Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Wild Roses & Humidity

June 3, 2023 at 8:32 am by Claudia

We had exactly 2 minutes of light rain yesterday.

That’s it.

Storms all around us, Don drove through a whopper about 20 miles north of us. Here? Not enough to make a difference. But the temperature has dropped and I’m very grateful. It’s a rather cloudy day today. I may take advantage of the cooler temperatures and do some much needed garden clean up.

Two beauties.

I spend a couple of hours (much longer than usual) changing out Nina’s body. She was on a taller body, which I didn’t mind. Her neck joint, however, stabilized her but didn’t allow for head tilts, etc. I tried to remove that neck joint so I could keep using the body but it was glued on. For some reason, the process was harder than usual and I made little errors and had to start over again. I do have the excuse of incredible heat and humidity and you know I don’t function well in that kind of weather. After I got her reassembled, the head still seemed too loose. After taking it apart about 4 times, I finally hit on the idea of removing the neck joint and swapping it out with the only other neck joint I had on hand. It worked. The other neck joint was, I don’t know – a bit wider? Not sure.

Then we went out on the porch while we waited for the thunderstorms to roll in – they didn’t – but it was nice and breezy.

The wild roses are in bloom all over the property. These are up in the woods.

Don had to emcee a concert last night – it’s part of a free summer series in a town north of us. He booked the musicians, etc. It had to move to a church, rather than its normal outdoor venue, because of the threat of thunderstorms.

I didn’t know what to do with myself! Couldn’t watch anything that we are watching together. Most of Jeopardy was preempted by Biden’s speech. It was hot and humid, so I just sat here with the fan trained on me. And then I took a bath, something I normally don’t do because we go to bed early. It was lovely.

When I was going to grad school in Philadelphia, which is notoriously hot and humid in the summer, I shared an apartment with a fellow classmate during my second year. She went home for the summer and I stayed in town doing my usual temp work to help pay the bills. We had no air conditioning, and after work I walked the 20+ blocks back to my apartment, took a cool shower since I was dripping from the humidity, and sat on my bed in my underwear with three fans set on high speed. One at my right, one at my left, and one facing me. It was the only relief available. I can still see myself on that bed – in fact I mentioned it to Don again last night (he’s heard this story more than a few times.) A very strong memory from long ago,

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday,

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, flowers 14 Comments

The Woods, Flowers, and a Dress

June 1, 2023 at 8:12 am by Claudia

A clearing in our woods that Don named Maple Grove. You can see our neighbor’s field in the distance.

June 1st. My parents’ wedding anniversary. Let’s see, they would be married 77 years today. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

We are due for a high of 90 degrees today and 91 tomorrow. Then it will drop back into the 70s. So, do we try to install our air conditioners today? My back is a little tetchy…it was a lot better but something set it off the other day. But today, it seems stronger. Anyway, Don is sore as well. So, do we just try to hang in there for today and tomorrow and wait until next week to install them?

You don’t have to answer.

It is a beautiful morning. Still no sign of rain, though we might get thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon. I have learned not to count on these ‘chance of rain or thunderstorms’ forecasts. Invariably, the rain passes us by.

The clematis is blooming. Actually, it’s blooming a lot more than this; I took this a few days ago. I will get an update photo later today. I love this gorgeous color.

Both Elly Griffiths books are now in my possession. I started reading The Locked Room  yesterday.

And finally, a wee frock arrived in yesterday’s mail.

It’s what the creator calls a ‘handkerchief dress’ because it’s made from a vintage handkerchief. This is so deliciously retro looking that I couldn’t resist. Madeleine wears it with elegance, as usual.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, flowers, garden, woods 32 Comments

The Gardens and the Readalong

May 20, 2023 at 8:34 am by Claudia

White violets in the garden bed on the other side of the house.  They’re quite beautiful this year.

I wandered around with my camera yesterday afternoon so I could have a record of this particular moment in time. It’s good for me. I feel my shoulders drop. Instead of a quick glance, I really see  what has emerged from the ground.

I caught the bridal veil spirea a bit late in its bloom, but better late than never. I love the frothy look of what is usually a random green bush.

We’re laying low this weekend. My back needs a rest, Don’s had a difficult week. I’m working on my puzzle (Klimt) while Don plays his guitar and ukelele. I’m reading a lot as well. Both of us are stunned by Tolstoy’s writing. I’d put him right up there with Shakespeare – truly one of the greatest writers ever. What a gift this readalong is! I’m reading War and Peace – a tome I would normally avoid because of the commitment it requires. But with a chapter a day? No big deal. I love it.

The same man who started this is planning on a readalong next year of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy by Hilary Mantel. In this case, these are books I have avoided because I’m not a big fan of historical fiction. Yet I’ve heard so much praise for her writing, especially in the articles that were written at the time of her untimely death. So I’ll probably do that as well. Next year.

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, flowers, garden, reading 22 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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