They’re still hanging in there. Pretty good for grocery store flowers!
It’s sunny and a bit warmer today. The rest of the week will be in the fifties and yours truly is up for that. Yesterday was a strange weather day. Windy at times, never got above freezing, and for a period of time while we were at Rick and Doug’s, the sun shone through dark clouds while a magical snow squall appeared out of nowhere. Tiny little flakes swirling and swirling everywhere. It was what I call a ‘weather day’ – changing by the hour. I love that.
Both of us have been reading a lot this weekend. I’m currently more than halfway through M Train by Patti Smith. I’m completely enthralled by her mind, her writing, and her sensibility. I was also reading The Thirst by Jo Nesbø, but I found I wasn’t quite in the mood at the moment for this particular story, which is rather gory, so I put it down and started The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. I bought it last year at Shakespeare and Company in Paris. The bookseller who was attending to me told me it was her favorite novel. I’ve heard that from a few others since then. As I opened it yesterday, I saw the familiar Shakespeare and Company stamp inside the front cover, and I was immediately immersed in memories of our time in Paris.
There’s something delicious about having the time to read and read and read some more. That is where we are this weekend. In between reading, we eat, we visit with friends, and we talk about what we’re reading.
So we’re here. It’s March. As I scanned the forecast this morning, I saw no real snow on the horizon. Of course, there is always a chance of a big snowfall appearing out of nowhere, but so far, so good. Fingers crossed.
Currently, there are two young deer dining on the grass right outside our back kitchen window. Since that grass is in an area that stays wet (it’s at the bottom of a hill) it’s quite green, whereas the rest of the grass around here is not. These two young ones were here yesterday as well. We’re happy they have something to eat and that they’re safe in that secluded little Secret Garden. We don’t talk when they’re out there. We barely move. Their hearing is so acute that any little sound will scare them.
Today, more reading and season 3 of Babylon Berlin, which is available on Netflix as of today. Some journaling, some laundry, for sure – it’s Sunday and that is ‘wash the sheets’ day – and a spot of cleaning,
I hope you’re having a good Sunday.
Happy Sunday.
Reading, and then a bit more reading. Isn’t it glorious? As I have said, it is my salvation in these (beyond) crazy times. My very safe place.
Hope you both have a nice and peaceful day! Enjoy.
It is my haven. I feel safe there, as well. Totally understand!
I have “In Pursuit of Love” and “Love in a Cold Climate” in a double volume set. I love them all — especially after reading several Mitford bios. You can tell the inspiration was an easy one to find! I took your advice and can’t put down the latest Crombie. Now we’ll have to wait a long while. But do you see Louise Penny’s newsletter? The newest Gamache now has a cover design and it has the Eiffel Tower, so it looks as though our favorite Canadian might be headed to the City of Lights to see the family and who knows what will come forth! Can’t wait!
Enjoy your beautiful day. The sun is out here and warm temps predicted. I passed up “My Fair Lady” tix when my friend with the tickets canceled out of an over abundance of big-crowd caution. A little edgy these days and reading and some basement purging sounds like a better idea!
I saw the newsletter in my inbox but haven’t read it yet! Yay for Paris (just as long as there’s some Three Pines there, as well.)
I’m nervous of crowds, as well. Staying close to home! Thanks, Jeanie.
I love this post! I love the way you live…
beauty. books. nature’s visual music. Paris memories. young brave deer.
I just love this post! thank you! xoxo
Oh, thank you so much, Tammy!
I have loved all of Nancy Mitford’ s novels.
I’m just about 30 pages into it, but I’m enjoying it so far. Thanks, Christina!
Reading all day sounds idyllic…and, it’s a very nice diversion from the everyday commotion.
It’s now 49 here…sunny, but windy. The thing with wind for me is….I don’t seem to mind it if the sun is out. It’s when it’s gloomy, or worse, nighttime. Then it freaks me out.
We have deer in the neighborhood, that roam our backyards. They have a route, and they pretty much stick to it. One was even strutting down the street this morning, looking quite at ease. I’m glad yours have found a peaceful spot in your secret garden.
Enjoy your reading day! ;)
I hope they stay away from the road and dine on our grass, Donnamae! Thank you.
Nothing better than a lazy sunny Sunday. xo Laura
The best, Laura. Thank you!
Reading and more reading is glorious to say the least., I love it. Those Tulips are going strong. They are beautiful. Glad that the deer are safe in your secret garden. Enjoy your Sunday.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn! You, too!
You’ve made a calm and well-adjusted life for yourselves. You are mostly retired and can make the time for relaxation with reading, enjoying meals, seeing your friends. Wise and healthy!
I find I’m not at that point in my life although I need to be. I’ve been feeling harried for quite a while; too long; aware I have ‘way too much on my mind and it’s really something I need to work on. I’ve always got the ‘nag’ about something to do, because my home is so not ‘done’ but in a constant state of home remodeling and too much of my stuff is boxed away while the work is ongoing (painfully slow), but I’ve spoken of this ad nauseum before. Decluttering is my middle name!
I’m also now entering a period (totally self-imposed; we’ll see how long it lasts) where I’m probably going to stay ‘in’ for an unspecified amount of time because we’re concerned about the coronavirus/COVID-19. It hasn’t helped that my husband is in daily contact with someone who is quarantined (who’d been on the Diamond Princess off Japan; the sick ship); hyper-awareness, of course, as a consequence. We’ve been moderately prepping for this over the past few weeks (shelf-stable food/stocking the pantry; a good supply of our medicines on hand; etc.; just the stuff the CDC and our local public health [and my doctors] advise). Not panicking, but indeed being mindful, as we both have respiratory issues and I’m already fighting a chest thing at the moment (mild, but annoying; asthma-related; we’ve had weird weather in SoCalif and I’m affected by it; we’ve been so hot and dry, and now it feels chilly and damp today with possible rain on the way in a few hours [not holding my breath; all rain bypasses us lately]). We’ve cleared the calendar for things like appointments except for the necessary, and have a reduced schedule for errands with no need to be much outside the home turf. We’ve had our pneumonia shots and just want to be able to sensibly ‘ride out’ flu season in general.
I’m actually looking forward to having a reason to stay home and get work done in March & April. I’ve reduced my web/TV time on politics although I remain very, very interested in what’s going on, especially with Super Tuesday so near. But maybe somewhere in here, I can take your lead and start at least one book in my stack. I may start with “A View Across the Rooftops” by Suzanne Kelman about the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War II; we may have talked about it here on the blog before and I’ve just forgotten, as I’m so behind with reading. Anyway, I’m always interested in anything with a Netherlands setting as I have Dutch heritage; my grandfather was born in Holland, to a wintry-cold childhood on the North Sea. It’s historical fiction, this aforementioned novel. I probably need to be reading something ‘lighter’ yet I also think I need something I can sink my teeth into (for total absorption).
Anyway, I feel you and Don are living the right kind of retirement and I hope I ‘get there’ myself one of these days. It’s all in the balance and what you set yourself up for: I was talking on the phone to an old acquaintance last night who’s age 68 (we were in high school together and later had a working relationship as well) and he has had enormous life/family and health issues over the past few years, yet he lately reinvents himself by bottling his own sauces and seasonings (for sale) at a local cannery which gives him the space to mix up his creations. I was flabbergasted and so pleased for him. Hardest worker I ever knew and, still, he pushes on; I was inspired!
It’s good to be mindful and careful. Staying mostly at home is also good. I suspect we shouldn’t panic at this whole thing, but we SHOULD be careful and mindful, just as you are doing.
Thank you, Vicki.
We’ve had a super busy day today, with just a little time for reading. Laundry, changing sheets, vacuuming, Brian cleaned out the drain pipes under our bathroom sinks and kitchen, trying to clean the inside of the toaster oven (gross, greasy job!), run to the grocery store, walk to the lake, doing a light sanding project outside (our weather was so nice today, too!), etc. Maybe once we have dinner (which will be in a few minutes) and clean up, then later this evening I will finally have some time for reading. Just finishing up The Snow Child.
Busy and completely chores is a good thing! But finding a pocket of time to reward yourself and read is even better. Thanks, Melanie!
another sweet day … i am glad for you!
hope you have a great week ahead!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!