Almost hyperventilated in the store today - yikes - I had to really concentrate to slow my breathing.

Got to admit - this was me. I felt like I was touching my face a lot more than usual. Oh well. I suppose it might get easier.

Had lovely weather the last couple of days, but tonight the rain is moving in and tomorrow is going to be all rain. I am going to go into my craft room and try to finish up the mini album and work on another one. I have to find something funny to watch to take my mind off things. I usually listen to YouTube (and sort of watch the videos lol) but there seem to be a lot more ads and some of them are...well, not nice politically. I am trying to escape a little, not listen to more ads.

I am going to do some sorting tomorrow if it does rain all day. I'm going to say it here so I actually do it. Ask me how it went lol.

Hope everyone is well and staying relatively sane.

Garden Watching

I've been spending more time sitting on my back porch - at least when the weather cooperates (it's been rather chilly this week again). I've also been watching and photographing the birds and squirrels that come in the garden. I place peanuts in their shells on a garden post and the different birds and animals have discovered they are there and some come looking almost every day. As a result I have a few photos of them. I've called this collage Over the Garden Fence.

Hope it brings a smile to your face!

For those interested from l-r top row first. Chipmunk, Crow, Red-Winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Black Squirrel, Blue Jay, Red Squirrel, Common Grackle

Blah

Here's the moan first, then if you get through that (laugh) a bit of crafty stuff.

Just having a bad (expletive) day. This week was going alright. Today our state extended our stay at home order until mid-May except for some exceptions. I know why the exceptions were made - they were political (which really makes me upset). We have to wear masks in enclosed spaces. I feel like I can't breath when I'm wearing one and feel like throwing up (it's a really panicky feeling and something like I feel when I go to the dentist). So now I just feel like crying. Maybe I'll just curl up and go to bed.

Deep breath.

Now for the crafty stuff. My adult son lives with us and buys his own lunch and breakfast foods. The other week he brought home a cereal box that had a cute face on it. I had him save it for me and have been making a mini album cover out of it. He has since bought two more boxes that had different facial expressions - picked them especially lol.

I still have to do inserts for the pages, but I think it turned out well. I know it's not Autumn but I really thought the autumn pages went with the cover. I have forgotten how much I enjoy making these!

Not a lot done on my cross stitch but I have been doing a little bit.

I think tonight I'm going to put on some Jam and Jerusalem as it always makes me laugh and I could do with some of that!

Are you doing any crafty things? Or are you having trouble getting motivated?

I do hope everyone has a good weekend.

The weather has been all ups and downs. It's making me quite dizzy and my body is finding it difficult to adjust (that may have something to do with my age too lol). One day it's sunny and quite warm, the next it's cold, blustery and snow showers (that was this morning's walk). Spring is definitely in the air though as the buds on the trees are beginning to open. I can't wait until spring does spring and the trees become full of various shades of green. It's a beautiful time of year - when it happens lol.

We went for a walk on Sunday which was quite nice. The sun was shining and it was definitely a little warmer. I can't wait until we can go back to our Sunday adventures and further afield as I feel as though we are walking the same places over and over again. At least we are able to get out.

On the nice days I've been sitting in the garden for a little while and watching the antics of the garden visitors. It's quite fun to watch the different personalities of the birds and the squirrels. I have to admit the favourite of my squirrels are the little red ones we have here. They are so funny. They seem to bounce across the garden and are so speedy. They seem to find goodies everywhere - even the ones hidden by the other squirrels!

This one was hiding up in a tree (looking rather relaxed) as he waits for a couple more squirrels to chase one another. He was certainly patient and bided his time!

Daughter has reported there are six eggs in the nest on her front door! She has purchased a suet feeder and put it up in a nearby tree in her front garden. The dogs don't go out in the front by themselves so this is the best place for it. This isn't the greatest photo but she took it through the front door as it is the best way for them to see the eggs without getting really close and disturbing the birds. The angle is tough but she managed to get it! As you can sort of see it is completely built in the wreath!

I hope everyone had a good weekend! I have some catching up to do - don't I always!

Another Week

Let's talk about the weather...or perhaps we shouldn't. Yesterday it snowed all day. Made me quite sad. I did stay inside, got my jobs done and did some crafty stuff so I suppose not all a waste. Today dawned bright and sunny. We did got for a walk. 

I took this with my phone. Somebody had fun yesterday but by today the snow had gone. You can see the slight tracks where kids must have gone down the hill on their sleds the day before. I haven't accomplished a lot BUT I am pleased to say that I am keeping up with my 366 photo project. I chose the theme of Things That Make Me Smile all taken with my cell phone. I'm really thrilled that I've kept it up this far! I used the above photo for day 109.

I talked with my Mum today. She sounded a bit more cheery - on Wednesday when we chatted she sounded really down. She really, really wants to go outside. She says when this is done she is going to Felixstowe (nearest seaside town) and going for a long walk along the seafront! My middle sister said that when Mum's allowed to go sister will take her out for the day. 

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Thank you for all the comments! I really do appreciate them. 

Plodding on into Another Week

Sunday was absolutely gorgeous. Spring was definitely in the air and then I'm not sure what quite happened. Today we've had everything - sun, cloudy, wind, rain and snow. Brrr… My heating is on full force again today whereas on Sunday I had the windows open. I suppose it's a sign of spring. I did go for a walk today. It's the one little bit of my day where I do go outside so I'm making the most of it. 

I really need to start making lists. I have big plans for the day and before I realise it the day is over and I haven't done a lot of anything! There are projects sitting waiting to be done and I just can't seem to get up the energy. I think if I just write a few things down it will be easier to get them done.  I did go to the shops today. I'm not sure what is up with the margarine. There was absolutely no spreadable butter/margarine available at all. It must be the latest 'thing' to buy. There was some toilet paper. I left it alone as we have enough on hand. I had a bit of a laugh as there was one small section taped off in the shop - the gardening area. Apparently this is considered non-essential so cannot be sold. I'm not sure why this area was 'picked' on as everything else - clothes, toys, books, crafts, you name it - was for sale.  I had to snap a photo of the sign - just because. 

I had gone over there for some bird suet - which I was able to buy lol. Those poor birds have to be fed! I had ordered our bigger packs of bird food where I usually go to get them - as it is open - but instead of going inside I had hubby pick it up at their drive thru (they have one usually but this is the first time we've tried it). He said there were lots of people in the queue buying - yes - you've guessed it gardening items that they had ordered for pick up.

I have finished another book - there is quite a pile to be donated when this is all over and the library bookshop is open again. I have bought a couple of new ones, but I do miss the bookshop - both the one in town and the library book shop. I miss just looking around browsing at the covers and reading the backs. 

This is the second book I've read by this author (I think the other one is listed in my this-month's books I've read). I haven't read any by her before but I think she's written quite a few. They are set in southern USA and I think they are what is called southern women's fiction.  Mum would call them family stories. I really enjoyed this one. I found the story and the characters interesting. I shall be adding her to my look-for books. 

This is the description

Superheroes have always been Leia Birch Briggs’ weakness. One tequila-soaked night at a comics convention, the usually level-headed graphic novelist is swept off her barstool by a handsome and anonymous Batman.

It turns out the caped crusader has left her with more than just a nice, fuzzy memory. She’s having a baby boy—an unexpected but not unhappy development in the thirty-eight year-old’s life. But before Leia can break the news of her impending single-motherhood (including the fact that her baby is biracial) to her conventional, Southern family, her step-sister Rachel’s marriage implodes. Worse, she learns her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Birchie, is losing her mind, and she’s been hiding her dementia with the help of Wattie, her best friend since girlhood.

Leia returns to Alabama to put her grandmother’s affairs in order, clean out the big Victorian that has been in the Birch family for generations, and tell her family that she’s pregnant. Yet just when Leia thinks she’s got it all under control, she learns that illness is not the only thing Birchie’s been hiding. Tucked in the attic is a dangerous secret with roots that reach all the way back to the Civil War. Its exposure threatens the family’s freedom and future, and it will change everything about how Leia sees herself and her sister, her son and his missing father, and the world she thinks she knows.

I hope everyone is having a good week! Have you been reading more? What  have you been reading? 

Another Day

Husband decided he wanted a day in today. I think that going to work everyday with the restrictions and how on edge everyone is can be tiring. I decided to go off on my own. I took my usual weekday walk. It was supposed to be cloudy today and although chilly it was pretty sunny. I had a lovely walk. I was still out early though not as early as my weekday walks and it was pretty quiet.

I Skyped with Mum. Her computer decided to do updates so it was a little while before we could connect, but in the end we managed it. She's doing okay. I think it will become a little more difficult to be inside once the weather warms up. It's usually a four day weekend in England for the Easter holiday and usually she would be going to church and my sister's for a meal. Not this year. Usually good weather at Easter is a hit and miss but this year the weather where she is looks to be really nice - and nobody can go out in it!!!!

I sat in the garden for a little while this afternoon, stitched and worked on some photos. The days do seem a lot longer and sometimes really drag on. I do feel a little better when I watch something other than television programmes with adverts as they all seem to do with the virus. I watch television to escape! It's almost as bad as the political ads - I'm sure they'll start up soon too! Virus and political ads - ack! I think Netflix will be getting more use than ever and I shall watch some really weird shows just to avoid them.

Here's my cross stitch - not a lot of progress but I hope that by posting I'll keep going on it. Mum has asked me to stitch a card for my sister's 40th wedding anniversary in September so that shall be my next project - if I can find a design!

Thank Goodness...

...this week is over! It's been a rough one mentally. I'm putting a line through it and planning on starting again next week.

Today was okay. I watched and listened to Jesus Christ Superstar which was the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that was on this week for the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On. Yesterday I spent lots of time listening to upbeat musicals while I did some crafting. They made me smile and I guess that's what we're all looking for right now.

Daughter rang me this afternoon and we chatted for a long time while she walked the three dogs (one by one) around her neighbourhood. She was telling me about how she still had her Christmas Wreath on the door and she would have to take it down soon. She took a look at it and there was a bird's nest in it with eggs inside!  I told her that was when you knew you'd left your Christmas wreath up when it's spring and the birds have made a nest in it! Ha, ha. She doesn't want to disturb the nest or the eggs so she's not sure what she's going to do. She's thinking they will probably not use the front door for a little while - most of the time they use their side door which is inside their garage where they park their cars - so it won't be too much of a hardship.

I'm not sure what we're doing this weekend - not that there is a lot of choice lol. We do have to take a drive to son's place so maybe we'll sneak a walk in at a state park near him. He lives a little bit away from us but in a smaller town and although he has been able to find most things he has not been able to find toilet paper. I found some today as I had to go out, and bought it for him. We also have car insurance papers that need to go in his car. He isn't driving to work as he's working from home, but he does go shopping and I'd hate for him to be stopped without the up-to-date papers. There are also a couple of other bits he needed. We won't be going in to visit - just dropping the bits off in his car and let him know they are there - maybe a wave from afar lol.

Photo today is actually a meme from Facebook. This really made me smile!

Hope everyone is keeping their chin up! Have a nice weekend.  I'm not sure a long holiday weekend means anything right now - most weeks seem really long!

Another Week...

Well, the 'lockdown' (??!! - not sure quite what to call it lol) has been extended at least through the end of April. They have now closed all the parks in my city. I understand the reasoning behind this but as they say they are now patrolling and fining people who are in them perhaps they could have patrolled them so that the 'gathering' people didn't get out of control in the first place. The nature preserve I walk in hasn't been closed yet (it is not actually a city park) but I think it won't be far behind as, now that people who were just walking and exploring with their young ones or taking the dog for a nice walk, they will flock to the few that are open. I have been going early in the morning and there aren't too many people around but now that the weather is warming up by afternoon the place is really busy. There are places in the city where you wouldn't want to walk around your neighbourhood. I don't mind doing that on a day when the kids are in school and people at work but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable walking around here now.

I'm having a bad week this week. That's why I haven't written.  I don't want to just keep moaning. I know we're in a lot better position than a lot of people but husband and oldest son (who live with us) are both still working so worried about that too.  I talked to mum today and she sounded a little down so worried about that too.

Deep breath. Chin up.

This morning when I went out it was beautiful. I've been getting up at 6.45 (as soon as the last working guy leaves) and getting out by about 7.15am. I wasn't sure I was going to go that early this morning as it was kind of cloudy and dull. I did and I'm glad I did. There was a little sunshine as the sun was dawning and a mist was hovering above the cooler grass and warmer air (or the other way round lol). It was beautiful and peaceful. I was the only one there as I stood in the field and watched.

This photo was taken with my phone. I did take some with camera but haven't sorted them yet.

Weekend

Weekends seem a little strange now as our normal routines have gone out of the window. I spent Saturday reading, taking photos in the garden (I got distracted by a chipmunk) doing a little crafting and watching television.

I did Skype Mum. I think this is starting to get her down as she is stuck in her flat. She doesn't have the benefit of a garden to sit in and escape or potter about in. She said she is sleeping quite a bit which I don't think is particularly good. She's not a real social butterfly but she does usually go to her women's choir, church and to have a look around town as well as visit with both sisters. She likes getting out at least for a walk when the weather is nicer.

I did watch a fun film last night. I was looking for something different to watch and came across this. It was a little sad, but it was also funny and interesting. Just the thing to keep me entertained.

As I mentioned earlier I did get distracted by a chipmunk. I am sure she (not sure if it is male or female but like to think female lol) is quite adventurous and brave. I caught her running up the pole to the bird feeder (a hanging bowl where I keep peanuts for the blue jays) plopping down in it and eating her fill before leaping from the bowl down the pole and to her hole (somewhere beyond the garden fence). She was really quite magnificent and funny. These are all photos of her.

I hope the photos bring a little smile to your face and cheer you up if you are all alone. Hugs xxx

Something Fun...for those who like musicals

A friend on my Facebook passed this on and I thought I'd share for those who like musicals. Apparently every Friday there will be a different Andrew Lloyd Webber shown on the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On This week it is Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat. There is an intro by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Hope you enjoy!

If you have a Kindle check out the free books too - there have been some new ones and cheap (good) to help us through this.

I'm watching Joseph right now and it is fun to watch!

April...

I usually like April. It is when we start to notice a real change here in Michigan. We had quite a few trips planned for April but now they look like they won't happen. The most disappointing of which is our end-of-the-month visit with daughter. I know all the reasons why it probably won't happen and I understand them and I know that (maybe sometime - virus permitting, work permitting, obligations permitting) we will be able to see her and visit her again BUT that doesn't make it any less disappointing or make me feel any less sad. 

I am trying not to dwell on the disappointments so...

On the plus side it was a beautiful day here today. The last few days have been cold, drizzly and gloomy so it was a lovely change to wake up and see a sunrise and beautiful sunshine! The birds were out singing, flying about and mating. While I was on my walk today I stood and watched a goose pad out her nest. Her mate had swam off somewhere and when some other geese came near she got really upset and frustrated. Her mate finally showed up - a little late I might add - and chased off the newcomers. Canadian Geese aren't my favourite birds, but they are quite interesting to watch. The other day I watched when this same goose 'yelled' at a muskrat who had come a little too close to the nest. Apparently muskrats like goose eggs. 

In between getting my usual housework done today I sat out in the garden and enjoyed watching the birds. I have a book I've been reading on and off too. I really like it but it's one of those I don't know whether I want to savour and enjoy or rush through and get to the end of! 

I did start on a cross stitch too. It was a kit I had bought from a charity shop when I visited mum. I didn't realise until I opened it that someone had already started a part of it. It wasn't very well done, some of the threads were pulled over two stitches. I had to pull them all out. Quite frustrating as I'm not sure how they cross stitched it. It took a long time! Hopefully I'll be able to show some progress soon.

Hope everyone is keeping well - both physically and mentally.