It’s one of those days where I want to block out all sound. Since early this morning I’ve heard the sound of rifles. It’s hunting season. You know how I feel about that, so I won’t go into it here. Suffice to say, I keep chanting, “Miss! Miss!” and silently willing the deer to take cover.
I’m heading more and more into veganism. I’m not quite there yet. But I’m eliminating butter and cheese as much as possible, as well as eggs. I’m not perfect; I have leather shoes and leather bags, but as I move forward, I am going to try to make better, more humane choices.
From our walk yesterday:
The building on the left is part of a rather well-known company that has its headquarters in our little town. They make natural products; makeup, soap, cleansers, etc.
It’s November 19th. Time to remove our window air conditioners, don’t you think? Yikes. We seem to do this later and later every year. But today is the day. And tomorrow night the temperatures are going to plunge at night and stay there consistently throughout the next week, so I’m bracing myself to say sayonara to my porch plants. Sigh. It really is the end of the season here at the cottage.
A month from today we start rehearsals for Comedy of Errors. Suddenly, I’m aware of all I have to do before the 18th, when I will travel to Hartford. Since I have been either stressed or down and somewhat unmotivated for the past couple of months, I guess I needed something to kick me in the tush, and this is it. We had planned on traveling down to Florida for a visit, first in October, then we pushed it back to around Thanksgiving. But, after much discussion, we made the decision this week not to go. It just seemed to be too much for us at the present time and my gut was telling me it wasn’t the right time to travel. So we’ll go sometime after the first of the year. Meredith was disappointed, I know, as are we. But I know we made the right decision, hard as it was.
Barbara sent me a birthday card and this was enclosed:
A mini Nancy Drew mystery! The Hidden Staircase, with a Russell H. Tandy cover. Let’s get a closer look:
I love it. Thank you, Barbara! Yesterday, I found it on this chair, which sits in the living room of Hummingbird Cottage. Obviously, Caroline has been enjoying some vintage Nancy Drew! (Have you noticed we have a lot in common?)
Happy Saturday.
The Nancy Drew mini is so cute! It is suppose to get cold here tonight also. I understand about the trip to Florida. Mom and I thought about going to So Ga for Thanksgiving but have decided to just stay home and enjoy a relaxed holiday here. Enjoy your day. I’m going to work outside a bit before it’s too cold!
Have fun working outside, Linda!
The mini Nancy Drew is absolute perfection!
It is, isn’t it? I really love it!
That Nancy Drew mini is adorable! Barbara knows a perfect gift, doesn’t she? It was almost 80 degrees here yesterday . We have had a tree frog living on our two back sliding glass doors for several months. He disappeared for a few days when it got chilly, but is back this morning, spending his day in the far corner of one of the doors between the glass and screen. I know he knows what he is doing, but I still worry about him getting too cold. The weather now is so crazy.
Oh that little tree frog! I bet he’s almost like a member of the family now – of course, you worry about him, Beverly!
Love that photo! You might enjoy reading this article: http://portlandtribune.com/sl/331242-209547-antarctica-going-green-and-thats-bad. (Sarah is our nephew’s wife.) Despite what you know who thinks, climate change is real! Does your little book have pages? I’ve never seen Nancy Drew minis.
I’ll be sure to read it, Judy. Thank you!
No pages, though some mini books do have pages!
Sorry, but I don’t remember your birth date.
I hope you have/had a happy beautiful day.
Happy Birthday to you Claudia!
Peace~
Monica
It’s the 21st, Monica. On Monday. Thank you!
I think I found you an early birthday present. On my home page appeared something to click on, “Need Some Good News?” It took me to a Microsoft/msn page that is one article after another of the happiest, current, feel-good, real-life stories. I want to look more in depth at it when I have more time.
OH, I’ve missed your mini’s.. your snippets look like the read deal, always amaze me, the detail.
I’ve been in a slump too, this election has not helped, hoping the holidays bring new energy.
It sure hasn’t helped, Karen. Trying to get energized, but it’s awfully hard!
That first pic is so serene! Looks like that could have been taken across the street from us. Thursday it was 71. I finally pulled out my perfectly blooming geraniums, so I wouldn’t have to do it this weekend. I think our glorious fall has come to an abrupt end. Another lovely gift….very thoughtful! So…are you going to be working over the holidays? Sorry to hear you are not traveling to Florida just yet, but you know best. Hopefully, it’ll be a nice escape of winter for you in January! Enjoy your day…we had snowflakes earlier! ;)
Not in January, either, because I’ll still be working. More likely March or April.
Yes, I will be working over the holidays. I’ll get a couple of days off for Christmas and another couple for New Years. Thankfully, I only live 2 hours away from Hartford!
Adorable mini Nancy drew. Both my daughters are vegan. One recently admitted her love of cheese has made her a vegan but eats cheese. No name for these people, like vegetarians who eat no meat but do eat fish. One daughter is still whole hearted vegan, shoe and bags and even her dog. Not the cats though, they need meat. Cooking for vegan is not difficult at all, Sarah’s two children are vegan and in the years to come it will get easier for them. Hey Hellman’s make a vegan mayo now, right next to their regular mayo, so that is mainstream. Enjoy you quiet weekend.
Love that Hellman’s makes a vegan version of mayo, Mary. Thank you for that information!
Oh my ! That little book is just perfect. :) No doubt Meredith was disappointed. But with the way time is flying, the new year will be here before we know it. Best wishes, Tammy
It will be here very soon, Tammy!
You’ve recently received many mini-treasures! I know you enjoy and are thankful for each one. One daughter and I are ovo-lacto pescatarian, but we do eat at least two vegan dinners a week. The other daughter is an omnivore, but when she’s home from college, pretty much eats the same meals we do. She has a vegan suite-mate who has to cook every one of her meals, since vegan options are lacking at the dining hall. Cold wet windy pretty much sums up the weather here.
I’m a vegetarian trying to become a vegan. Don is technically an omnivore, but he’s vegetarian at the cottage. So many variations, right?
I’m no expert on the subject except for self-study…but, Claudia, if you go more vegan, be sure to watch that you’re getting enough Vitamin B12; I’m sure you have read about it or are remedying that now. Lack of B12 isn’t good. My husband isn’t vegan but he does take a prescription medication which robs him of B12 and he has to get monthly injections of it from the primary care physician to make up for the deficit. He tried doing the B12 nose drops but it didn’t cut it.
I applaud you for your efforts to go full vegan. It’s not easy, but you’ll be healthier in the long run…and your conscience will be clear. Doctors love seeing heart patients and cancer patients go full vegan. It’s proven to benefit us.
Michael Pollan: Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.
You get B12 in soy and I eat a lot of soy products, Vicki. Also a lot of meat substitutes, which we also eat, are fortified with B12.
Lovely photo; looks like reeds in a pond.
I continue to be amazed, always, at the array of miniatures out there in the world…and the crafters who make them (and, how?…how do they do it?!!!); it’s fascinating. Love Nancy Drew!
It’s reeds right next to a pond, Vicki.
Susan Branch has a new post up. I think she’s on the water now. Actually not home til AFTER Thanksgiving.
I read it earlier in the day and left a comment, Vicki. Thanks! And thanks for the contact information.
I am amazed at how perfect the mini Nancy Drew book is! Weather is really strange. We have not had a frost yet, but that will probably change this week. Supposed to be really cold, but no rain to speak of. Lots of wells running dry and wildfires around here. Florida in March or April will be lovely, and by then, it will be a welcome respite. We are going to go to Safety Harbor to my niece’s house in January, and hopefully, go back in April. I can find bedding plants so much cheaper there, and it is a lovely little town, too.
Safety Harbor is right near my sister’s house, Dottie. We went there when we were down there in March.
I’m still here, quietly enjoying your blog and lovely photos every day and feeling guilty for not commenting much. Getting the yard back in shape, baking (and eating!) cookies and trying to come to terms with the future has been scrambling my brains lately. Best of luck with your vow to go vegan. I appreciate your motives and applaud your strength and resolve. Wish I could borrow some!
Rest and give yourself some peaceful time, Shanna. Don’t worry about commenting.
Such a beautiful sunset…I would have to frame that one if it were mine Claudia…The tiny Nancy Drew is amazing…
Thank you, Nancy!