Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.

Wattle Arched Rose Arbor

I love it. What a fun project this would be. Buy here if you live in England.

Happy Duck with A New Prosthetic Foot

After--the bright orange one is artificial.

Before--having a peg leg was no fun.

Works in water too. Happy Duck Face, forever after.

More photos here with pictures of the genius doctor who designed and made the new webbed foot for this lucky duck. There is no text but the pictures say it all. I adore human interest stories like this, don't you? 

The Cat Did It

“Mischief – Cat and Workbox”
Newbold H. Trotter (1827-1898)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated 1858
SOLD -- before the ink bottle was overturned.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Great typography. Great quote. via

Childe Hassam Flags - July 4, 1916

Frederick Childe Hassam
Oil on canvas. 36" x 23.13
Private collection.

Childe Hassam - July 4, 1916

The Fourth of July, 1916. The Greatest Display of the American Flag Ever Seen in New York. This painting was inspired by the climax of the Preparedness Parade in May of that year. It must have been an inspiring sight to behold. Thankfully, we have this world-famous painting to document the historic World War I parade down Fifth Avenue.

Enjoy the Independence Day fireworks tonight. via

Webster On The Move

Click photo to enlarge.

Webster and I just got back from a walk after a brief shower. It's so muggy out there you can hardly get your breath. My camera lens was fogging over after a minute or two but I did manage to get a decent picture of the Wonder Dog. Did I ever mention he's addicted to air conditioning? Last night was the first time this year I left it running all night long. I think I'll leave on tonight too. Good night all. Have a great July 4th.

My Blog is 5 Years Old

My official blog birthday was yesterday but I forgot all about it because I was so busy. We are celebrating the occasion today, with post number 5,130.  Wow, it's so much easier now. When I first started, I used to hyperventilate because it was so stressful. I had to teach myself how to do everything and back then it was harder than it is now! Thank you, wonderful friends, for sticking with me. It's still a joy to share my life experiences here at the cottage with you in the form of beautiful images, brief text, and information I have personally found to be useful. Sharing these things is so rewarding.

Would you believe 5 in blog years is more like 40? Really! You can't imagine how much you have to know to keep a blog running smoothly. So far, so good. Webster is happy too. I usually give him 4 small dog biscuits each time we come in from a walk. Today he got 5. I think I'll make some lemon buttermilk popsicles to celebrate. Today I plan on using the juice of one lime instead of the usual lemon.