Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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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.

Jasmine, Darcy & Stitching

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Certain scents evoke a strong response – a sense memory so strong that you are instantly transported to a place, an event, a time in your life. For me, Jasmine is one of those scents. You find it everywhere in San Diego. Night Blooming Jasmine reminds me of walking my dogs in the evening in my old neighborhood here in San Diego and walking through Balboa Park on my way to a performance. It reminds me of meeting my husband and stealing a kiss as we walked to our cars along the back road behind the theater. It is such a heady, glorious scent. It is one of my favorite things about being in San Diego.

We have finished our rehearsals in the rehearsal hall and will move onstage Tuesday for the beginning of tech rehearsals. Monday night is the memorial for Craig Noel, the founder of the theater. Several hundred people are expected. I look forward to seeing many old friends.

I see Darcy most every day. Here is a photo from my walk home today:

Awwww.

For the first time since I arrived here, I did some stitching. This is my project based on Theresa McFayden’s Freestyle Embroidery EZine. Since I will have more free time in the coming weeks, I hope to add more to it.

By the way, as I was yet again sitting on the sofa, I experienced another earthquake yesterday. This time I was talking to my husband on the phone and I told him it seemed worse than the last. It was. It was a 5.3 earthquake with a 4.5 aftershock.

I think 2 earthquakes are enough, don’t you?

They’re Here

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My favorite time of year at Trader Joe’s is here.


The peonies have arrived! I made a quick stop there today, hoping they would be there. I love, love peonies. If I can’t be home to see our two peony bushes in bloom, this surely is the next best thing.


Aren’t they the most gorgeous, lush flowers? And the scent! This is a necessary indulgence for me – and photographing them is such fun.

Those of us on the creative staff for a production always get a rose on opening night. Three of these beauties are in a vase here in the apartment. Two of the designers had to leave before opening, so I got their roses.


There were so many great name suggestions for the koala:

Dundee, Kolby, Martin, Diego, Toby, Dennis, Sydney, Blinky Bill, Romeo, Clip, Darcy, Sleepy, Ichabod Crane, Mate, Sheila, Brisbane, Kiki, Sweet Pea……

I love them all. My sister insists on Darcy (we both love Pride and Prejudice.) So Darcy it is, but Darcy’s nickname will be Sweet Pea. I see him/her most every day. He sits on a metal bar and hugs the fence. His eyes scrunch shut and he is absolutely adorable. Norma from Australia tells me that they sleep a great deal of the time because their diet of eucalyptus has almost no calories. I would be happy to supply a nice soft sofa for Darcy to sleep on – really!

I’ll post photos from the Urban Barn sale in my next post.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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