hollyhocks, wooden boats, big ass dogs, and manuscripts

I couldn't resist last weekend asking for seeds of this beautiful hollyhock in the garden of a family friend - I believe it is a fig hollyhock (Antwerp), but I'm not sure.  It's foliage is more of an olive green, different from my other hollyhocks.  This weekend I'll get some seeds planted - and hope for success (although my mother and another friend have had difficulties getting these to germinate).  I already have a nice group of fig hollyhocks in my garden - but they are mostly pinks and deeper roses.  I love this pale yellow - it reminds me somewhat of the butter yellow of the forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis) - one of the fall-blooming salvias that is part of my garden's fall color.

Today was good.  It started off by stopping really, stopping down the road a few houses to admire a two-masted schooner ('Felicity') being hauled away from a neighbor's yard - but while I was admiring the schooner, something in the backyard caught my eye:  a Herreshoff design, a wooden sailboat, that was simply beyond gorgeous.  She was stripped down to the bare wood - and her mast was along side her - and her lines were amazing.  I've seen Herreshoff's before, but not for along while, and not in a bare state.  When I finally pulled myself away - I couldn't help but think that I'll like these new neighbors - these restorers of wooden boats.  For me, it's like having an artist in the neighborhood, a sculptor perhaps - these boats are works of art to me.  I just want sit back and stare at them, admire them.

So the morning was spent going slowly through a manuscript that was ready to submit - and in the middle of the day I took a break and went to meet Pete at Stono Cafe for lunch.  Grilled shrimp and red peppers and squash casserole and life was good.  We met because Pete wanted to introduce me to 'Louie' the cabinet maker, a John's Island local who has quite the reputation for his work.  Unfortunately we missed Louie by a few minutes, so after we ate we went to his shop, where he wasn't - but I have to say that I laughed at the Confederate flag on the shop door coupled to the sign 'Big Ass Dog Inside'.  (I can't tell Stanley about that sign, or he'll start demanding one - he definitely desires the 'Big Ass Dog' reputation, although first he must overcome the urge to roll over on his back so an intruder can scratch his belly).  Pete just laughed and said that I didn't say you guys would get along, I just said that he made nice cabinets.  Okay, you've got a point.  So I left Louie and his big ass dog and his confederate flag a note, so maybe I'll get a call one day soon.  We'll see.

The manuscript got submitted.

A glass of wine has been poured.

The next manuscript draft that I need to work on has been saved onto my thumb drive.

Eight more to go.

Not counting the ones we tentatively outlined during Wednesday's laboratory meeting.

Time to pour another glass of wine.

Comments

[layanee]

Stanley is wise beyond his dog years! I'm happy to hear you are listening to his advice. I had a nice little cab with dinner last night so I guess that means we were drinking at the same time or close to it!

[John B.]

You may have noticed I've not visited in a while--too busy with moving and getting ready for the new school year, too away from town--so today I had a chance to get caught up with blog-reading.

I like all the blogs I read--why else would I read them?--but yours is one of those I genuinely missed reading while I was "away." It's good to be "back" and to let you know that.

[Pam]

Layanee: Yep, I bet we were enjoying a glass of wine at the same time - and yes, I try to take Stanley's advice often (or as often as I can).

John B.: Thank you. And yes, I'd noticed you had been quiet over at your place - but enjoyed reading a recent post about the student that burned her family's house down. It made me laugh (not at the fire, mind you, but just at the entire story) and think about all of the student stories that I've heard - and boy, yours was definitely a good one! I hope that your move and new semester are off to a good start.

[Kim]

A big ass dog who constantly has to fight the urge to roll over and ask you to scratch his belly is the very best kind of big ass dog. My favorite kind, in fact. :)

I hope that the yellow hollyhocks germinate for you--those are gorgeous.