We woke (a wee bit too early) to the sound of thunder. Big thunder. Thunder that shook the house, along with flashes of lightning. Early morning thunder doesn’t happen very often. As we made coffee and opened windows, the thunder kept rolling; long and loud booms coming from over the mountains.
It was wonderful. There were no high winds; just thunder, lightning, and eventually, pouring rain. We have more coming today and tomorrow.
Sort of a magical way to start the day.
Thanks for all your comments yesterday. I’m not sure what to do. Ad income, by the way, comes to me simply by your visits to my little spot on the Internet. It doesn’t come if you read the blog from an email but don’t come to the actual blog. Anyway, the costs of hosting this blog and maintaining its security are covered by that ad income. In the last month, I’ve had to renew and pay for my host for another year. My security just got renewed yesterday. Soon, another form of security will be up for renewal, as well as the services I use to back up the blog. So I’m in the midst of paying out money for those services and having to make a decision about emails at the same time is a bit overwhelming
Most of you weighed in yesterday on the way in which you visit the blog and I really appreciate it. I think I’ll try a survey of sorts later this week – here and on Instagram – to see just how many people really need that email delivered to them, as well as if they’re even reading them anymore. Then I’ll make a decision based on the results.
I’ve started another Roseville painting. This is where I left it yesterday and I have much more to do. I try to find a balance between being too critical and accepting that it’s all a process. So far, I’m pretty pleased with what I’ve created.
Now to find a tabletop easel. This one is too low and I end up with shoulder pain because I’m hunched over while painting. Shoulder muscles and neck tension are an issue already – always have been – and I don’t want to make that even worse.
Our days lately – we do our usual morning things; drinking coffee, waking up slowly, reading, meditating, Don goes to a virtual meeting at 6:30 am, I make our second cup of coffee and we chat for a while, then I write the blog and have some oatmeal. After all of that, Don goes upstairs to write music and record and I paint downstairs in the kitchen – along with, of course, all of the chores that need to be done on any given day. I like that we’ve found spaces in which to create, spaces that shift and change depending on just what it is we’re working on at the time. Dollhouse? Upstairs. Painting? Downstairs. Don sometimes records downstairs if I need the studio space. We are very sensitive to each other’s needs so we adjust as needed. This is a small house, so we need to be respectful and flexible.
I’ve had a hard time reading lately, most likely because I’m immersed in painting and gardening. It’s fine. I’ll shift back to reading more at some point. I’m not worried.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
I unsubscribed from your emails bc they arrive later in the day. If I decide to read your blog I just pull it up on your website.
Emails usually arrive between 11 and 1 which allows me time to write the post in the morning. Often, I don’t finish the post until about 10:30. But they’ve been sending them at odd times lately.
Thanks, Barbara.
Stay safe.
enjoy that rain!
to my understanding, the email notice (about new blog posts) sounds like an unnecessary expense for you. hopefully we can all just come directly here.
would a stack of books or a box (filled with something so it doesn’t move) under the easel help you when painting?
beautiful start on that painting!
super-dry here … drought conditions. feel especially bad for homeless people, farmers, gardeners, animals of all kinds ….
had a wonderful day yesterday spending time with family members. got to meet (in person) my newest great-nephew, born during the early days of the pandemic. :)
happy cooperative creating to you and don!
kathy in iowa
I don’t particularly like this easel as it isn’t all that steady. I’m going to order a proper tabletop easel.
But thank you so much for the suggestions, Kathy.
Stay safe!
You had mentioned blog income awhile back. I unsubscribed from emails (delivery was unreliable anyway) and instead visit the blog everyday. It’s now part of my morning routine with coffee. I’m delighted it helps you!
It does and thank you so much, Kelli!
Stay safe.
Greetings,
I have your blog in my favorite places area and I just click on Mocking Hill Cottage.
Once again your painting has blown me away. You are a gifted painter/artist. I must say you are a remarkable . I hope I say this correctly , I like the way you own your talent too.. Do you know
what I mean?
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
I think so, do you mean that I say that I’m proud of what I’m creating? I am. I think we should all own our talents!
Thanks, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Yes, that is what I mean,
xoxo
I come to your blog directly.
Keep painting, you do very well.
Maybe you could make some kind of wooden box with a drawer to help to relax your shoulders. You can also store brushes, bottles etc. In the drawer.
I use an old wooden box with two drawers in which cutlery was stored to highten te easel.I found it in a thriftstore. Or use old telephone books.
Also a wooden box in which bottles of wine is placed as a present, is of good use.
Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions, Dorien.
I am going to order a proper tabletop easel that’s adjustable. I only purchased this small easel because I wasn’t sure if I would end up sticking with painting, but I am going to stick with it, so it’s time to get a proper and sturdier easel.
Stay safe!
I come to your blog directly; I enjoy it very much!!!
I’m so glad you do!
Thank you Dawn.
Stay safe.
I think the idea of taking a survey of your readers is excellent. There sure seem to be a lot of fees connected to a blog. It might also be a good time to remind readers that if they have an ad blocker, to please whitelist your blog.
I do love a good morning thunderstorm….from my memory that is, lol! Yesterday was a lazy day…watering plants, catching up on a few household chores. The excitement abounds…just like I like it.
Enjoy your day! )
Good idea. There aren’t necessarily fees associated with free blogs, but I had a couple of serious attempts at hacking my old free blog and I decided I wanted the protection of a host.
Thanks so much, Donna.
Stay safe.
I never use the email to enter your blog, but I did see that I got a very late email. Anyway, I have you favorited on my Safari and I just tap your icon. I hope this is the way you get some income from it. If not, please mention the correct way and I will change it.
I enjoy your blog every day! Love your paintings! I bought my first piece of Roseville this spring. It’s a small vase, pink and green with the white rose pattern. Lovely little thing.
Enjoy your day.
That’s perfect, Judy.
Yay for Roseville! Glad you have a piece of that beautiful pottery.
Stay safe!
I’m not going to lie, the email is a good reminder for me that there’s a new blog post. I do like some of the others’ idea to save the blog site as a favorite – I’ll do that after I’m done here.
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it before, but I love your love/hate relationship with the weather. I think many of us can relate to that. Recently you were unhappy about some rain, and I, living in droughtful Colorado, was thinking NO, any rain is good, but there are our perspectives. I appreciate that you enjoyed waking up to the thunder and lightning. I like nothing more than waking up any time of night to the sight and sounds of a storm passing through.
You’re art and work on the various dollhouses is a huge inspiration to me as I begin to look ahead to retirement!
I don’t need the email and will unsubscribe. I’d love to donate to help with blog expenses. Can you set up a way to do that? Attic 24 has a button you can click to buy Lucy a coffee. Something like that?
I’m not comfortable with people donating. In the case of Attic 24, I don’t believe she has ads and she provides a lot of tutorials, so I completely understand the donate button.
But I DO have ads, so I can’t, in conscience, take any donations.
But thank you for caring, Connie.
Stay safe.
I post every day of the week, so there will be a new post every day. But I understand the reminder aspect.
It’s raining outside at the moment and I just heard more thunder!
Thanks so much, Jayne. Stay safe!
I look forward to your email notice every day!
We’ll see what happens. I’m still on the fence!
Stay safe, Susan.
I don’t always get to read your emails as life just happens, but totally didn’t think about the income part of your blog and for that I apologize. From now on I will add you to “Favorites”. I guess the thing about the email was the notification that reminded me to read. Your always a happy reminder of something from my past that brings a smile or memory of my life growing up in a small town. 🙂
Thanks so much, Michele.
I’m still debating the whole thing!
Stay safe.
I don’t receive any email notification and always come directly to your blog. Like others have said, it’s part of my daily routine and I know your posts will appear around 3 – 4pm
I appreciate too that you always reply to everyone plus I enjoy reading other people’s comments about their lives and the variety of weather in different areas of the U.S.A.!
Happy Monday
So glad you’re a regular reader, Dee Dee.
Thank you.
Stay safe!
I’ve got you as a bookmark & just read your blog daily…
Loving the rain..so wish we had some of it here in SD!!
I wish you had some of it there, too!
Thanks so much Priscilla.
Stay safe.
I did subscribe via e-mail but just went in and bookmarked you for my everyday blogs folder. No problem going to your blog directly.
Oh, thanks so much, Joyce. I appreciate it.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia,
I rely on those emails. I rarely go to a blog that I don’t either see on my google follow (blogger blogs), bloglovin’ or email. But I always go to the email ones first. It doesn’t really matter to me when the mail comes — half the time I don’t see it or am able to visit till after and I don’t have any desire to be first. When blogger’s feedburner stopped sending emails, I signed up for mailchimp, which is free up to 2,000 emails which is WAY less than what I have on my list. If you decide to bag what you have an have fewer than 2,000 followers, I’ve been pleased so far (about three weeks or so.)
I love the new painting. And I also liked someone’s comment about the drawer. I’m looking at my secretary desk which opens up with a platform and underneath that is a drawer. If you set the easel in the drawer (keeping the desk closed) a situation like that would work well. So, if you have a desk with a center drawer, I think that would be a great idea. It would lover it six inches to a foot and then you could use the easel adjustments to make it taller on that end if you needed to.
Rick and I had to learn how to live together in a very small space last summer when quarantining up north. It was always fine unless it rained hard or was cold because I preferred the porch and he wanted to be inside! You two seem to have it all settled.
I’ve been reading a bit — I finished another Elly Griffiths “Ruth Galloway” mystery and am nearly done with another Donna Leon. And Susan Hill’s Serailler books… those are pretty complex. They are my summer friends. Soon I’ll have to decide which of all my “friends” will go to the lake with me. I cannot wait.
You can follow me through BlogLovin. I’m on there, I just don’t have the widget anymore.
The thing about mailchimp (I think) and MadMimi and Feedblitz is also the number of emails that go out in a month. I post every day and have 423 followers. That takes me to a minimum of 12, 690 emails a month which is more than most providers will allow.
I don’t have a desk with a center drawer, unfortunately. This little easel was just a stopgap while I explored oil painting, not knowing if it would stick. I think a proper tabletop easel that is adjustable will be the solution.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I may be reading the mailchimp wrong. I thought they allowed 2,000 emails before charging, not 2,000 emails/month. I think I was thinking that was 2,000 subscribers. That would make a big diff for you. I’ll have to look. It’s not an issue for me but I’m interested in knowing for sure.
I’ll add you to my bloglovin!
I confess, my desk with the center drawe3r is so full, I couldn’t use it for that even if I wanted to! The upright shelves are bookcase back-up and there is plenty inside. Every now and then I clean it out and somehow it doesn’t seem to matter!
Same issues here! Where or where do I find an open space in which to do anything??? I understand.
Thanks, Jeanie.
xo
I visit the blog directly.
Thank you, Lynda.
Stay safe!
I read yours every day but don’t always respond…do u still get credit.
By the way the grand girl that just graduated Purdue is in NYC …NYU internship three weeks…the youngest grand girl just turned sixteen…birthday trip NYC late summer…middle grand girl starting third year college…all work way through and all home schooled…they told me Broadway opens fall when I was telling them about you fav blogger…youngest and mom here now…
Some Broadway opens in September, some in October and some not until next year. It will be a slow rollout.
As long as you visit the blog directly, it’s fine as to income. You don’t have to comment!
Stay safe, Brenda.
When I receive my email I click on the title to go to your blog. So the email is a good reminder plus a personal email, which is fun, but I can easily go directly to the blog site. I had it in favorites.
I love thunder and lightening storms.
Your paintings are very impressive. How fun to find a new hobby.
Thanks, Kay. It’s currently thundering again and raining quite heavily!
Stay safe.
Have you thought of keeping the email alerts but only putting a paragraph or so in the email so everyone goes to the blog for the full post? It would generate more traffic to your blog creating more income. I rarely go to a blog unless I get an email about a new post.
I’ve thought of that, but I’m not a fan of it. That’s why I send the whole post.
Thanks, Kathleen.
Stay safe.
I visit your blog directly every day… your blog is bookmarked and thus easy-peasy to access.
Thank you for explaining how ad income is generated by your blog.
Have never subscribed to anyone’s blog and never will… simply do not need additional email messages.
Am enjoying watching your painting journey, and love “hearing” your thoughts and excitement.
Stay safe & well!
I’m with you, I do not need more emails! I already get far too many.
Thanks so much, Amy!
Stay safe.
I am one that relies on the email notice but I would not want you to spend money on continuing that service. I will just make a reminder to check your blog daily like I use too. I’m afraid as I age I need written reminders of things now. I know you put a lot into this blog and the cost is hopefully covered by ads (and I always come to your blog and don’t read from the email). Do what works best for you. A survey might give you some answers. Love your blog and hope you continue for a long time. It’s a little visit each day with a friend. Hugs!
I think a survey in some form is a good idea. Thanks so much for your input, Linda.
Stay safe.
Claudia — love to read your blog, pix are great — hope you continue w/blog. the latest painting is going to be beautiful (my favorite color!) so enjoy seeing your talents/abilities being used in such a positive way — keep going! that easel is a work of art — very beautiful. one good thing w/rain, no watering !! stay safe, healthy
No watering! Hurrah!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Linda.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, I also receive your blog via email, but I would be fine to see you on your “Mockingbird Hill Cottage” site, as you are a part of my morning routine, just do what works for you! I also think your pottery paintings are beautiful, when I saw your first one I literally went ohhhhh wow! Christine in Australia
Oh thank you so very much, Christine!
I’m glad you like the paintings.
Stay safe!
Hi Claudia,
I like the email reminder, but I immediately click on the title and come to the blog. I am sure that I can be trained to come visit you however you decide to proceed. Thank you for the blog as it is a bright spot for so many of us.
~Donna
Thanks so much for your input, Donna.
Stay safe!
Hi Claudia,
I open up your blog each morning from a bookmark. In Australia we are in a different timezone, so I have the added benefit of reading your words, and the comments of your readers. Sometimes if the topic is especially interesting for example when you ask your readers what they are reading, I will open your blog several times during the day to read their suggestions and recommendations.
I have listened to Don’s music and enjoy it. I am interested to know what music you both listen to and enjoy.
Thank you for the time you take in describing each day and your interests.
Thank you so much for being here, Michelle! I so appreciate your presence.
Stay safe.
Good morning from NYC :)
I read your blog on Bloglovin (which has its own issues, but not going to go there), and if I can’t access it that way (see ‘not going to go there’, eye roll), I wait a day or two until it returns. I don’t mind subscribing directly if that is easier for you. Being that I am an admittedly mostly-analog human, ie no social media, you would have to tell us which works better for you, but know that I am happy to read your writing whichever way you prefer.
Love your paintings. I have no idea about tabletop easel $, but I wonder if a cookbook stand might work for you (?) Just a thought.
Wishing you both a wonderful day!
I think a cookbook stand is too low, just about the height I’m using at the moment. But thank you, Naomi!
Thanks for your input as to how you access the blog.
Stay safe!