We are having the MOST wonderful summer! Doing nothing with a capitol N. That’s why I haven’t written ~ what is there to say about nothing? Nothing! But I’ll see what I can do. Because some days I think nothing is better than something, and this is one of those days! Musica.
The Island is all back and going full-speed again, summer people are back, opening up their little summer houses at the shore . . .
And the big ones too … we have all kinds here, and they’re all some kinda wonderful. I think the actual reason I moved here was for the architecture!
The fourth of July was wonderful. As usual, everyone decorated to the nines.
We’ve been walking every day … the weather has been heavenly. No humidity at all, which 
is a great surprise . . . so far we haven’t even had to put in our air conditioners, knock on wood. It’s been all blue skies, lovely ocean breezes, gorgeous bug-free sunsets, perfect sleeping weather, perfect napping weather too! Oh yeah. Read a little book, take a little nap, let the curtains play in the breeze as you sleep, wake up to lawnmower noise three-doors-over, or an argument between two birds at the feeders. Yawn. Deep breath of happiness. Play some old music. Wander in garden while listening. Joyful nothingness of summer.
The sun shines bright on our walk in the morning…Joe waits for camera-wielding me in a shady spot.
While I stop to wave at you.
So gorgeous. I could never be a city girl. I like to visit . . . but this is my place . . .
Lovely in the woods . . . all dappled and shady … takes us 45 minutes to do our walk. Best time of our day.
I find myself standing in front of the screen door in the kitchen, leaning on the door jamb, eating my bowl of shredded wheat (the way many women have done, at this same door, before me), watching the bees flit through the roses and the birds play in the birdbath. My heartstrings are tugged, I wipe away a tear . . . words like awesome, wonderment, stupefied come to mind. And gratitude. And joy.
This was a knot garden we saw in England (at Barnsley House). It’s one of the places we learned about shrub textures and colors. I used to plant almost all flowers, but notice here there are no flowers and it’s as beautiful as if there were. It’s because of the different textures and colors of the foliage. We try to do this in our garden ~ we haven’t quite mastered it but we are better than we used to be!
I’m pretty sure, from looking around, that the two things that grow best on Martha’s Vineyard are roses and hydrangeas.
And herbs too … they do well here. See the little purple flowers? That’s lemon thyme … try stirring those little flowers into softened vanilla ice cream. YUM. You can see our tomatoes are coming along nicely.
The old fashioned single hollyhock is blooming …
And Jack waits for me at the kitchen door.
Once in a while we force ourselves to leave the house, like to go to Farmer’s Market ~ we take the van, we turn on the air-conditioning, put down the windows, turn up Frank, drive up-island, stop and get coffee and a donut at the Scottish Bakehouse, pick up some French Marigolds at Vineyard Gardens, and make every excursion an adventure.
We went here for the Fourth . . . to our friend’s home on the water for a pot luck. I’m photographing from their deck, over the garden, to the sunset . . .
Fireworks across the water . . .
The kids out back with their sparklers . . . So wonderful it’s hard to believe there’s ever been a winter around here! That’s why so much celebration! We know what’s coming!
This is Jack when we come home from anywhere. He hears us at the kitchen door, I watch him through the window as I turn the lock, he curls onto his back and begins wriggling around until I pick him up. He makes us feel so welcome!
I made a pie, banana cream, with the most delicious pie crust (from Heart of the Home) . . . and I made three batches of potato salad over the weekend, for all the celebrations we attended! Mas Musica?
And ice cold gazpacho (with lobster), from the Farmer’s Market goodies . . .
While I cook, I watch/listen to old movies on Turner Classic Movies. TCM, the soundtrack to a perfect summer day. Also, the new series Anne with an E (she’d much prefer to be called “Cordelia”), which I LOVED, even though it was a bit different from the original. I hope they do a season two!
I made pancakes for my sweetheart ~ with crispy edges, and heated maple syrup, just the way he likes them. We ate while we watched the last episode of another wonderful new series ~ a Masterpiece Theater production called The Durrells in Corfu. Just in cases you’re looking for something new.
Washing breakfast dishes, listening to old movies, looking out the kitchen windows to see birds at the feeders and butterflies flit through the garden, hearing the bells ring from the church across the street. Playing with Jack. Painting Jack. Nothing with a capital N. Gimme more of that.
I stop to watch shadows shimmer on the walls, greenish light reflected by the leaves of the trees feels like swimming in the pool when we were young. Pulling the shades in the upstairs bedrooms to keep out the afternoon heat . . .When I was little, I could lay on my bed and listen to the birds and the neighborhood noises and stare at the ceiling for hours ~ maybe write or read or fall asleep, just doing nothing. I have no scientific proof, but I believe in my heart of hearts, all my inspiration in life came from that nothingness. All my romanticism and all my dreaming ~ there must be something in the nothing.💞
I’m still moving forward every day, I need to work, but I’m doing it in a much less frantic way, because first and foremost, I’m trying to fill my creative heart to the brim and overflowing ~ and I think it’s working. I still need more though.
I’m doing a little painting, early mornings when all is quiet, for the joy of it, with just the seagulls screeching over the harbor.
XOXO
Sometimes I turn on music . . .
I had to paint my new cup . . . I wob it…. I put the video on Twitter . . .
Perkiest dang thing . . .
And look what came in! The 2018 calendars! Can you believe it? That means, and you know it does, soon it will be time for us to go back to school! 
I know lots of you are waiting for these! Maybe at the end of THIS month … or the first of August … they’re being made as we speak!
And this? I’m still waiting to see how the company that makes these does with color. Fingers are crossed that it will be good. This is a different company than the cup company, so we’ll have to see. I love this little teapot, I hope it works! Things take much longer than we imagine, but I should hear soon.
And this adorableness? I’ve also spent lots of time wandering around the Internet, looking at houses, and then just yesterday Joe and I rented this exact one! For two weeks next year, for another trip to the Mother Country. 🇬🇧 Eeeeek. You can’t hear me but I am SOSOSOSOSOSO excited. It has two fireplaces! SO cozy. I can’t wait to show you (and me) the inside, in real time. Our own little thatched cottage in the English Countryside. I may have to paint it. I’ll fill you in when we get closer. But this house was too irresistible not to show you now!
I just realized, I haven’t shown you our last year’s visit to Downton Abbey yet!! I will do that next post!
Oh yeah. Until then . . . Hasta la vista, baby. Love you. Enjoy your precious moments.
We’re busy doing nothing, busy the whole day through ~ trying to find lots of things not to do
Still waiting for summer in west Wales ~ can’t believe what wretched weather we’ve been having! Still putting the heating on some days, can you believe it? So far, 60 degrees F is our heatwave!!! At least we have Wimbledon, so we can pretend it’s summer with dishes of strawberries and cream, sipping champagne {pretending to} sitting in front of the telly!
Isn’t “The Durrells” just delicious? There’s a Series Two, you know? Series Three is commissioned!
~~~waving~~~from Across the Pond~~~Deb in less than summery west Wales xoxo
With weather like that, I might have to move there. Where are you in wild west Wales dear Deb?
South westernmost tip. If we climb the nearby rocky outcrop, on a clear day we can see Ireland!
Like St Davids-ish area?
spot on!
Pretty!
Another Masterpiece program is My mother and other strangers. I love it. Set during WWII.
I love that one, too!
Oooh! You’re going abroad again! Do the fireplaces in your rented cottage mean you’re going in the winter or early Spring? Or late Fall? For my first trip abroad I’m thinking of going to France next year instead of England just because I feel like I’ve already gone to England with you so many times. I’m trying to learn the language first so we shall see…..
In England, a fireplace is a good thing most any time you go! (not now maybe!) Look at the canal boat trips through the French countryside. I think that would be a lovely way to see it. Although they do drive on the correct side of the road! 👏
I needed some soothing and this blog is just the ticket. Such pretty vistas and garden shots. Love Jack peering out through the screen door. La Musica es muy suave – I think that’s the right word, anyhow sounds good. Love the parting shot of Maggie/Grabby with the Abbey behind her. Ever notice how utterly unimpressed she is with herself when being interviewed?. Such a contrast with her many characters. Had a rough week, fell and hit my nose – raccoon eyes for 4th of July. But Heidi brought me roses from her garden, Max took me to the store and regaled me with his description of flying a WWII vintage Mustang, Nancy brought me Tylenol and apples. All my children! 🙂 Bruises are turning to yellow, I guess that’s good. This blog is like a soothing breeze and a good thing too because its heating up out here. Thanks for everything. You’re a peach.
Ohhh Sylvia, I am so glad you have all that love around you! xoxo
Oh shoot. Granny no Grabby, but you knew didn’t you ….
Yes dear. xoxo
Susan,
Thanks for transporting me into your “nothingness” 😉😉😉. Which is really quite divine!
It was a lovely visit with you and the vineyard!!!
And, the video was so tranquil, especially accompanied by the music from Miss Potter!
Hope the rest of your week is splendid!
X☀️X💖X,
Jeanette
Oh shoot again. Heidi also brought me my choice of one of your new cups!!! Lovely and a great size! Aren’t I the lucky one?
Susan,
you captured the art of nothingness so well! I am going to practice that this weekend! I’m grateful for your words, and for you, every time I read your blog.
-Nora
Hello Susan,
I see you are enjoying this fabulous weather too. Your flowers look gorgeous…Beatrix would approve. 😉 I’m taking some time off to do “nothing” too. I find that doing “nothing” isn’t as easy as one would think!… I really have to work hard at it!
*Thank you for doing the painting video…so much fun to watch!*
Enjoy the day!
~C
GAH! It is all so wonderful that I don’t know what my most favorite part is. The cottage you have rented is “to die for!” I can’t wait to go along! Jack rolling on the rug, the hydrangeas, your cute garden, summer–isn’t it all just grand. I love the times of “nothingness” in summer. Happy rest of the best of summer to you Susan and Joe and Jack.
Your books and blogs fill me with happiness. Thank you!
Susan, I have been looking for an adult coloring book of the wonderful scenes to be found on Martha’s Vineyard when it occurred to me : My friend, Susan Branch could make a just wonderful coloring book for those of us who like to take colored pencil in hand and do a relaxing afternoon activity. Think about it.
I am. I have an idea about a coloring book. Something a little different. Let’s see if I can fit it in!
Oooh! Wonderful idea! Please don’t make the kind that has such teeny – weeny spaces to color. My eyes cross and I get stressed just looking at those!
Don’t worry. I don’t understand why people like those! 😜 I love the old coloring books with the big puppy dogs!
Happy summertime to you too, dear Susan! May just have to read today’s blog again and again and again…loved it!
Wow! How exciting to have another trip to magical England in the future! Absolutely fabulous! Thanks for being there for all of us, dear Sue! We love all that you share to keep us inspired and our creative juices flowing! xoxo♥ peg
Hi Susan,
So nice to her from you again. Looks like you had a wonderful 4th! Enjoy the beautiful summer! Thanks for all the inspiration you give us!
Nancy
Sounds PERFECT.
Susan, I read all your blogs, buy all your calendars , a mug, charm , books and pajamas! Love the jammies on the new calendar cover. I want some of those with the cats on them!! Any chance of doing them again? I’m heading to Massachusetts next week for my 55th high school reunion. Hoping for nice weather…I now live in Florida. Take care. Janey
I loved–LOVED– this lovely, quiet, beautiful post about doing nothing, and the delights of a fleeting summer (as each in its turn is). It always seems that once the 4th of July has gone out with a bang, I blink and fall has arrived! I’m determined, (and inspired by you), to meander as slowly as possible through every summer day, with heartfelt gratitude for life, beauty, and the joy that surrounds me. Thank you, Susan!
You certainly have a delightful way of making “doing nothing” sound very special indeed. Looking forward to your Downton Abbey post!
I don’t know where I found this quote, but it is one of my favorites: “Boredom is a state to be pitied ~ the province of the witless.” I have been retired for 8 years, and haven’t had a day of boredom as of yet. I may not accomplish a lot in one certain day, but I can happily say I was not bored!! And, what we accomplish can’t always be seen ~ and that is OK, too!!
Great post today!! “Nothing” is, indeed, good and fine and to be cherished! We are lucky in life if we can appreciate it! ♡
Dearest Susan,
Loveliest of surprises, to end this day with a post from you!! Happy 4th of July!
Nothing, and more nothingness, how wonderfull, to take the time to do nothing!! I have a feeling we should all try to do more nothing….Oh, dearest Jack, adorable as ever!!
I am still recoverng from a lovely week in London, spending time with our oldest, Tim. We had such a good time, seeing lots, doing lots, having tea at Fortnum & Masons, seeing fabulous portraits and enjoying Adele in Wembley!
We also spent a day at Hampton Court, taking the boat back to London.
If you’re ever in the area, I can highly recommend it!
And then you show us the CUTEST of cottages, and so it seems you are starting to plan another trip across the pond….!!?? Can’t wait to hear your plans, and I’m keeping EVERYTHING crossed that you will have another picnic for the girlfriends!
Lots of love and PLEASE wish me luck, that I won’t cry my eyes out when Tim leaves for China (on his own-for a month!) this sunday…..
Love
Nicoline
xxxxxx
I love Love Letters, and you write such WONDERFUL ones! This is a happy gratitude-filled love letter to Martha’s Vineyard, and to the joys of cooking and painting and writing and creating and celebrating and doing blessed nothing, and to your home and your walks and Summertime and Jack and Joe, and to us, your Girlfriends. Thank you, Sue. We love you, too. Oh, and now I am also so excited for your (our) trip to England next year! Two Weeks In A Thatched Cottage With Two Fireplaces!! Oh boy, oh boy! I’m hoping that we were such good girlfriends on your trip to England and Scotland last autumn, you will not mind taking us along again. Please. And Thank You! XOXOXO
Couldn’t go without you Christie! xoxo
Fantastic post. Nothingness sounds so good to me right now. I long for days when I can do only what I want, even if that is nothing. I need to be busy most days, but I need some “nothing” time to re-assess my direction sometime.
Susan, you do a wonderful job of doing nothing! 🙂 Please do paint that quaint little cottage you rented in the UK. I would love to have a print of it when you do to frame and hang in my house. So, I hope your summer continues to be relaxing. Someday I will make it all the way there from Maine. You should take a trip through Maine, into New Brunswick and on to Prince Edward Island to see the Anne of Green Gables house. We plan to do that some day. It’s on our list. Happy gardening!
Beckie
Maybe I’ll write a diary all around the painting of the house . . . xoxo
What? We get to go to England again, can’t wait!!! Thank you for the summer interlude of your island. Your nothingness is really quite something!
Thanks for the post, just what I needed. So excited to see the cottage you will be renting next year. Can’t wait to see the pictures of the inside!
Oh, gosh! I could watch you paint all day long, Susan!! While listening to “Anne with an E!” I thought it was very good, too, even with the differences! Thanks for giving us a sneak peek at the little “chocolate box” in England! It looks perfect!
Thanks, but I have to admit it made me sad. I have already had my week at the family cottage. I cried just like you because of the beauty, peace, joy in my heart, and then cried that I had to leave. I texted my family members who were coming after me, I was the first, and said I CANNOT leave. didn’t work no-one invited me to stay. I asked God, “Why can’t I live in a place full time that makes me feel this way”? No answer from Him either. (so there is still hope for someday). In the meantime I live vicariously through you. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.
Sounds like you need another week, or perhaps a lifetime? xoxo
Beautiful post Susan, but then again ,all of your posts are! Some of my favorite memories from childhood are of those summer days when I could revel in day-dreaming.All of us kids young and old need time to just “be”.
I need not have to tell you how much I enjoy your emails. For many years I’ve looked so forward to getting them. Never to be disappointed I felt I was walking along with you on your walks. I just love the thatched cottage you rented for next, it will be so much fun and can’t wait to hear all about it. Enjoy the summer, they go quickly.
Beautiful post, love the video and hearing your voice and the clink of your paintbrush… Happy Summer!
This came at exactly the right moment…just as I take a break from trimming the ivy and Summer weeds that have sprung up under my precious redwoods. I feel about my little piece of heaven here in Northern California the way you feel about your neck of the woods. Heaven on earth. I can’t wait to see the inside of your little thatched cottage! I hope to travel to Wales next year…and maybe Tewkesbury and Cheltenham…home of many of my ancestors. Cheltenham has a huge ukulele festival which would be a hoot! Maybe, maybe someday… Thanks for thinking of us and sharing your lazy summer days. Back to the weeds for me!
Susan I so crave your lovely summers. Loved your cheerful writing about “nothing”. We live in Arizona where it is 115 deg. some days.
I put gardening on hold for about three months and spend time inside reading and crafting. But then when you are shoveling snow in the winter months, we Arizonians are back outside planting flowers and loving our mild winter weather. So no matter where we live, we are treated to special seasons.
Yes, our winter is your summer, same thing, we never turn off the heat, and you never turn off the air conditioning. Nice to have a planet that accepts us to the extent that it does! But we still have to mess with it!
When I was little my sisters and I made hollyhock “dolls” with just a couple flowers and some toothpicks, but I sure don’t remember how anymore. Does that sound at all familiar??
HERE is one expert’s way of doing it!
Jack is adorable and nothingness is underrated! Thanks for the update on everything and nothing!
Dear Susan,
My husband and I are staying in the Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse right next to Sissinghurst!!! Another trip for us inspired by your book! We will visit Charleston tomorrow and Alfriston, then spend Friday at Sissinghurst as well as an outing in Tenterden..My 64 birthday is Saturday and I wanted to be at Sissinghurst as close to my special day as possible. I thought I would do some sketching and watercolor painting here, but with so much to see and do and the inevitable jet lag (from California) I’ve accepted I will soak it all in, take photographs and enjoy painting them when I get home. We are heading to Rye for our last few days and then home next week. Thank you again for inspiring us!!! The Cotswolds, Then Edinburgh and the Lake District and now Kent and Sussex. LOVELY!!
Perfect schedule. How wonderful! Happy Birthday! You will love Charleston and Alfriston! Rye too! What a trip!
I stayed in that same Sissinghurst farmhouse! Our room had the most unique shower I’ve ever seen! It sort of pulled down from the wall. That was a long time ago. I loved the flower gardens–especially the white garden.
Oh Beverlee!
Isn’t it all just wonderful? My best girlfriend and I just returned from three weeks there and are already, like you Susan, planning our return! Enjoy! (I know you will)
Happy Birthday ~ what a wonderful way to celebrate.
Alfriston is home to my very favourite bookshop ~ Much Ado Books ~ Cate and Nash are just lovely people, I buy my books from them and when they arrive each one is like a Christmas gift, beautifully wrapped.
Have a wonderful holiday, you’ve picked the best tour guide!
~~~Deb in Wales xo
Me too, me too, love Cate and Nash!
Oh, such summer dreams! I love the little cottage you are renting and can’t wait to see the inside! Be sure to send back lots of pics to us armchair travelers!
I was interested to hear you talk about “Anne with an E”. I can’t decide if I like it or not – I absolutely LOVE the girl playing Anne – she is perfect in every way! But some of the liberties they take with the story change the feel for me too much. The horrible memories of the orphanage – I mean, I always assumed it was bad, but not THAT bad! Much more just nobody to love her, which is traumatizing enough for me. And the townspeople saying all those horrible things about her character – that does NOT sit well with me. There were pockets of people (the first teacher who was awful), Josie Pye (who eventually came around, and really, was only stuck-up, not horrible). But the parents NEVER said such things as they do in this telling. How could Matthew and Marilla be friends with these people? Surely, they weren’t nice right up until Anne came to town! So, I’m watching, but am torn….
I love your blog, the Willard, and everything else about your art and life. Thank you so much for sharing so much pure joy.
I think Anne with an E, taking place in 1908 when rules for girls were strict, when many minds were just beginning to open, is probably depicting the story the way it would have really been. People didn’t care for others they perceived as different from them. It scared them. Remember the small town called Salem where the children said certain women were witches and so they were ripped from their families and hung? False beliefs and ignorance can cause unfathomable damage. It’s good for us to have the whole story and be reminded, no matter how upsetting, because our history, for good and for bad, is so important for our future. Besides, what makes Anne extra magical (and all people for that matter) is the way she overcame adversity! Thank you so much Julie, it’s fun to hash these things over like they’re real! Very Downton of us!
Julie, I, too, had a hard time watching Anne With an E at first. It was so different from the first series and from the book which I’ve read several times. What I finally did is watch it as a completely different series, unconnected to the book! When I did this, I started to really, really love it. Just don’t compare it to the book or the first series! Love, Mary S. From Fresno, California
You’re right Mary! It does sort of stand on its own.
Thank you for the peacefulness of your “nothing” post. I so enjoy the loveliness of the island, the flowers, the walks, the cooking. You’ve lightened my day!
Like you, I’m enjoying a bit of quiet and it’s wonderful! I’ve needed that also. Our world seems to be moving at too fast a pace for me to take in all the beauty and blessings around. I love your photos which take me to places I can only dream about seeing. I’m excited to receive my cup order and look forward to ordering the new calendars! How can this year be about half over already!?! Thanks, as always, for sharing your talents and thoughts!
Thank you for a lovely summer message! Refreshing. Now to go refill my bird feeder…
Sitting here in my sunroom with the AC on and ceiling fans whirling around above. I close my eyes and transport myself to your Isle of Dreams. My dream of living there or further out to sea on Nantucket is ever present, but it’s just a dream. Reading your words makes me realize that summers there are carefree and wonderful, with life moving in slow time. In contrast, summers in TX are slow moving as well, but not as dreamy. No open windows or beds of hydrangeas blooming here. All the same, dreams aside, I’m grateful for the comfort I enjoy here in Austin. It’s just a different kind of life. ‘-)
The thatched roof cottage looks pretty dreamy too. You and Joe are wise to make these trips now. Capture the moment and make it happen!
Thanks for sharing your “nothing”. It’s absolutely charming! Keep painting and keep creating for all of us. We appreciate it!
Your 4th of July sounds like a delightful evening. I went to our neighborhood parade in the morning. It was filled with the American spirit of flags, red, white, and blue, and the joys of young children celebrating in an old fashioned way. It’s a tradition I never miss. I love that even in large cities, neighbors gather as if they lived in a small town. It happens all over Austin on the 4th of July. Each community hosts their own parade and picnic at the end in a small park.
It fills my patriotic loving heart with warmth and joy.
Happiness fills my heart just reading about your summer on the Isle of Dreams. Savor each day as they seem to be flying past quickly.
Hugs from Austin ~ Sarah
So needed you today! You had a great fourth!! Florida is blistering hot but we too had a great celebration… can’t open windows tho- way too hot and humid… your hydrangeas are gorgeous… can’t grow them here only in a container… yes enjoy your home and quiet… back to school clothes are on shelves now… time flying… I made banana cream also.. very refreshing desert … enjoy your do nothing time.. thanks for writing us!!!!!
Hi Susan: I just stumbled upon this while scrolling around doing nothing special! I am so glad you are having a slowed down summer! You have certainly earned it! Filling up the well for the next book/project?? I relate to your “not writing” on social media much. I’ve been doing the same — I am not trying to avoid anyone or anything in particular, but just have a hard time tearing myself away from my lovely tree-bowered porch with the birds singing and squirrels and bunnies bouncing around. I’m written a page or two and then just stop and daydream and do nothing. I sort of feel I’ve earned a bit of daydreaming time after the wild spring we had. We, too, are having an amazingly wonderful summer, weather wise, which is truly unusual for us. So grateful. I do miss the festive 4th Celebrations back in New England. We had a quiet one, but it was fine. I had planned to take Gene on a picnic, but it rained and we had an indoor picnic (I made your potato salad, by the way) and watched “Take me Out to the Ballgame” with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams on TCM. It was great!! I must tell you, I’m impressed that you can make the video while painting with the other hand! I watched it on Twitter! You need a little tripod thingy for your IPhone if they make such a thing! Well, so nice of you to stop by while I’m just puttering around! Looking forward to your blog on Downton! Au Revoir! Jane xoxo
Love to hear from you Jane!
Happy July 5th, Susan and Joe and all! According to my screen, I am the very first to leave a comment, though I know that by the time all the east coast girlfriends’ comments are posted, mine will be somewhere on page six. Well, I suppose it will still be a while before technology catches up. I am so excited to see the little thatched house you will be staying in the next time you visit England! You will need to have some roses there, as “they make a nice display around the cottage”. Maybe you can arrange for a pony cart to take you from the station, so romantic in every way! Love the photo of the banana cream pie, how ever did you juggle bowl and camera and have neither land up in the crust? 🙂 Lovely days here in the Pacific NW, warm and sunny at last. Now and then, a bit of that dreamy early-morning fog, our reward for adventuring out ahead of the weekday crush. The mist makes every scent sharper, every breath sweeter, and as it lifts, the slow reveal of the Kodachrome world around us. Summer. Perfect.
It’s the sticky camera I worry about! 😜 Yes, the slow reveal, the dripping silvery spiderwebs … beautiful.
Thank you Susan!🌼🌸🌷
Sometimes a month of nothing is just what the doctor ordered. I’m so excited for the Downton Abbey visit post!
“we take the van, we turn on the air-conditioning, put down the windows, ” Mind telling me why you put down the windows with air-conditioning? 🙂 Around here the windows are shut. 😀
Love the new cup.
For the breeze . . . when it’s not too hot, which lately it hasn’t been, but a little coolness is still wanted. Haven’t you ever turned on the heater in the car and put down the windows?
I call that Indian pudding rides….hot with cold ice cream….winter and summertime…it’s the best!
Me too, I adore that juxtaposition, hot to cold, hot apple crisp and ice cream, yum!
Hi Susan – If you enjoy watching shows like HGTV’s HOUSE HUNTERS but find yourself a bit dismayed from hearing, “This is a gut job!!!”, I have the perfect show for you: ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY. We discovered season 2014 of this series on Netflix, but I found that you can access all 17 seasons on youtube. Each delightful episode explores for a particular couple a location and usually three properties in Great Britain. The hosts are entertaining and kind, and the couple looking for a new home is always so positive. The viewers are shown maps and given background information about the area where homes are being considered. We find ourselves feeling so pleasant when an episode of ETTC ends; we are usually irritated at the end of HH. This website will give you an idea: bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vb2f
We watch it! Love it! Thank you Linda!
I was so happy to see your post, I am recovering from total knee replacement surgery and I am bored out of my mind! Your post made my day! I love the Cape and the beautiful hydrangeas in all there pink, purple, and blue glory they are my favorite. As I sit here my husband and I are planning a weekend on the Cape when my Knee will be able to go!
Won’t be long! So much fun in the planning and dreaming. xoxo
I love how Jack was looking out the door for you with that look in his eyes-precious! I always love to see your beautiful photos of houses and flowers, etc…It’s really making me miss New England this time of year.
My Family & Other Animals is one of my favorite movies, and I got the dvds of the new one about the Durrels from Netflix but they had some bad reviews and I don’t want to ruin my fav movie by watching something bad about them. Have you seen the movie?
I just have to know! What type of shrub roses do you have growing in your yard, looking out your back door? Love them! Loved this blog……….I thank you!
I love your little video! How fascinating to watch you paint! And that song in the background, it always makes me cry. That cottage that you’re renting in England – oh, my goodness! What a dream come true! Much love from Mary S. In Fresno, California
I am feeling like you:) Just taking care of house and home and gardens without much to report:) In my case less than usual.
As you know I am so partial to where you live and could jump back in the car right now to be there again..but will it ever be as special as this last time when we met you?:)♥
Love your gardens..all the beach homes..teacups and books..painting..calendar..
The house looks like the one in the movie The Holiday and it’s not even close:) It’s adorable..there are a few Instagrammers I follow and ohmygoshthehouses..
one is only homes..and the thatched kinds:) Another is the Notting Hill area ..all just so charming.
You will love it there..
The baking you’ve done..the shadows you’ve watched..
C’est la vie~!:)La belle vie.
Great to read your blog! LOVE those pink roses – can smell them as I sit here!
Have a wonderful, lazy summer!
Thank you once again for the super blog. I can’t wait for my very own Bluebird of Happiness cup. I recently ordered a vintage copy of Days from your site and have perused it, but will wait to write in it for the new year. Can I wait? I’m not sure.
You are an inspiration for creativity and a conduit of beauty. I am grateful.
I smiled and aahed all through this letter from you!!! Perfect Vineyard summer you and Joe and dear old Jack!!I especially enjoyed watching you paint the little bluebird cup, which I am anxiously awaiting in August💕Your gardens are so beautiful and show your lovefor beauty!!loved the quote from our kindred spirit… Gladys Taber!
I, too, had a lot of time to do nothing except a lot of dreaming…a lot of ROMANTIC dreaming about life, travels, adventures, etc. I realized while reading today’s blog that it was really the only time I did my dreaming. When you’re busy, you have your mind on other things! I know my children were a lot busier than I ever was with the academic, club, leadership, volunteer, and sports involvement pressures just in order to be competitive for college entrance. They got into the colleges they wanted, but I hope they had enough time to dream.
That’s why we have that phrase now that we have to be our own chaperone and provide it for ourselves . . . everydayness doesn’t leave space for it as it used to.
I just finished a long series of medical treatments on Friday. When the medical people asked me my plans for this week, my first week of freedom, I said, “Nothing…nothing…glorious nothing.” And here is your post! In praise of nothing! Isn’t it great?
What a lovely surprise, a new post! Thanks Susan! My smile is actually hurting my face from ear to ear reading all about your nothingness. That is exactly what I do best each day especially in Summer. I love Summer! It is like a hug each day and who doesn’t love hugs? I am exciting to see your upcoming new English rental. Not too shabby. I can’t wait to get inside. I am still loving my “Little Things” cup. I’ve discovered I can enjoy iced tea with lots of lemon in my cup all day long. All day. Cup after cup after cup. D-e-l-i-g-h-t-f-u-l!
I need to make your gazpacho again this summer,but with lobster instead of shrimp this time! We loved it last year! Dee-lish! Loved this post. You captured my summer feeling perfectly. We took a lovely walk along the Fort Monroe seawall today. It’s our favorite. Summer breeze, sunlight, former officer’s quarters decked out with bunting, sandy beach, people fishing from the pier. I’m so lucky to be living in VA! Took a picture of a sailboat while walking. I might frame it so I can remember today. Heaven on earth. Aren’t we all lucky to be alive? “Hearts can be united.” Peace, Susan!
This little bit of NOTHING was very special. My bestie went to welcome a new grandchild in OK (I, of course, only watch for great grandchildren these days) and, I decided while she was gone I would play at NOTHING! So on the days I was quite sure no one would be at my door, I didn’t even get dressed! I had a quick shower every morning, dressed in my finest nightie, and played on the computer, sewed a little on my Christmas gifts (table runners this year) and answered the phone, all while doing NOTHING and I absolutely loved it. My sisters would call on the phone to see what I was doing (long distance) and I would say “NOTHING,” just doing whatever I wanted! At evening time, I would get dressed and drive over to my kids and grandkids homes to eat dinner, celebrate a birthday or the Fourth of July! It’s a wonderful life!
Hi Susan, yes, there will be a season 2 of “Anne” because we need to find out what those no-good boarders are up to. And “The Durrells in Corfu” was delightful. But we’ve only seen one season. Hope there’s more. Love the cottage you and Joe are going to be renting. Continue to enjoy your summer. You’ve earned every minute of joy and contentment it has to offer. Hugs, Elaine
There’s more coming, I understand, I think in September.
Hi Susan,
I don’t want to jinx myself, but you have been my inspiration for years. My husband and I are in contract to purchase a 1785 antique colonial in Connecticut. We have been looking for almost 2 years, and have had a hard time finding the right place. It reminds me of everything you describe in your books both about Holly Oak and the current house you live in. So much history there. If it goes through, I’ll email you pictures. It isn’t a mansion, but is the perfect place for us and our two kids. Thank-you for sharing your life through your books. You have shaped the person I am, and the future I am trying to create for our family.
I’m so happy for you Nicole. It sounds like a forever house, a dream come true. A foundation like that is bound to infuse your children with all good things. xoxo And your kind words mean the world to me.💞
Of course, 4th of July always means a big bowl of your delicious potato salad at my home too, you’re a tradition! I too am enjoy my lace curtains blowing in the wind, taking time to read a book or two, or three and just breath in the summer before it slips away. As always, thanks for your posts Susan!
PS Looking forward to the cups…do ya think Vanna will be drawing a lucky girlfriend to receive one?!
I have no doubt! 😃
thanks for this Susan. You’ve inspired me to have a day of nothing………..been far, far, too long.
Ommmmmm!
Hi Susan, you are so right, nothing sure does beat doing nothing in the summertime! I have a small painting project inside but I just can’t seem to get it started. I’m being pulled outside by the beautiful weather! I’m not gonna fight it. I sat and watched the bees in my lavender for an hour today. It was wonderful ❤️ It feels good and right to slow down a bit. Thanks for sharing your days and the house in England looks divine! Thatched roof!!😍 Looks like my Autumn mug will arrive just in time xoxo xoxo
good afternoon Susan, Girlfriends. its a warm afternoon here, a lazy kind of warm afternoon that is perfect for porch sitting, and just watching the world go by on down the highway. I see the tractors chugging up to the gas station, I see the crows in the front yard and I hear the sprinkler going round and round on the lawn. a perfect day for doing nothing. it was a fun 4th of July, loads of fireworks and hotdogs. also this last Friday our Delaware hen hatched out her chick, and since the mom has a French name (Dominique) I am looking around for a French name for the baby, any suggestions anyone??? well I have to move the sprinkler to another part of the front lawn and figure something out for dinner so I had better get busy. have a lovely day everyone… love much, laugh often and live well. hugs everyone…. 🙂
You’ll get lots of suggestions Pat!
I sure hope so, all I have come up with are boys’ names and it may be a girl. perfect day for porch sitting, and shelling peas while the tractors chug on by on their way up to the gas station. hope it cools down a bit soon, been hot here and dry, a good enough excuse to set up the pool for the summer and go floating in it to stay cool. for the boys’ names I have Jean Henri, Jean Paul, Jean Claude, Henri, Gaston, Maurice, but I need a few girls’ names just in case. maybe we should make it a contest and find a name for the chick. well off to soak in the pool and cool down, then shell peas for a pea salad.. very cooling and refreshing. have a great day everyone… hugs…. 🙂
Belle, Fifi, Gabby (Gabriella), or Bridget Bardot are good ~ But go HERE for French girl’s names! You get the meanings too!
thank you for the help Susan, I think I may have found a name for the chick, well I like anyway, Genevieve. I heard the name and remembered a lovely actress that had that name from the movie “Anne of a thousand days”. loved the movie and I thought the lady who had the name was French, and I loved the sound of it. I looked for it on that website and could not find it, but I found my name, and I always thought it Irish, learn new things everyday. hugs….. 🙂
How about Janou after Cary Grant’s grandmother in “An Affair To Remember”. Love that movie.
Laurie
=:3
What a great idea!
Hi Susan…I do envy the hydrangeas and hollyhocks — so beautiful and yet so difficult in South Texas. I’m especially enjoying your Jack because I lost my sweet ginger cat, Sasha, this week. So much for celebration — not this year for us. She was such a delight and enriched our lives — 14 and seemingly healthy until a brain tumor was discovered. We have wonderful memories (this is our 5th cat, so not our first rodeo, but it doesn’t get easier). Anxious to see the interior of your thatched cottage…so cute! Thank you, as always, for a delightful escape to your island…
Sharon in Houston
No, losing them does not get easier. I count my blessings every day with my fat little boy Jack.
Hi Susan, Ah yes, that wonderful feeling of doing nothing! It is so necessary to decompress and clear the mind. We took bike rides this weekend! On Saturday I did a long one and the “green” smell in the air was wonderful! Nothing but me and the birds and the blue skies watching the flowers and trees and farm stands as I pass by. They hydrangeas are beautiful this year and we have little green tomatoes on our heirloom plants and plenty of herbs! We watch the hummingbirds from our sunroom and the fish in our pond and this year we have little garter snakes! I saw in one of your pictures an osprey nest. They are the most magnificent birds! In one of the supermarket parking lots they have made a huge next in one of the old-fashioned light fixtures. It is a pleasure to see these birds. Of course, we all keep saying that we’re going to blink and it will be September but for now? I’m going to enjoy these wonderful Summer days and when I get a chance I’m going to do nothing. 🙂
We have two osprey nests out on our walk and watch to see when the babies are born, and talk about them when we run into conservationists that come to the Island to count them and band them in order to track them on their flights around the world. More in the realm of doing nothing, and as one of our girlfriends just mentioned “wasting our time wisely.”
How exciting after all your busy days to rest and recoup! We all need to recoup! I have had such a busy and stressful spring and June, caing fo my step Mother along with a sister, we spelled each other and then in mid June she passed away. So sad but I know she is a better place. She was so lucky to live to 90 and very healthy I might add. Only the last 3-6 months was she not well. Now to get everything settled. But my honey and are home now, she lived in Ohio. We plan to do just what you are for the rest of the summer.
Our daughter and husband are here and wonderful Bryan is redoing our deck! So lucky to have a very talented son in law.
Excited about your trip next year. I think we are going to do just the same and travel around England!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Karen in MI
Hello dear Susan and the lovelies,
Glad you’re having a wonderful, space filled summer. Having time for the doing of nothing is one of the best luxuries ever.
Excited for your next trip to the Isle of Delight- such a cute, thatched cottage for cozying up in.
I have to admit that while I REALLY wanted to like Anne with an E, I turned it off after four episodes of pulling my hair out and ranting at my TV about how they missed the whole point of Anne’s character and that of everyone else in Avonlea. For me, it was missing the inspiration of her romantic charm. Oh well- glad you liked it though. 🙂
Thanks for the update- be well- give that Joe and that Jack a squeeze and enjoy the rest of your summer. Sending lots of loves lobbed over the Rockies towards you!
xoxo
Gabi
I thought she was MOST romantic, even if the story was grittier, but I’m sure it could not have been nice having no parents in those days! Or in any days, for that matter. Almost all that bad stuff made her gutsiness better!
I think you must have stirred in me the need to go places. A Lutheran pastor and his wife are doing a tour of Martin Luthers’ Germany and then Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. We are so excited! Next year – England and the Lake District! Keep inspiring us.
What a wonderful tour!
Hi Susan!
I too did almost absolutely nothing the past few days…it was lovely.
I enjoyed watching you paint the cup. So lovely. Do you have a favorite brand of artist grade watercolors? I want to purchase some. I have a small travel set of W&N Cotman watercolor, but I want something more. I’m considering Daniel Smith or Turner, but they are expensive and on my slim retirement income I want to be wise. Don’t laugh, but I recently discovered my son’s old vintage set of Prangs from his childhood (he’s 40) and love them! Nice rich colors! ☺🎨
Did you see the Anne of Green Gables movie on TCM with the actress Anne Shirley? She was adorable! We also watched enjoyed her in Chatterbox with Gig Young and liked it too. I hear she retired from film making at age 26!
I have a recipe for lemon thyme quick bread, which i will make tomorrow. Mine is blooming too. The bread has a thin icing spread on top with a pretty garnish of lemon thyme sprigs and lemon zest as well as part of the batter. Yum with tea. Pretty loaf.
The transferware plate you put the pancakes on…what pattern is that? I love mixing patterns and was drawn to that one.
Have a wonderful rest of doing nothing time!
ShellEy
I use Prangs all the time! Love them! In fact I use all kinds of watercolors, and so far had never heard of the two you mentioned! I will look for them! Yes, the old Anne is one of my favorites. Did you know she changed her name to Anne Shirley after she played that part? I just found that out. The dish pattern was Copeland Spode Tower. xoxo
Oh, thanks for the reply! (I love how you connect to your girlfriends!) ❤❤ The Prangs are great! Since I mostly paint greeting cards and little bits of art for friends, I will stick with them. Awesome. Now I can use the money I had budgeted for a nicer fountain pen for hubby’s birthday. (We both have July birthdays)
Hugs! Xoxo
PS Are you taking the QM 2 to the UK again? That cottage is perfect!
Yes, taking the ship, we love it too much not to! Happy Birthday to you both!
I’m so inspired, to be happier, to be more content, to be more grateful, to be OPEN. So much precious time spent being wrapped up tightly worrying about our world. Now I know, accept, & look forward, to my own nothingness! Deep beautiful breath, & a thank you, to Susan~
Most definitely one needs nothingness to recharge, to be creative, or come up with new ideas, inventions.
I always like the Hans Christian Anderson and Gladys Taber quotes.
Summer Breeze makes me feel fine…
Hugs,
Margot
Dear Susan,
I love your “nothingness.” I think nothingness may mean that we are using our time doing those things we love to do. You love to paint and create. I love to work everyday in my garden. I can’t wait to be out among my flowers, clipping, watering, and planting. It’s a daily routine that may appear to others as nothingness, but to me it is fulfilling. Summer sun, flowers, fresh air, what could be better. Enjoy the rest of the summer in your lovely home and garden.
Ahhh, summer, blissful summer. Thank you for putting words to my feelings, it’s like you read my heart….enjoy every moment. xo
Dear Susan,
You know, I just love doing a little bit of nothing… Being mindful of all that surrounds us! When Linda (BFF) and I were in England (particularly the Lake District) in June, I had times when the camera just had to be put away so we could breathe it all in. The gardens, the houses and architecture, the lambs, the dogs, the Highland Cows and puffins… In short, every bit of it was just plain fun! (Got to Emma Bridgewater in London!)
We are already saying what we’ll do when we go back, and certainly staying in a thatched cottage is at the top of the list!
Enjoy your plans!
Meanwhile, it is enjoying these moments, here at home, where I have the things I love, and talking to other friends and family, that brings joy… The next school year will be upon us befor you know it, and I’m thinking of doing a travel theme through the third grade!
Thanks for your encouragement in your comments on the last blog, and the joy you bring to all of us each time you write!
Love, Marsh
Wonderful for your kids! Inspiring teachers are gold! Thank you Marsha!
Hi Susan,
The love you have for England (what do you call it because a friend who grew up in London told me I should be referring to it as the UK) is heartwarming? Sometimes I think you are Beatrix Potter reincarnated because there seems to be so much synchroncity; anyway, love your photos and your relaxed attitude towards summer. I am hoping to have a real vaca sooner than later and last night started daydreaming about having nothing to do, window shopping, eating dinner,somewhere new and fun, etc. I just have to say the piece de reistance of the Back to Nature Mug is the sheep on the handle–to adorable for words. Love, love, love your art!
Sometimes I think that too. Otherwise why would she make me cry so much? xoxo Thank you Deborah!
Susan,
Happy Summer! I love that you are doing nothing with a capital N. Those are the best days of summer. Sometimes we all need to stop, do nothing, recharge and be present in the moment. I always love seeing the blog posts in my inbox. I grab a cup of tea and join you. The cups are beautiful and my 2018 desk blotter is ordered.
Enjoy your summer,
Terri
Oh, Susan,
Your blog came to me at just the right time. I am booted up and not able to do much (broken right foot), including driving. My grandchildren just left this morning. I was feeling blue.
All the wonderful photography and paintings have filled my heart and lifted my spirits.
Thank you!
Enjoy your days of doing nothing as best you can, it will be over soon! xoxo
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for sharing all the beauty and love with us! What a sweet blessing!!!
On an average day Americans ages 45 through 64 spend only about 18 minutes just relaxing and thinking. Not nearly enough nothing, is it? This whole delicious post filled my heart up and over with happiness and appreciation for a multitude of blessings, you among them, dear Susan. My newest motto is that I only move as fast as the slowest part of myself.
“There’s more to life than increasing its speed.” -Ghandi
“For fast-acting relief from stress, try slowing down.” -Lily Tomlin
I like the doing nothings – but excited your going back to England YIPPPEE!!
Just planted a hydragena. I love taking walks in the countryside.
That cottage looks like a wonderful model for a teacosy! I adore the green painted woodwork!
So excited you are going back to England….or is it Ireland???
Both. 🤗
Love Jack welcoming you home. Our Lucy welcomes me home….only me….she knows which garage door opening sound comes from my door! Of course Shiloh, our Cocker Spaniel, welcomes both of us and anyone else coming in. Pets equal pure love.❣️
Dear Susan,
How lovely your days are soft and perfect. I can feel the freshness. (I am not a fan of humidity either.)
I adore hollyhocks and yours look very fairy-tale-ish.
On another note, have you read any of the Philip R. Craig novels? They’re a mystery series about a Boston ex-cop set on Martha’s Vineyard. I enjoy (when I can find them) well-written novels set locally.
I’ll just add that I’m happy to hear you’re home for a while now. I don’t know about others, but it breaks my heart whenever you leave Jack, even though he is always in exceptional hands.
On the other hand, I’m dying with envy over your next English cottage stay. And a picket fence, too.
All the best to you,
Barbara
Funny because his books are set here and also in Durango Colorado, where a bunch of my family lives!
GOOD FOR YOU GUYS! I am excited for you to go again AND for me (all of us) to get to live vicariously through you. I have thoroughly enjoyed every trip you have taken!! I can’t wait to hear all the deets AND for the new cups and the little teapot. I know just where I would hang it!
Love you, Sue from Simi
Hi Susan!
It was fun to see you at work! Amazing how a little water and color can become beautiful works of art. :). Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.
Hi Susan
How I adore your blog posts. You doing nothing is heaven on earth isn’t it. But it sure doesn’t seem like nothing. Your days are magic. Can’t believe you stay up to watch the fireworks. I know you go to sleep so early and get up early. But they are so worth it aren’t they. Have the best day Susan
deezie
Yes, some events require the ultimate sacrifice! And well worth it! Specially now that I’m doing so good at doing nothing that I can even sleep in a bit more than I usually do! Up at 5 instead of 3 or 4 when I’m book-writing and need all the morning time I can get!
Enjoyed reading your blog again! Always look forward to it! I teach, so I’m really trying to savor the summer. I’ve been repairing my garden. A furry friend of mine had fun digging for moles, so I have been filling holes. My husband and I were just at Lowe’s looking at bird feeders trying to decide which one to add.
I do love the English cottage that you and Joe will be staying in… looking forward to seeing the inside! That reminds me, have you seen Escape to the Country on Netflix? It’s like House Hunters International on steroids. Couples look at 3 county houses in different parts of England. Love it!
Yes we’ve watched lots of it! So interesting to see the different houses and areas!
Il dolce far niente…Italian for “the sweetness of doing nothing” which you’ve described perfectly. Just awoke from my mid-afternoon nap to read your blog. Lovely!
Dear Susan,
I love doing nothing too. Early morning walks with my neighbour’s little dog, leisurely lattes with croissants and jam with a friend, browsing the antique shops for linen and china, sewing a few quilt blocks, laying on the bed in the afternoon with my kitty listening to Classic FM, strolling round the garden filling the bird feeders (yaaawn)… excuse me, all this nothingness is making me feel a little sleepy. I think I’d better say cheerio for now Sue and go for a little nap. I shall think of you doing nothing while I’m laying on the bed…….doing nothing!
Love Paula X X
We watched the Durrells in Corfu, and we loved it. Waiting on more, hopefully. I love this post. Summer is not my most favorite season, we get all four seasons where we live, but I do love the sunshine lasting a long time and the beautiful flowers blooming. The high heat and humidity can go away, but I suppose we need it all. I love your walks, the pictures and we are hoping to come to the island in a couple of years. We are planning…
This post so resonates with me as I struggle to retire (at age 75) from my professional career. I have to say that “nothing” calls to me all the time now and I’m about to follow! Over 40 years ago, I was helping our Episcopal priest catch up with correspondence during an interim between secretaries. I noticed a poster in his office that read: “Becoming is more important than being.” He asked me what I was staring at and I hesitantly said: “I don’t think that is true. I think that just ‘being’ is incredibly important, but very difficult. It is for me, with a busy family and career. Actually I long to just ‘be.'” We decided it was all about the context, of course, but the next time I was in his office I noticed that he had taken the poster down. I mentioned that he didn’t have to do that, but he said he didn’t want to pay lip service to a value structure he couldn’t embrace now. I have never forgotten the lesson from that event as I have watched many people, especially women, struggle to find time for themselves — and to believe they deserve that time to just “be.”
God bless you, Susan!
Nan in Kansas
An hour in the morning, before everyone gets up, or at night, after they’re all in bed, makes all the difference. To stop and just be.
Gorgeous thatched cottage is it in Dorset? Seems like you have just returned from the UK. I’m sure you will enjoy your trip next year. Enjoy doing nothing.
I do nothing better than most! Ha! My friends are amazed that I can tolerate nothing-ness and not be crazy. (Maybe I am? Hmmm.) I guess it came from being the youngest in the entire family, immediate or extended. Everyone was more than three years older than I, so they didn’t want me around. Just me and my dolls, up in the abandoned tree house, I spent my days daydreaming. So I can relate to you as you do nothing and enjoy it.
How very exciting to be renting that adorable cottage! How will you stand waiting so long to be in there, lighting a fire and imagining the people who have been there ahead of you? It will be your dreams until then I suppose!
Thank you for the lovely post, it brought a smile to my face. Summer heat and blessed nothingness – what could be better?! I went to lunch with girlfriends today to celebrate one’s birthday and we chatted for four hours until we were the only ones left in the cafe! Nothingness at its best. I love to tell my children, “Waste your time wisely!”. May you have many more nothing-filled moments this summer.
Susan,
You so inspire me to do absolutely NOTHING, though I think for me it is difficult to sit still when the mind is whirling with creative thoughts. I binge-watched the entire season of Anne with an E and loved it. Yes, it is different than the first, but I believe it will appeal to a new generation of Anne of Green Gables fans. Hope you have a fabulous summer. Martha’s Vineyard is on my list of places to visit in Spring or Fall of next year.
Cheryl
I used to go into residence at the beginning of summer at my cottage on Lake Huron in
Micigan. I loved it and enjoyed it for more than fifty years. I have given the reins over
To my youngest son and his wife and family. They fully participate with water sports and tennis and golf and social events with friends. My husband since 2000 ( we met , both
widowed and have been martied for a miracle amount of 17 years.). We have a lovely
home and a small summer house with a stream and “golden” pond, and now love the
pleasure of doing “nothing”…no driving, just the delight of the deer, animals, and
The song of the birds. We pop a bottle of champagne and toast one another and family
and friends and love the quietness and peacefulness of it all. So “doing nothing” is one
of the pleasures of life. June Emmert