Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Chatty on Tuesday

October 13, 2015 at 9:11 am by Claudia

 

10-13 anniversary

•  Self-portrait, shot on the porch at Cracker Barrel yesterday. Or should it be Selves-portrait? I’m trying to avoid the use of the word ‘selfie’ if at all possible.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know we went for the big bucks and celebrated at Cracker Barrel. I know, you’re thinking that we really went all out for this anniversary.

Actually, we love Cracker Barrel but go there rarely. We’re low key about celebrations, so when Don suggested CB, I was in. As it was it took us forever to get there because of all the traffic. Thousands and thousands of people head up to our neck of the woods on fall weekends and, inevitably, they have to head back home, causing traffic back-ups for miles. It’s a pain in the you-know-what. But we got there and, of course, had to wait for a table. By the time we sat down, we were starved!

Then we watched the Mets play the Dodgers. (I love the Red Sox, but I also love the Mets.) They won.

10-13 quilt on chair

•  The nights are getting very cold. Quilts and throws are making an appearance.

10-13 quilt on bed

This bed cover is very heavy, so I usually stash it on the chair in the summer months. But it’s back on the bed, keeping us snug and warm as we transition to cooler nights.

•  Here’s a random thought:

10-13 imperialstormtrooper

Every time I look at my vacuum, I think of the Imperial Stormtroopers from Star Wars.

Is it just me? I’ve thought that since the day it arrived in the mail.

It’s a Shark Navigator, by the way, and it’s fabulous. And far less expensive than the over-priced Dyson. Just as in the theater or film, we Americans seem to be taken in by a British accent.

This vacuum is a especially great with dog hair and we have a lot of it around here.

•  My dad is still in the hospital. They’ve found a fracture in his spine which needs to be treated with either injections that might be dangerous for a 92 year old man, or physical therapy. The doctor says he cannot be on his own right now and has recommended physical therapy, so that means he has to move to rehab facility after they’ve finished running tests. We thought he would go to the same rehab facility that both of my parents have spent time in, which is right next to the hospital and just a few miles from my sister.

But no. Medicaid has managed to screw everything up. Their ‘rules’ about things sometimes drive me up the wall. When my dad was admitted to the hospital, it was coded as ‘under observation.’ For some ridiculous reason, that particular code means my father will now be forced to go to one of two facilities, both of which are about 45 minutes to an hour away from home. Don’t ask me why. My sister works long hours at her job and has a four year old to take care of when she’s not at work. Driving that far will make it impossible for her to see dad more than once – maybe twice – a week. I can’t get down there right now. Needless to say, we’re very frustrated. The rehab facility where we thought he would go would have been perfect for him. Everyone knows him there – their presence would make it all so much easier for him.

• For those of you who have found that Don’s CD is temporarily out-of-stock, hang in there. CD Baby only keeps a small amount on hand because, as you can imagine, they stock CDs for thousands of musicians. We’ll be sending them more today and they should be available shortly. I’ll let you know when they’re back in stock.

Okay. Long post.

Thank you so much for the anniversary wishes yesterday. We loved reading them. You are all wonderful, a true blessing in my life.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: anniversary, baseball, bedroom, Dad, Don, life 42 Comments

Around the Cottage

October 2, 2015 at 9:07 am by Claudia

Around the cottage on a Friday morning:

10-2 lamplight am

Lamps are being turned on in the early morning hours – a sure sign of the seasonal change.

10-12 tired girl

Doesn’t like having her picture taken.

10-12 dollhouse

Early morning at Hummingbird Cottage. I don’t think Caroline is up yet.

10-12 leaves

Ever-increasing leaves on the ground. And in the gutters.

10-12 hollyhocks

Still more blooms from the Surprise Hollyhock.

It’s cold and windy here – rather shockingly cold, though much of that is due to the wind. The leaves are starting to turn. Scout is lying on the rug next to her dad’s chair. I’ve got the shawl around my shoulders because – did I mention it? – it’s cold. I’m on my second cup of Peet’s French Roast. I read a big chunk of Mrs. Pargeter’s Principle  this morning. I have a business call scheduled for later this morning; I might have a few days work (in the city) next week on a play. Cross your fingers.

There you have it.

Those of you who are living somewhere along the path of the hurricane, take care. Looks like we’re in for a lot of rain!

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: life 39 Comments

Blessed

September 30, 2015 at 9:16 am by Claudia

Thank you, my friends. Thank you for reading, for wise counsel, for sharing your own stories with all of us. I debated writing about my worries yesterday. Actually, I wasn’t going to do it, but as sometimes happens, I started writing about the horses and my grandfather and somehow that tied in to other people in my life and, eventually, brought me around to our situation. When that happens, it’s as if the post is writing itself. I just step back and let it happen.

I’ve repeatedly witnessed what happens with that sort of post. It resonates in a way I hadn’t expected. And that’s exactly what happened yesterday. The discussion we had in the comments section was simply wonderful; honest and brave. Knowing we are not alone is a huge comfort. It also puts things into perspective and keeps us from playing the victim card. Everyone is dealing with change and struggle and, sometimes, fear. I’ve said it before on this blog: I refuse to be a victim. But that doesn’t make my struggles any less real. Or yours. We take responsibility, we acknowledge the ways of our current world, and we do our best.

So, thank you again. I’m blessed by your presence in my life.

9-30 don petting scout

I looked up the other day and saw this.

After my heart had melted, I grabbed the camera. Wouldn’t you?

He’s petting his girl. I’ve seen this a few times since – always in the late afternoon – and it always fills my heart to overflowing.

Scout is very thin these days. It wasn’t that long ago that the vet told us she was overweight. Now, I can pick her up easily – she’s like a feather. She struggles when moving about the house. Her hips and back legs are weak. But she’s still our girl. She eats heartily. She is demanding (thank goodness!) She’s hanging in there.

But day by day, we tick off things she doesn’t do anymore. She doesn’t jump up on the loveseat anymore. That’s happened within the past few weeks. She doesn’t pounce. Though she still ‘gallops’ she doesn’t do it as much as she used to.

And we miss all of it.

She’ll be seventeen in early January. She remains the light of our lives. We’ve been extraordinarily blessed by her magical, wondrous being.

Okay. Let’s look at a pretty flower.

9-30 zinnia

It rained heavily overnight and it looks like we’re going to have rain nearly every day for the next week. How I wish I could send some to my friends who live in drought-stricken states! We’re going to be getting too much rain. You would give anything for some moisture.

Hopefully, the advent of El Nino will help to ease some of the drought conditions. I so hope that is the case for all of you.

Happy Wednesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: life 52 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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