Morning light from the east. A still life.
Though I can see frost on the car window and ice in the birdbath, this is the last day (I hope) that we will be dealing with colder than usual temperatures. I feel some hope and a little twinge of excitement.
I was looking through some photos from last year at this time and we were so much further along in terms of green grass, buds on the trees, the signs of spring. I’d say we’re about two weeks behind this year. I’m keeping a long list of things I have to do floating around in my head (in addition to painting the one remaining unpainted wall in the kitchen) and that list needs to be written down today so I can make some sense of it and prioritize my chores.
I’m currently reading a book I bought at that wonderful bookstore in New Orleans, Faulkner House Books. (Oh, if I could only whisk myself there for an afternoon of browsing!) It’s Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell. Beautifully done in every way, with photographs and drawings, many of them Potter’s illustrations and sketches.
Nonfiction seems to be my thing at the moment. I can’t quite lose myself in a fictional story – my guess is that what’s happening on a daily basis in Washington D.C. is far more shocking and twisted than any mystery or spy novel out there. Especially these past few days, right? I’ve been glued to the television and Twitter.
Just wanted to clarify that even though Don is tired at the end of a long week of shows, he is having the time of his life. He really loves it. Right now, every show on Broadway is collecting donations for Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids. They pass around a bucket after the show and auction off backstage tours. Don was out in the lobby the other day, meeting the audience and collecting for this charity. If someone wants a photo with a cast member, they contribute ten dollars, I think it is, and the actor poses with them for a picture. It’s a lot of fun. Don had a great time. Last night, there were 3 separate groups who had paid for a backstage tour. Don took one of the groups around the theater.
Can you see the bunny? I took this through the kitchen window yesterday. I saw him hop into the brush (everything is still so brown around here) where he found the perfect place to eat a bit, groom himself, nap and generally hang out. I’m not kidding. Several hours later, he was still there.
He was completely camouflaged, even more so than this picture indicates because I edited it so you could see him. Smart bunny.
Happy Wednesday.
At this very moment I’m on the train from CT to NYC to see the show! Very excited – all the songs have been playing in my head and can’t wait to hear them live. Long time reader of your wonderful and inspiring blog, Claudia. First time commenter tho.
Have a wonderful day 😊
Oh, have a wonderful time, Jayne! Of course, as I write this, you’re in the middle of Act 1. xo
Such a fun, colorful and energetic show. JD is quite an entertaining character and Don played him oh so well. Truly an escape from this dreary “spring”. A vacation for a day… with the hope that summer can’t be that far away.
I’m so glad you liked it, Jayne! Isn’t it nice to escape?
Have you read the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter Series by Susan Wittig Albert It is a fact-based series and a calming, “fun” read! Also, I agree, spring needs to arrive, soon!
Hi Tina-Marie, I love the Beatrix Potter series by Susan Wittig Albert, too, as well as her China Bayles “herbs”series. I like the snippets of herbal information and lore in the latter series, and the recipes. Fun fast reads.
I haven’t, though I’ve read her other series. I’ll check it out. Thanks, Tina-Marie!
I love getting leads on books! There’s a whole bunch of those herbs mysteries (large series) and it seems the Beatrix Potter series is a total of eight books. Glad to have read this from your readers and you, Claudia!
xo
I love the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series. Reading #6 of the 8 in the series now. The animal storyline might not be for everyone, but I enjoy it. Albert does a great job sharing what’s going on with the people, but also with the animals. I always look at the glossary in the back first, too. I think if anyone likes Wind in the Willows and/or Beatrix Potter, they’ll enjoy these books. I’ve also read Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life and adored it. I always enjoy reading your posts, Claudia. I go back and forth between fiction and non. I must have Beatrix on the brain because I’m also reading an older art book entitled Beatrix Potter’s Art selected by Anne Stevenson Hobbs. It has a longish Introduction, followed by about 150 pages of colored plates of her work. I’m going slowly and savoring it!
Thanks for the support! When I started the first one, I was a little disappointed because it wasn’t a true mystery, but by the end, I was in love with it! Albert was an an English professor, so the factual info is accurate. Also, fun fact, she wrote Nancy Drew mysteries under the name Carolyn Keene in the 1980s (which I didn’t know until I looked her up).
Oh, I bet that book is beautiful! She was such a wonderful artist!
Judging by your pics…your monstera looks like it’s ready to outgrow its’ pot. Must like it there. It’s warming nicely here…upper 50’s predicted. And…did you hear…Paul Ryan is not seeking re-election. Can we get a yahoo?
Hope you enjoy your day….I know mine got brighter! ;)
I’m not quite sure whether it should be repotted yet as I think they like to be in ‘close quarters.’ But I’ve got my eye on it.
I’m betting Paul Ryan has something to hide – something to do with Russia.
Never thought about that angle…time will tell! ;)
xo
I’m wishing for Spring to arrive in its fullness for you, Claudia. Spring will give you a whole host of things to do outside, and you won’t feel cooped up in the cottage, although it’s the perfect cottage to be cooped up in, in my opinion! I love how Broadway has become more activist.
I worked outside for a bit today, though it’s rather cold. Started to clean out some of the beds.
Broadway has been doing the Equity Fights Aids thing for probably 30 years. In the eighties and early nineties, many of us lost many friends and colleagues to AIDS. It cut down a generation of actors, designers, directors – I know I lost several friends. It was tragic and heartbreaking.
I’m nuts over bunnies; isn’t nature’s camouflage amazing? Susan Branch would be so happy you’re reading about Beatrix. I missed all the Potter books when I was growing up. I knew about Peter Rabbit but we just never got into the books, so I’ve felt deprived. I can’t figure out why I never read any of the books, because we did have SOME books in the house, just not a lot, and Mom had been regularly taking me to the children’s library since I was a tiny little thing, certainly before I was ever in kindergarten. We’d sit at these wee tables with little chairs and it was such a light-filled, golden place.
Yes, Washington; ugh. I’m so edgy. Also makes me feel embarrassed, that everything at US HQ is such a mess and how we must look to the world (and to our children).
The light coming through your plants is just lovely; beautiful photo. I looked at it a couple of times just to absorb it; you really do take the most amazing photos, Claudia.
Hang in there. Pretty soon, you can be out in the yard, burning off all that negative distraction (headlines, for one) but your challenge will be to not overdo it for your back!
I do try to think of what a weird time it is for you. It’s a real blessing that Don is doing work he loves and getting paid for it – – I mean, seriously, what a boon for you two at this stage of life and on fixed income with occasional freelance (speaking as one for a couple who’s known what that IS) – – yet it’s sort of a limbo situation, not knowing how long it will be for and living a separate life in terms of location although thankfully you’re in the same state at least; but what can you do but just ‘go with it’ and keep to whatever routine you can although, for a couple who are incredibly close and wanting to of course be together all the time, this is also just darn hard!
I never read those books either! Never was exposed to them and only heard of Beatrix Potter when I was older.
I love it when all the wildlife starts returning to visibility in the Spring. Your bunny is a sweetie. I hope he [she] makes regular appearances in your [literal] neck-of-the-woods. At my last place, there was a goose couple that showed up every year – for 17 years. For all I know they’re still there [hope so]. There was a pretty little landscaped pond in the complex where they lived. Some years they had babies, some years they didn’t. But always, the female goose would walk in front, very slow & stately, with the male goose following behind at a bit of distance [like a Secret Service agent]. She’d look where she was going, but he was always looking around, presumably for dangers. He really did remind me of a Secret Service agent. And at the rate we’re going, either one of the geese would make a far-better President than the one we currently have. For the time being, at least. I’m sure they already have higher IQs! Good idea to finish your kitchen painting now, while you still can’t get into the garden. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Love the story about the geese.
Almost anyone would make a better President! xo
I saw when the cast was on GMA. Saw your husband but they did not show enough for me. Just one song. I think it is because we are on the west coast. We get a different version somehow. At least that is what I think!! We had some kind of animal knock over our bird bath. Don’t know who. We used to have raccoons, possums, and coyotes in the area. Haven’t seen them in a while.
Those pesky animals! Maybe a raccoon?
Love love love Beatrix Potter. I have the 2006 movie Miss Potter DVR’d. It stars Renee
Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. I watch it frequently!! It helps keep what little sanity there is in the world for me with all of the news these days. Ryan OUT is fantastic news for the country NOT to mention for us in Wisconsin. How he pontificates about his great Faith and then tells us how wonderful Trump is tells the complete story of his character….what there is of it. Lying just seems to be the way they get through the day regarding pretty much everything.
Went out to lunch today and wore my spring jacket. Just couldn’t do a winter coat another day. Sounds like a big snowstorm may go just north of us over the next couple of days. It just MUST go in another direction! Hope your Wednesday is going well! My stomach is just in a constant knot these days.
He’s such a hypocrite. He wants to spend time with his kids but he has no problem taking away healthcare from other children. And the whole policy wonk thing is just bull. He isn’t.
My stomach is in a constant knot too. I’m sure Spanky is going to try to fire someone, most likely Rosenstein. Sigh.
A tour of the theatre sounds awesome especially given by one of the cast members…and even more special if given by Don!…the bunnies hid in the brush here too Claudia..a safe hidding place for them!
Yes, they can rest and not worry about predators!
I think Spring is just about here. You should be able to get out in your garden soon. Enjoy your book.
Marilyn
I got out yesterday, Marilyn! It’s begun.
we all knew this show would be a hit! we’re overdue for some sheer happiness!
and vibrant color and music!
and the bunny is precious. I can’t imagine trying to live and eat always having to run
for your life at the drop of a hat! I’m glad he got a break! xo
I can’t imagine it either. Bless these sweet beings!
We have another awful forecast for the weekend when we’re just dying to get outside and do some work in the gardens. Warmest day today – 56 degrees! I work on a college campus so, of course, the kids were running around with no coats, just tee shirts. Wisconsin sometimes doesn’t have spring, just goes from winter to summer. This may be one of those years. As someone who grew up in his district, Paul Ryan announcing he’s leaving makes me so happy. When I lived there, Les Aspin was our congressman. Even though I haven’t lived in the district for decades (my mom still did until she passed away recently) I was always ashamed when I thought of Ryan sitting in Aspin’s seat.
I remember Les Aspin! I hadn’t thought about him in ages. He was a good man.
He went to my high school in Shorewood, WI. His younger brother was in my class.
Cool!
xo
sweet bunny (you must have great eyesight!) and lovely light.
glad don is enjoying his job … very important (said as someone who appreciates having – but does not love or often like – my job). probably makes the separation a bit easier for you both, knowing that he is having fun. hope you have fun every day, too.
thanks, as always, for sharing!
kathy in iowa
Yes, it does help. He’s having so much fun and this unexpected opportunity at this point in his life is a blessing.
I missed reading this post yesterday as I was at the hospital REALLY early for Mom’s cataract surgery. It went great! Once we get past all the eye drops each day each week for 4 weeks she will be seeing much better. I’m still the high bidder on my Nutting, but today is the last day so I’ll beware of snipers. I’ve put in my best bid and hope it’s enough.
I know Don loves what he does! How great they are collecting for charity! I would pay $10 for a photo with Don! Hugs!
So glad your mom’s surgery went well, Linda!
Oh, those bunnies. They sure are cute but so destructive. The love the sprouts of almost anything except daffodils.
They’ve already chewed on the day lily leaves coming out of the ground. I just have to relax about that sort of thing as they’re is nothing I can do!