• The limelight hydrangeas are opening. They’re in front of the porch. We have hydrangeas at both ends of the porch, one of my gardening dreams come true.
• After some thunderstorms yesterday and a bit of torrential rain, we woke up to a beautiful day. Sunny and not so humid, which is a good way to start the month of August.
Three little “Claudia’s life in a nutshell” stories.
• The other day, we stopped at the library so I could pick up a book that been reserved for me. Don stayed in the car while I went inside. Got the book, thanked the librarian, and exited through the door to the lobby. As I walked, I caught a glimpse of someone close by on my left and I automatically began to say “Excuse me.” Except for the fact that I quickly realized that the person was a potted plant and there was a young woman sitting on the floor to my right so I stopped at “Excu…” and quickly tried to turn it into a cough.
I don’t think I fooled her.
When I told Don about it, he couldn’t stop laughing.
• And then yesterday: I went to another B & N (don’t ask, just as dreadful as ever) that required driving on the thruway. When I got to the exit and had to pay my 75¢, I counted out the money from the center console. As I handed it to the woman working the booth, I realized – too late – that the coins were covered in melted chocolate. I was mortified and apologized profusely. As I left, she was wiping off the coins.
I figured out that it was chocolate from a candy bar Don was eating when we drove back from the concert last week. I remember thinking a piece of it had dropped somewhere. Now I know that the piece fell in the cup holder and proceeded to melt all over everything.
• Also, from Barnes and Noble: I seem to always have to use the restroom immediately upon arriving at a store, and yesterday was no different. As I was sitting in the stall, I heard the occupant of the stall next to me having a conversation on her phone. She was on the toilet. As I washed my hands and got ready to leave, she emerged, still talking on the phone. I saw and heard her a few minutes later out in the store – still talking on the phone. And about 15 minutes after that, she pushed open the door to exit the building – still talking on the phone. And she did it all quite loudly. I wonder what could have been so important that we all had to share in her conversation – even in the bathroom?
• The yellow garden spider is still there. The web is even more elaborate now. It now covers a large triangle where the day lilies were once blooming.
• And some sad news. I walked by the sparrows’ nest in the clematis last week and saw only one egg, rather than the three that were there originally. It looks abandoned. I have been keeping tabs on the nest about once a day and there was no way that anything hatched and fledged during that time period. We had a couple of days last week with heavy rain that surely would have impacted that nest. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or if the eggs weren’t viable.
Happy Thursday.
I’m finally back home, Claudia. My Mom fell a few days ago but was able to call the ambulance by herself. I took over caring for Dad at assisted living (Mom goes every day for the entire day) and lived at her house. It was an eye-opening experience and brought me newfound admiration and respect for Mom. Her dedication and love for Dad are immense. They’re both in their 90’s and she does lots of his hands on care, every day for 9 hours+, for the past few years. She’s fine (all scans and tests negative) and back to seeing Dad daily.
So sorry to hear about your mom, Wendy, but happy to hear she’s now okay. My dad went to visit my mom every day – several times a day – for the three years she was in a nursing home. I understand your mom’s devotion.
to wendy t …
sorry that your mother fell, but glad the tests came out fine and she’s back to her routine and with your father. will pray for them both, you and all caregivers!
kathy in iowa
Talking to a plant, I can so relate to that!! Being kind is never a bad thing ~~ think of it that way!! And chocolate coins are usually appreciated, aren’t they?? (Oh, perhaps only when wrapped.) And people on phones. Always on phones. Drives me crazy at restaurants, too, when a table full of people are all heads down.
Glad your weather has improved. We have had a string of beautiful days here. None are taken for granted and each is greatly appreciated. Hope you have a great Thursday!!
It’s less humid today – mid eighties, so it’s still quite warm but the drop in humidity is appreciated!
I’m still giggling at your stories. But I have to ask about that zig-zaggy thing and the spider, did he spin that? Or is it a scrap of plastic? I just can’t wrap my head around it.
He spun it. That’s the way yellow garden spiders spin their webs!
I love that first story. That is exactly something I would do. xo Laura
At least I’m not alone, Laura!
Talking to plants is normal behavior as far as I’m concerned. It’s when I bump into a chair or table and say excuse me that I question myself.
I loved all your stories…so true, so true. As Chris said…it’s been beautiful here. We’ve had two wonderful days with the windows open….it’s been heavenly.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I’ve said excuse me to chairs, as well!
At least I’m polite! xo
Laughing about the potted plant incident (totally something I would do) but a huge UGH on the lady on her phone in the bathroom. Unless it’s an emergency…c’mon people, get off your phones while sitting on the toilet!
Don’t want to jinx it, but we’ve had the most beautiful weather for over a week now, I think! This is the third day in a row too, that I’ve had the AC off and windows and doors open instead. :-)
I had the A/C off until about 1:30. It was nice to have some fresh air!
Every year that limelight hydrangea makes me so happy on your blog. Gosh it is gorgeous. You have some funny moments and I love that you share them. Hugs on this beautiful August day.
Thank you, Linda!
Although it’s sad for the sparrows, you had me otherwise in stitches with your stories today!
Thanks, Vicki!
I love your front porch!
Thanks for sharing pictures of your garden!
Thank you Susan!
i, too, have talked to inanimate things. sometimes it’s an “excuse me” when (like you) i’ve turned and bumped into something i hadn’t seen (i am glad and grateful that i was raised to be polite). other times it’s crabby words because i couldn’t figure the thing out. like it’s supposed to make or fix itself … ha.
but using a cellphone in a bathroom … especially in the stall? ugh! and no way.
sorry about the sad birdie news.
your hydrangeas are beautiful. glad that dream came true for you!
and that photo of your porch? for a moment it looked like the adirondack chairs are holding hands. :)
kathy in iowa
Oh, I like that, Kathy! Let’s just say they ARE holding hands!
Your Limelights are gorgeous! What a refreshing color to enjoy in the heat of summer. And thanks for the giggles (I’ m glad it’s not just me that is “polite”.)
You’re most welcome, Roxie!
I love hydrangeas! And they are about the only dried flower that I really like. How wonderful you have them flanking your porch. Speaking of porches, how I envy your porch! So welcoming, simple and sweet. Some of the porches I see in magazines are so darned elaborate. They don’t look designed to be used, but to impress. I pass a “Junk” shop every day (that’s what they all themselves–no pretensions) and recently they had a metal garden set on the lines of your magic garden, just a pair of well-patinaed chairs and a small table, white paint heavily flaked, but a graceful design. Instantly I pictured building a small porch on our house and a French press coffee maker with chipped bowls on an old linen cloth…and I thought of you. In my fantasy, we were sharing a cup on a sunny early autumn morning. No, I will not stalk you, but you do inspire me in lovely ways. Sorry about the birds. Life is tough on little things. XO
I like your fantasy, Nora! That would be lovely! Thank you for your kind words.