Well, it's Friday again. The sheets are clean, the bed is made, martini glasses are in the freezer and the man is home.
He made it! Camero in tow, he is well, I am glad. The picture above is one I took on my walk today. I love the symmetry of the doors and flowers and hearts and wreaths and then that absolutely random Smirnoff box. It is color coordinated. Somebody dropped off something, I assume.
I did not want to take a walk AT ALL. I wasn't in the mood. It was humid and almost misting rain, it was warm again. But, I knew if I didn't I'd regret it all day and also, I wanted to drop off some eggs at No Man Lord's house. I have so many eggs right now and I think he probably appreciates them. I mean, he did ask me for some hens.
So I walked down there and left the eggs on a cinder block in his yard because there was no sign of him which was fine because he isn't a big talker. To me, at least. Then I walked down to the county line and on my way back, the eggs had moved, someone was unloading some things from a truck and another guy pulled up right as I was passing. There's a lot going on at No Man Lord's house some days. People bring him things and he sells them. Or uses them. Or whatever.
I talked over an hour to one of my oldest friends on the phone today. Oh, how we laughed! We've known each other since 6th grade and we've kept in touch all that time. It's a joy. She's a joy. She's been married to the same man even longer than I've been married and she has two grown children, three grandchildren. We have a lot to talk about. I love that woman.
For the rest of the day I just did little piddly stuff around here. I watered the plants inside.
This is in the mudroom where I have a group of baby plants and plants too special for me to trust outside in the winter. That little nook cheers me every time I walk by it which is approximately forty-seven times a day. It's not only the mudroom but also now the laundry room so I spend time there.
The tea olive is blooming again and I am intoxicated every time I walk outside.
I've long since run out of words to describe their fragrance. Like apricots and heaven. That's as close as I can come to any sort of description and it does not do them justice.
I had a feeling that my trillium was probably up and look!
Those are plants that I am ever so glad that someone planted here.
Unlike most of the rest of them.
I wonder if I should try and separate those five at the top and spread the love around a little? I should research that. I'd hate to kill them.
My camellias are still going strong although the Pink Perfections are slowing way down. I remain completely enamored with picking them and putting them in vases.
I have a memory of being at Posey's once which involves camellias. Such a tender memory. Posey's was a joint on the St. Mark's river which served oysters, boiled shrimp, smoked mullet, and beer. There was hot sauce, cocktail sauce, and saltine crackers. That was the menu. And it was hugely popular. The building it was in tilted and swayed and threatened to fall into the river but it drew crowds, especially on the weekends and you might find yourself sitting near FSU professors and students, local fisher folks, bikers, Tallahassee la-di-dahs, and well, people like me. Hippies. My ex-husband I used to go down there frequently when Hank and May were little and Mrs. Posey even crocheted them little shawls. The camellia memory comes from a time when Mr. Posey had cancer and the word had gotten out and it was known that he was going to die. So we had gone down there one weekday and there was hardly anyone there but us, and Mr. Posey came in with a huge armful of camellias. He so lovingly laid them out to show his wife, naming each one, his face illuminated with their beauty.
I will never forget that.
He did die soon thereafter. And Posey's got flooded and half washed away in a hurricane many years later and it's naught but a memory now.
I suppose I'll end here. Except for this. I just can't stop.
Happy Friday, y'all.
Love...Ms. Moon
I have some nostalgia about peonies. My great gram had them all around her house. I would walk to each one and breathe in the sweet sweet smell. She told me that they weren’t worth smelling until they were covered with ants. The house we sold recently had two 75-year-old peonies, one white and one pink. As soon as I could cut them I’d shake the ants off and put them in every vessel throughout the house. Just the memory of their scent brings a tear to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteSome of my camellias have ants in them too. I just accept that as part of the deal. Lovely story. Thank you.
DeleteA gorgeous bounty of eggs and blooms. Riches indeed! The story of Mr. Posey is so very sweet. Your chickens bring sweet memories of my grandpa, chickens and vegetable gardens.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
I am glad I can bring back sweet memories to you, Barbara.
DeleteGlad Mr Moon and car are safely home and that Martinis are being enjoyed! Your mud/laundry room breathes life with those plants! I have never seen or smelled a tea olive....but we have a mock orange in our yard and when it blooms in late spring, the smell is also intoxicating...... similar- perhaps!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I don't know! I've never smelled a mock orange. But I do know that "real" oranges also smell delicious.
DeleteI never heard of a tea olive until this very day. I will be investigating that.
ReplyDeleteWednesday, after a zoom meeting, a friend called to talk privately. Oh my gosh, did we laugh. We howled like idiots. When I hung up, I have to tell you that my spirits were SO lifted. A conversation with a truly funny friend is the best.
Isn't that the truth? Laughing is what we ALL need right now. And more of it!
DeleteI know the scent of apricots. And almonds. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd some citrus. Oh, just- the best and sweetest.
DeleteDon't move the trillium! I researched stealing some from the woods once, years ago, and once disturbed, they take seven years to bloom again.
ReplyDeleteI had never seen camellias except on your blog until I moved to Portland and seeing them in late February, it felt like seeing an old friend I'd known forever but never met in person.
Okay! I won't touch them! Lord. Seven years.
DeleteAw. That's so sweet about the camellias. Don't you love them?
Oh, I am jealous of your flowers (and, you know, that little pitcher). Glad your hubby made it home safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post!
When I am sweating like a pig in August and the mosquitoes and yellow flies are making our lives a misery I'll think about the camellias and try to hold on.
DeleteI love to see the camellias. And I'm glad Himself is home and safe and ready for his Friday martini.
ReplyDeleteHow good to leave fresh eggs at the neighbor's house. I expect that pleased him a lot.
I was glad to have Himself home too! I don't mind being alone but I know that's because he comes back.
DeleteI hope that my neighbor liked the eggs.
Hey there! You are lucky to have trilliums growing. I think they are very sensitive plants so best to leave them alone. They were my mom's favorite flower.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I will leave them be.
DeleteA gorgeous post...I wish you and Mr. Moon a wonderful weekend. I love your flowers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, e.
DeleteThe trillium is beautiful. I am a keen gardener ( in the warmer weather anyway...it is minus 5c here this morning!)but I have never heard of them. Glad that Mr Moon got home OK from his trip. Here in UK we are not allowed to go anywhere unless it is an " essential journey", though essential to one person might not be to another of course.My husband argues that it is essential for him to take our son's vintage Porsche ( it lives in our drive at the moment) out for a trip every so often so as to charge the battery up !!
ReplyDeleteWhat year and model is the Porsche? I want one! Not going to happen though. Mr. Moon does not fit into one. I think your husband's right though. Charging that battery is indeed essential.
DeleteIt is a 944 I think. Registered in 1990. Black. Shall I post it to you?
DeleteCamellias and fresh eggs. What more does anyone need to get through the trials of present times?
ReplyDeleteI know. I am the luckiest.
DeleteHello Mrs Moon,
ReplyDeleteIn our gardening days we did plant Trilliums. They are tricky, expensive, slow to grow and usually decide for themselves where and when they will flower, if at all. You are fortunate that they like you and like where they are. Leave them to multiply. It will be slow but well worth it. What a fabulous plant that is!
And, how delightful to have your Camellias flowering all round the house. The flowers often get damaged by the weather so it is wonderful to have the joy of them indoors.
And, Martinis with Mr Moon.... perfect!
Thank you, Hattatts! I appreciate your gardening knowledge and I do believe those little plants shall stay right where they are and I will just appreciate them as they grow.
DeleteAnd yes- we are getting lots of rain today an the blossoms are taking a beating.
Our martinis were perfect!
I'm glad Mr. Moon is home! That Posey's memory is poignant -- I love Old Florida places like that, and of course they dwindle in number every year. As for the trilliums, I am generally of the "leave well enough alone" school of gardening -- or, I suppose it could be called the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school. :)
ReplyDeleteThe memory of Posey's brings a tear to many, many people's eyes around here.
DeleteAnd you are right about the trilliums.
glad to hear Mr. Moon is home safe with the camaro. I love your camellias. should I cover mine? will 10˚ kill it? I'm so worried about this deep freeze.
ReplyDeleteOh Lord. I have no idea. I think if it was mine and not too big, I would cover it. Can't hurt.
DeleteI'm glad Mr. Moon made it back safe and sound. I'm sure he's a happy bunny! You have a way with words - I'd love to see you write a book about No Man Lord and Mr. Posey!
ReplyDeleteHe most definitely is a happy bunny!
DeleteI think I'm like that song by Elvis Costello- "Every Day I Write The Book."
That's a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Jo.
Delete