Wednesday, August 04, 2021

Melancholy me (a whine warning and pretty pictures)

My "Reading List" of followed blogs has been out of commission for days, reappearing for a short while just to tease me before crashing again. So when I have time I've been scanning the long alphabetical list to click on the blogs most likely to have updates, but I have to admit to clicking on Every. Single. One. at least once. Where are these bloggers who have gone silent – a few for over a decade? I deleted a smattering for whom I never felt a deep connection, but most were written by people I considered blog pals, even friends. Some of them I've even gotten to meet in real life which was a delight, every single time. What are they doing now? Are they even alive? It has left me with a sense of loss . . . on top of the daily burden of sadness I feel about my son. I wish I could report that there have been some positive developments there, but....

I stay busy because things need to be done and to ward off the blues – duties at home, office work, tending garden, caring for all the critters, playing with 'sticks and string' (spindles and fiber). And watering, always watering something this long, hot, dry summer. This week on the news the weatherman said that our heat starts gradually abating around the middle of August, but with weather seemingly everywhere turned on its head, I think all bets are off.

So how about those pretty pictures!?! I won't feel bad if you skipped straight to them; I would have if I were you. Here are some morning skies – and one evening one (the last one). Any clouds we get are appreciated for the shade, but morning ones are especially wonderful because the house doesn't heat up as fast from solar gain.




Our recent first picking of tri-colored bush beans, to go with the bounteous basil, prolific parsley, a couple of cukes, and zillions of zucchini (not complaining; we're eating well!):

I gave up on our snow peas, though. The plants were struggling and seemed to want to set seed instead of producing tender pods; I think it's just too hot for them. So I pulled them out (see the empty row to the left of the kale?), moved the soaker hose to benefit the onions (probably too late), and treated the boys:



There's a new kid in town:
Do you see it, in the tree? I've spotted this Douglas' squirrel for the first time on our property just this week, twice in two days. It's much smaller than our Western gray squirrels and the California ground squirrels; hopefully it steers clear of Poppy!

The bumblebees have been joined at the lavender buffet by butterflies:




I spent quite a bit of time early this week getting rid of THIS food source, Tansy Ragwort, on both our lot and the neighbors':
Found this bad boy, too:
I put all those flowers in an old feedback so they couldn't head out into invasive weed seeds. Meanwhile, my less-than-lush hosta is nevertheless starting to flower:

A parade of my most recent projects with sticks and string:






And for dessert, here's a heaping helping of cuteness with a comedy cherry on top. I caught and haltered Berlin a second time this week, and carried her into the barn to clean her fleece and trim her hooves for the first time. Little lamb, meet huge horse!







I decided to put a coat on her, and she proceeded to demonstrate why I wanted her in the relatively clean barn aisle instead of outside:

Yep, lamb drama over being restrained by that awful thing on her head!

That's it for now from . . .

19 comments:

Fat Dormouse said...


I'm sorry you're feeling down - I'm sure worry over your son doesn't help when added to the mix. I hope he finds his way soon. I imagine being a young adult in today's society isn't easy. But I imagine being the parents isn't either!! I can't help feeling content to be childless (most of the time!)

Debbie said...

Sending hugs.

Your sunrise/sunset photos are wonderful. Locally we just haven't been seeing anything like this.

It goes without saying that I always enjoy your garden photos and the sheep.

and the adventures of Miss Berlin.... lamb drama!

take care

Michelle said...

Thanks to both of you, Dormouse and Debbie, for your sympathy and virtual hugs. I value my "blog family," including both of you, so much, which is why it's hard to realize how many have 'disappeared' over the years.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Some of us blogger no shows are still around and visit regularly. Don't know what the issue is but I just can't seem to get myself going yet. Wish all of you west coast folks could get the rain you need. Lots of middle and eastern folks would share for sure. Remember that Prayer of Serenity? Lord, Help me to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Hugs

Michelle said...

Hey Sue, at least you've posted in 2021! 😉 Sometimes I have ideas for posts and no good time to sit down and 'wordsmith' them. Other times – most times – the emotional load kills creativity. Believe, I'm praying; indeed, that vertical relationship is all that keeps me going. Wisdom; I'm still waiting on wisdom....

thecrazysheeplady said...

We are probably mostly still all here and just feeling bad about not posting ;-).

Jeanne said...

Hi, there! You know you can whine on our shoulders any time!

That's interesting about your blog pals dropping out of sight. Rather odd, really. Maybe more will respond, since you said something, which would be really nice.

I love your pictures - all of them! It took me a while to find that tiny squirrel in the tree, though! The pictures of Berlin meeting the giant horse are so cute.

I'm sorry you lost your snow peas, but I'm really impressed by the tri-colored beans. I wanted to get the seed for those, so we could have some, but couldn't get my gardening daughter to agree.

And your spinning is SO lovely - as always!

Take care

Michelle said...

Sara, you're not the only blogger I know who uses Instagram now and I get it; it's quick and easy and I use it, too. But it doesn't have the same "meat" and I miss both writing posts and reading them if I am away too long.

Jeanne, like I said to Sara above, I know some who used to blog have moved to Facebook and/or Instagram and I follow them there (on Instagram; I am not a fan of FB). But who knows what has happened to others, especially with a pandemic on the loose!

Mama Pea said...

I feel the same way you do about bloggers who have just disappeared with no words of good-bye or explanation. I've even jotted a note to one or two of them on their last comment section and feel as though something unexpected (and perhaps bad) must have happened when hearing no reply.

My edible peas got tossed, too, because of the extremely hot weather they had to grow in. We had a few meals from them but not enough.

Little lamb, big horse. Great pics.

Helen said...

Keep blogging. I love seeing what is going on in your world. I came to the 'blogging' part of the blogging world kind of late. But I also miss reading some of the blogs I used to follow. I leave them a good long time before I decide they have 'given up the ghost' in one way, or another and I'll never know which.

Donna said...

Thanks for the post Michelle. I love the photos- especially Berlin meeting the horse. Sorry you are having depression issues. It seems to be going around.

wyomingheart said...

Sending prayers for your strength, and the guidance from our Lord for sons direction and growth… 🙏🏼
Please have a better week, and thanks for the great morning sunrise pics… glorious!

Diane said...

Love all the pictures you share, such beautiful scenery and all of your critters too! They give us such companionship. I think many of the bloggers have gone to other formats like FB. Although I have no interested in FB for the drama.
Lately (I think as I get older) it seems like I never have enough hours in a day or week to get everything done. I really push myself to post at least once a month. It is a difficult adjustment too when your son has his own life and things are not what they once where (been there!).
May you have many more "ups" than downs.

Michelle said...

Mama Pea, I was quite proud of myself for cleaning out the peas. Sometimes I don't even get that done in the fall!

Oh, I don't plan to quit, Helen, because I do like to write, and take photos and share them. But if something should happen to me, I have no contingency plan for letting my blog pals know and I wonder if that has happened to some of the bloggers I've followed. Except one, who was battling cancer. She must have given her account info to a friend, who posted one last time to let her readers know.

Donna, a lot of people are dealing with heavy issues, many much worse than mine. And blessings abound. But there is sadness....

Thank you, wyomingheart. 😊

Diane, I know my animals help keep me going; I am so thankful for them!

susan said...

Just wanted to share....that others of us had students in college that also caused hair-pulling frustrations! #2 child was on the phone with us after finishing year #3 of a 4 year art degree, saying "I think I am going to drop out of school!" Thankfully, she continued on and got the diploma, but Good Grief, what anxiety that caused!

Michelle said...

Oh, that my college-age son was IN college, susan! Or trade school, or even WORKING, at this point! Yeah, the stress levels are pretty high here....

Susan said...

Those pics of Berlin meeting the big horse are just precious! I remember my days with lambs and the last photo really had me laughing. Drama, indeed! It's such a struggle to find the positive things, when everything seems to be a challenge. As the others said, I hope that Brian finds his way -- soon. You definitely have the love and care from all of us. I wish I could help lift the burdens off of your shoulders. xo

A :-) said...

I so love those photos of Berlin and Lance . . . :-)

Michelle said...

If you could lift them I'd be glad to let you have them, Susan! 😉

A, 😊.