Before and After Home Office + Library

WOW. What an amazing transformation. I love looking at before and after photos, don't you? via

Multiflora Roses

The multiflora is in full bloom and when I walk outside it smells like a perfume factory, in a good way.

This is what happens when they go wild in the woods. I try to keep the ones I can reach trimmed since they are considered an invasive species. 

Webster, The Guardian

Webster loves to sit outside and guard the house. He doesn't need a leash because he knows he would never find a better home. He's very protective and he knows the boundaries. He doesn't like for other four legged animals such as the fox trespassing on HIS terrain. He will chase them to the edge but he won't go off the property. He is the best dog ever. He has misinterpreted the name of the lush flowers nearby. He thinks they are 'Pee-on-these' so he does. Ha.ha. Click photo to enlarge so you can see how lovely the peonies are since they have opened fully. It's raining softly now and many white petals are on the ground so they are on their way out. Boo Hoo.

Kitchen with Courtyard

This photo reminds me that I never did buy any herb plants to go outside my kitchen door. I guess I'll wait until after the big rain coming thanks to the aftermath of Hurricane Andrea. I hope it won't be as bad as the weather people are predicting. They delight in scaring me. I'm so glad I killed myself the past two days getting ready, cutting my grass nice and tight. I love a kitchen that opens to the outside and this looks like a great one. via

A Sweet Bird For You

I am bone tired from mowing all afternoon but I finished. It was a perfect day. Jumping in bed shortly. This is an eastern yellow robin from Australia. via There is a short video by Neil Fifer here of this bird taking a bath. Good night all. 

Tabitha's Summer Mornings

This is how she spends her early mornings after breakfast. Later in the day she moves to the other side of the walk for cool grass and a boxwood. She has also spotted the first weed coming up in the wood chips (click photo to enlarge). I'm glad you all enjoyed the Sad Cat Diary yesterday. All of Tabitha's entries would be joyful. She knows she has it made since she was once a homeless cat in a shelter before she was rescued for a cushy life at my cottage. I have another day of mowing ahead of me so I must cook my power breakfast now. Webster is patiently waiting to be fed too. See you later.

Stone Garden Ornament with Flame Finial

It really is carved in stone and it's beautiful. The image source identifies this antique architectural element as French. I'll take two, please.
I've been mowing since 5pm. I got a lot done. I did the front with my old-fashioned push reel mower like we had when I was a kid. If the grass isn't too long, it's actually faster than the riding mower. My front is tight with the brick wall. The riding mower throws too much grass up against the house. It was fun. I'm doing the back in sections. I did a field down there for the first time this year. It took about 2 hours. Now I'm going to relax and watch TV. See you tomorrow.

'Sad Cat Diary' - Watch the Video

Click here if you can't see the video below.

Over 5 million views and I'm just now seeing it. Oh, the hard life of the sad cats of the world. So cute, funny and true.

Reminds me of the two Henri videos about a Parisian cat who hates everything. Henri