Warning: Political Rant

 Can I vote for Bill Clinton to come back as president? We need a visionary, we need someone who knows how to walk the line and work with both sides of the issues, we need experience, a level headed approach, we need extreme intelligence. I will never care one ounce about a President’s private relationship shortfalls, nor should anyone else ..We have no idea what has gone on behind closed doors with every. single. President. I’m not interested in hearing from Clinton haters and this is not about being a Republican or a Democrat… extreme right, conservative, liberal or extreme left. My feeling is that the separate parties deal no longer works. There is too much division and animosity. We’re sinking to new lows with an unwillingness to work together at the expense of ALL of us, mud slinging, bold lies and lack of respect for elected officials.

I hate politics for this reason, and I apologize for putting a political rant in your face this morning. I’m just done with the division, the ugly, the finger pointing, the skirting. Let s get on with the SOLVING of the myriad of PROBLEMS we have before us, by working together and compromising when necessary. Are you capable, Washington? That includes the way we talk to each other here, so please keep that in mind.

Hey Hilary!!

This one’s for you, oh brave one.
Hilary, over at Crazy as a Loom
(seen here with two of her rescued cats – Next and Enough)
Savior of cats and dogs,
weaver of beautiful things,
teacher of weaving and weft
(hey that just sounded good)
mother, daughter, grandmother extraordinare…
THAT Hilary… just had brain surgery.
Yesterday.
She has already had her daughters post
to let us know she’s OK.
That’s Hilary for you, not wanting anyone to worry.
Won’t you all go on over to Hilary’s place and
leave her a few words of encouragement…
She is an amazing woman who gives so much of herself
to others… let send her some healing thoughts.

Seasonal Decoration – bringing Autumn in

I’ve talked about it before on the blog…
it’s something I think I inherited from my grandmother Elsie.
Her specialty was Christmas… even family photo frames had red bows on them,
no kidding.
The mornings have been cool as I walk up the hill to feed horses.
Leaves are just starting their color change on tops of trees.
I do love summer, but fall is a beautiful thing here in New England.
So is the Pottery Barn catalog… oh, how I love their stuff. 
Their use of neutrals had me wanting to lighten up
here at this old house, and so I’ve slowly been
changing inexpensive things here and there
to do just that.
seagrass lampshade on sale at HomeDecorators right now!

I’ve got a thing for white crackled pitchers….

Look at these unusal artificial plants…



The main fireplace mantle is getting it’s fall makeover…
I love owls too…

Brought my garden owl in out of the weather.
Found these at Pier 1, $6.

Added these faded stripe (tick?) cushions to the kitchen barstools…

and some sunflowers and crackled vase…

M & M’s are a staple ’round here.

As far as store bought cookies… if you’ve never had DARE brand Maple cookies?
They are absolutely delicious. Betcha can’t have just one.
 
Visit your garden center for great deals on end of summer shrubs and perennials…
I picked up a few new cone flower species I have not seen before…
aren’t they beautiful?….
such vivid red..and dusty deep pink

 

Have a good day, all –
Smile at a stranger, for no good reason…
see how good that can make you feel
when the smile is returned.
It’s the little things, you know.

Evening light

Glorious sunset in Connecticut last night…
I noticed on FB this morning that I wasn’t the only one
trying to capture it.
Below are a few shots here at this old house…
and then lets travel down to waters edge with a few friends. 

Joey’s capture at Clinton Beach on the shoreline…
Tim’s capture just up the coast in  Narragansett, RI

The Journey

 Many of my friends and acquaintances are going through transitions, major life changes. Marriages that I thought were rock solid are crumbling, careers are being tossed or tweaked, children are growing up and roles are changing.  DREAMS are changing.  Time is ticking and not necessarily or dependably on our side.

 When we’re young, it’s easier to throw caution to the wind, jump off the dock into the deep waters to pursue a dream, to pursue genuine fulfillment. There’s less to lose and time to change course yet again. The reasons why we don’t always take advantage of that period of life elude me.

  I’m meeting up with a fellow blogger later this month as she drives up the coast, embarking on a journey to enrich her life, to leave behind what she knows isn’t working and  follow her long-time dream.  It’s a huge leap of Faith she’s taking, her courage astounds me.   I’ve made this for her as a symbol of good luck in her future endeavors.

I haven’t a clue as to how my story will end.  But that’s all right.
When you set out on a journey and night covers the road,
you don’t conclude the road has vanished.
And how else could we discover the stars?
author unknown
The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own.
No apologies or excuses.
no one to lean on, rely on, or blame.
 The gift is yours –
it’s an amazing journey
and you alone are responsible for the quality of it.
This is the day your life really begins.
Bob Moawad


Humidity so thick….

…you could write in it.
We’ve been waking up every morning with heavy condensation on the windows.
It takes a few hours for the sun to break through the heavy air…
I try to get my coop and barn chores done before 7am to beat the heat…
The horses are turned out early and they come and go from their stalls
into the pasture. Frequently they’ll run back in to get relief from the sun and bugs.
I have a fan blowing on them in the barn too.
Important that all critters have clean water during these hot summer days.
The gardens are looking ragged, although still producing.
We’ve had an odd combination of extreme heat, some drought,
then torrential downpours… lots of rain rot and mold.
You can see the humidity in the air.
The second cut hay crop  is wishy-washy.

Lots of branches and leaves removed from moldy tomato plants…

The zinnias and blackeyed susans never complain though,
always up to the task, no matter the weather.
It’s why I love them so.

I used to think I’d love to retire down South…
to live in the South somewhere full time would be wonderful..
bring on the heat! Show me the sun! DAILY!
Now, in my middle 40’s body..
I’m thinking…If we’re lucky enough… maybe just a few months in the winter.
I don’t know how you Southern folk do it…
weather the heat coupled with humidity.
It saps the energy right out of me.
*thank you to all who participated in yesterday’s conversation without
turning it bitter.  I was uplifted by the positive views and ideas we have here.
You’re pretty awesome.

A message for you

   Amazing, this blog world.  three years ago I started a web log of our renovation work on This Old House. I thought it would just serve as a diary of our progress and no one would pay much attention but friends and family.  Little did I know that I would make many friends, share life’s trials and tribulations,  find comfort and solice,  swap recipes, food for thought too… with all of you. 

   I want to thank you for reading  my drivel, my antics. You cheer on my family and laugh along with me. We may not always agree, but the point in all this is the conversation.  Heck, sometimes I learn something new and change my way of thinking just a little.   (note- To my husband- JUST HUSH-.)    I appreciate every comment, every view point – as long as it isn’t nasty or a personal attack on others. You’ve never failed me in this… so please, carry on!  and THANK YOU.

PS… some of you still have your e-mail blocked so that I can’t respond to your comments.  This sometimes breaks my heart a little because you leave such nice comments or ask a question and I can’t respond.  There might be reasons why you do this and that’s OK, but just know that if you want to change it, here’s how… it’s a wordy post, but scroll down alittle and you’ll see the tutorial, it’s easy.