Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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The Park and a Carousel (Plus a Question)

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The show is going well. Audiences are enthusiastic and are giving it a standing ovation every performance, though I think a standing ovation doesn’t mean what it used to. I often see audiences stand up as if it was expected. On this show, however, I can sense that the ovation is spontaneous and genuine. My job now is to watch every performance, or almost every performance, and take notes that I later pass on to the actors. If you live in the area, you should see The Tempest. It’s well acted, visually stunning and a real treat.

I took a walk in the park yesterday after the matinee. It was a beautiful day here in the northeast.

Looks like some sort of meeting, doesn’t it? I’m not one of those people who disparage pigeons. I like pigeons. And all other birds. And adorable squirrels.

Bushnell Park has a carousel. I’ve walked by the building before. It’s old and beautiful and recently was re-opened for the spring and summer.

All sorts of people were taking a ride. Adults and children alike. I was entranced.

One dollar for a ride. I was just about to pony up when they announced they were closed for the day.

I’ve decided I need to ride that carousel. I told Don about it and his response was to remind me of the scene in Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, where a carousel speeds up and runs amok, terrifying everyone onboard. Thanks, Don. By the way, have you ever seen Strangers on a Train? It’s one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies.

Don’s ominous response will not deter me. Some day this week I am taking a ride on that carousel.

It’s Monday. I get to do laundry and have dinner with my friend, Mary, who is the stage manager on this production. I’m really ready to go home. Really ready.

By the way, though I didn’t do an official tally, I can say that the responses to Over or Under? were resoundingly, overwhelmingly in favor of Over. A few commenters mentioned that under was better to keep cats and children from pulling lots of paper off the roll. A few commenters didn’t care either way. But most of us, I’ve found, are just a wee bit anal about it and must have the roll in the Over position. Thanks for all your responses.

I changed the banner just a tad. The last bird is facing toward the lamb. Hmmm. Not sure which one I like better. Any thoughts?

Have a good Monday.

On Mothers Day

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My mom is confined to a nursing home.

Her decline has been long and painful.

I will speak to her today. But she no longer wants to talk on the phone, so I usually get only a few words in before she says, “Thanks for calling.” End of conversation.

I can’t tell you how many times I want to call her and share something with her; news about a childhood friend, an old movie I’ve seen that reminds me of watching old movies with her all through my growing-up years, a song I’ve heard, something funny about the dogs. I can’t do that anymore. She lives in a half-in-this-world/half-out-of-this-world state of being.

My dad gets frustrated when she won’t talk during his daily visits. But I can’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to talk either.

This isn’t what we imagined for her. And my dad’s lonely existence without her isn’t what we imagined for him.

Many of you have lost your mothers and this day is especially poignant for you. Some of you have never known your mother, so this day strikes a painful chord in your heart. Some of you have suffered the loss of a child, so this day is filled with sadness. Many of you are mothers and grandmothers and aunts. We are all daughters.

I wish for you a day filled with love, whether it comes from others or from yourself. Indulge. Treat yourself to something special. Make a cup of tea. Read a book. And if you can tell a mom that you love her, do.

Today’s Question: Over or Under?

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Time for another question. This particular question has intrigued me over the years. Since the hotel has side-by-side toilet paper dispensers, I have the perfect visual on hand to ask this question:

This has been a topic of debate in our household over the years. My preference is for Over. Don inevitably put a new roll of toilet paper on in the Under position. Eventually I won. Now, I am happy to say, we have a consensus. All rolls are inserted in the Over position.

The hotel seems to prefer Over as well. When the room is cleaned, this is what I see:

Nicely done, Homewood Suites.
(You’ll notice I didn’t bother to watermark these photos. If someone wants to steal my pictures of toilet paper, they have my blessing.)
Knowing that this is a bone of contention in many households, I think it’s time to get this question settled once and for all.
Over or Under? How do you roll?

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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