The roses that grow next to the porch are blooming. In the past few years, they’ve started to poke through the railing. I love that.
And right around the corner from the rose bush, these guys are about to take off.
Of course, it’s been raining – yesterday, today, and tomorrow – let’s hope the rains are gentle so they don’t fall over.
I know some of you who are in drought conditions, and you’d love rain, but we are sick of it. We’ve had way, way too much rain. The secret garden is a swamp and there are permanent puddles of water all over the property. I screamed “I am so sick of all this rain!!!” yesterday, no doubt alarming Don.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say. I could say a lot about the administration and the horrors taking place every day. I could say a lot about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Evil is everywhere. As Don said this morning, “As evil as you think they are, they’re worse.”
Truer words were never spoken.
On these rainy days, it’s harder to avoid the news. When the weather is dry, I can go outside and do some chores and/or mow and I can escape for a bit. Rainy days? Almost impossible to escape. And I want to know what’s happening because I feel we all need to bear witness. It’s imperative.
I’ve said this before, of course. It’s something that both Don and I keep wrestling with. We used to say, “How do we find balance?” But frankly, there is no balance right now and I don’t think there will be for a while.
And yes, I know about the dollhouse and reading and all the other things I could do. At this time, if I have one day a week in which I’m mildly distracted by any of them, it’s a win.
Anyway, I’ve said it before and I don’t mean to lay it on you again. I’m simply being somewhat transparent. Believe me, you don’t want completely transparent.
Sending lots of love to all of you because I know you’re dealing with the same challenge.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
It is a horror show and it is hard to stay positive. We look to nature and the little things that make us smile for comfort during these crazy times. Wishing peace to you and Don.
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Good Morning Claudia. I love the picture of the Rose blooming! And we have been too too wet also… but after such a scary drought last summer/fall/winter… it feels like a blessing still to me. I can completely relate to the dilemma of needing to “know” and Hating and Fearing what there is to know…. and trying to just know enough to get by and stay sane. We all now feel so responsible for everything that happens no matter how far away… and really, what can we do anyway? It’s a bit like having a rabid dog out there… everybody is afraid to take their eyes off it for a second because you don’t trust it and don’t know what it will do…! I have been knocked a bit off my dollhouse stride this spring by my son’s (autistic and lives with me) medical needs… (had to have brain surgery!…. but is doing well) so I can relate to the not knowing where I am going with my projects…. I keep having flashes of inspiration… so I know it is in there! I have been relying on my love for embroidery to keep me occupied and creative… but, yeah, it is hard to balance and we do need to “witness” and record and keep the data off the internet where it can trap you later….. Sorry to be gloomy. My wild antique rose is flowering right now and the scent is heavenly even through the rain!
Thank you, Betsy. I’m praying for your son and happy to know the surgery was successful.
Stay safe.
Good morning Claudia. The color of your rose is amazing. Our flowers are filling out nicely here in CO as well. I planted eggplants in a pot this year and they are such lovely plants. We will be in the hundreds these next few days. The birds hang close to our birdbaths. I wish I could join them. I know what you mean about getting tired of rain…I feel the same about unrelenting sunshine. At least we had a bit of spring before this hit. We are lucky to have a beautiful mountain 40 min away and 25 deg cooler, where we take a picnic and walk the lakes when it gets this hot.
You two have a lovely day enjoying those roses.
We have the same temperatures headed our way for the beginning of the week. Dreading it!
Thank you.
Stay safe, Verna.
Beautiful pictures! Love all the green! I recently planted some pink vincas in a pot by the front porch and around a tree in the backyard…a nice pop of color. We’ve been having some really breezy weather so I’ve been watering them a little more. As much as the news has been highlighted with evil lately I still have a hard time not watching the news..I like to know what is actually going on, or what some people think is going on.
Yes, I understand! Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Ditto on the lack of balance because each day of it seems to get worse. Plus, I have just moved to MI because of the cost of housing in MA. I’ve done several interstate moves, but this one has been the most personally disruptive. I hope your weather improves so that you can get out and enjoy your beautiful yard and flowers.
Welcome to Michigan! I’m not there, of course, but I lived there for the first 30 years of my life. It’s a lovely state.
Stay safe, Lynda.
Yes, it’s raining in Michigan and it’s dreary. So is my mood. I am having a hard time with finding balance too. I try to put on some music each day. Walking also helps. But of course it’s raining so no walk today. I have days where I find it hard to read or knit and I get sucked into the news again most of the day. I worry alot for my granddaughters…what will life be like for them? We lived in a good time for women when we were young.
Have you read or watched The Handmaid’s Tale?
Not quite so far-fetched these days.
Today I am going to put some good 70’s-80’s music on and do some cleaning. A clean house always feels good. I hope you have some dry sunny days coming your way.
Take care
Yes, I’m quite familiar with The Handmaid’s Tale. Not at all far-fetched at this point.
Hang in there, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
hope things have a chance to stay dry for a while and get balanced for you. scream in the meantime if that helps. i might do the same …
i am taking this afternoon off for feeling more than grumpy … it was super-humid already when went for a walk before 6:30 this morning (and there are five days in a row of mid-90s coming by this weekend), then it took four tries to get my car started, then “low tire pressure” light came on, followed by a key light (?) on the dashboard (2012 car, with new battery and tires in 2022 and 2023). made it to mammogram appointment in time, got tires filled, spent a lot for groceries, brought over stuff from apartment. and now? painters are planning to paint this building (of five townhomes) any minute now … even though there is a 90% chance for rain here starting sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 today. ugh.
thanks for letting me vent a little.
here’s to better days ahead for all of us. they’re coming. :)
kathy
You’re welcome!
We have near 100s temps coming in about 3 days. Sigh.
Stay safe, Kathy.
I’m right with you Claudia. There is so much evil right now and some of the worst coming from “yours truly”! He would not even call Governor Walz!! What is wrong with him? A very sick man!! Then I found out that murderer even shot their Golden Retriever! Since we have one “Gracie” it just made me sick that a poor animal did not even know what was coming. Yes I am crying.
It is so hot here so I have inside projects I need to concentrate on. We are wallpapering a small bathroom. Love that it is back in style. Then I have painting we need to do. I need to get some kind of exercise since I can’t get it outside when it is so hot. Trying to stay positive but it is difficult. Hope your rain stops soon. Take care.
It’s all about enemies for him. If you don’t bow to him, he becomes resentful.
I was so upset about their dog. That was the final straw.ll
Stay safe, Deb.
I, too, have to walk a fine between wanting to stay informed about current events, and absorbing too much to the point I get depressed. Somedays I think I’m losing the battle. Today it’s raining here, so I decided to stay off social media and did inside chores and caught up on a few things I had recorded.
Your hydrangea does look ready to pop. I forgot…is that a couple of plants or just one? And I love the color of that rose….its incredible! Enjoy your evening! ;)
The hydrangea is just one plant. Both of the hydrangeas are. They are huge now!
Hang in there, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
I feel exactly the same way, I’m tired of rain and even more tired of the evil in this world.
I understand, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Don’s comment is so true and heart breaking. It is heart crushingly true.
I wish you both peace in your hearts and minds.
I am still sending wishes out to the universe for you and Don to get work that suits your creative talents.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, dear Kaye.
Hang in there.
Stay safe.
Claudia….your words are so true. I know the weight of it is crushing some days, especially when the rain won’t let up and the world is soaked in cruelty. Your voice matters and it steadies and it shelters. Find gentleness where you can…. My mother had a saying….Even puddles, after all, reflect the sky.
Maria
Thank you, Maria. Such kind words!
Hang in there.
Stay safe.
Rain — it never seems to quit when it’s relentless and it never seems to happen where it’s needed. I suppose you could say the same for weather overall! I hear you on that one.
You’re right about bearing witness. Not to do so can bring complacency and that is a dangerous step. I’m north, prepping the house for the summer and looking forward to being here. I plan to get involved with the county dems here — they are small but mighty.
Good idea, Jeanie. I am, of course, now in my “envious of a cottage on a lake” phase.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — it is very cheery to see your plants/flowers — love the color of the rose — we only have l yellow rose and one white that was from Mr’s mothers place — she has been gone for over 20 years and we got this plant (very tiny) long before her passing — it looks fragile but I think it has a good survival instinct and will to live. sometimes, I get SO discouraged w/news/war/tRump/idiot a_ _ kissers in congress, think my mind is gonna explode. where are intelligent people?? do we not know an abuser, con man, deceiver, thief, when we see it?? BUT we give nuclear codes to him and his clown cabinet !! every day I am really amazed to wake up and still be living — we are on the edge. sorry for the rant but think this is THE Worst. thank you for your sanity. stay safe/healthy
The dumbing down of American has given us a slew of people with not enough education and no critical thinking skills. Add some intolerance and racism and you get his cult.
I agree with everything you said, Linda.
Stay safe.
It’s a huge daily challenge! I cannot believe what is happening on a daily basis and because of that, it’s hard to stay away from the news for fear of what could be ahead for all of us.
Stay safe and stay strong because that’s how we will survive this horrific place we are in right now.
Yes, it’s like we have to stay a step ahead of the news. And that is so stressful.
Hang in there, Cathy.
Stay safe.
I really think you did a fine on audrey. Good work! It’s supposed to rain, the river is like a really wide creek. Usually we have the mountain runoff by the beginning of June.
Your little delicate asteria flowers are pretty.
Thanks for the shares.
You’re welcome, Irene.
Stay safe.
I always enjoy seeing the girls! You know, reading is usually a refuge, but these days I am having trouble concentrating. I keep taking books back to the library unfinished. So, I’ve been knitting very small projects. Just way too much going on.
Knitting something sounds like a good solution, Judy.
Stay safe.