Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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A Start

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I’m writing this rather quickly, as I slept in and I have to make my way to Rick and Doug’s home for brunch. Doug’s daughter is in town and I look forward to seeing her again. Should be lovely.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments yesterday, along with some great advice. We’re all dealing with this, aren’t we? Don says it’s all about balance and he’s right. I managed to do pretty well yesterday, though there were a few slip ups here and there. I had several errands to run, as well as laundry and vacuuming, but I did  start my book! Huzzah!

I can already tell I’m going to like it. It came out a few years ago and was on a lot of the Best Books of the Year lists. If I had to compare it to another book – and it’s early in the game – I’d compare it to All the Light We Cannot See. It’s called A Constellation of Vital Phenomena  and is written by Anthony Marra. I’ll share more of my thoughts when I’ve finished.

The sun in the photos is courtesy of yesterday. Today is gray, with rain and snow in the forecast.

Sigh of spring-yearning.

I just might paint that kitchen wall this coming week, since I’m stuck here because of the cold temperatures.

Happy Sunday.

Who is This Man?

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There’s a strange man in my house.

Who is this guy? And what is he doing sitting in my living room?

Don got home around 7:00 last night. He’s happy to be here. Though when he looked out at the property this morning in the light of day, he said “It’s so bleak.” When he left to go on tour there were green trees and flowers in the garden. Now, everything is brown and gray.

He loved the tarts, though we both think the crust is a little chewy. That’s my next challenge. But in the meantime, we’re loving them.

I’m still under the weather, but whatever this is, it’s moving through my system pretty quickly.

Don’s excited that he gets to drive his car again. I started it for him yesterday and it ran like a charm.

We’re both so grateful for the opportunities this year has brought us and for the very real peace that comes from knowing he’s employed come January and that we can simply relax and enjoy our time together during the holiday season. There have been many, many years when that was not the case.

Saturday night’s sunset.

Happy Monday.

Back at the Ranch

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Hello from the cottage.

A long day of travel yesterday, of course, with an Uber ride to O’Hare, the flight home, then the shlepping. That’s what I find the most tiring; I had two small rolling suitcases (Don currently has the large one) plus my handbag and a coat and I had to constantly start, stop, adjust my handbag, take my coat off, put it on, grab the suitcases by the handles to go up and down stairs, and maneuver through subway turnstiles to make my way back into the city. As it was unseasonably warm and I had layers on, I was uncomfortable and just wanted to get home.

But, I caught the 5:00 bus and my friends Rick and Doug picked me up from the bus station. And when I got home, my plants were in pretty good shape. The monstera (split-leaf philodendron) and the pilea were drooping quite a bit. Watering was my first priority and I’m happy to say that this morning, every plant looks revived and healthy. Two weeks away is okay in the winter. It would be more problematic in the spring and summer when plants require more water.

I’m glad to be home. I’m going over to Rick and Doug’s place for brunch this morning. Rick is making French Toast, one of my favorites. Doug’s daughter is visiting and it will be nice to get to know her.

Unfortunately, Don lost his voice on Friday during the matinee and, even though he planned to go on that night, the music director pulled him from the weekend shows because he has to be better for Monday’s recording of the cast album. Also unfortunately, my best friend and her family came to the show on Friday night, so I was texting and calling her at the last minute to tell her Don wouldn’t be appearing.

So, they didn’t get to see Don in the musical, which was the whole point of going. Laural is in the theater so she understood. But Don felt badly; he really wanted to do that performance for them.

The company manager found an ENT doctor and Don saw him yesterday morning. He has an upper respiratory infection and is on meds and isn’t talking for the whole weekend, so we’re texting and/or face-timing with me doing all the talking and Don nodding yes or no.

Say a prayer or two for him, okay? He has to be better for that recording tomorrow.

I have to run to the grocery store this morning to stock up on food. I’m ready to eat at home for a while. Dining out is fun but when it’s every day, I get tired of it.

What a blessing it has been to travel to New Orleans and Chicago and spend quality time in both places. Don will be home a week from tomorrow and we can settle in for the month of December.

That will be nice.

Closing with a shot of nighttime Chicago, taken my last night there.

Happy Sunday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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