Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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While Walking by the Zoo

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First, I must say Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom. You are the best, Mom.

I walk to rehearsals every day. My walk takes me through Balboa Park, where the theater is located and where the famous San Diego Zoo is also located. In fact, I walk by the Zoo on my way to the rehearsal halls. Yesterday, as I was passing the Zoo, I took the opportunity to call my nephew who was turning 13. He is the youngest of my sister’s two boys. He has always had the most wonderful speaking voice, very childlike and full of wonder, with a natural musicality that is delightful. If I could I would do an imitation of it for you.

Meredith put him on the phone. I said “Happy Birthday!” A stranger answered. A stranger who has a deep voice with about a 3 note range. What????? I felt like someone had kicked me. Of course, I said nothing to him – I know all about boys and changing voices and self-consciousness. I have several nephews. I get it. But this voice, this sweet little boy voice – I loved that voice.

Gone. When my sister got back on the line, I went on and on about it. She said “Welcome to my world.” Boys grow up, the youngest becomes a young man. I think all Moms want to stop time for a while – have their kids stay at a certain age. I guess Aunts do, too. I’m hoping I can keep that voice alive in my memory, in the little tape recorder in my brain.

Later that day, I was walking back home – again by the zoo. I walk along a high fence that hides the exhibits. For some reason I took my camera along with me yesterday. Alerted by some school children who were pointing and aiming cameras, look what I saw:


Apparently, the back of the Koala exhibit faces the fence. You can see the fence I walked along, and then the interior enclosure. You must know something about me: koala bears are my favorite animals in the zoo. I love them. So I stood there, entranced by this little creature and trying to get a good photo. Here are some more:


He woke up for a minute.


And…back to sleep.

I didn’t even have to pay the entrance fee! Now that I know they are there, I will be watching for a glimpse of one every day. I know that Koalas don’t like to be held and are not ‘cuddly’ but in my world, I prefer to think they are. Isn’t this the cutest little guy? I want him. Do you think they would let me take him home?

Have a wonderful day.

Thoughts on Leaving

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Scenes from the garden…as I prepare to leave.

Sweet Violets
Oriental Poppy
Annabelle Hydrangea
Slender Peony shoots – my favorite flower
Lilac buds – just waiting to flower
A Hosta in the midst of Jacob’s Ladder
A closer look at the Weigela bloom

The garden has been mulched, with help from my husband. I’ve had the chance to mow at least once before I leave. I’ve pruned some of the wild roses that surround the property. I’ve cleared brambles, raked dead grass, and today I will pot some Impatiens for the porch. I have another box to pack…and lots of little things to take care of. I keep putting that off and I know it is because I just don’t want to face the fact that I’m leaving.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about all this. I am a nester. I love this house, my husband, my dogs, my life here. I waited so many years to have my own garden – not just a little one I carved out on a rental property. We moved in here in August of 2005, so I didn’t plant anything until the next year. Since then, I’ve watched my garden grow with great pleasure. The last couple of weeks have been a mix of joy and sadness for me. I am joyful when I am in the garden or working on the property. I can spend hours working here and there and everywhere. It is as if I lose all track of time. And I’m so happy. One day, after finishing work in the garden, I sat on the glider and looked around and cried. When I came in the house, my husband asked me what was wrong and I did my best to put into words how much I love this time of year and how sad I was to, once again, leave right when everything was starting to take off. I feel like I am leaving my child.

Most of you know that we both freelance. It has been a tough time for us – there has been no acting work for my husband for over a year. I’ve had work, thankfully, but it is off and on. Don is searching for some other kind of job. And I certainly can’t turn down 10 weeks of work. I am grateful for it. Unfortunately, that job takes me to the other side of the country and away from my loved ones and my home and garden. Oh, I’ll be a big girl about the whole thing – once I’m there I will buck up and do my best to enjoy my time in San Diego. There are friends to see, family to visit, work to be done and places to share with you.

But…I’m having a hard time in the here and now.

I will probably not post again until after I arrive in San Diego. See you soon, my friends.

Rearranging, Allergies, Square #19

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I can tell Spring is here by the warmer temperatures, the tiny little buds on my plants, having the windows open…and my gosh darn allergies. I can’t stop sneezing, my head is stuffed up and I’m having trouble hearing out of one ear. Why is it that the beauty of Spring brings yucky allergies along with it? Doesn’t seem fair, does it?


Our living room is tiny and there are certain pieces of furniture that can’t be moved: the piano, the loveseat, the sideboard. The chairs, however, are another story. All three chairs are in new positions. This started when Riley was really having trouble with stairs and Don and I decided to keep him out of the den for a few days (there are 2 steps down into the den.) Since I blog in the den and Riley always wants to be near me, we moved the most comfortable chair in the living room (the yellow one) nearer to an outlet. That meant the red chair had to move to the other side of the loveseat and this wicker rocker moved to the space vacated by the yellow chair. We’re now back to blogging in the den. However, we like the new arrangement so we’re going to go with it for a while. Sometimes necessity forces one to make a perfect change.

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while might remember this photo of Riley:


That was the idea behind Square #19:


The adorable back of Mr. Riley’s head with the one thing that is always on his mind – food. I tried to stitch the letters for food in what doggie thoughts/writing might look like.

Lee remains the same. The sedation was eased yesterday and Lee opened an eye and Don talked to him a bit – telling him where he was, what day it was, etc. Much of the time for the family is spent waiting. Waiting for any sign of improvement. My hope is that something very positive happens before Don has to leave on Monday night. He would be able to leave on a hopeful note. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers…if you don’t mind, could you keep them coming?

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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