An interesting photo with some spectral images and that bit of pink in the lower left hand corner might be my finger. I’m not sure. Nonetheless, I like it for those very reasons. Also, this day lily blooms earlier in the summer and then comes through with a few unexpected blossoms at the end of the summer. I’m always surprised. It makes me smile.
I’ve been getting to my post a bit later than usual, as we are committed to taking our morning walks. We wake up (Don gets up earlier than me), we read for an hour or so while drinking our first cup of coffee. I reluctantly get up and put on my jeans and we head out on our neighborhood walk, whereupon I immediately exclaim at the beauty around us and am happy we did it. After the walk, I make our second cup of coffee and we sit and chat. I scroll through Instagram. Then I sit down and write a post.
While on our walk, we chatted with a neighbor who saw mama bear looking for food in her trash can a couple of days ago. She’s trying to feed her cubs. All of us in this neighborhood love our wildlife and we do our best to honor and respect those creatures. We are protective of them. They’re black bears, by the way, who are more afraid of us than we are of them. They are not likely to harm anyone unless that person threatens them or a cub. And we wouldn’t do that. So I’m not nervous. Actually, I’d like to see the two cubs!
We’re expecting rain and thunderstorms later today and it is looking rather gloomy out there. I mowed part of the front lawn yesterday afternoon and Don mowed the rest when he got home. There’s still more to go, but that will have to wait a day or two.
Still immersed in the world of Shakespeare and Company Paris – a fascinating history of both incarnations; the first bookstore started by Sylvia Beach in 1919, shut down by the Nazis in 1941, and the second incarnation, started by George Whitman on the Rue de Bûcherie across the Seine from Notre Dame in 1951. It is now run by George’s daughter, Sylvia Whitman. George was a democratic socialist and believed in helping writers, giving shelter to those who needed it in return for a couple of hours of work in the bookshop each day, who invited one and all to read, rest, have meetings, take part in social causes. I just finished reading about the 60s and 70s in the bookstore. In 1968, that tumultuous year, there were fiery protests all over Paris. The bookshop was refuge for draft dodgers and protestors. One story, shared by an American, is of being chased by the police (he had taken part in a demonstration) and finding no refuge as all neighboring shop doors were locked. Finally, he saw Shakespeare and Company, where a light was on. He was greeted by George, who immediately figured out what was going on and urged the young man to hide upstairs, as George locked the door and turned out the light. A fascinating man with a huge heart, who lived well into his nineties.
Here’s the exciting day ahead: doing lots of laundry. Don’t be too jealous, okay?
Happy Wednesday.
That Shakespeare and Company has just gone on my Amazon wish list. I’m sure I won’t find it in town.
It sounds like a perfect day to me — good walk, good talk, good book!
Yes, a pretty darned perfect day!
LOL.
I’m jealous of the rain and thunderstorms. it’s unbearably hot and humid here. no let up.
but at least we’re not enduring a major hurricane!
your posts have been beautiful lately. I used to have a gorgeous moon vine. xo
Those darned deer! So far, they haven’t been back, but we’ll see.
Brian and I walk together every day, too though it’s in the evenings due to his work schedule. But even on his days off, we still do it in the evenings. Guess there’s something to be said for routines. No bears here in northern IL, but plenty of other wildlife.
It’s cloudy and very cool here today; too much for my liking. I’m not ready for fall weather yet. Went to yoga this morning, came home and fed the cats and myself, and am on the second load of laundry. (You’re not the only one!) When the laundry finishes in the dryer (I won’t leave the dryer running when I’m not home), I have to run to the store for some vegetables and fruit.
Happy Wednesday to you, too!
It’s very, very humid here today with severe thunderstorm watches all over the place. I’d be happy with a little cool weather!
I know I’m in the minority here but I really like doing laundry. I love to hang clothes outside and do so until it’s freezing. it’s a kind of meditation for me. There’s a certain order and rhythm to it and ok I’ll stop now. 😳
We’re on vacation this week at Cape cod and I just found out there is an independent book sellers trail here. I’m off now to get the map and start looking for Shakespeare and co. Thanks as always for your wonderful book tips.
Oh, I don’t mind doing laundry. I like it. So does Don, who often puts a load in before I even think of it!
Have fun on the Independent Book Sellers Trail – I’m a bit envious!
The best independent bookstore in my opinion on
Cape Cod is “Titcombs” in Sandwich
Amazing selection and wonderful staff
This is not your “Barnes and Noble”
Hope you are able to visit it
I’ll make a note of it, Linda. I’ve been to Sandwich, but it’s been many, many years!
I am going to get this book from our library
sounds very interesting
Almost all of my reading is non-fiction so this will be on my list
thank you for sharing
You are very welcome. It’s truly fascinating, Linda.
Hope you’ve had a great Wednesday! I just finished Destiny of the Republic and McKinley and the Assassin and learned lots of interesting history.
Always a good thing! Thanks, Judy.
glad you had a lovely day!
hope someday you can see the bear cubs, too … from a very safe distance.
might check out that book. it sounds interesting. appreciate all your recommendations!
kathy in iowa
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!
So funny, just contemplating which book I will read next. Four stacks on the office floor, two for fiction and two for non-fiction. I also have unread books on my shelves and a Louise Penny, waiting for an autumn-like day to open it. It’s supposed to be 96 degrees here today so that might not be soon!
It’s all about what you’re in the mood for at that moment isn’t it?