Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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The Minivan from Hell

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Theaters rely on donations. Whether a generous donation to fund a particular production, cast-off furniture for actor housing, or older cars to be used by visiting artists – all is welcome. Which brings me to the minivan from hell.

“Come on, Claudia, it’s just a regular old minivan,” you say. “It looks perfectly innocent!”

It’s not.

When you climb into the driver’s seat, you are greeted by 3 laminated signs permanently attached to the dashboard.

#1. “What to do in case of an accident. Look in glove box.”

#2. “The radio and CD have been disconnected in this car because they would run the battery down. Completely.”

#3. “Attention Blue Mini Van Driver! Don’t Start without Reading!
1. Start the Van.
2. WAIT 3 MINUTES while it is running. Do not start driving yet!
3. After 3 minutes or so, tap the accelerator.
4. WAIT A MINUTE more.
5. Drive to your destination.
Please do this EVERY TIME you start the minivan. It will help keep the catalytic convertor from having to be replaced.”

This gets old fast. Every time I start it, I have to go through this rigamarole. When you’re actually timing it, 3 minutes is a long time. Often we’ll all be leaving at the same time and within a minute, everyone will drive off. Not me. I’ll still be sitting in my parked van, waiting for the moment I can tap the accelerator.

It is also a gas hog. If you care to look up gas hog in the dictionary, you will see a photo of this minivan.

Unlike most of the company who are being housed within 4 miles of the theater, I am living 11 miles away. Most days, I have to go back and forth a couple of times. I was stunned at how much gas was being used in these relatively short trips. In a desperate plea, I asked if I could change cars with someone who was living closer to the theater. No one wanted to do it.

The theater has suggested we split the cost of gas, which will help a great deal. However, if given an opportunity, I will exchange this beast in a heartbeat.

I hate it.

It’s our day off. We’re all tired. One of the other vocal coaches and I are driving (in her car) to the big city today. You know that MHC is in the country, right? Well, the surrounding area back home seems positively urban compared to this area. It’s beautiful here, though. So Chris and I are going to Madison to visit Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods….we can hardly stand it, we’re so excited.

I’m buying some flowers. Yes, I am.

A Momma-to-be on Mother’s Day

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It’s Mother’s Day time again. I will call my Mom today and tell her how much I love her. She’s getting frailer all the time. She very seldom gets out any more. Doing something like going into the other room to read this blog on the computer is too exhausting for her. It makes me very sad. I wish I could give her a big hug today.

As I was thinking about Mother’s Day, a mother-to-be came to mind.

Yes, it’s true. Momma Robin has taken over the nest. That glimpse of a bird I mentioned to you the other day has become a fairly constant presence. She leaves the nest for a few minutes at a time but that’s all. In the beginning, whenever I walked by the door, she flew away. I didn’t want her panicking so I draped a net curtain over the door. I came home between afternoon and evening rehearsal today, carefully moved the curtain back, crawled along the floor so she couldn’t see me, and took these photos.

So, do you think they had just built the nest when I arrived here? If so, my timing couldn’t be better. I will have a ring-side seat while Momma sits on her eggs. I’ll get to see the babies. I’m thrilled.

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, my sister and to my little Robin Mom.

Friday Thoughts

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Remember this? I was crocheting this throw when I discovered the obsession scarf. Nine scarves later, it was time to resume work on the throw. So it was packed in a box and sent to Wisconsin. Tonight, while I was sitting in the chair crocheting, I happened to look over my shoulder at the bird’s nest. There was a bird sitting there! He/she only stayed there for a second and flew away. But the bird came back at least one more time – and sat on the nest again. Maybe the nest is being checked out, like on House Hunters? Perhaps there are 3 different nests being shown by the bird’s agent. I’ve got my fingers crossed that birdie picks this one. I could turn my chair toward the nest and watch – it would be better than anything on television.

I’m missing my little family back East. My allergies are flaring up and I’m just plain old tired. Today I feel too old for all this gallivanting around. I want to go home and cuddle on the sofa with my husband.

May 6th is always bittersweet as it is my brother’s birthday. Had he lived, he would have been 64 today. He was taken from us much too early at the age of 44. Happy Birthday, David. I miss you.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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