I mowed yesterday – all of the front lawn and up the hill to the secret garden. It felt great to get some exercise. But then I did some weed whacking (more of that this morning.) I probably should have stopped at the mowing. Anyway, long story short, I took a long nap in the afternoon, slept well last night, and feel great this morning. I’m going to do a bit more weed trimming this morning before the predicted rain comes this afternoon.
But it sure looks nice out there. With these hot and humid days (more predicted for Sunday though Wednesday) we have to grab whatever pockets of sane temperatures there are and do some work.
Meanwhile, in the midst of political insanity, I do what I always do; find moments to escape inside the covers of a book, or put together a puzzle, or play with my dolls. A troll who appeared on the blog the other day when I referenced he-who-shall-not-be named said something they hoped was disparaging: “an older woman who plays with dolls.”
Of course, it wasn’t at all disparaging! It was a compliment. I seek joy. I don’t always find it when I need it, but I usually do. I have never lost the playful, imaginative girl I was. She’s still here, always with me, always ready to create, always ready to play.
Here we have two playful things that delighted me this week:
This jigsaw puzzle from Shakespeare and Company in Paris. I follow the store on IG and the minute I saw it, I had to place an order. It’s so whimsical! Animals and birds are everywhere, perusing the books that are displayed inside and outside the shop. If you can zoom in on this, you should. It’s absolutely delightful. Note the little mice in the lower right hand corner with their own mini displays of books.
Shakespeare and Company in Paris and John Sandoe in London are my favorite bookstores. I wish I could teleport to them right now.
And then I pulled this girl off the shelf, where she’s usually sitting next to Pru.
She and Bertie are about to set off on a walk.
Lily is what is called a BJD (ball jointed doll) and there’s a whole world of them out there, small and large, realistic and fantastical. There are collectors who only collect BJDs. They’re usually made in resin and made in small quantities because they have to be hand assembled and strung. This is usually done by the designer. The designer in this case is Eat Zongzi, who lives in China. She does lovely work. Anyway, Lily is probably about 6 inches tall and she stands on her own and I sometimes forget what a great little doll she is to have by my side. She’s sturdy, as well.
She has little teeth!
Her sister, also made by Eat Zongzi, was Wren. Last year when we needed some money, I sold her to a doll collector friend, who told me if I ever wanted her back, she would sell her to me. She’s a lovely person. At the end of 2023, I was really missing her and asked Tania if I could buy her back. Of course, she said, but she had to be honest; her cat had just knocked some of the dolls from the shelf and one of Wren’s fingers broke off. Tania was going to order a new body from China and hoped it would be in the USA by February or March, but so far…nothing. If the delay goes on much longer, I may buy her, missing finger and all.
Just to remind you, here she is:
I really miss her.
Okay, my friends. See you tomorrow.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Morning, Claudia. Glad you were able to get some mowing done yesterday. Your puzzle is very charming. Lily and Bertie are so cute together. Yes, I remember Wren. Loved her, loved her name. Hope she finds her way back home soon. Take care in this heat. Hugs, Elaine
I hope she does, too.
I weeded this morning. Now, I’m resting my back and the a/c is on.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Have you seen the Book Nook models? On the podcast, (knitting) Wool Needles Hands, Taylor is working on the model of Shakespeare and Co. I guess they have models of other bookstores too. It looks interesting. I think it is her latest podcast. Thought you might be interested.
Love your dolls.
Eileen
I have seen them, but I don’t remember seeing Shakespeare and Co. I’ll check out the podcast, Eileen.
Love you.
Stay safe.
stay safe in/from the heat and humidity … let the mowing wait if need be!
what a charming puzzle. and yes to teleportation!
and yes to playing, no matter our age. i think your dolls are very sweet and am happy for you to have them because they make you happy. hopefully wren finds her way back home to you soon.
running for me felt like playing. since i can no longer safely do that, i play in other ways. one of them is my currently reading the “little house on the prairie” books. written perhaps for younger children, these books take me back to my own childhood and very happy, very grateful memories of my mother reading them (and “hardy boys mystery” books) to my brother, sister and me when we’d come home from grade school for lunch.
anyway, to each their own and it’s nothing to criticize because it’s enjoyable and not hurting anyone (the world would be a much better place if more people did honor their “inner child”, play more and not hurt anyone)!
fed the birds and earl, going to do some laundry and then take it easy with members of my family.
hope you, don and everyone else here have a wonderful day and stay cool and safe!
kathy
I weeded for a couple of hours. Felt good.
I checked every one of those books out when I was a kid and read them all. Voracious reader even that young!
Stay safe, Kathy.
glad you felt good for weeding, especially that long and in hot weather. your garden and lawn are beautiful. now i hope you are taking it easy!
i was also an avid reader when i was a kid, but after college and grad school, i just couldn’t get into reading. that was when i was living in a small town that felt very hard to get into (especially working 60+ hours a week on an inpatient mental health unit of a hospital and being on-call every other week, and later doing outpatient work was added) and depressed. i tend to lose music and reading (attention span) when depressed … but i’ve learned (and sometimes need to re-learn) how to fight that and not lose other good things in life!
hope you and don are having a nice weekend.
kathy
xoxo
Tania is so cute with those mournful eyes. Would you remember the dolls that had rubber bands inside them? I remember playing with them and it was in the late 60s. Of course they may have been older because my foster grandmother/great aunt gave those dolls to us. She liked collecting things (meaning she was a bit of a hoarder).
She’s Wren, Trina. Tania is the name of my friend who purchased her.
I don’t remember those dolls off-hand. I wonder if I’ve ever seen one?
Thanks so much!
Stay safe.
Sorry
Oh gosh! I think I could have been clearer in my writing.
xoxoxo
Your dolls are adorable and fun! We all need hobbies that enchant us and help our imagination and creativity! Hugs!!
Yes, indeed!
Stay safe, Linda.
I salute your creativity, talent , intelligence, imagination and good taste.
Wishing lovely and cool summer days,
Kaye
Ah, thank you so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Claudia, Makes me sad that peoples differences cannot be respected, but I literally laughed out loud that the person thought “an older woman who plays with dolls” was an insult. You know I’m hoping Wren finds her way back to you.
Very typical of anyone who supports he-who-shall-not-be-named and comments about something I’ve said. The comments are very mean and the commenters revel in attacking my character or what I do. Things like “someone who likes to talk about herself” when that’s exactly what the blog is about. They will never be thought of as nice or kind.
Thanks so much, Susan.
Stay safe.
As I read your piece I thought of my friend’s son, Thomas. He i s 21 years old, is severely autistic, still loves The Wiggles and his favourite thing in the world is Elmo, from Sesame Street. My friend for a while was a bit embarrassed about this young man who adores things generally loved by pre-schoolers, until I reminded her of all those grown men who build elaborate train sets, or women, who like you, love dolls. What does it matter what brings pleasure in life? If it brings you joy and pleasure, and no one is being harmed, then more power to you!
These days Thomas is an out and proud Elmo tragic and still dances to The Wiggles.
That is beautiful, Denise. I’m so happy that Thomas finds joy in those things. That’s all that matters.
Bless you, Denise.
Stay safe.
Both of these dollies remind me of my almost 7 year old grand daughter, Lydia,
Sometimes when people are being ridiculous, I sing the tune of “if your happy and you know it” in my head! It works. xo
Good idea, Betsy!
Stay safe.
I figure that anyone who is a follower of the orange felon has NO fun in their life! As far as I and MANY others are concerned, President Biden saved this country. The Orange Felon knows nothing, and because he knows nothing, blathers on about Hanibal Lecter (does he think he’s real), thinks electricity doesn’t work if it’s cloudy, talks nonsense about boats and sharks and toilets and light bulbs and on and on with absolutely batshit crazy talk. I guess you have to speak nonsense if you have nothing to say! Doesn’t know his wife’s name . . . refers to her as Mercedes (another mistress?) Your poor troll must be out of her/his mind listening to the nonsense. Your troll needs to play. And as for you, Claudia, keep talking about yourself, your life, your dolls, your Don, your garden . . . and whatever else you want to. That’s why we visit! Adios, troll . . . go back to your wingnuts. From your friend you’ve never met.
That troll is hanging on for dear life, afraid to face the truth.
Thanks so much for the support, Chris.
Stay safe.
Good that you laugh at trolls who have no life other than belittling others online. Most members of the Orange Cult are so hateful. Both our sons live in different parts of downtown Milwaukee. The youngest is only blocks from Fiserv and says he did major grocery shopping the other day. He’s not allowed to move his car from the lot next to his apartment building for the next week. Anyway, they are both dreading what they will be running into on the streets.
That puzzle is a hoot. Bet it was so fun to put together. I remember cute little Wren and I too hope you get her back.
Take it easy outside. I hear it’s supposed to be super hot this weekend.
Kay
I bet your sons are not looking forward to this next week. I’m so sorry.
It will be hot today, but Sun – Wed will be really hot!
Stay safe, Kay.
I too urge you to ignore the trolls. You bring happiness and joy to share with the world which is why I visit.
Your daily comments make me smile. I always look forward to seeing what your girls are wearing.
Leora
I do ignore them. And block them! Even better, right?
Thanks, Leora.
Stay safe.
I hear you on the weeding. I pulled some after our rain but there are so many more I need to tackle today. But it’s pretty hot and sticky here at home. Still, good to be back for a few days. I must get that puzzle. I must. It’s magnificent!
It’s a bit pricey and so is shipping, but it arrived in 3 days!
Stay safe, Jeanie.