Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Is this January?

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To say the weather has been unseasonable is putting it mildly. It’s been in the sixties for the past two days, winds are high and very gusty, we had an intense rain storm come through this morning where the rain was blowing sideways, and now it’s sunny. It’s still very windy, but the sun is shining brightly.

Frankly, it’s too warm. By the end of this next week the temps will plunge into the low thirties, followed by several days where it never gets above the twenties. And they’re predicting snow next weekend. The new slogan for January: It’s got everything!

I did a nice chunk of work on Jane Eyre  yesterday and I’ll finish up today. Tomorrow, I leave for Hartford. I’ve only got 5 days of work on this show, but they’ve plotted out my days rather nicely in a way that makes sense for the show.

I finished the novel this morning. Heavens, it’s beautifully written! What a pleasure it was to read it and I don’t think I would have done that if I hadn’t been contracted to coach this show. A win-win.

I now, of course, have to decide what to read next. The eternal question: what books do I take to Hartford? Because you know I have to take a least two, just in case one of the books doesn’t fit my mood.

Because I’ll be staying in the apartments, I’ll have to take some coffee and filters and a big mug (their mugs are too small) and some half and half, as well as some frozen meals to pop in the microwave in the evening. And something to snack on. Plus my laptop, my chargers, my phone, my research, and on and on.

Anyway, I’m going to hang around here today with my husband. Because I don’t like to be away from him and I’ll miss him.

Happy Sunday.

What Are You Reading?

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Just a dusting of snow overnight. A stray flake or two falling.

Perfect. No cleanup necessary, no shoveling, no chipping away at ice. Thank you!

Well, we’re back into the non-holiday days of January. Though I’m happy to have a fresh start in a new year, I do dread the expanse of winter ahead. Don and I were saying it would be perfect if we had just three seasons a year, but it seems that isn’t going to happen, and considering the horrors of Climate Change, that’s a good thing.

We had a sunny day yesterday and this is a late afternoon view of the McCoy.

I’m in the middle of Jane Eyre. I’m really enjoying it. Brontë was such a wonderful writer. I swear I read it when I was young, but perhaps I just skimmed it? I’ve seen several adaptations of it on film and television, so I know the story. But I don’t remember reading all the detail that I’m reading at the moment, so it seems almost new to me.

I’m also reading The Seine, but I’ve had to temporarily put a pause on it because of Jane Eyre. Later today or early tomorrow, I have to read the script for the production I’m coaching.

So we come to my favorite question: What are you reading?

Happy Monday.

Saturday Reads

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A very foggy morning, but as the sun started to break through the clouds, I took this picture.

Isn’t this a nicely lazy week? Though we were fairly busy yesterday, grocery shopping in the morning, recycling, and then in the early afternoon, I drove to Oblong Books to get a copy of Jane Eyre. Today, on the other hand, will be slow and easy and I’m all for that.

The tree is still up and I must say I love seeing those lights in the early morning. Very cozy and comforting for yours truly.

I’m reading 3 books at the moment; the book about The Seine, Jane Eyre, and a wonderful book that I asked for and Don gave me for Christmas, Hotel Chelsea; Living in the Last Bohemian Haven. I’ve long been fascinated by the Hotel Chelsea in NYC, which has been a haven for eccentrics, artists, and musicians for decades. It has undergone many changes in the last twenty years. It was sold to a nefarious landlord, then sold again, then sold again. The nefarious landlord pressured everyone to move out using appalling tactics. The tenants formed an association and fought to retain their rent control status. They won. All along the way, the hotel has been in the process of renovation and many of the period details are gone. Those that stayed there during the renovations have fallen into a couple of different groups; some took offers for larger apartments that would be renovated by the owners, some refused any changes to their apartments because they wanted to retain all the period and quirky architectural elements, some took offers and moved out. The book, which is a gorgeous coffee table book, interviews some of the residents who have lived there for years and have no intention of moving out. Fascinating. Some of the decor is eccentric, to say the least. Some of it is drop-dead gorgeous. If you’re curious about the hotel, google it. The list of people who lived there over the years is amazing.

Alright, my friends, I have to hit publish so this goes out today.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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