Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for books

Bakelite, Books & Rain (Finally!)

May 30, 2016 at 9:18 am by Claudia

I know a lot of bloggers don’t post on a holiday or simply post specifically about that holiday. I, on the other hand, like to read blogs every day of the year and just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean that every moment of my day is taken up with that holiday. When the pickings are slim, I feel let down. It’s like that ‘nobody’s around’ feeling in a neighborhood. Sort of unnerving.

So, what the heck, I’ll post as if it were any other day. Sort of.

We went to our neighboring town of Rosendale yesterday to have brunch at my favorite vegetarian restaurant – or almost vegetarian – the Rosendale Café. (Don has played there several times.) Oh, what a scrumptious brunch! Great music in the background; it sounded like Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt and it was perfect for a leisurely Sunday brunch. Then we stopped by our friend’s shop, the same shop where we found our chair last week. I came home with these pieces of bakelite flatware.

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Yes, another thing I collect: Bakelite. I actually haven’t purchased any bakelite in a long time, but these three pieces were intriguing. Love the serving fork on the right and the grapefruit knife in the middle. Any ideas what the piece on the left is? A whip? A potato masher? If you have any ideas, share them here!

Then we went to visit Jesse at Postmark Books, my new favorite bookshop. And this time, I actually bought some books.

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Jesse pointed out the Scandinavian mystery on the left. It looks very interesting. And I’ve been wanting to buy Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me for a long time. I’ve heard nothing but raves about it, with one blogger going so far as to say if you were only going to read one book this year, this should be it.

I took more photos of the shop and I’ll most likely post them on Just Let Me Finish This Page tomorrow. Oh, and Jesse does ship, for those of you who asked.

It’s rained all night long and it’s easing up now. More rain and storms tonight. I’m happy that the plants are getting some much needed moisture.

Here’s a picture of the two gadabouts:

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(Taken at the Rosendale Café.)

I’m getting grayer by the minute. So is Don.

Of course, we remember today all those who lost their lives in combat, in war, and under friendly fire. All of them gone too soon.

My fervent wish: No More War.

Happy Monday.

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Filed Under: bakelite, books, bookstores, collecting 48 Comments

Too Darn Hot

May 29, 2016 at 9:12 am by Claudia

Cripes. It’s been so hot here that we are under an air quality warning and have been for the past couple of days. It ‘felt’ – according the the weather report – close to 100 yesterday. Where the heck did Spring go? I’ve been staying in, just venturing out to keep water in the birdbath (they are drinking and bathing there almost constantly) and to water my seeds and potted plants.

All the rain that was predicted last week never materialized and we could really use some. I hope that tomorrow’s predicted rain comes. The birds, the animals, the plants, the grass – they all need a break.

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The catmint has really taken off – purple blooms everywhere.

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Yarrow that has self-seeded over by the Chicken Wire Fence Garden.

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Clematis twining and looping and blooming.

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Wind chimes moving gently in the breeze – when there is  one.

I read a book in a day and a half. It’s titled Security  and it’s by Gina Wohlsdorf. On my Kindle in eGalley form, it is un-putdownable. A high-tech thriller so well plotted and written that I was mesmerized. I’ll write a brief mini-review on Just Let Me Finish This Page today. It will be published on June 7th. Don was out doing a gig last night and there was nothing that interested me on television, so I just kept reading. And then I picked it up this morning and finished it. I love having a nice chunk of time in which to lost myself in a book. It’s the best.

Is anyone, other than Melanie, seeing ads that block the text or photos? I don’t mean the drop down ads that are sometimes above the first post. Those do open up and expand but are easily closed back up. I don’t seen anything on any of my browsers and I use Safari, Chrome and Firefox. I think it might be adware that’s on her browser, but I want to check with the rest of you.

Happy Sunday.

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Filed Under: books, flowers, garden 32 Comments

Out and About: Postmark Books

May 24, 2016 at 9:28 am by Claudia

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You know by now – at least,  you do if you read yesterday’s post – that I found a new bookshop in a neighboring town. To say I’m over the moon at finding a new independent bookseller is putting it mildly. The nearest town to us – a college town – has a used bookstore and an independent bookstore, but the I find the sparseness of the selections available at our little indie very frustrating. So I rarely go in there.

But just a hop, skip and a jump away is Postmark Books, in Rosendale, NY. The shop just opened a week ago. (A link to their Facebook page.) It is simply lovely and beautifully designed.

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Copper covered table with Father’s Day books on display.

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Jesse and Maggie.

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Don talking to Jesse and Maggie, all the while clutching our “new” Judy Collins album. That wrapping paper you see by the counter is by Rifle Paper Co. There is also a display to the right of the counter of Rifle Paper Co. stationery. I love their designs so I was very happy to see them there. Thanks, Maggie!

Look at the gorgeous interior of this shop. Wouldn’t you like to spend an hour or two there?

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This book lover and constant reader feels like Jesse knows exactly what I am interested in, as well as new-to-me books I wouldn’t ordinarily see in any old chain bookstore.  (I’m talking to you, Barnes & Noble.)

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Two beautiful gray chairs are in a corner in the front of the store. Just perfect for book exploration.

(All flower displays are by Maggie.)

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A charming display of greenery on the shelves dedicated to gardening.

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A close-up of the tin that covers the walls and ceilings. Be still my heart. I’d like this in my kitchen, please.

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Shop kitty.

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More flowers from Maggie.

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Oh my heavens. Can I just move in?

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Facing the entrance.

When it comes to my bookshop design dreams, I can’t imagine anything more perfect than this. I cannot wait to go back. When I do go back, I’ll take my big girl camera with me. I hope to interview Maggie and Jesse again. Frankly, I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the shop and the abundance of good books that I can’t remember everything we talked about. And we talked for a long time!

I do know that Jesse told me he loves to read and became frustrated when he realized that he would either have to travel north to Woodstock for a good independent bookstore or settle for Barnes & Noble. That’s when he decided to open his shop. And aren’t we lucky he did?

More will be coming, I promise.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Tagged With: NY, Postmark Books, RosedaleFiled Under: books, bookstores 56 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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