Our climbing hydrangea almost never blooms because I planted it in a somewhat shady spot. This year, I noticed two new tendrils reaching outward toward the light and I thought, “Maybe it will bloom this year.” We have a bloom! That sure put a smile on my face.
I mowed part of the front lawn on Saturday. And we mowed the rest of it yesterday. I’m very tired from all of that, so today is a day of rest. As I said to Don yesterday, this is the time of year when we spend at least 4 out of 7 days mowing. Tomorrow I have to mow the lilac side of the front lawn. The Corral and Back 40 will need mowing in a couple of days. And so it continues.
It’s much cooler – in the sixties – and it’s a beautiful sunny day today.
The news about Joe Biden is devastating. It’s all I can think of. I am praying for him and for his lovely family. I don’t know if there is anyone I admire as much as Joe Biden. He is a truly good man. He should be able to retire and enjoy time with his family. He deserves everything good.
And somewhat related – I had a realization this morning. I am way too addicted to social media – the kind that focuses on politics and the world. And even though the platform I use is mostly positive, I do still see and read things that are upsetting and often enraging. I react emotionally, not rationally, and I just have to pull away to gain some peace. I know a lot of you aren’t on social media at all. There are positives to social media; my Blythe IG, my personal IG (though even that is ticking me off lately) and my book and miniature accounts. But I need to pull away from them a bit, as well. I’ll take it one day at a time. Don has been known to put his phone away in a box and to hide his laptop as well. This is an ongoing battle.
Do you remember the modern dollhouse? I’ve been thinking of it a lot lately, so I visited the shed and unearthed the bin where it had been stored. It’s meant to be easily taken apart, as I had done to store it. So now I’m going to try to reassemble it and give it a more serious take than I did the first time. Where will I put it, you ask? I have no idea. But as I said to Don, I need to be doing something. So why not both dollhouses? Yikes.
Okay. I have to make a second cup of coffee.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
My renovation is complete, so my “doing something” is unpacking cartons and putting my bedroom back together. Hopefully, I will do more decluttering as I unpack (I did a lot when I packed). Working on two doll houses sounds like a lot more fun!
I hope it all turned out beautifully, Wendy! Are you happy with it?
Stay safe.
I am very delighted. Not only with the results, but how much the contractor and workers inspired trust. They were easy to work with and listened to me. The rare times when they didn’t consult me, they were willing to change things without charging me.
xo
Could you just put ground cover or mulch in some of the areas you are tired of mowing? Just a thought.
I’m realizing I spend too much time looking at my cell phone but it is difficult to stop. :(
No, and we really don’t want to.
Thanks, Ellen.
Stay safe.
I struggle with reels on social media. I can waste hours watching them. I think it’s all about moderation. The problem with social media is you can’t really believe most of it. Is it true, is it not true, does it matter??
Have a great week!
Thanks so much, Darlene.
Stay safe.
congratulations on tending well your plants and now having that hydrangea bloom.
very sad to hear about joe biden having cancer … and that there are people cheering on the cancer instead of for joe biden to beat that cancer. what a world (so i continue to limit news here).
sounds like the best kind of to-do list, having two (or more!) creative projects from which to choose … especially if you are mowing the lawn at least four days every week. have fun and, if you want, please share photos. thanks. :)
still windy here, but today it’s overcast with off/on light rain and i like that. got a lot done this morning, even with a break to watch “the waltons”. like that.
happy, safe monday to everyone.
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
It’s an absolute MUST for me to avoid, as much as possible, all the negatively and disagreement that seems to be in the media (social and otherwise). I stopped being a regular consumer of Facebook a long time ago. I completely avoid X (or any platforms like it). Give me all of the Instagram dollhouse accounts, and the blogs I still enjoy. I take in just enough of the news so I have working knowledge of what’s going on, but otherwise I just can’t handle things like that anymore. It causes me far too much anxiety … which isn’t good for my health! Can’t wait to hear what you decide about the plans for any/all miniature projects – you know I love seeing your miniature work!
Oh, I canceled X a long time ago!
I am the same way, Debbie, they cause too much anxiety. I understand.
Stay safe.
I haven’t watched the news. What happened to Joe biden?
Mike and I went to a wedding in calgary. It was right downtown. It was lovely. We were maybe going to stay overnight, but decided to drive home at night. I’m glad as all of these trips to calgary have gotten to be expensive. We’re driving back again next week.
I love your porch. It’d be great to sit there. Do you spend a lot of time sitting out there when you can?
Thanks, Irene.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia!
I have to smile at your “why not both dollhouses?” Big smile! As you probably know I wallow in too many projects at once syndrome… but I am a firm believer that if you don’t start… you can’t finish! So just start… and follow where your nose leads you. I personally get “lost” somewhere in my projects… ideas too vague, products not working right… talents too undeveloped… so I leap to another project instead of beating myself up with inaction. And in a certain sense, I also know that there is always something that I am learning as I go along… that solves my dilemma in an earlier project… and I loop back around. I don’t have deadlines on purpose… its my project and I have time and it is supposed to be for fun. There is nothing more fun than loving what you are doing while you are doing it! So I say go for it! And I can’t wait to see what comes next!
As for social media… I am so glad I didn’t get into instagram or twitter or even facebook. I’m a loner and get annoyed by that competitive stuff anyway so I don’t miss it. Blogs are my speed and they are way out of fashion.. but also waaay more meaningful in their shared content. Thank you again for keeping your blog!
I don’t have dealines, either. Hummingbird Cottage took six years to complete!
Thanks so much for your supportive words, Betsy!
Stay safe.
I’m glad you’re pulling out the modern cottage — I liked that and it will be a fun style break from Beacon Hill. The porch looks lovely. We’re low 50s and rainy today. No porch for us!
I hear you on social media — and all media for that matter. I’m much enjoying Britbox and Acorn these days. Pure escape.
We are going to be in the fifties with rain for the next 3 days, Jeanie. Same kind of weather.
Stay safe.
I am trying to stay away from social media except for my family. They post photos and updates on the grandkids! Tiger is finishing 8th grade and will be in High School next year…WHAT?? Time flies! Scout will be in 5th grade. Thursday is finally my appt with the surgeon and I should know more after that. Your yard is pretty I really enjoy photos of it. Hugs!
I remember when Tiger was born. My goodness!
Stay safe, Linda.
Your porch is so appealing , it is very pretty.
I saw an article on the NPR app about miniatures yesterday.
I do not do any social media anymore . I have never done Facebook but I did do Instagram for short period of time. The news is insane and heart breaking.
President Biden is and has always been a good man, a person of great worth.
Take Care,
Kaye
One of the best men ever.
Thanks, Kaye.
Stay safe.
My climbing hydrangea experience. Mine took 7 years to bloom but once it did it really took off.
I was told by a master gardener that they have to obtain real maturity and size to bloom. Fact? I’m not sure, but after it started it bloomed beautifully for all the years I lived there.
It wasn’t a common plant back then so I’m impressed you have one😊
I’ve had mine for about 13 years. I heard that, as well, but the truth is, it’s in a too shady spot, so I will only have sporadic blooms.
Thanks, Jan.
Stay safe.
I feel the same as you about Joe Biden. He is such a decent man and loved him as President. The whole family will be in my prayers. He has been through so much grief in his life. Now we have a nutcase in the White House or should I say on the golf course. I too have to pull myself away at times because it can be too much. The heat will start coming now so I too have to decide which projects to do. We have a small pond in our yard with about 30 goldfish. The water has been so clear but all of the sudden it is pea green. Trying to figure out why has been a challenge! Have fun with 2 dollhouses!
Good luck with the pond, Deb. Sounds like algae?
Stay safe.
All the “news” is a bit much. I skim the paper and a few newsletters but that is all I can handle. We occasionally watch the news on TV but most days we skip it. I have blocked people on Facebook who post political stuff.
My head isn’t in the sand. I am very aware of events. Just can’t take being upset all the time. There isn’t much I can do.
So I agree. Take a break. Enjoy life. Who knows how many more any of us have.
Yes it is sad about Biden. Although I have to admit it is interesting that the cancer wasn’t detected sooner. Still nobody’s business.
Regular PSA tests aren’t recommended when the patient is over 70 or 72.
Since I just lost a dear friend who had no knowledge she had pancreatic cancer until pain took her to emergency and she was gone less than 3 months later, I won’t begin to question why something wasn’t detected sooner. Doctors make mistakes, tests don’t always show a positive until it’s too late, we can discount symptoms – the list is endless.
Thanks, Kay.