TheCapeBlog

This opinion, from an interview last year with Norman Podhoretz:
Q:”As one of the much-mythologized New York intellectuals, do you think intellectuals have gone the way of the dinosaur?”
A:”We still have plenty of intellectuals, but they have become so politicized that they’re no longer capable of disinterested judgment.”

There is something very creepy about waiting on a storm that won’t arrive until nightfall.

I worked off the fidgets by culling out and reorganizing the two file cabinets. I filled up a wastebasket with paper for recycling and a shopping bag with items to be shredded. All in all, a good afternoon’s work.

I’m a little worried about the big grasses, which are quite beautiful. I’d hate to lose them when they are just coming into their glory.

Cleaned up another Fluffles-generated mess in the bathroom this morning.
Forced myself to wash, dress and get out there to move and cover the grill and feed Miracle-Gro to the annuals, including the veggies, and the new transplants.
Just finished pruning the lace hydrangeas which were ravaged by mold spots, some of which were as large as owl eyes, and the rain arrived. Not just a sprinkle, but a deluge.

…as Peter wittily calls it is moving up the coast and expected tomorrow evening.
The shed is the hero: I was able to fit everything into it, including a visiting bike (James’): two tables, 8 chairs, all the yard equipment, the fire pit, the hammock, the solar lights and anything that has the potential to be a projectile.
I’ve disconnected the propane tank and will move the grill into place and cover it tomorrow morning.

I planted 3 nice little hardy ‘mums from Home Depot and am kicking myself for not getting more. At 97 cents each, they were a steal.
Just received an automated recording from the Mashpee Police Chief about Hurricane Earl. At a time like this, I’m happy to not own oceanfront.
Bought some last-minute items, including decorated paper plates, thus triggering another deja vu.

I’ve been having great, colorful dreams lately. It’s almost a shame to wake up.

I meet interesting people and go to places that have a high aesthetic.

Last night, I dreamed about a semi-estranged married couple.
I met them separately and took a liking to them individually, and they to me.

She was a New Age-type artist and intellectual, he did something with software which I don’t remember. They were both tall, thin, good-looking, charismatic people.

She asked me how old I was (64), so I wasn’t envisioning myself as a young person.

They chose to live in Rhode Island because it supported the lifestyle they wanted, which included a boat, and it was affordable. The town that was mentioned, though, Cumberland*, is about as inland as you can get in the Ocean State.

My interesting dreams take place in cities or at least in densely populated areas. According to dream interpretation, a busy city means riches. I was riding on a bus, also a good symbol; it means you are travelling to obtain your heart’s desire.

*There are other Cumberlands that are on the ocean, in PEI, Maine, Georgia.

Cleaned up the bathroom, in particular Fluffles’ litter box, which was disgusting. Brought James to Super Cuts; the stylist did a great job. Did laundry. Brought James and Tyler to Sea Mist for swimming and a cookout (2 hours). Cleaned the trash can of maggots, washed out a bunch of pots and brought a small load of trash and recyclables to the transfer station. Made lunch.
Doesn’t sound like much, but stick a fork in me, it’s after 9 PM.

We are in the midst of a heat wave, but I stupidly held off on re-installing the one working air conditioner until late yesterday.
As a result, it was 84 degrees in the house around 6:30 last night.
It’s now 74, thanks to the excellent little Whirlpool unit that’s been cranking all night.

Continue reading A Degree at a Time

Mowed today. 8’d everything in the back except for the vegetables and the plants near the house. Watered the vegetables and the front gardens.

Planted more in the front garden – 3 Sedum, 2 Rudbekia and a pretty on-sale annual with light purple flowers. Am very, very pleased with the quality of the soil in that part of the yard.

The perennial Coreopsis by the outdoor shower has a second bloom, a very nice surprise.
I fed Miracle Gro to the tomatoes and other annuals today and did some light pruning and dead-heading.
I couldn’t bring myself to dead head all of the hydrangea blossoms.
I hope my fellow creatures remember me as the old lady with the pretty garden that was part of a happy summer, and not as the person they hated with such venom in offices here and in other places.