Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for houseplants

Greenery, Crocheting & Remembering

March 25, 2016 at 8:59 am by Claudia

3-24 Chineseevergreen

My trip to a local nursery resulted in this: a Chinese Evergreen that doesn’t need a lot of light and is therefore perfect for the den. The den has been sadly lacking in greenery. I just plopped the pot inside the McCoy jardiniere.

It’s sitting on the floor in front of the dollhouse.

3-24 Chineseevergreen2

Lovely.

I love the way the various shades of green pop against the creamy McCoy.

3-24 scarfinprogress

I’m crocheting one last scarf for my friend, Lynn. Lynn worked at the Old Globe for years and when she asked me if I could make her a scarf from one of her favorite skeins of wool, I said yes. It’s taken me a good long while to get round to it and for that I apologize, Lynn! I had to let my hands rest after crocheting more scarves than I can count last Fall.

Cindy, if you’re reading this, I finished the other scarf you ordered and it’s listed on Etsy.

We are mourning the death of two colleagues and friends who have recently passed away. Larry Drake, a wonderfully fine actor, passed away last week at the age of 66. Larry had a long career on the stage, but you probably know him best as the character Benny on L.A. Law. I was fortunate to coach him on two different occasions; in a play at the Old Globe and in another play in NYC. He was such a kind and lovely man and he died much too soon.

And now we are reeling at the news that Garry Shandling has passed away. Garry was a friend of Don’s. They first met when Garry was a writer working on the short-lived The Harvey Korman Show. Don was a member of the cast of that show, recruited by Harvey himself. A few years later, after Garry had started working as a comedian, Don was on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. Though many years had passed, their connection remained. Not all that long ago, Garry and Don were chatting online about their memories of the work they did together. Garry was brilliant and his shows were groundbreaking.

Don tells me that Garry was a truly nice person. Gone at 66.

Both actors were extremely gifted; both have left us much too soon.

May they rest in peace.

My mom used to make us sit quietly between the hours of 12 and 3 on Good Friday. We couldn’t go outside or talk loudly. I think this happened more to my brother and I than to my two sisters. As often seems to be the case, my parents were much more relaxed in bringing up my younger sisters than they were with the two oldest.

So, it seems strange to say Happy Friday on Good Friday, but Happy Friday nonetheless.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Filed Under: crochet, houseplants 36 Comments

The Need to Take Care of Something

March 21, 2016 at 9:20 am by Claudia

She’s not here.

It really hit me last night and I cried and cried. Everything we do is linked somehow to a memory of Scout. We had to catch ourselves several times on the way home; we’d think of arriving at the cottage and then immediately think that Scout would be waiting for us.

Thousands of times a day. Thousands of times a day.

I truly don’t know what to do with myself. For the past two years or so, most of my time was spent taking care of Scout. She was the focus of my days. I have all sorts of ideas floating around in my head about things I can do or projects I can start. But I can’t go there yet. And so I do the obvious things like cleaning and making the bed and then I hit the wall. I hit the wall last night and Don held me in his arms while I cried for my girl, cried for the absence of the joy that made up every fiber of her being, cried for the child I mothered.

It’s only been a month and half. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Our vacation was wonderful and much-needed. We had a terrific time in Florida and on the road. But, here we are, back at the ranch – and our girl isn’t here.

We’re in the middle of that strange time when it’s officially spring but nothing can be done outside for another month or so. I have a feeling that working in the garden will help me. Nurturing my gardens, watching things grow, taking care of everything – that’s what I need.

But I can’t do that yet, so I mother my indoor plants in the meantime.

3-21 impatiens

The overwintering impatiens and the baby spider plant that I potted yesterday.

3-21 geranium

The overwintering geranium that has bloomed for the second time!

3-21 motherinlawstongue

The snake plant/mother-in-law’s tongue that I brought back from Florida. Meredith and I have determined that it’s at least 45 years old. My parents had it in my childhood home, then it moved up to northern Michigan when they retired, then it moved to their condo in Florida, then it moved to Meredith’s house and now it’s with me. There’s another one that is just as old and Meredith has it at her house. Nurtured for years by my parents, this plant is priceless.

That condo, by the way, is now on its way to being sold. We accepted an offer yesterday and Meredith signed the papers. I showed the condo to Don while we there. It was strange being there: empty, nothing left that belonged to my parents, echoing rooms. We’re grateful that it has sold, but it marks the end of all that spoke of my parents’ presence. Now, we tie up all the loose ends, send things to the lawyer, and divide the estate.

Too much change.

3-21 pothos

Pothos in the bathroom.

3-21 spiderplant

The little spider plant that I bought for my Hartford apartment. I repotted it yesterday as it was getting very root bound. It’s nestled in a piece of pottery given to me by my mother.

3-21 succulents

Succulents on the kitchen table, including Riley’s Dish Garden.

There are more tucked in here and there. I’m feeling the need for even more houseplants, so don’t be surprised if you see more in the coming days.

I didn’t answer comments while I was away, but someone asked where I got the little acrylic tables that I’m going to use in my dollhouse(s). I didn’t buy them, they were a gift from Barbara who lives in Canada. They are jewelry stands, so I imagine if you google jewelry supplies or jewelry display, you might find a source for them. I hope this helps.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Tagged With: houseplantsFiled Under: gardening, houseplants, Scout 60 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.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Dogs

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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