My favorite Time of Day

Afternoon rain, two hours without power. Came home early from work and sat on the porch watching the rain come down. Good book, my cats going in and out. They don't like thunder but want to be near me.

After a while it stopped raining and the birds got louder and louder. The sun came out as the clouds broke up. By 7:30 there was magic in the air. I ran outside and took a few pictures. This is my favorite time of day!

Pictures can't capture the magic of the early evening light-the fresh smell of wet earth and growing things, the flutter of wings as the swallows feed over the driveway and lawn. The sun slants, making whatever it hits glow pinkish gold.

Today's humidity has lifted. The air has changed. My knees and feet no longer ache! I take a short walk and revel in the moments.

This is a super busy week for me. At the office, I have 7100 copies of our quarterly newsletter to package up and deliver to the Bulk Mail Center. I have a website to update, minutes from the board meeting to type, bills to pay - and more - by the end of Thursday.

As secretary of the Alumni Committee of my high school, I've been gathering up registration forms and checks for the annual buffet that we have at a local banquet hall. People call, email and facebook me every day to add their names to the list. The deadline was last Friday, but I take their reservations till the last minute. Then I compile lists and arrange to have tables for each reuning class and get my donation ready for the raffle. When the doors open the rush is on-about 150 people will attend this year and I will try to remember who they all are and have something to say to each one. The event is Saturday--I'll be ready for it!

 Then, blessed relief is on the way! I have a week off, and just in time, too, as I've entered Karen Valentine's "Where Bloggers Create II." (see sidebar) While many of the rest of you will be fluffing your studios, I will be trying to repurpose my whole living room into a really cool place to work. I never use the living part of the room, only the office and the storage space and a couple of overly cluttered tables. Earlier this spring I did a makeover, but it was only 85% finished. But enough said! I hope to make a great space and get way more "into my art!"

Remember the Stoic Robin and her chicks? As of last week they were big, hungry, and loudly peeping. She's doing a great job!

I hope you all have a great week, and as the Mammas and the Pappas used to sing, "Go where you wanna go, do what you wanna do, with whoever you wanna do it with..."

Sherry

I've Been Busy...

May 22 already, I've missed you all!  Spring has totally sprung and summer now appears to be possible. I was beginning to wonder about that with the many frosty nights we had in the last 2 weeks.

Update: the robins have hatched! Ugly--a look only a mother could love! The nest is tilted and falling apart. Hopefully they will fledge before the demise of their home. I will try for another update later, though the pictures depend on my petsitting jobs there.

I've spent many days filling my huge flowerpots with dirt, mixing the dirt with compost and peatmoss and planting annuals, perennials and seeds. I'm still looking for the perfect shrub for the biggest pot. I'm leaning toward hydrangea, though a compact blueberry bush has come to my attention. Soon there will be Sweet peas growing up trellises against the wall. I will eventually add sweet potato vines and other pretties as the pansies fade and get leggy. I found that the volunteer pansies that came up in the mulch are much more compact and flowerful! I will try to save more seeds this year and start them myself.

I've cleaned up my porch and assembled a round glass-top table for dining. I've been working on my "screenporch" which is part of my workshop with a loading dock garage door that I've screened off. The retaining wall perennial garden is taking care of itself with a little water, when I get a chance. Lots more to do, and nothing is very photogenic yet! Today is dump day. So much trash to pay to get rid of!

Speaking of trash, yesterday, driving through a neighboring town, I saw a free sign and found a lovely pile of junque on the side of the road. I was careful and didn't take it all, but look what I got! Does anyone know what that bottle-type thingy is? I love old tools that have been mended and used. The small piece of wood will be a sweet backing for an art piece, and the larger one may be the top of a crate table on the porch...

Well, I'm off to a memorial picnic for my friend Trisha's Uncle Ray. He was a bluegrass musician, and all the musicians will be there to perform. It promises to be a lovely day with lots of music, friends and good food, a fine tribute to Ray.

Linking up to Linda at Coastal Charm.  Stop by and see her great blog-great stuff!
Enjoy the weekend!