Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Flowers

June 6, 2023 at 9:04 am by Claudia

Our two peony bushes are very old. I believe they’ve been here for decades. In the past couple of years, they haven’t done much. Last year, I think there was one flower on the bush that gets the most sun. The other bush is now under a tree that has grown in the almost 18 years we’ve lived here and now its leaves block out the sun.

But this year, one blossom managed to emerge before the leaves took over. I’ve missed this peony.

I would try transplanting, but I don’t know if it would work – especially digging up the peony with the tree blocking some of the roots.

The other bush might be a better possibility. Anyway, isn’t this bloom beautiful? I told Don about it and later in the day he came in the house declaring that the scent is ‘intoxicating!” It is.

Maybe I should simply plant two new peonies next spring.

And when will I remember to spray my plants with deer repellent earlier in the spring? I forget all about it, thinking that it’s a problem I’ll have to address in a month or so. In the meantime, the deer chomp on everything and I’m always shocked that it’s happened so early.

I made up the recipe yesterday and sprayed it on everything. And I mean everything.

Of course, it rained for two minutes this morning. It might rain more this afternoon (we need it.) If so, I’ll spray again.

Before you ask, I can’t send you a link for the recipe because I no longer have access to it – it was on my old computer. It may be on this blog somewhere and you’re welcome to search for it.

More clematis.

Just read a big chunk of War and Peace  this morning. This particular section of the novel is so good I could not put it down, so I’m now ahead of the schedule.

Some good news: my former student from San Diego, Christine, has been battling cancer and her most recent test results are very positive. As Don says, Christine radiates joy and love, and we have been praying for her daily. And Adrian continues to get stronger. He walks a lot every day. His color is better. He is doing very well.

We have an air quality warning through tonight because of particulates in the air due to the wildfires in Canada.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filed Under: deer, flowers, friends 27 Comments

Coaching, Former Students, Cleaning up the Garden

April 20, 2023 at 8:47 am by Claudia

Found this crabapple by The Dude on the edge of the Secret Garden. This is my favorite kind of crabapple because of those pink buds. It’s just like the one that was cut down by that idiot last spring. I miss that tree so much, but seeing this yesterday helped a bit.

Well, I’m done with the show. I drove to New Jersey, checked into the motel, checked out of the hotel, took notes at the show, and drove home late Tuesday night, getting home at 12:15 am. Too long a story as to why I decided to check out, but I’m glad I did. The show is in pretty good shape, needs a bit of tightening. The actors are doing well with the dialects, save for a few mistakes here and there.

One of the nicest things to happen on Tuesday was reconnecting with a former student from Boston University who works for the Paper Mill Playhouse as Production Manager. He came up to me and surprised me, and my goodness, it’s so wonderful to see former students again and find them happy and working in the theater. Mike lives with his wife and two kids fairly close to the theater. Confession: I’m always wondering if students from that time in my life are shocked at how much I’ve aged, my gray hair, etc. I’m always slightly embarrassed and then, because I’m insecure, I make jokes about it.

Speaking of former students, I posted this recently on Instagram:

Both Maura West and Cynthia Watros were students of mine at Boston University. And both have them have been working on soap operas for years. They are terrific actresses and human beings. Recently, Maura wrote me to tell me that she and Cynthia were on set one day and were reciting a monologue I assigned to them years ago. It’s from The Caretaker  by Harold Pinter and I used it as tool to learn the Cockney dialect. 30+ years later, they both remembered every word! Maura said “We remembered and laughed together with such love for our memories of you!!”

Oh my. That fills my heart, it really does.

She also added that she’ll probably be ‘blathering it (the monologue) in the nursing home!” I get it, Maura. I still remember every word as well!

I worked outside yesterday, but I got tired fairly quickly. I’m just now coming out of that upper respiratory thing, and I was tired from my trip to NJ. Plus, every year at the beginning of gardening season, I realize I’m out of shape. I did clear a chunk of the big garden bed, annoying the robin who is adding to the nest on the shed as I traveled back and forth with a wheelbarrow.

It was also very windy. I wore a mask and sunglasses, but the pollen got to me. And my back, of course. Today, I think I’m going to go to the nursery and hope they still have pansies left. I’m about a week behind on everything around here.

Glad to be coming out of that dreadful illness. Glad to be home. Glad to finally start working outside. Grateful to have had employment.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: coaching, flowers, friends, garden, teaching 18 Comments

Saturday

March 4, 2023 at 9:19 am by Claudia

Snow, sleet, a bit of ice – I’m not sure how much snow fell but it looks to be about an inch and a half. We’re staying away from it for a while because we have no idea how slippery it is out there. It’s already above freezing and the temp should reach 40, so we might wait for Mother Nature to melt some of this mess.

It’s not really a pretty snow. It’s  a messy snow.

May this be the last. The next 10 days shows snow showers off and on, but no measurable snow. Though we certainly have been surprised in the past by snow in late March and early April. Who knows?

My old friend Tom Sizemore died yesterday, surrounded by his family. Much too young. I’m very sad.

Rest in Peace, Tom.

Too much worry and loss lately. Too much.

I don’t have a whole lot more to say today. I’ll leave you with this little photo of Katie. When my friend Stacy gave her to me, she was wearing a wig. Wigs aren’t my favorite choice for a Blythe doll, but then again, you can play with different looks. I recently bought an inexpensive $20 wig for her and it arrived yesterday. My instincts were right about this choice:

I love these little curls! (She’s not sad, by the way, she just doesn’t like posing for pictures.)

Beautiful Katie.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, friends, winter 21 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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