Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

A Day Trip

March 10, 2015 at 10:07 am by Claudia

Yesterday morning, Don said it was time to get out of Dodge. He suggested brunch at the Millbrook Diner in the charming town of Millbrook, NY. It’s across the Hudson River from our little abode and, since it was warmer out and we had a wee bit of spring fever, we decided the drive would be the perfect antidote to the winter blahs.

3-10 hudson river

The Hudson River is completely iced over except for this channel carved out by an icebreaker. Amazing.

3-10 millbrookstreet

3-10 diner

I have to say I like the diner’s home fries the best. Ummm-mmmm! But I was so full I had to leave some on my plate.

After our meal, we walked down the street to a couple of our favorite antique shops. These are shops that we used to frequent fairly often when we lived on the same side of the Hudson. I’m glad we’ve rediscovered this little town. The area surrounding it, much like our neck of the woods, has a lot of horse farms, with rolling hills and beautiful older homes.

We found a few treasures yesterday.

3-10 worldsfairpitcher

I found this souvenir pitcher from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. I think it qualifies as miniature pottery, don’t you? That’s 24 karat gold, by the way. Have to admit, I was thrilled to add something from the World’s Fair to my collection.

3-10 Heidi

I found this 1945 edition of Heidi  for $1.00. It’s in great condition, no musty smell at all.

3-10 Heidi bookplate

This book plate is just scrumptious. I don’t know if you can read the small print – it says: This bookplate is distributed only to members of the YOUNG FOLKS BOOK CLUB. Sigh. Thank you for this well loved edition of Heidi, Philip Lord Flint.

It has beautiful illustrations by William Sharp throughout:

3-10 Heidi illustration

I love it.

Don was the one who spotted this treasure. It was the ukelele that drew him. Since it was in a glass case, we figured it would be too pricey for us. But, it wasn’t. And it was on sale. It’s from the 1930s.

3-10 ukelele girl

That grass skirt is made out of broomcorn, the material that is used in whisk brooms. I’ve never seen anything like her before. She simply had to come home with us.

3-10 ukelele girl 2

She’s in excellent condition. We just love our Ukelele Girl.

3-10 ukelele girl 3

The satin ribbon around her hips is gorgeous. Kudos to Don!

It was a nice getaway day. It’s warmer, sunnier, and the ice in the gutters is melting, along with some of the snow.

By the way, there is another round of spammy emails being sent out under my name. These are, I think, coming from the same people who hacked into my email in December. I’ve read before that they store the list and use it a few times. If you look closely, you’ll see it isn’t coming from my email address. As with any email, you should never click on a link without knowing it’s safe. And, of course, I would never send out that kind of email. I don’t think I was hacked again, as I’ve put safeguards on those email accounts, but nevertheless, I’ve changed my passwords. Again.

There you are.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: antiques, Don, vintage 49 Comments

A Little Bit of Everything on Monday

March 9, 2015 at 9:53 am by Claudia

3-9 green chair

I’m going to call this the Storybook Chair. It looks like something that would be in an illustration from Hansel and Gretel  or Heidi  or Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Perhaps someday soon the weather will be warm enough for me to add a couple of layers of protection so those wonderfully chippy areas stay just as they are. No more chipping allowed. In the meantime, this coming week promises warmer temperatures and it’s about time!

Yesterday found me outside digging out the gutter extensions at the back of the house from the three feet of snow in which they were buried, which led to the realization that they were filled with ice. That led to several trips back and forth with a kettle of boiling water, which I poured into each extension to melt the ice.

It took a long time. I also grabbed our trusty roof rake and raked some of the snow off the kitchen roof. (After last winter’s adventures with both a rented roof rake, as well as Tina & Noble’s roof rake, we decided to invest in one this year.)

It felt good to be outside doing something other than shoveling. The hint of warmth (this is all relative, of course) in the air was just what I needed.

What else? I washed the slipcover that is on the sofa in the den. Then I spent quite a while wrestling the cushions back in the slipcover, cursing the whole time. I guess I was pretty vocal, as Don finally came to my rescue.

And we watched My Favorite Year  (a gem of a movie) and finished off the 3rd season of House of Cards. Since some of you have yet to watch it, I’ll hold off on any detailed opinion. Don and I have discussed it in great detail, as you can imagine, and we both feel that it wasn’t as good as the previous two seasons. Still good – but not as good. That’s all I’ll say for now.

3-9 P&P sched

Don stood by the Doily Swag Lamp the other day and said: “I really like this.” He’s said that before, but this time he was more specific. He likes the doilies; the airiness that comes from the surface of a crocheted doily, the way the light shines through it.

I put this particular project together three years ago. But Don’s like that. He’ll suddenly ‘see’ something that’s been around for a while as if it’s for the first time. That, in turn, helps me to see it with fresh eyes. Thanks, Don!

I don’t know if you can tell, but the blackboard is now being used to write the times that Dame Scout has taken care of her ‘business.’ Because sometimes, if certain business hasn’t been taken care of, one of us has to get up in the middle of the night to ensure that an accident doesn’t happen. It’s what you do with an older dog, isn’t it? We did it with Riley, too.

She’s a good girl. We don’t ever want her to feel stressed about that sort of thing, though it’s inevitable at times. We just try to make sure that it happens as little as possible.

This time change is throwing me off! I’m getting to my post a bit later than normal. Sorry for the delay, my friends.

Carolyn Marie is the winner of a copy of The Swimmer. Congratulations! I’ve just sent you an email.

By the way. Don got a spammy email from me today and some of you did, too. I think it’s the same idiots that hacked my email in December. They tend to store the list and use it again. Sorry for the inconvenience. Nevertheless, I’ve changed my passwords, just in case.

Of course, it goes without saying, DON’T CLICK ON THE LINK.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: antiques, DIY, Don, Scout, winter 27 Comments

Playlist (Part 3)

March 3, 2015 at 9:22 am by Claudia

3-3 scoutie sleeping

I have to throw in a picture – in this case, a photo of Dame Scoutie sleeping on her quilt. She’s doing much the same thing as I write this, only she’s in her ‘tunnel’ position. More snow and sleet and ice on the way later today. Will it never end? Don and I are trying to keep it together, but we want OUT!

More from the Playlist. I hope you’re having as much fun with this as I am. I also love that you’re sharing your favorites in the comments. Thank you for that. You remind me of songs that I love and just may want to add to my list. Let’s hit Shuffle.

My Playlist

•  Like a Lover – Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66
    I have spent literally hours listening to this song over the years. I know I keep saying certain songs are sexy – and they are – but this one, this one is one of the sexiest. A gorgeous arrangement, with a bossa nova beat and gorgeous strings in the background, this song speaks love. Add in the fact that Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66 were so good at this kind of thing and you’ve got a winner. I introduced this song to Don years ago and it’s one of his favorites now.

Like a lover, the velvet moon
Shares your pillow and watches while you sleep
Its light arrives on tiptoe
Gently taking you in its embrace
Oh, how I dream 
I might be like the velvet moon to you

Sigh.

•  Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin
    Love, love, love this song – the American version of La Mer by Charles Trenet. Trenet, by the way, is someone you should also listen to – we have a recording of him singing his songs. Trenet’s original version in French had totally different lyrics. The American lyrics are by Jack Lawrence. Darin’s version is simply fabulous, with a big, brassy arrangement. I also have George Benson’s version around here, which is also great, but Darin’s is the clear winner.

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waitin’ for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailin’

You’ll be snapping your fingers.

•  Expressway to Your Heart – The Soul Survivors
    Who knows why, but I love this oldie. The opening “boom, boom, boom-boom-buh-boom boom” draws you in and you can’t help but move to the beat. It came out in 1967, was written by the famed Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

I was wrong, baby, took too long
I got caught in the rush hour
A fellow started to shower
You with love and affection
Now you won’t look in my direction
On the expressway to your heart…

You’ll be dancing before you know it.

•  Don’t You Care – The Buckinghams
    I’ve always loved this song. I bought the album many moons ago just for this cut. Also from 1967, this was a big hit for the Buckinghams. Sung by lead singer, Dennis Tufano.

If you don’t love me
Why don’t you tell me
Instead of running around
With all the other guys in town

Can’t you see
You’re hurting me
Don’t you care, don’t you care

And my favorite part in the bridge:

mmmmm, my, my, my, my baby (with a great guitar riff in the background)

•  After the Love Has Gone – Earth, Wind & Fire
    Sigh. This is a great song, great harmonies, great arrangement. It has a slower tempo – it’s less of a dance song and more of a love song. My love for this splendid group is undying.

And it modulates to another key smack dab in the middle in the song. The ‘oh, oh, oh’ leads us there.

And oh, after the love has gone
How could you lead me on
and not let me stay around
Oh oh oh after the love has gone
what used to be right is wrong
Can love that’s lost be found

•  Free – Deniece Williams
Oh my lord. I love this song. Incidentally, it was produced by Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. You’ll be astounded by what Williams’ voice is capable of – the notes that she hits at the end. Extraordinary. Great arrangement – quintessential Deniece Williams. I’ve been known to listen to this one over and over. I first heard another artist’s cover of this, but I tracked down the original. No surprise – it was Niecy.

Whispering in his ear
My magic potion for love
Telling him, I’m sincere
And there’s nothin’ too good for us.

But I want to be free, free, free
And I’ve just got to be me yeah, me me

•  You Better Love Me While You May – Jack Jones
    I heard this cut on the CD I mentioned yesterday – Closer Than A Kiss: Crooner Classics. I’ve always liked Jack Jones. This song, written by Hugh Martin (who wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas) and Timothy Gray for the Broadway musical, High Spirits (the musical version of Blithe Spirit) has been recorded by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Mel Tormé. In this version, Jones is accompanied by a small group of musicians; piano, bass viol, and drums. I can sing Jones singing this in a sophisticated nightclub. This one also modulates to a new key in the middle. Love that kind of thing.

You’d better love me while you may
Tomorrow I may fly away
I want your gentle touch
Your continental touch
Your elemental touch
You want me too
Oh, I know that you do.

•  Peg – Steely Dan
    We’re Steely Dan lovers in this household. In fact, one of our early conversations while courting was about how much we loved Aja, their brilliant album. Peg, infectious, fun and jazzy, is the kind of song that makes me want to dance and sing along with it.

I’ve seen your picture
Your name in lights above it
This is your big debut
It’s like a dream come true
So, won’t you smile for the camera
I know they’re gonna love it, Peg.

•  Charade – Andy Williams
To my mind, Henry Mancini was one of the greatest composers of music for film. When I watch the Oscars nowadays, most, not all, songs that are nominated for Best Song are laughable. Really? Take me back to Mancini, please. This song, from the movie Charade, is simply beautiful. The arrangement, with Andy Williams singing the vocal, has a somewhat French sound, which is fitting since the movie takes place in Paris. It’s one of my favorite movies, by the way, directed by Stanley Donen and starring the incomparable Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Elegant, stylish, sophisticated.

When we played our charade
we were like children posing
Playing at games, acting out names
Guessing the parts we played

•  Goin’ Out of My Head – Little Anthony & The Imperials
    One of the best pop songs ever. It was recorded in 1964 and since then it has been covered by many, many artists. This version – the original – is still the best. Little Anthony’s voice, filled with raw emotion, takes us right into the heart of the lyrics. A song about a love that is consuming, it touches a chord in anyone who has ever longed for a requited love. Backed by a full orchestra, a sumptuous arrangement, his rendition of this song is gut-wrenching.

Well, I think I’m goin’ out of my head
Yes, I think I’m goin’ out of my head
Over you, over you
I want you to want me, I need you so badly
I can’t think of anything but you.

•  Teach Me Tonight – Al Jarreau
     A great standard, Teach Me Tonight as covered by Al Jarreau is simply wonderful. I love Al Jarreau – I have many of his CDs and I’ve seen him in concert. He can do things with his voice that are simply amazing. Here he takes us along for the ride as he sings of love until the final build that knocks it out of the park. Great sax solo. Written by Gene DePaul and the great Sammy Cahn.

One thing isn’t very clear, my love
Should the teacher stand so near, my love
Graduation’s almost here, my love
Teach me tonight.

•  Since I Fell for You – Lenny Welch
    This may be the best of all songs about the heartbreak of love. I’ve used the phrase gut-wrenching before in this series, but this one makes all the others look like small potatoes. Lenny Welch has the kind of voice that has an emotional intensity beyond compare. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, it’s almost too much. He is so gifted. No one – I repeat – no one  can sing this song like Lenny Welch. Recorded in 1963.

You made me leave my happy home
You took my love, and now you’ve gone,
Since I fell for you.

Love brings such misery and pain
I guess I’ll never be the same
Since I fell for you.

•  I’d Sing You – Don Sparks
This is my favorite Don Sparks song. He recorded it several years ago. He doesn’t even sing it anymore, but that doesn’t matter. It kills me, it’s so wonderful. My romantic husband writes beautifully. He’s a poet. In this song, he’s at his best. He arranged and orchestrated it with Garage Band on his Mac and it’s superb. He’ll be embarrassed by this, but I don’t care.

This isn’t what I meant to say
The awkward rhyme, the poor word play
It comes out wrong, it hides the song
I’d sing you

Every fear that holds my tongue
Leaves a passion yet unsung
This lovers moon 
Never hears the tune
I’d sing you

There should be a symphony in blue
A choir softly singing out for you
I lose the key
And the melody
I’d sing you

Be still my heart. This man is something else.

•  Rainy Night in Georgia – Brook Benton
Has there ever been another song that is so evocative – that so perfectly paints a picture of loneliness, the rain, of being without the one you love? Brook Benton had a gorgeous, deep, resonant voice and it is perfect fit for this song. Accompanied by a full orchestra, guitar and the lonely sound of a harmonica, this song never fails to take me to a different place.

A distant moanin’ of a train
Seems to play 
A sad refrain to the night.

A rainy night in Georgia
A rainy night in Georgia
It seems like it’s rainin’ all over the world
I feel like it’s rainin’ all over the world.

•  Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder
  Simply gorgeous. There’s no one like Stevie Wonder. His gifts are enormous. And he’s a fellow Detroiter, so how could I not love him? This plaintive, beautiful song moves slowly – no hurry – and takes us along on a lovely journey.

If allowed, may I touch your hand?
And if pleased, may I once again?
So that you too will understand

There’s a ribbon in the sky for our love.

•  Suspicion – Terry Stafford
This is a real oldie. I love it. I remember listening to it on a little radio in my bedroom when I was a young girl. It got to me even then. Stafford has a deep voice, the song is haunting, it brings back lovely memories. I had to include it on my playlist. Originally written for Elvis Presley, it was covered by Terry Stafford in 1964. Stafford has a vocal quality not unlike Presley’s. I also love the arrangement.

Ev’ry time you kiss me
I’m still not certain that you love me
Ev’ry time you hold me
I’m still not certain that you care.

Suspicion torments my heart
Suspicion keeps us apart
Suspicion why torture me?

I hope you’re enjoying the Playlist. I like the challenge of putting into words just why I like these selections, what it is about them that strikes a chord within me. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Don, life, music, Scout 36 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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