Berkshires on Saturday to watch a run-through of Much Ado About Nothing, followed by attending the closing performance of Pygmalion and packing Don up to bring him back home.
The latest visitors to check in at the birdbath:
A catbird and a male house finch. Finches sit on the edge of the birdbath and sip the water. Catbirds plunge in and dunk themselves with great exuberance.
Sort of blurry, sorry, but I wanted to show you the elusive yellow-colored finch. I have tried to photograph this little guy so many times I’ve stopped counting. He always flies away before I can haul out my camera. According to my research, he’s another adult male house finch, yellow variant. Some males are yellow rather than red. Unless it’s a pine warbler. Or a goldfinch. Or a yellow-throated vireo.
I clearly have no idea.
This guy is often at the birdbath solo. Seeing him with another bird is a rarity.
The liatris is just starting to bloom.
More daylily beauty.
A bench on the porch. The porch on which it’s been too hot to sit for more than a minute or two. Still humid here. Scout does not do well in humidity so I’ve had to turn on the A/C. But I leave it off for a while in the morning – just because I’m so sick of it. And because I’m dreading the next electric bill.
Miss Scout. She’s barking because she does not like it when I disappear, camera in hand, while she’s outside. She’d like me to let her back in the house, thank you very much, and where am I? Taking more pictures of my gardens.
The nerve.
One of you commented on that tarp that lies on the ground, just to the right in the photo, saying it looks like a dead body. It does. But in reality, it’s a pile of hay we use to cover the ground in the dog corral in the muddy, rainy days of spring. The tarp keeps the hay under control so that it doesn’t fly all over the property.
Today: Shorts shopping. T-shirt shopping. Perhaps a summer dress shopping.
I do not like shopping for clothes. No sir. The combination of a body that no longer looks as thin and svelte as it used to, fluorescent lights, and very little patience for the whole thing makes for a potentially frustrating experience. I used to love shopping for clothes. But my life out here in the country calls for T-shirts and jeans. And comfortable shoes. What have I become?
Ah well.
Happy Tuesday.
Somehow we always get everything done!! Hope you have a good day, Doris
Yes, it will all get done. Plus the twenty other things I have thought of since writing this post!
Oh yes, I remember clothes shopping. J.L. Hudson’s, Winkelmans and Baker’s Shoes were my favorite stores. Every pay day I took a trip to Northland to try on millions of outfits but could only afford one. Since getting older my body has readjusted and it isn’t as much “fun”. Now I get pleasure from my garden and watching the different birds come to visit my yard. My parents would call this phase “Maturing”.
Have a great day,
Vanessa
I remember shopping at all those stores. I know Hudson’t and Winkelmans are gone – is Baker’s Shoes gone, too?
Loved shopping at Northland with my grandmother.
You are a country girl, from your jeans and t shirts to your pile of hay!
I guess I am, Paula!
Hi Claudia!! I hear you about shopping – I hate trying things on and what you need at the moment the stores never seem to have when you want it… Your birdies are enjoying the birdbath. I also notice the catbirds loving to splash in my birdbath and thoroughly enjoying themselves!! They are fun to watch – what a lucky shot to capture that goldfinch… Your flowers looks lovely, Claudia !! Enjoy the day!! Francine
I love watching the catbirds – they really love birdbaths!
What you’ve become is a smarter, wiser woman…who just prefers jeans and t-shirts! I hate shopping…mostly I hate the mirrors in the stores! I have birdbath envy…yours is gorgeous, and the birds…oh my…you are so lucky! ;)
It replaced the other birdbath I had that broke in two when a maple limb crashed down on it during Hurricane Irene.
The flowers and the birds bathing are just beautiful. I am with Scout on the heat. Loving my A/C.
I don’t do well shopping in stores. I hate the trying on all sorts of things to not find anything I can wear. I do a lot online on the big discount on the online stores. When I need something that involves dressing up…..I do a lot of combining this and that. Just so it kinda looks good. Hoping that if anyone that knows style will just think I have my own style. I also have a hard time buying clothes that aren’t really marked down. Good luck in your search. There should be some sales now. A lot to do before leaving for two months. At least you can call and remind Don of anything youforgot on his list, hah.
Just got back. Exhausting.
Oh I am such a list maker and it is the only thing that helps me get it all done! So much to do but you will. I am not a clothes shopper either and I must find some new things for my Paris trip. My everyday ‘rags’ aren’t going to cut it I’m afraid. I won’t be all stylish or anything just decent is all I ask for! It will work out for you and me I hope!!
Linda
I’m wiped out from the whole ordeal, Linda!
The dead body! Would have never noticed but now yes it DOES look as if you have a body there : )
Suspicious looking, isn’t it?
Hi Claudia~~~That’s a lot on your plate! If it wasn’t for the fact that part of what you have to do is for work~~~I would just forget where I put my “To Do” list :0). Love the yard & all the beautiful plants & birds. I have hummingbird feeders hanging from the eaves of the porch. I so enjoy watching the little guys come in & feed. Have been able to get some great pictures too~~~BUT~~~they fight with each other for a spot & there is plenty for everyone! Who knew they had such controlling personalities.
So relate to clothes & shopping. At least you can still wear shorts. My legs are so veiny that the shortest thing I wear is below the knee capris. It’s been a struggle to accept all these changes~~~& I swear bra shopping is the worst! Spending big bucks only to look like a melon vendor makes me scream! Anyway~~~in the meantime~~~let’s just be comfortable in our clothes & our skin & call it good. We’ll get by “with a little help from our friends”. Sorry, that was cheesy!
Xo, Linda
I don’t like wearing shorts out in public, but I will if it’s hot enough!
I dread clothes shopping too. Being 60, short and a little overweight doesn’t help. Either everything is way to young or looks too much like an old lady. I’m not even 5 feet tall so everything is way too long, so then I have to hem whatever I do finally find something. I’m also dreading our electric bill. We’re trying not to run them in the morning but we don’t make it very long. Last night my husband and I were watchng Rescue Me on Netflix and we saw Don!!
I just said that while on the phone with Don! Either the clothes are for those who are under 30 or they are dowdy, dowdy, dowdy! Frustrating.
I loved that 3 episode story line that Don was part of on Rescue Me. He said they wore real fireman’s gear and it was incredibly heavy and that the fire scenes were sort of scary!
Hey, Claudia! That little yellow one surely looks like a goldfinch to me. When I open the blinds of the window that looks onto the bird feeder station in our yard, many mornings we have 4-6 pair visiting. The male is much brighter in color (of course), and the female looks like the one you show. We have about 10 *volunteer* sunflowers which have grown to about 5 feet under the feeders, and the goldfinch are hanging upside down all over them right now. Such fun to watch.
You have a busy time ahead…. wishing you luck and also that the time goes by productively and quickly for you (and Don and Scout, too)!
Ah, it must be a female goldfinch! Thanks for letting me know, Chris!
I agree with Paula above..You have become a country girl Claudia!
I am indeed a country girl. With a rather large dash of the city, too.
I have been wanting a birdbath for so long, just outside the window where I sit on my rocker and watch the pretty birds flit around from tree to tree. Sadly, I’ve had two hit the windows and die this week, a goldfinch and a kingfisher, beautiful birds. I’m worried that a birdbath will coax more birds to this part of my yard where the windows of the house are floor to ceiling. I might just give it a try and move it if there are more casualties.
I hate shopping and packing. I can’t bear to see myself in a dressing room mirror so I’ve learned what size clothing fits me in my little list of online stores. Old Navy is a “go to” for casual tops and shorts (and everything is on sale now). When I was packing for an indefinite period of time here at the lake, I made 3 piles…one for nasty “work around the house and garden clothes”, another for semi decent clothes, and another for dress up…that consisted of one little sundress! So far I’ve made a good dent in the 1st category and I’m wondering why I even packed the other two!
XO,
Jane
Nothing more depressing than the dressing room mirror, Jane! I just got back from that saga. I could use a good drink, but I don’t drink!
I’m with you Claudia. I do not like looking at myself in store mirrors. For that reason I do most of my clothes shopping on Ebay. I just got a wonderful denim dress for $12.85 and that includes postage!
I am most happy in jeans, or shorts, or capris, and my Birkenstocks. Don’t ever try to take my Birkenstocks.
I wish you luck in your shopping expedition.
I love, love my birkenstocks! I’m with you on that one, Trudy.
I am thinking of making a few kimono jackets. Very simple and can be made any length, from waist to ankles. Cover all sorts of flaws and I love mandarin collars. Can be made with a placket down the front and tied closed, like a robe, or no placket and let loose. Just about perfect, I think.
Hope the shopping trip was successful dear.
Your hostas are lovely, and we have the same birdbath!
I was a guest at the Nike Employee store in Portland (thank you Marilyn) – bought the best, most comfy flip flops for half price, just $11 a pair – who needs expensive Summer footwear for kicking back on the porch?
Mary X
I am not a happy clothes shopper. I’m a casual person who likes her Birks and chafes when she has to put on a “real” shoe. Love the yellow finch. Good for you catching him on film. Best wishes for your stint away from home. And when will Don’s show air that was filmed in Prague? I apologize if you have already mentioned it. I am very much looking forward to seeing him and his surroundings. Ann
I hate clothes shopping now too, Claudia and prefer comfortable clothing. We have a lot of goldfinches here in Kentucky. The males have remained bright yellow all summer so far. Hope you found some new clothes. xo Laura
I hope you had a successful “hunt/shopping” expedition. I always seem to be on the lookout for t-shirts that you can not see through. Chico’s will have them sometimes. Just a plain V-neck t-shirt in nice colors. Am I asking too much???
Your hostas are beautiful!!! I can not grow them here and I really do miss them. As always, your pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
It’s always unnerving when you have to leave home, isn’t it? Especially for two months. I can’t imagine. I’m with you on the clothes shopping – ick.
Yep, it’s a Goldfinch. 2 months.. oh my, that’s a long time. Do you get to come home and visit? I hope it all goes well. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)