Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Thoughts on Saturday

June 24, 2017 at 8:49 am by Claudia

There is a small black raspberry bush in the midst of all the strange weedy stuff that grows around our weeping willow stump. That area gets a lot of direct sun. The day before yesterday, I discovered some berries were already ripening. They are so, so good. I ate them as I talked to Don on the phone, hoping he would forgive me for having them all to myself.

I did the usual sort of errand running yesterday; groceries, post office, and then I decided to buy two more hanging geraniums for the porch. Since I’m going to be gone for a while and my usual choice of hanging plants need to be watered every day as they get a lot of direct sun on the porch, I thought the heat-tolerant geraniums would be better. I don’t want Noble to have to stop by every day to water them. I will now find a shady place for them, someplace where they’ll catch the rain and won’t dry out so quickly.

As I was puttering around the porch, Don called and we chatted a bit and then I had to run in the house, so I told him I would call him right back. The porch was so beautiful, there was a lovely breeze that helped to cut the humidity, the wind chimes were tinkling, and when it was time to call him back, I plopped myself on the glider and hit Face Time. Believe it or not, this is the first time we’ve used Face Time since he left for the West Coast.

Ah! There  he was. We sat there talking to each other and we couldn’t stop smiling. I was so happy to see his dear face. He seemed to be equally happy to see mine. It was simply lovely, that time together, with the breeze blowing and my love right there on my phone. Eventually, I got up and took him on a tour of the gardens, so he could see what was happening back home.

I know it seems silly not to avail ourselves of Face Time more often, but I’m sort of happy we didn’t, because it made this all the more special. One week from Monday I will be winging my way out to San Diego. I cannot wait to see him in person.

It rained during the night and now the sun has come out. Two bunnies were dining when I looked out the window of the kitchen door, though I had to gently remind them that the garden was a no-no. They ran off, white tails bobbing. The same for the beautiful deer that was feeding right outside my kitchen window yesterday evening. I ran to get the camera and as he moved, I moved to the den to see if I could get a photo. Much to my surprise, he walked right up to my butterfly bush, clearly eyeing it as a possible meal choice. So I knocked on the window, he looked up, right into my eyes, we studied each other for a minute – and then he ran off.

It’s a special day today. Don turns 66 years old. Little Z turns 6.

Isn’t that perfect? 66 and 6.

I love that they share a birthday, these two boys. They have a special bond and their shared birthday makes that bond even more precious.

Last year at this time, I was unveiling the mini studio that I made for Don. This year we’re apart but we know we’ll be together soon and we’ll celebrate then. He told me he didn’t want a card or a present, that he would prefer that I buy him something that he discovers and falls in love with on our trip across the country. Sounds perfect.

He has two shows today and two shows tomorrow, so he’ll be busy.

Happy Birthday to my big love and Happy Birthday to my little love. Two of my favorite guys.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: birthday, black raspberries, Don, flowers, garden, Little Z 34 Comments

Thursday Thoughts

June 15, 2017 at 9:39 am by Claudia

In about three weeks, I’ll see my husband. I have yet to make the plane reservation but I’m planning on traveling sometime during the first few days of July. His show closes July 9th. Then, on the 10th, we’ll start out on our trip home.

And in the ‘we’re never home at the same time’ category, I found out that my next show at Hartford Stage starts rehearsals on August 11th. Sigh. I guess we’ll have about three weeks together here at the cottage. I’m, as always, grateful for the work, but not so entranced by another separation.

Taken about 6:30 this morning, as I was trying to get a good picture of the Catalpa blossoms:

The blossoms are everywhere. Since we’re due for rain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I fear they won’t be with us much longer. The scent is wonderful. As I do my work outside, it hovers in the air. Beautiful.

Roses and roses and roses.

Each stage of the unfurling is beautiful. If I had the time, I’d park myself on a bench and take pictures throughout the day, capturing all the changes.

I mowed the front of the property yesterday. It was a beautiful day; low eighties with no humidity and sunny. Today, the corral and the back forty and I’ll be good to go for another week. Life seems to consist of checking the weather forecast and calculating when I will be able to mow.

Next week, I will be in Manhattan on Tuesday and Wednesday to do a little checking in on Anastasia  and to work with a couple of the actors. Working with the actors is always a pleasure and seeing the show again will be lovely.

Do you ever find yourself wanting to say “I warned you” or “I told you so” when talking about the current state of things in the Oval Office? I do. (I’m only human.) There were so many warnings from so many people about what would most likely happen if he was elected. And it’s all coming true with an extra dollop of corruption, collusion and greed.

Those of us who live in or near NYC were on to him years ago. His corruption was well known – there’s a reason New Yorkers didn’t vote for him. As you know, I wrote about him over the course of four or five posts and certain readers were angry about that and stopped reading the blog.

He’ll be a less than one-term President. Let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later. There is too much at stake.

The shootings that happened yesterday – in Virginia and San Francisco – were tragic. My thoughts are with everyone involved. Violence and guns are never the answer to any problem.

Peace.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Don, flowers, garden 50 Comments

A Very Good Week

June 8, 2017 at 7:57 am by Claudia

The first peony bloom of the season – from the bush that didn’t bloom at all last year. I have to move it in the fall because the tree that is next to it is overwhelming it with shade. But, for some reason, it was able to produce one big beautiful flower this year. I’m grateful.

The catmint is nectar central for all the bees. Honeybees, bumble bees – they’re all there. The constant buzz (literally) of activity is the best movie in town.

And later in the day, I saw this:

Henry lurking in the shadows. Was he watching the catbird? Or was he contemplating life?

I grabbed my camera and took some photos. Right after that, he turned toward the entrance to his den and disappeared. I think it might have been due to this guy on the edge of the back forty.

I think he lives under our next door neighbors’ shed.

But enough about all that. Let’s get to the meat of this post.

I have to go into the city on Saturday. Why?

Because I have a ticket to the matinee of Hamilton!!!!

Oh my goodness, I am beyond excited about this! Here’s how it happened. One of the guys working on the music for Escape to Margaritaville  also worked on Hamilton  for several years and continues to work on the tours. He and Don got to talking about that one day and Don mentioned that I really, really, really wanted to see it. He said that he has access to House Seats and did I want him to put me on the list?

YES. YES. YES. He asked me to pick three dates in June. I chose three matinee days. He submitted my name and our credit card info. Saturday turned out to be the day the box office thought might work best, but I was still on a waiting list and as this week went by, I began to give up hope. I mean, it’s Hamilton  and getting a ticket is nigh to impossible.

Yesterday, I asked Don whether he had heard anything yet from his friend who had told us that he would hear something the week of the performance. Don said he’d call him. Coincidentally, his friend was emailing him the confirmation at the same time Don was calling.

I’m in!

House seats aren’t free – they’re still pricey, but less expensive than the cost of seats being sold to the general public. I learned my lesson when I turned down the opportunity to buy a house seat to see the original cast when it was at the Public Theater. I grabbed this chance.

Whoo hoo!

A good week: the celebration of my dear friend Rick, Comey is testifying today, the Original Broadway Cast album of Anastasia  is being released tomorrow, and I’m seeing Hamilton  on Saturday!

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Broadway, Don, flowers, garden, groundhogs, Henry 50 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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