Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Wind Song, Mopnado, House painting, A kitten

Hello Folks ~ I hope you all had a nice weekend and are off to a good start this week. Some of you are enjoying cooler temps, not so down here in s.e. FL.  Right now it is 87 degrees F and with the humidity it feels like it is 96 degrees F.

Rain has ended for a few days, I was able to wash and hang out a load of laundry yesterday, also trimmed the secret garden’s hedge. This morning I didn’t get up or out early enough to do much before the sun got overhead, just did a little path clearing in the St. Francis garden.

More rain is expected with afternoon and evening thunderstorms for the next few days, which is our normal summer weather pattern.

***

This morning I did some online searching for a mop and for house painting prep work. I think the best reviews I found for a mop is the Mopnado Deluxe Spin Mop. I read product reviews and saw some you-tube reviews for top 10 mops.   Does anyone have this mop?  I have used sponge mops, string mops and been on hands and knees, not feasible these days, but in my younger years. Haven’t been happy with any of the mops so far.

I have laminate faux oak wood and vinyl flooring.

***

Since I’m thinking about house painting I checked you-tube and came up with this guy John Burbridge. I went to his website too. Just watching one video really inspired me. Like one of my commenters  said in my last post, just do one wall at a time, and that was what I was already thinking, but her comment was encouraging and made me feel ready to tackle the project when cooler weather gets here. The prep work is going to be the worst part, but, it’s important.  One of the tools he suggested was a Walkman Radio. Maybe I could find one at a thrift store.  This guy has a sense of humor and at this time in my life it’s something/another thing I miss about my DH. He had a great, quirky sense of humor and knew how to make me laugh. Laughter is good medicine.

***

Last week I was at Walmart to see if they had any beading foundation material, didn’t find. Walked around killing time until the Bead Store opened at 10. I remembered reading, when I was doing another online search for Wind Song cologne, that Walmart had it, so I headed to that dept. They did have it and I decided to buy it.

Here’s the story behind my liking this. When we were on our 60 day European trip by Eurail before we came home from Spain, (DH was in the US Navy and we lived in Rota, Spain for a little over three years), I found a spray metal container of Wind Song in the bottom of the armoire in our room in Venice. I sprayed some on and immediately loved it. I did a Google search on it the other day after I got home with my ‘natural spray’ bottle. From what I read, it’s no wonder I liked it. You can read all about it here. Here’s a bit from the website. “Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli is a Floral fragrance for women. Wind Song was launched in 1953. Top notes are coriander, orange leaf, mandarin orange, tarragon, neroli, bergamot and lemon; middle notes are cloves, carnation, orris root, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose and brazilian rosewood; base notes are sandalwood, amber, musk, benzoin, vetiver and cedar.”

Pics from the box it came in. Front, side, top and back.

09-22-windsong09-22-windsong309-22-windsong209-22-windsong4

I don’t remember hearing of this or smelling it until I found this spray in Venice. I don’t remember TV commercials either.

I wore Woodhue in my late teens. Here’s some info I just found on it ~  Woodhue perfume was launched in 1944 and was extremely popular 50-ies. It opens with the notes of orange, bergamot and citrus. The heart is composed of jasmine, laid on a base of sandalwood, vanilla, cedar and musk.

I like a lot of different scents, there are some good musks that I’ve worn, florals and earthy scents too.

‘Happy’ is a wonderful scent my friend Nanci gave me. Info found on it ~ Clinique Happy is a fragrance of joy, the essence of a sunny, happy morning. Wear Happy and be happy! Fresh apple, plums and bergamot mixed with the fresh-air accord as top notes proceed into the egzotic floral heart composed of freesia, lily, rose and morning orchid. Musk and amber are in perfume’s base. It was created in 1997.

Many years ago my Mom gave me a bottle of Tatiana by Diane von Furstenberg, someone had given it to her but she did not like the scent.  I loved it. Info ~

Tatiana perfume from the fashion house Diane von Furstenberg was launched in 1975, packed in bottles designed by Serge Mansau.

Top notes: bergamot, hyacinth and orange blossom. Heart: gardenia, jasmine, narcissus, rose and tuberose. Base: amber, musk and sandalwood.

My sis-in-law Fern gave me Jessica McClintock Eau de Parfum a long time ago and I loved that too. Info ~ Jessica McClintock by Jessica McClintock is a Floral fragrance for women. Jessica McClintock was launched in 1988. Top notes are cassia, basil, ylang-ylang, bergamot, black currant and lemon; middle notes are jasmine, lily-of-the-valley and rose; base notes are musk and woody notes.

Perfume info found on Fragrantica.

Now, that I’ve read all of this, I can see why ‘FlowerLady’ liked the scents. Smile

***

The other night before bed I heard what sounded like a pitiful kitten meow out off the kitchen. It was dark out, and even with the porch light on, I didn’t see anything and of course, it didn’t meow when I went out there. It meowed a couple of more times, then all was silent. The next morning when I went out to the barn to visit the barn girls, feed them and clean their litter,  they seemed weird. I was talking to them like I always do, when I heard a ‘meow’.  I went outside to where I heard the noise coming from and talked to the kitten, and it would meow, but wouldn’t come out. I went back inside to the girls, and then I heard the meow at the doorway where I come in. I caught something out of the corner of my eye, so decided to put some dry food there and also got a container of fresh water. I went inside the house for my camera too, and barely caught the little critter.  A little black one.

09-22-kitten

Yesterday I didn’t see or hear it. This morning when I went out to feed the girls, something black caught my eye at the glass door, and sure enough there was the little critter and of course he/she ran away when I got up and headed in his/her direction.

I don’t need another cat, but the pitiful cry tugged at my heart strings.

“A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden.”
Robert Sowthey

So that’s what’s going on here at Plum Cottage.

FlowerLady

***

“A good fragrance is really a powerful cocktail of memories and emotion.”
Jeffrey Stepakoff

“Sometimes a scent is more evocative than a photo or an image. It is a primer for the deflagration of sensation, emotions, desires, uncontrollable atmospheres, dejavus that flood and wrap us like honey, until they make us drown in an unrepeatable moment of wellbeing... olfactory hallucinations that lead us anywhere: to the North of any South, to the East of any West...”
PROFUMUM ROMA

“They ask me what kind of perfume I wear or how I choose a signature scent or what to wear to what occasion. The truth is, I just go into the perfumery and pick out the most beautiful smell. I sniff the scent and then see with my mind’s eye the vision that it brings to my heart. If I want to wear that vision with me every day until the bottle is all used-up, then that’s the perfume I’ll purchase. And I do use it up until there’s nothing left and only then do I go out to buy another one. Another vision for another year or two. Fragrance, to me, is about wearing a perspective on your skin. The scent itself is the vehicle by which you can be reminded of those pictures that those notes have opened in your soul.”
C. JoyBell C.


 


 

28 comments:

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Loved your post. I love Wind Song and although I was born in the 60's I used to get this for Christmas when I was a teen. There was a commercial for this with a song that went " I cant seem to forget you......your windsong stays on my mind" LOL What a sweet little kitten! I fee the same way you do. Someone has dropped yet another cat on me. We live 30 miles away from town and someone has found me.......this is the second cat. They wont last long out here in the wild. The coyotes are horrible. I hope you enjoy your new little kitten

lil red hen said...

Such an interesting post. You've given me an idea about painting one wall at a time. I just need to get with it! Maybe before long the kitten will become a friendly little pet. I have too many cats; when one stops and thinks about the amount of money spent in a year's time, it is surprising! The dogs here are very aggressive toward the cats too.

Marti said...

It's warm here too, but thankfully, not as humid.

I think you have a new cat. ;)

I'm interested to see which mop you get and how you like it. I haven't found one I like either. I'm usually down on my hands and knees with a sponge, especially in the bathrooms.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, I remember Wind Song, too! I remember the commercial and the song. What a lovely thing to find in the cupboard and such a pretty box. I have a sensitive nose to perfumes and can't tolerate anything too strong, but I have always loved Chanel #5. I also wear a Joe Malone scent now, simply called 'Rose' and it does smell just like one. I have never tried Wind Song, but it sounds wonderful. Poor little kitten....we have the same problem here with people dumping animals. There was just a herd of little baby piglets let loose here, but the kindly neighbor rescued them. We have adopted many stray cats and dogs over the years, all becoming wonderful pets. We also have coyotes, bobcats, and cougars, so they don't last long if left to themselves. You are kind for taking this poor little orphan under your wing. I am like you - one wall at a time kind of gal. I just finished staining my entire deck and now working on the front porch. One section at a time......Hugs xo Karen

Terra said...

I recall Wind Song and White Shoulders. We tried to tame and befriend a feral black cat in our yard, but he never gave in to trusting us. I hope your little black kitty is more tame.

Seawashed said...

A lot is going in at Plum Cottage. I have always liked the pkging of Wind Song. I used to wear Jessica McClintock and then Ralph Lauren Romance. Romance is still my favorite perfume but I never wear it any more. I like the lightness of body sprays and use the ones from Victoria Secret. Petals was my favorite because it is a rose petal fragrance and very light. But they discontinued so now I wear sheer love.

That kitten quote about them being like rose buds is so true. Lovely.

xo Kerrie

Leslie Kimel said...

Your new kitten friend is really cute. I love solid black cats--I think they're so elegant and pretty. Kittens are so much fun. About six years ago, we adopted a whole batch of stray kittens and I couldn't wait to get home from work every day to watch them play and wrestle. They made the house so cheerful.

It is so interesting the strong emotions that perfume can conjure up. I used to wear White Linen in the 80's when I was young, and I still love that smell. It really takes me back. I definitely remember Windsong--the commercials and the song. The bottle was beautiful, shaped like a crown. My mom had three little crown-shaped bottles arranged on her dresser, and I would spend hours admiring them.

Joy Junktion said...

I totally remember Wind Song and Tatiana! My hubby didn't like fragrances, but I could get away with Intrigue by Mary Kay, and I actually Loved it, but they don't make it any longer. Cute little kitty, I'm sure it has now found a new home! Many blessings to you, Cindy xoxo

Maryann said...

I Think you might have a new cat, we have some around our yard as well but I think the ones we have in our yard are house cats, they look way too well fed. I technically don't use fragrance anymore. I used to work with a gal who was terribly allergic and no one at the office was allowed to wear fragrance. I do wear a scented lotion though, it's a Cherry Blossom scent...no surprise it would be something floral, but it's light so I can wear it around those sensitive to fragrance. Laundry on the line...love that smell, hope you have a wonderful day

Debbie said...

Windsong is one of my favorites! Enjoyed your entire post <3

Julie said...

I remember wearing Charlie perfume and also Avon ones in high school.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I have terrible allergies and can only wear certain fragrances. Wind Song and Tabu are my all time favorites and Shailmar for special occasions. I recently bought Jennifer Anniston's cologn and absolutely love it. I remember that Wind Song commerical too.

I saw that spin mop too, and thought I would get it until I saw it in person and thought it rather cheaply made. I ended up getting a Mr Clean mop that wrings out by turning the handle and it has worked quite well.

Good luck on the painting. I'll be doing interior walls in January.
xx, Carol

RockWhisperer said...

I remember hearing commercials for Windsong, back many years ago, something like "Your Windsong stays on my mind". I love White Shoulders. It's an old fragrance but still not too hard to find. Our Walgreen's carries it. Not too expensive, but used to be.

No matter what you plan to do about the kitten, it's clear you'll have to tame it. Just keep feeding, and hang around out there while the kitten eats. You can inch closer and closer then. Whatever you do, do not grab it, it may turn all claws in fright and give you quite a scratch. Don't ask me how I know. When you are close enough, just reach out and touch, aim for under the chin or between the ears, back off when it does. It's a gradual thing but I've used this method many times.

I have laminate flooring on all the middle floor and italian tile on the floors on the lowest level. I use a "Sh-Mop". It's a big rectangular swivel pad on a long handle, and washable covers fit on it like fitted sheets on a mattress. You mix up whatever you're going to use to clean, I use just a little Mr. Clean in a small amount of water, then wet the covers in it. When one's dirty, you just take it off and throw it in the wash, and put on a new one. For corners, mopboards, and stairs, I just turn a cover inside out and clean by hand. Works for me, but we each have our favorite method. I have a steam cleaner, also, but not very impressed with it. Here's one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Starter-Comsentech-Covers-Telescoping/dp/B0039PEB6W/ref=pd_sim_121_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JZ7T475EEPBEP6ABGD4

It does a good job on walls, too. Hugs xoxoxo

Terry said...

Hi Lorraine!

I am reminded of the commercial slogan, "Your Windsong stays on my mind."

Terry

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Lorraine, Love this post and reading about the fragrances and the history. I also loved Wind Song. My mother gave me a bottle of this back in the 70's. I always wore it but then through the years never found it again. Great to read Walmart has it. I will certainly look at my store too.
The kitty looks so sweet. Your kindness will bring him/her back.
Wishing you a happy first day of fall! cm

Jane said...

Hi Rainey! My favorite perfume is Tiffany which you can buy at the Tiffany jewelry stores. It's become too expensive for my budget, so now I buy the scented soaps and candles and put them in my drawers. It gives my clothes a subtle scent.

Got to love the strays! We have one that we've been feeding for the last eight years. She's too skittish ever to trap. After all these years she still doesn't trust us. We build her a little shelter for winter and put old blankets in it. She seems happy.

Hugs
Jane

Diana Studer said...

I'm not so much about wearing perfume - but I do enjoy the fragrance of the garden. Buddleja and today we bought a Searsia. As we handled plants to choose one, the bruised leaves smell deliciously citrusy!

BeachGypsy said...

Oh gosh yes, I do remember Windsong! "I cant seem to forget you...your windsong stays on my, windsong stays on my...windsong stays on my MIND". LOL
Back in the day I wore Charlie, Avons' Sweet Honesty, Windsong, coty wild musk, and I loved loved loved LOVE'S FRESH LEMON.
How is the little black kitty??

Jessica Jarrell said...

Perfume is funny for me. I wore a ton of it when I was in my 20's. I was especially nutty over all of Escada's perfumes. I still have many varieties of their's. But I never wear it anymore. I stopped wearing it when I started working in a "cubicle city" and I never went back.

That poor little kitten! The cries would have yanked my heartstrings out. I hate seeing a baby without a home. I guess I'm hoping he sticks around :)

Diana Studer said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sallysmom said...

About 2 months ago, someone threw a kitten out at my house. This was on a Saturday. We had to take it to the shelter, but in order for them to take it we had to pay $150. We were ok with that. We have always had cats until 4 years ago when our last kitty passed away. We just aren't ready to do that cat litter thing again. Anyway, I hope this will work out ok for you. BTW, the kitty thrown out here was black as well.

Unknown said...

Oh, I remember Wind Song, but I can't think of how it smells. My mom always wore Avon's Field of Flowers right up until they quit making it. Then she switched to Estee's White Linen which is primarily a rose scent. It's so hard to choose, there's so many lovely ones. I like Cliniques Happy too! Light and breezy! I usually choose a vetiver based perfume which is what a lot of the musks have in them. My fave is Narciso Rodriguez Musc for her. And I can never find a decent mop either! Wishing you much luck with your new choice! :) And what a sweet little black kitty

BeachGypsy said...

Oh yes Lorraine that seashell came home with me soon as I checked it out for a crab and it was empty!!

Deborah Montgomery said...

I love perfume too, but can't seem to stick to a "signature" scent; I like to try lots of different ones. One of my current favorites is Angel. I, too, remember that Wind Song commercial and song. It is funny how scent and memory are so tied together. If I smell a perfume I wore years ago, all the memories of that time come back to me when I smell it.

Good for you to tackle a painting project, and also to wait til it cools down a little! The little black kitty is adorable.

Melanie said...

The weather here in northern IL has been perfect - dry, sunny, blue skies, low humidity and in the 70's. We need some rain though.
Oh my goodness, I remember Windsong! I didn't even know it was made anymore. I can't wear most fragrances anymore due to severe allergies. I can wear a few light, all-natural scents. Even when I'm in public, if someone wearing heavy perfume passes by me, I feel like I'm choking and it sends me into sneezing fits.
That poor little kitty...I hate hearing about strays. Makes me feel so sorry for them. You have to wonder what happened. Did someone dump him/her? I hope that you are able to take care of it on your property or that you are able to catch it and bring it to a shelter.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Good luck with you painting project. Sounds like you are psyched up and inspired to do it! We had some rain here last week too, but now it has dried out and warmed up. My mother-in-law always adopts stray cats. First they feed them outside, but eventually they become "indoor cats." She has about three or four indoors and three or four outdoor cats at any given time, it seems. That little black kitten is a cutie. I never tried Windsong, but I love floral scents so will have to see if Walmart has it next time I am there. I learned a lot about scents reading this post - thank you! Have a good weekend and see you next time.

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

The packaging with your Windsong Perfume is very pretty. It looks like scenes from your garden.

I remember and liked Windsong, but my favorite always was and still is, Muguet De Bois. I love lilies of the valley.

Your new little kitty visitor would like to be yours, it just doesn't know how to make friends yet. A "Rosebud" kitty for sure, maybe it needs the name Rosebud in honor of the writing by Robert Southey that you quoted. Or "Kitty-zen" in honor of Citizen Kane's Rosebud, if it is a boy kitty.

I have always felt that there is/was, for me, a kind of pre-destined feeling with
all of the dogs that have been in our family, and most of the kitties. I think that your little Kitty-zen Rosebud has chosen you for its destiny.

M.K. said...

I remember the song from the Wind Song commercial -- "wind song stays on my mind ..." Lovely. Glad you got some! I had a favorite perfume, both my mother and I wore it, called Ecusson. It was discontinued. Years later I went into a specialty shop near our home called The Fragrance Shoppe. They had all manner of oils, pure oils, and they had one made to smell like Ecusson. It was so nice to have a bit of it again!