The rose on day three.
I did more work outside yesterday, running out for some more pine bark mulch before I did more and more weed pulling. Then I topped it all off with said mulch.
By that time, my back was complaining, so I began the long process of moving things to the unofficial compost pile and doing some general clean up.
The Dude, who seems to function as our own particular Buddha, is pleased.
That pine bark mulch is a bit too big, so I’ll add some shredded mulch to the mixture. But for the next few days – it’s going to rain here – this should be fine. Note to self: next year, clean up of this area in the early, early spring, then replenish the mulch. It was so overgrown there that I briefly forgot that Don had added stepping stones.
There’s more weeding to be done and lots of pruning, but Mother Nature has given me an excuse to rest up a bit before I get back to it.
We are looking forward to today’s hearing. I just read that there will be two more hearings next week. Bring ’em on!
As you well know, there have been several (now former) readers of this blog who have defended he-who-shall-not-be -named. Some comments left here were vile, as I have sadly come to expect from his supporters. Seems to go with the territory. In most cases, I blocked them. My home, my choice. What I find interesting is that before His Evilness emerged to run for President, the comments left on this blog by these people were normal, everyday observances. Nothing in those words could have prepared me for the odious underside that emerged. The words, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” come to mind. I guess this is on my mind because I recently read a comment from one of those people on another blog and realized that I could never think of that person in the same way again.
I fear for our country, for our democracy.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Hello,
Your yard is looking beautiful. Serene comes to mind.
I am totally bewildered and shocked at “the believers” inability to see the truth and the danger that the USA is in because of these beliefs. I sometimes think they have a personality disorders and lack of cognitive skills. I actually think this all the time.
Take Care,
Kaye
I think they do suffer from both those things.
Thanks, Kaye.
Stay safe.
My personal theory is that the drive by one political party over many years to undermine/underfund public education has produced a crop of individuals with such reduced critical thinking skills that they are unable to analyze and understand current events and are thus open to appeals to their basest resentments and emotions.
Thanks for sharing your weeding achievements – very inspirational.
ceci
Cici, I second that opinion. My kids were in school when I first saw the dumbing down of education—the elimination of arts, music, civics, and other mind-nurturing and thought provoking classes in favor of competition and game playing. So dangerous, leaving no creative outlet for restless adolescent minds.
Well said!
hej, ceci.
i agree with your idea about the underfunding of schools and the taking away of basic classes necessary to a healthy society… very sad and scary.
beyond making education an issue when voting (to help my great-niece and great-nephews and other children), does anyone have ideas about what else can be done?
thanks.
kathy
This is what I have called The Dumbing Down of America for years. Yes, you’re right, Ceci.
Thanks.
Stay safe.
hope your back feels better, claudia! did you get to finish the jigsaw puzzle amid the pain and all that yard work and carrying bags of books for donation? hope so. glad you can take it easy.
the dude, stepping stones and all that greenery look great. you and don have made a wonderful home.
same about your blog and the community here (and banning hatred, lies). thanks for that.
rain sounds lovely. like many other places, we need it here. been so very hot … like “state fair time in august” hot … we even had some 90 degree days in march. much too soon. i fear for our planet … and our country and democracy. :(
today i am going to make a salad for members of my family (light and kidney beans, corn, water chestnuts, green onions and a bit of french dressing). so easy and so good. will also make brownies or a cheesecake, help with some post-move sorting and drop off items for donation. will go for a walk and a ride, too. even with the price of gas so high, we go for rides because we enjoy them (and don’t go to movies or restaurants, etc).
best i get going … it’s 9 am!
hope you have a nice day. stay safe!
kathy
that should be “light and dark kidney beans” …
kathy
xo
Yum, your bean salad sounds delish; it’s so nice that you have more time now to interact with your family, kathy; do some fun things together; sharing; is so nice; and to have the relief of less stress!
thanks, vicki! while there’s still stress, at least i no longer have to deal with job-related stress or be around a hundred+ people every day … and i do have more time to be with my family. :)
how are you? hopefully keeping safe and cool and enjoying your days.
are you still fostering the pup or have you adopted each other?!? either way on that, you have a big, beautiful heart and i thank you for helping him.
that salad is so good! and super-easy … mix together one can each of light kidney beans, dark kidney beans, corn and water chestnuts, all rinsed and drained. add a can of chopped tomatoes, drained, or (better) the equivalent of fresh tomatoes. chop and stir in the ends of green onions, to taste (i almost always use six). stir in some french dressing (i use a cup to cup and a quarter, so ingredients are lightly coated but not dripping with it, but use as you like). store in the fridge.
hope you are having a nice night and stay safe!
thanks again.
kathy
We don’t even go for rides (we already don’t go to restaurants or movies.) Too expensive!
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
we go for rides to get into the countryside and get closer to nature, see new things (with some repeats, like the biggest lake we have around here) and for relaxation and happiness. feels like a necessity now. the rides are shorter, though.
kathy
Of course, I forget that we live in the country. If the rides help you all to relax, they’re worth it.
xo
definitely worth it!
thanks, claudia.
xo
kathy
xo
Beautiful rose! I love the color.
I just read Rob Reiner tweeted “It’s simple. Prosecute Trump or end democracy.” I’m afraid he’s right.
Take care
He’s absolutely right, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
If you save your brown cardboard boxes and lay them flat in the garden before you spread it greatly suppresses weeds for a long time.
That works in a garden bed and I’ve done it, but not so much in the woods, which is where this little area is.
I’ll have to hoe that area, as Don does for the paths in the woods. But we’ll always be fighting off weeds there.
Stay safe, Cindy.
Beautiful rose! It reminds me of one that grew at my great-grandmother’s house. She called it a Peace rose. And I’m always glad to see that The Dude abides.
The Dude will always abide, Shanna.
Stay safe.
Oh my gosh Rob Reiner is soooooooooo right!
I pray Trump does not get away with this or I fear this will be the end of Democracy, and I am not being dramatic
No, that’s not at all dramatic. It’s, I fear, a fact.
Stay safe, Linda.
Thanks for doing the hard work of making this a safe place. From deep in Central Texas, I need it. My five grandchildren, one of whom has just revealed that she is gay, need us to stay here and vote, or I’d be putting my house up for sale.
Texas desperately needs people like you and so many others to vote, Linda. Thank you for hanging in there.
Stay safe.
I watch the hearings too and I am glad this is being examined for history. The Republican Party keeps sinking to lower levels as they follow the former president and I hope good citizens will rally and take away their power to hurt our country.
Yes.
The GOP has become a soulless shell of a party, only concerned with keeping power.
Stay safe, Ellen.
The rose is a lovely color…and The Dude? Love him. We do have a Buddha…inherited from my MIL….love him. He brings peace to my garden.
I think Cecil’s personal theory is correct. A lot of people in this country have lost the ability to properly reason, and use logic. And a lack of education on the history of our country, world history, and civics, have led to mind-boggling theories that leave me beyond befuddled. And, more than often I’ve found that those individuals have kept that side of themselves totally secret. You really don’t know who they are…or if you might be related to them.
So, I guess it’s up to us to stand up to those people…continue to call out the lies…and stand together and vote like our lives depend on it…because they do! ;)
Wow, what you say really hits the point, Donnamae. I encountered a woman out of her head this past weekend who clearly had no ability for patience, tolerance or logic. Was a violent thing for me to experience and a type of road-rage scenario. There seem to be people out there who can’t put a cap or control on their emotions; unafraid of consequences. Anger and frustration running deep which maybe they don’t even understand about themselves, who knows. And how have they been swayed to their line of thinking is beyond me. And when you say they keep a certain side to themselves in secret; wow, did that ever ‘pop out’ with some of the people I know in 2020, with their attitudes of both the pandemic restrictions AND Trump in the news every day; in the case with one friend I’ve known for 47 years, opposing views which were deepening and getting wider when, beforehand, I’d never even known her politics; it had just never come up between us. I couldn’t believe what I was beginning to sense and interpret from talking with her, when I’d thought she and I were always on the same page. It’s interesting in the discussions here today on Claudia’s blog, of how education isn’t what it once was in the schools. Because I don’t have kids and haven’t been around kids, I’ve been somewhat unaware of this, and have been stymied by it, as my youthful school days were so full of music and art, language and history, not as electives but as a required and regular part of the curriculum; public-school education but a fine one, which makes me feel sorry for the kids of today. It’s illuminating, isn’t it. As we try to understand the whys.
The dumbing down of America. The education that you and I received is long gone. It’s so sad, and we’re seeing the results of it today.
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
That rose! Beautiful! We’re expecting about 100° here in the Bay Area….too hot! Claudia, I just love the pictures of your property…they have a cooling effect!
I’ll be watching the hearings again today…I, too, cannot believe that so many people follow that man who used to be our president and hopefully never will again!
He needs to be tried, convicted, and thrown in prison for the rest of his sorry life.
Stay safe, Barrie.
hej, ceci.
i agree with your idea about the underfunding of schools and the taking away of basic classes necessary to a healthy society… very sad and scary.
beyond making education an issue when voting (to help my great-niece and great-nephews and other children), does anyone have ideas about what else can be done?
thanks.
kathy
Glad you booted the imbecilles. As far as the former one, LOCK HIM UP!!! He has been a criminal his entire life . . . he learned from his father . . . and he has has passed on his knowledge and evil ways to his spawn. I hope the people of this country will eventually see justice vis a vis the evil one’s criminal acts before, during and after the election. He can’t stop being a criminal.
While I enjoy the internet (after all, it’s what has allowed me to connect with you), I think, on balance, it may be a bad thing for society. I’m sorry to say that because I recognize the good.
It is frightening to see how the republicans are becoming more and more unhinged. I hope the MAJORITY of the country sees that and votes accordingly in ’22 and ’24. After all, “normal ” is still the majority . . . the deplorables are NOT the majority . . . they are a very loud and unhinged MINORITY. Something we saw on tape from the hearings stuck with me — one of the MAGA terrorists said he went to D.C. on the 6th – I’m paraphrasing, but it’s close: ‘He (evil one) has done so much for us how could we not do the one thing he has asked of us.’ (Talk about no basis in reality.) WTF did he ever do for you (unless you are mega rich and were the recipient of a massive tax cut)? What has he done for the common person? NOTHING!!! He cares only about HIMSELF. Not his family, not his children, not his many baby mamas, not the people of this or any other country . . . in short, NO ONE. HE CARES ONLY ABOUT HIMSELF, HIS GRUDGES, HIS REVENGE, AND THAT IS HOW HE GOVERNED. LOCK HIM . . . AND ALL OF HIS COHORTS . . .UP.
Thanks for allowing me to vent.
We shouted out the same thing: What has he ever done for you? Nothing.
But the reality is that Trump allowed those people to reveal who they really are. He gave them permission.
Stay safe, Chris.
The rose is stunning! Thanks ever so much for sharing.
Roses in my garden seem to have come & gone quickly this year, most likely due to high temperatures we had in late April & throughout May. Most everything seems to be blooming earlier this year. On one hand, lovely & enjoyable. And yet on the other hand, a bit disturbing.
As others have stated, I am continuing to watch the hearings and am gobsmacked that so many people are election deniers and continue supporting Trump, his sycophants, and the election denying GOP candidates running for office.
I fear we are in for some very rough times.
Chilling to read that Rep. Adam Kinzinger has received death threats not only against himself, but also his wife and infant child.
Stay safe & well, and vote (D) at all levels in 2022 & 2024!
The entirety of the hearings so far has been chilling. I think the Jan. 6th Committee is doing excellent work.
Stay safe, Amy.
Gorgeous rose. We had an iris this spring almost that same color that I took many pictures of. The temps have see-sawed wildly here in WI between from cold enough you need a jacket to the 90’s and back again. Watered early morning today and will spend rest of the day inside reading and watching the committee hearing.
Fortunately the birds seem unfazed by the heat. We have feeders in the front and back of the house. The tiny house on our pergola is full of peeping House Wren babies and the feeder traffic is especially heavy today. Makes being stuck inside bearable.
Take care,
K.
I hope your temperatures fall very soon, Kay!
Stay safe.
The state of our country is becoming more and more disheartening.
I will be curious how the pine bark mulch holds up. I really hate replenishing cedar mulch, so expensive.
Looks like rain. The weeds are loving this weather! xo
The weeds will get lots of rain today and tomorrow, Betsy!
Stay safe.
Your yard is looking so pretty. I had a Dr’s appt and missed todays hearing but will catch up later tonight. I have found it strangely comforting to see our government calling attention to this despicable behavior of a ‘president’. I fear for our country so very much also.
It IS comforting, Linda. Wait until you see yesterday’s hearing!
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — just finished watching “hearings” — can not believe what is being said by the witnesses — it is like a very bad, tragic movie that won’t stop. Can we just convict and jail tRump right now???? sure hope witnesses have good protection — I am sure their lives are in danger each day. our country is in grave danger as well. Watergate seems like penny-ante stuff compared to this — how can anyone w/a functioning brain continue to vow allegiance/support such a clown??? stay healthy/safe. ps beautiful rose
I don’t know. I will never understand why so many people believed that bull about the election being stolen. The hearings are very powerful, but I HATE having to hear Trump’s voice again. It makes my skin crawl.
Stay safe, Linda.
Claudia….I echo all that others have said on this blog. I am unfortunately slipping in to a depression and it alternates with anxiety. Nothing ….even seeing my grandchildren seems to help for long. I am surrounded by trumpers ….some neighbors who are now putting out signs to elect Zeldin for governor of New York. (he is a trumper lacky who never debates or holds town meetings because he is afraid of confrontation ). I think the weather echoes my mood today. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion. It is a safe harbor here.
hej, maria.
i am sorry for your troubles and hope you will talk with your doctor or some other person you trust about how you feel, what’s going on. help is available! also hope you have time and do things you enjoy each day, just for you.
i’m sending a hug, if you like, and will keep praying for you, maria.
said as someone with depression and who cares about you all …
kathy
Zeldin is an ass. I despise him.
Please take care of yourself, Maria. If you need to see a doctor, please do.
I understand. My anxiety has been rearing its ugly head lately, as well.
Stay safe.
Thank you for the photos of your garden, they are an inspiration. I love the dappled light and the self seeding flowers. I feel rested and refreshed looking at them. Thank you for all your work to keep your blog a place of calm and good sense. I appreciate the effort it takes and the community you have built.
Thank you for your kind words, Miche. I so appreciate them.
Stay safe.