As you read this, I will either be driving Don to Williamstown, MA or I’ll be on my way home. It’s an all day event, this journey to Williamstown. He’ll be there for 5 weeks, performing in Pygmalion. It’s the same production that was at the Globe last winter, with the addition of some new cast members. The great thing is that this time around, I will get to see it! It was a huge hit at the Old Globe and I’m sure it will be again.The Berkshires are beautiful, one of my favorite places. In fact, it was during another acting job in the Berkshires that I came out from San Diego to visit Don and we started to think about the possibility of moving out East.
You remember the Funky Patio? It’s the little makeshift patio we threw together a few years ago. It’s right outside the gate that leads to the kitchen door. Sometimes we like to hang out there because it’s a little bit further back from the road than the porch is. And I love those chairs – they’re very comfortable and they rock gently.
The other day I bought some plants for the galvanized bucket. Everything is done on a small budget here and I had to wait until last week until I could buy the plants. It’s still not finished, but here’s what I have so far.
I like putting bright, vivid colored flowers in this planter. Such a nice contrast to all the green that surrounds the patio.
There’s some lantana in the mix – I used to use lantana a lot when I lived in San Diego, but this is the first time I’ve used it here.
My mom gave me that piece of pottery many years ago. I like using it for these pretty flowers.
That shade of purple is amazing. I love seeing purple and green together.
Normally, I plant impatiens in the white barrels, but last year’s had that fungus that is infecting impatiens. So I went with geraniums. I think I have to add some more plants to fill in the bare spaces – have to get on that!
Yesterday morning, I sat in one of the white chairs and closed my eyes. I listened to the sounds of all the birds, to the faint hum of a plane overhead, to the sounds of the cicadas. It’s important to just be sometimes. To simply listen to the natural world going on around us.
I know the birds have been using the birdbath lately because I can see the telltale splash marks. Yesterday, I saw one of our catbirds taking a bath. Catbirds are known to love birdbaths and this little guy dunked his entire body at least 6 times. Such a joy to watch.
When we first moved here, we had a family of groundhogs living under our shed. They are gentle, gentle creatures – vegetarians – and I used to see their babies all the time. I just remarked to Don that we haven’t seen them in a few years and what did I see the other morning? A lovely groundhog chewing on the grass near the shed. They are so timid that the minute they hear anything, they race for cover. I saw him again today and the minute Scout went out, he ran back under the shed. He’s clearly living there. Or she is clearly living there. Did you know they make elaborate tunnels? One to eat in, one to sleep in, one for elimination. They are quite meticulous and clean. And fascinating. I’m so glad they are back – though I’ve only see one so far.
It’s Don’s birthday today. Happy Birthday, my love.
Happy Monday.
Don’t forget to visit my post about Newtons cookies to learn about Healthy Eating on the Go and some yummy treats.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DON!!! Have a safe trip.
Claudia, can you get a photo of your groundhog?
I would love to see it.
I’ll try, it will have to be very stealthy as they scare very easily. If I get one, I’ll post it.
Just found you today. So wonderful to connect with folks who share similar viewpoints: spaces that reflect their owner and are created over time where every bit and bob has a tale. Also, I have a Detroit history and can truly envision you and your neighbor sharing your books, I have a June 24th birthday, I have a large wrap-around front porch that is a work in progress and I have a son who now lives in San Diego. I look forward to visiting with you in the future via your blog. Warmly, Betsy P.
Good Morning Claudia,
Hope you have a safe trip to and fro. Do you take Scout with you? We’re trying to take Bella with us more and more in the car. She use to think the car was only for getting to the vets.
I love those chairs you can rock back and forth in. Mmmmmmmm
Judy
Happy Birthday Don!
Don’t you just love chairs that rock, so smoothing
We had groundhogs under our shed…at 2 pm everyday they would be in my back yard sunning themselves and eating my neighbors tomato’s! I have not seen them this year…I am glad because Greta would be chasing them and catching them.
Safe travels.
A very happy birthday to Don – glad you are at least with him for a good part of the day while acting as chauffeur! Yes the Berkshires are picturesque – a great place to play or work. Know the production will be fun. On sat. evening we saw our local (great) amateur theatre production of Once On This Island, such a fun musical, and very well done by local singers/dancers.
Hugs – Mary
What a beautiful spot to just take time to listen! I know you will miss Don so much but I am also really happy you will get to see his play this time. Wishing Don a great birthday!
hugs,
Linda
You are the first person I have ever heard that likes groundhogs! Funny. And Happy Birthday to Don! I hope the day is lovely. And you both get lots of cake.
Tana
love this little nook in the yard. {funky patio} A nice quiet place to just sit and be.
I did a little bit of that yesterday when I got home from seeing my dad.
So far we’ve been able to keep the grasshoppers at bay from the flowers on the porch…we’ve used ‘dawn’ soap…not completely organic…but not terribly harmful either.
It’s cooler outside in the mornings than the afternoon…so sitting outside in the shade drinking my coffee has been a little bright spot in my days.
I hope Don has a blessed birthday today…
and you and Scout keep good company together.
Pat
Happy birthday to Don!
Love the Berkshires. We usually go every summer for a week and cram in as much theater and music (and food!) as we can. For NYC apartment dwellers, this is a luxury of relaxation in beautiful natural surroundings. We will try to see Don’s play this summer, depending on when we go.
I’d love to have a glass of wine while gently rocking on the patio. We could knit (something light) and discuss books!
You are one of my havens in blog-land!
I loved watching groundhogs in PA also..I did not love falling and tripping over holes, and several neighbors I recall broke ankles that way… My brother hates them and does everything possible to eradicate them….
No Groundhogs here, but we do have ground squirrels as we call em, kinda chipmunk like and they wreak havoc in attic spaces…
Happy birthday, Don. I love your little patio. What a wonderful place to hang out with all of the pretty flowers you have planted. xo Laura
I just got back from vacationing with the kids. We had so much fun. I just wanted to pop in to say Hello and I am back reading posts again. Happy, Happy birthday to your handsome husband, Don. I am so glad he has work and glad, too, that you have some down time to enjoy your sweet homestead- xo Diana
Love your pictures, once again! Lovely patio to sit and enjoy the quiet.
I’m sure that you’ll miss Don but hopefully the time will go quickly!
Posted 2 pics on my blog for you today. A good laugh you’ll have on the state of my peonies!
Love the patio and the galvinized bucket. I planted impatients this year and they have almost all died, first time ever.
Happy Birthday to Don, have a wonderful day.
Bummer that you two have to part on his birthday..so glad that you will get to see him perform this time..You are so right Claudia..sometimes we need to sit back quietly..take a deep breath, close our eyes and take in the sounds of the world around us..I enjoy doing this also..it is quite relaxing and refreshing..
You are probably on your way back by now…hope you had an uneventful trip. Happy Birthday Don! Your flowers are gorgeous Claudia…they are all the more special when you have to wait for them I think! ;)
Hi Claudia….Your little patio is so darling! What a sweet little place to hang out and contemplate life! Sorry I have been scarce of late….life got a little overwhelming. Hope all is well with you! Happy Birthday Don!
~Hugs, Patti
Happy birthday to Don…hope you had a nice drive to and from Williamstown. Your little patio area is cute, especially with the tubs of flowers. We used to have groundhogs around here, but haven’t seen any in a few years. Yeah, they’re cute, but they can be very destructive with those tunnels. We had a groundhog digging a tunnel underneath our front porch and we were afraid he/she was going to dig underneath the house.
We use to have a groundhog under our shed and she would have little ones every year. They were so fun to watch, popping out and exploring the world. A hundred pound black lab adopted us about a year and a half ago and it appears the groundhog as found different accommodations. I miss watching their antics.
hi claudia! ahhh, so nice to visit and see what’s happening at MHC. as always, everything is lively and pretty and i’m so happy to hear that don is acting and you’re able to go along with him.
i had friends who attended north adams YEARS ago and remember driving through williamstown and the theater. enjoy!
happiest summer wishes
xo
elyse
Happy, happy Birthday to Don!
I love your sweet patio, what a great place to relax and unwind.
Your patio is a lovely place to just be. Love the buckets of flowers. Hope you get to see the groundhog again.