Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for deer

There Are Times I Just Can’t Come Up With a Post Title

March 20, 2015 at 9:21 am by Claudia

3-20 deer watching Scout

A deer looking at Scout (who’s in her mini corral.) Right after this, Scout became aware of the deer. They engaged in a stare-off. (This was shot through my kitchen door, so there’s some reflection bouncing off the deer and the tree.)

What a beautiful animal.

I was going to say that there’s much less snow on the ground – and there is – but on this first day of Spring we are supposed to get 3- 6 inches of snow. I’m calling this The Last Hurrah. My only comfort is in the fact that snow doesn’t stay on the ground for very long come March. The ground is warmer, the angle of the sun is higher. And the temp tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid-forties. Nevertheless, the whole thing is a bit daunting, wouldn’t you say?

Don, the saintly man to whom I am married, came along with me yesterday as I searched for jeans that fit my no longer angular and now curvy body. He helped me find various styles in my size and patiently waited for me to try them on and discard them. Eventually, I found a style by Lee that fit well. Huzzah! And then I found the same style in black. So I bought two pairs. There was a sale at Kohl’s so I got them at a very good price. Huzzah again! Note: I want to write the plural of pair as pair because that’s the way I was taught. But I hardly see that anymore. What to do?

Then we stopped at Target to pick up a couple of items.

I rewarded Don (and me) by agreeing to a stop at Five Guys. He got his burger (yes, he does eat meat now and then) and we shared some fries. As we were heading home, Don saw that Dairy Queen was open for the season and somehow we ended up with two chocolate shakes.

How did that happen?

And how did I end up having Five Guys fries and a chocolate shake for lunch?

I’m not sure, but it was awfully tasty – and slightly wicked.

3-20 lamp

This is the lamp that I had on my sewing table. It’s been moved to the den because I need a stronger light here. It’s the Ranarp Lamp from IKEA and my plan is to get another for the studio but since I’m not working on anything up there, there’s no hurry.

Today might be a good day to do some hand quilting as the snow falls.

For the last time.

I insist on it.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: deer, Don, quilting 54 Comments

A Bit of Everything: Snow, Dollhouse, Scout, Don & PBS

January 6, 2014 at 7:54 am by Claudia

houseinsnow

Even though snow can be a pain in the tush, it sure looks pretty on a sunny day.

deertracks

There are always fresh tracks on our front lawn and in the back forty. Usually the tracks are from the deer that share this property with us, but I often see tracks from other animals.

Unfortunately, yesterday and today have brought rain, then freezing rain, then rain again, so the landscape isn’t looking nearly so pretty. Our neighbors who have been away in Aruba (we shoveled their driveway the other day so they could pull in when they returned) just messaged us last night to say they were stuck there. I’m sure it’s due to cancelled flights and icy runways and all that sort of thing.

I’m thinking it wouldn’t be at all bad to be stranded in Aruba.

Dame Scout (she insists we call her that) had a wonderful birthday. There was a candle to blow out, a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday (with harmony) from her parents, and a plate with special treats that was actually placed on the carpet in front of her and no one interfered or said “No, Scout!” She kept looking at us as if to say “Is this for real?” Then she went for it. Licking peanut butter off a plate? A little bit of doggy heaven.

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday greetings. Scout has a big old smile on her face and she thanks you, too.

faucetsdh

A faucet and handles arrived for the dollhouse bathroom. I installed them in about two seconds. If only real-life plumbing was this easy.

Speaking of the dollhouse, do you remember this photo?

tueswallpaperwholeroom

It’s the finished craft room/office for the dollhouse. Whenever someone pins something from my blog or repins something I’ve pinned, I get an email that informs me of that. Over the last few days, several people have pinned this photo, not on a miniatures board or a dollhouse board, but on real-life decorating boards. I’m getting such a kick out of that! Do you think they know it’s from a dollhouse? Of course. They have to know. I assume the planked walls are the draw, but who knows? Whatever the appeal, I’m getting a chuckle out of the whole thing.

Okay. Heads up. Tomorrow night at 8:00 pm, Don’s episode of American Experience, The Poisoner’s Handbook, airs on PBS. Check your local listings, of course, but this starting time seems to be pretty consistent around the country. It’s two hours long.

Now remember, American Experience is part documentary, part interviews, and part re-enactment. So Don will not be in every moment of the show. But he’ll definitely be there, playing Dr. Charles Norris.

We’re are really looking forward to seeing how the producers have put the whole thing together. It’s been nearly a year since he filmed in Prague. (Why don’t I get gigs in Prague?)

The Christmas tree is still standing. I’m just now beginning to get a tiny urge to put everything away. It’s not strong enough to act on yet. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe after The Poisoner’s Handbook airs?

I have to order a headboard and a bed frame and a mattress pad and sheets for the new bed. I’ve got all sorts of possibilities bookmarked. Today is the day to make a decision. Wish me luck!

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: deer, dollhouse, Don, miniatures, Scout, snow 39 Comments

On Animals

December 28, 2013 at 10:05 am by Claudia

sundaydeer

This morning, and yesterday morning, as I walked into the upstairs bathroom, I could see the shadowy figures of deer walking through our property. One, then another, then another, then another, walking slowly, looking for food, stopping to nibble on a branch here and there. I purposely delayed going downstairs. If I went downstairs, I would have to let Scout out and that girl would scare those peaceful animals. Animals who do no harm to anyone. Animals who are hunted by locals who, trust me on this one, don’t have to hunt to eat.

But you know how I feel about all that. It’s the same reason I won’t watch a certain ‘reality’ show that’s been very much in the news lately. I cannot, in conscience, watch a show that stars a family that made their millions from manufacturing a ‘call’ that leads innocent birds to their deaths. Sorry. No can do.

How can I admire and love the geese and ducks we see every day on our walk or in the park in Hartford and then turn around and watch a program that is built on money and notoriety earned from their deaths?

If you know anything about me from reading this blog over the course of the almost-six-years of its existence, you know I am passionate about animal rights. I believe that all of us, human and animal, have the same right to live peacefully, without fear of a bullet or a bow and arrow or a knife. Sadly, that isn’t the case for many of our fellow humans or for many of our animal friends.

These are the things that haunt my dreams.

That some of you will disagree with me is certain. I’ve had these discussions before on this blog. I’d rather not have them again because, you see, nothing anyone can say is going to change what I believe deep in my heart, what I hold to be morally right. I’m 61. I’m pretty clear about what I believe at this point in my life. And most likely, if you believe differently than I, nothing is going to change your point-of-view.

Same thing as the time I was in grad school, already in my early thirties, and a classmate urged me to try cocaine. After hearing me say I wasn’t interested, he responded with “If you try it with me, I guarantee you’re going to like it. You’ll have fun.” Really? Do you really think I’m going to abandon my moral beliefs that quickly? For a reason that I don’t believe in and cannot, in conscience, support?

Any arguments for hunting get the same sort of response from me.

Since this blog is about my thoughts and worries and beliefs as well as the happy things in my life, I’d be less than honest in not writing about this occasionally because, believe me, it is part of the framework of my life – every day. I try to live that belief to the best of my ability. I don’t eat animals. I do my best to respect them. I’m not perfect, by any means. But I do the best I can.

We used to see about a dozen deer grazing on a hill during our daily 4 pm walk. When the hunting season brought the sound of gun shots, they were no longer in evidence. Every day, as we walked, I would tell Don I was worried about them. Where had they gone? Had they been killed? Or had they, hopefully, changed their pattern to avoid hunters? I prayed it was the latter.

Recently, we’ve seen four deer grazing again on the hill. Perhaps the same four deer that walk through our property in the early hours of dawn, as we live just over that hill. What happened to the others? I don’t know. I am happy to see these four. As Don said this morning, “You are welcome here.”

I’d add: “You are safe here.”

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: animals, deer, Don 57 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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