Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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The Beach, Earthquakes & Mom

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Scenes from the beach:







There was quite a breeze and the water was choppy. I walked up and down the beach, taking photos, gathering shells, inhaling that clean, fresh ocean air. Note to self: get back there as soon as possible.

Did you know there was another earthquake on Tuesday evening? And, once again, I was sitting on the sofa. That brings the count to 3.

Mom is still in the hospital. Frankly, we don’t know what caused this incident. The doctors have said something about dehydration. I think that might be a factor along with her blood pressure or circulation. She was unconscious for about 10 minutes. Hopefully, she will be on her way home tomorrow but you know how it is in a hospital – so many different doctors and a lack of consistent communication. So we’re left with many questions.

My sister Meredith came up with perfect names again. Mrs. Koala will be Sydney and the baby will be Jasmine. Perfect, right?

Have a wonderful day.

Mom, Thoughts on Blogging, Roses

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I’ve added some dried roses to my little egg cup. When I first arrived in San Diego, I bought some roses that were so lovely that I felt compelled to save them. They are pretty fragile and won’t be able to travel home with me. In the meantime, I think they look perfect in this sweet cup.

I’ve been reading so many posts about the state of blogging lately. And one thing I keep reading is that bloggers hate word verification. To be totally honest with you, I’ve never had a problem with it. Maybe because I’m a fast typist? I have always thought if a reader can take the time to type several words for a comment, what is the problem with typing a few more characters? I’ve never let it keep me from leaving a comment on someone’s blog. Also, I’ve had spam problems in the past and having word verification really makes a difference.

But, I will bow to pressure and try….and I mean try…eliminating word verification. One caveat, however: if the spam gets out of control, it goes back on.

I am going to drive out to the beach today and do something I haven’t done since I arrived. Walk on the beach, take some photos and look for seashells. Most importantly, I am going to breathe in that salty ocean air. My Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday because she passed out. She is being held overnight for observation. I have a feeling this is a recurrence of a blood pressure issue and I hope she is allowed to go back home today. So far, all tests have been negative. But she has been having a very hard time of it lately. I can hear it in her voice.

This distance thing is very frustrating at times.

A Reunion & a Package in the Mail

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Good morning! As you know, I attended a memorial last night for Craig Noel, the man who shaped this theater for 70 years, first as an actor and director – then after WWII, as the Artistic Director. It was beautifully done, with tributes from many actors and directors who worked with Craig over the years. At the end of his career, he was awarded the National Medal of the Arts – the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence – at the White House. I was proud to have known and worked with him, to have called him my friend. I worked as a vocal coach on many shows he directed and he never gave up trying to get me to act in one of them. He was passionate about theater, about education (he founded the MFA program that brought me out to San Diego in 1993), about actors and how theater could enrich the community. He had a wonderful laugh and a wicked sense of humor. He was a mentor to so many – he was my husband’s mentor. Craig was the kind of man who enriched and touched the life of everyone around him.

So many people were there from years past; it was amazing. I saw many, many old friends and students. It was that rare event that became a reunion. I was very conscious that an era had ended and that I would never be with all these wonderful artists again. So today I am reflecting on a life well lived and on all the people who are better for having known Craig Noel.

I have to switch direction a bit here to share a package that arrived in my mail slot yesterday. I waited until I arrived back at the apartment to open it.


International Air Mail! It was from my friend Norma who lives in Australia. What is inside?



My very own cuddly Koala – and baby! Norma wrote me after reading my post about Darcy and said she was sending me a cuddly Koala. Isn’t Mrs. Koala adorable?


A close-up of the little baby. Remember that list of possible names? I have to go back to it and pick out names for these two.

Norma told me that there is a place in Sydney where you can visit Koalas who have been raised to be around humans. You can cuddle them. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Thank you, Norma for this wonderful gift. I am very touched by your thoughtful gesture. As I mention frequently, the generosity of bloggers continues to amaze me.

Have a wonderful day.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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