A foggy morning with a view of the burning bush and a splash of light from the porch light.
It’s supposed to be 75° today and 80° tomorrow. What??? I swear, the weather has been all over the place lately. We did have a light rain for about an hour yesterday but it’s not nearly enough considering how low the rivers are. It is dry, dry, dry here. Hopefully, we’ll see some rain on Monday and Tuesday.
We voted on Monday. There was a line but not a long one and things moved very smoothly. We had a nice conversation with a couple standing behind us – lovely people. It felt so good knowing we’d voted and that our votes have registered. Now, we wait. (Hey, I had no makeup on, but I did wear red lipstick in honor of Kamala.) Her speech last night from the Ellipse was powerful, a well-planned and perfect response to Trump’s January 6th horror show.
Now, we wait.
I had to block another Trumper after Monday’s post. I wouldn’t have them in my home and won’t have them here. I long for the days that all of us remember, when you could agree to disagree and didn’t have to worry about the other party trying to dismantle our democracy. But there’s no agree to disagree this time (frankly, there wasn’t in 2020, either.)
The washing machine has been repaired. Hallelujah! I still watch it like a hawk; I can’t quite relax yet.
Something wonderful arrived in yesterday’s mail:
What a gorgeous cover!
As is my wont, I will delay reading it. A new book comes every two years now, so I don’t want to quickly breeze through it. I also don’t want to start it with the election niggling away on the edges of my thoughts. It deserves better. But I fully realize some of you might want to read it right away because of the election – it can take you away to another world.
Anyway, that being said, I have two books from the library to finish and the new Richard Osman, We Solve Murders, is waiting for me to pick up. The Osman will have to be read within 10 days, while the other two books can be renewed. Do you find yourself juggling books that you’ve had on hold? I sure do! And now we add The Grey Wolf to the mix.
These are quality problems.
I cleaned out the vintage Cape Cod style dollhouse the other day. It had – as dollhouses do – become very dusty. Don remarked that I need to get some lamps because it’s so dark in there. He’s right, so that’s on my list. I managed to move a single “wrought iron” bed into the small bedroom that’s only accessible via the interior doorway. I’ve wondered whether I could do that for about 3 years and I finally took some action. I’m painting a little sink/counter unit – just like the one in Dove Cottage – for the other small room. Still need to fill the shelves on either side of the fireplace but it’s getting there. I’ll take some pictures soon.
Forgot to mention! Ten bluebirds here yesterday, at least three more today. I guess MHC has passed their test!
Okay.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
thank you for voting. thanks to everyone who votes. so important at any opportunity and especially now. also, i feel better after voting (absentee ballots again this time and again i turned them in directly to the county election office) … and who can’t use more of feeling good?!?
hope you can relax about the washer and enjoy all those books and sprucing things up at the little cape cod.
happy, safe wednesday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I’m getting more anxious about this election. It could be weeks before we know the final outcome. I’m trying to focus on other things but it’s hard.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the dollhouse.
Take care
I don’t think it will be weeks, but that’s just my sense. I think we’ll know a lot sooner.
Fingers crossed, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Thanks for voting and we can only hope that the outcome is on the side of sanity.
I also have the newest Louise Penney, and I will wait to read it – hopefully in celebration, not despair over the election.
Best to wait, I agree.
Stay safe.
I voted also and pray that people will do what is right for our country. It is hard for me to know that so many people I grew up with are on the side of “orange man”. As kids we had so little but we made the best of it and our parents worked hard and helped their neighbors. So many were in the service, even had 2 die in Vietnam. To think what is going on now is really heart wrenching. Glad your washer is working. I try to keep busy and only watch the news on tv once a day but I did watch some of the debates. God Bless our country. Love reading your blog and agree with everything you say and do. Good to know there are people like you out there and stand for what is right. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much, Barbara.
My dad served in WWII to fight fascism. I can only be thankful that he isn’t here to see this.
Stay safe.
Thanks for the mention that there is a new Osman book out. I have placed it on hold at my library. I already have a hold on the Louise Penny but I know it will be a bit of a wait.
Thank you for voting and I have the same hope as you that the Democrats do well.
It’s part of a new series. He’s taking a break from the other series. I’m sure it will be wonderful.
Stay safe, Ellen.
I am trying so hard not to obsess. And I can’t help it. And yes, the speech — fabulous. Very nervous. I voted before England so I’ve been in that waiting mode for a bit now. Not a fun one, is it?
That cover is fabulous. I have it on my Christmas list — like you, I delay because once I get into one of hers, everything else stops. And I have more than a few books picked up from England! Right now there is barely a second to read anything so just as well.
Can’t wait to see the doll house and all the changes you are doing. Photos eagerly anticipated!
It’s hard not to obsess. I know!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Claudia, I lost you due to computer problems. I can’t find a place to subscribe. I have missed you so much, as you are a sea of sanity in this insane mess. PLEASE subscribe me.
jane in tx
Jane, I haven’t had a subscription for years. You’ll have to remember the address of the blog and click on it via your browser.I post on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Good to have you back!
Stay safe.
I am happy that your washing machine is fixed! What a relief.
I have voted and I am hopeful but I am scared, too.
Take Care,
Kaye
I think we all feel the same way. But I do feel that Kamala is going to win big.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia,
I have been reading your blog faithfully for many years but never comment. I guess I am a true introvert and stay quiet. We are so similar in opinions and interests, and I even have a MI connection.
Something you wrote in a reply really hit me and I had to respond. My Dad (raised in Troy MI) was also in WWII, he was injured in the Battle of the Bulge. I look at what is going on and I am so grateful he is not here to witness this.
I voted today and I am holding my breath.
Denise
Thank you for your comment, Denise. My dad would be sick at heart and I bet yours would be, too.
Stay safe.
We dropped off our votes a couple of weeks ago.
The Louise Penny cover is very appealing. I reserved it at the library and there are about 500 people ahead of me in the regional system. I have to put it out of my mind and then, when I get the email notification, it will be a lovely surprise.
Yes, that’s the way to look at it, Polly!
Stay safe.
I loved RIchard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series and am slogging my way through “We Solve Murders”. Very different, not nearly as lighthearted and tons of characters. Will persevere. And get Louise Penney’s soon as I can.
Enjoy, Barbara.
Stay safe.
The burning bush never fails to astonish me with the colors. One doesn’t get color like that too often here.
I thoroughly enjoyed We Solve Murders…an eccentric cast of characters, some hilarious but almost unbelievable situations, a plot that is convoluted enough to keep the reader guessing but entertained. Osman has another Thursday Murder Club out next year. I hope he continues writing both series.
Me too!
Stay safe, Wendy.
I’ve mailed my absentee ballot and now we wait! I love that you ‘juggle’ books. I do that myself when I get books from the library. Seems like my hold list takes forever and then 2 or 3 books are available all at once. Decisions on what to read and what order. Good thing I can concentrate on reading when that happens.
And aren’t those wonderful decisions to have to make?
Stay safe, Linda.
I have no will power. I read The Gray Wolf yesterday. The whole thing. It was wonderful as usual with Louise Penny. Most was concluded, but a question remained unanswered. Now I must wait until 2025 for The Black Wolf.
At least until 2025. This one was almost two years in the waiting.
Stay safe, Judith.
I’ve started waking up in the night anxious about the election, you would think I got enough worrying in during the day. I don’t think it will be over until next year unless the unthinkable happens (a “red tide”) and I certainly need to sleep before that!
The weird thing is that I don’t know anyone personally who is voting red – we live in a bubble here.
Ceci
There are Trump signs around us, but lots of Harris signs as well. But, you’re right. Our bubble is family members and liberal artists – all voting blue.
Stay safe, Ceci.