Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Home

at by

2-21 home

Home. Masses of packing yesterday morning. Masses of unpacking yesterday afternoon. Thank goodness, Don was in Hartford, too – he took a load of things home in his car. I stayed a  bit longer to pack up my car and do some last minute cleaning in the apartment.

We had a lovely time together in Hartford. On Friday, we stopped at Blue State Coffee for some coffee for Don and hot chocolate for me. We spent a couple of hours at the Wadsworth Atheneum. Don loved it there, as I knew he would. We wandered back to the apartment and donned our opening night duds. We had dinner at Salute, an Italian restaurant with great food and service, and then went to the theater. The show was wonderful. I, of course, have seen it a lot, and watching Don watching it was a huge treat. The Opening Night Party took place right after the show. Don got to meet everyone, though he already knew Darko and Kandis (our friend who plays the Nurse.)

A long, but wonderful, day.

I’m proud of my work on Romeo and Juliet. And it’s awfully rewarding to see that work show in the growth of the actors onstage. To see it pay off. It’s also very rewarding to hear them express their appreciation and thanks. It makes it all worth it.

I know I love seeing Don with his colleagues when I get to see him onstage. I love seeing him through their eyes, watching him interact with them, seeing the respect and admiration they feel for him. He feels the same way about me, and he was definitely the proud husband on Friday night.

He gets it.

Now, we’re back home…recovering.

And of course, being back home is bittersweet for me. Everywhere I go, I see emptiness where Scout should be. This morning I automatically started to look for her water dish to make sure it had enough water in it. I looked for her when I came downstairs this morning. I looked for her when I unlocked the door yesterday afternoon. I’m experiencing what Don has already experienced over the past two weeks, a cottage without our girl.

There is a quiet in the house that is filled with her absence. We’ve lived here for ten years and she has always been here with us. I broke down last night and cried. I miss her so much and I still can’t believe she’s gone. I would give anything to have her back. To be her mom again.

Her ashes are waiting for us at the animal hospital. We’re not quite ready for that experience yet. When we’re ready, we’ll go together and bring them home.

Oh, Scoutie, you are missed by your mom and dad. You are missed.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Opening Night

at by

2-19 favorite guy

This guy got fed up with being alone at the cottage and drove to Hartford on Wednesday night.

It’s very nice having him here, as you can imagine.

One of the perks of working on this production has been the chance to reunite with some actors that I worked with at the Old Globe. And when I say ‘worked with,’ I mean several times. In the case of our friend Kandis, many, many times. She and Don have known each other since they were in their teens. Imagine!

So the three of us went to lunch together yesterday afternoon and talked the way old friends do and it was lovely. Don and I spent the rest of the day in the apartment. We’re both exhausted. Grieving is draining, tiring, and overwhelming.

I haven’t been buying any more food since I’m moving back home tomorrow, but we managed to whip up an omelet and some steamed vegetables and somehow it seemed to be the perfect dinner. Today, we’re going to go to the Wadsworth Atheneum. And I’m going to start packing.

2-19 opening night

Tonight is opening night.

It’s been a joy working on this production. I’ve worked with old friends and made new friends. My Hartford Stage ‘family’ has been, as ever, fun and hard-working and supportive – especially when they heard about Scout. I’ve come to think of this theater as a second home. Romeo and Juliet marks my ninth show here at Hartford Stage. I did at least four more with Darko at the Old Globe, and one in NYC, so our collaborations together now number fourteen.

What an honor it is to work with him.

So, it’s Opening Night here in Hartford. And then…home.

Edited to add: I just saw the news that Harper Lee has passed away. More on her legacy later. Thank you, Harper Lee. Thank you for profoundly influencing my life. Rest in peace.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Flowers

at by

Both of these photos were in Instagram yesterday, but since I shouldn’t assume that you saw them, I’ll share them with you.

I ended up taking the day off yesterday, since the actors are doing well and I felt I could give them a day off from my note taking. My stomach was acting up, a reaction not unexpected after the stress of losing Scout. I was tired and worn out and I just needed a quiet day. Knowing that I have to teach a Master Class this morning had something to do with it as well. I needed to rest so that I would be able to function at my best today.

When I shared that decision with Don, he sort of hesitated and when I asked why, it turned out he had sent me flowers which would be waiting for me at the theater box office. So I bundled up and ran over there to pick them up.

2-15 valentine flowers

They’re beautiful. He asked the florist to include one white rose (which you can’t see in this photo.) We exchanged a single white rose on our wedding day.

The afternoon light prompted me to take this photo:

2-15 stilllifewithroseville

“Still Life with Roseville.”

I like the way the texture of the green leaves is echoed in the background texture on the Roseville vase. I didn’t plan it that way, it just is.

I’m off to get ready for my class.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives