Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • The Beacon Hill Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for life

Hiding the Duvet

August 9, 2013 at 8:52 am by Claudia

dreadedduvet

Not the most attractive photo I’ve ever taken, but you get the point.

Claudia’s new rule: When on the road, all duvets encountered must be immediately taken off the bed and stored in the closet, to be replaced by handmade quilt.

Of course, this isn’t always possible. For a stay of, say, seven days or less, replacing the duvet with a quilt might be impractical. I might have traveled by plane, for example, and transporting a quilt for such a short stay would be a hassle. However, if I drove to the destination? Yes to the quilt.

When I stayed in the hotel last year, the duvet was similarly thrust in the closet.

My friend Mary, who is the stage manager here, has written more than one Facebook status update about ‘duvet wrangling.’ It drives her up the wall.

For me, duvets are just too heavy since I tend to shed covers during the night. I once took an informal survey about duvets on this post: Do You Duvet or Don’t You? Rather like cilantro, it seems my readers either love duvets or dislike them intensely. No middle ground.

In case you’re at all interested, I don’t like cilantro.

quilt2

Quilts are definitely more cozy, don’t you think? If I didn’t have a quilt, I’d substitute a lightweight throw. Or, in a pinch, I’d just leave the sheet and blanket.

mypals

These guys would look cute anywhere, but I think they look especially fetching on this quilt, don’t you?

Thank you for your kind thoughts yesterday. I had a busy day of one-on-one coaching and that helped. I had to focus on my work. But a feeling of sadness tinged the day.

I hope all is well with you. I have more individual coaching scheduled for today – it promises to be a long one. What’s on your agenda for the day?

Don’t forget to check out this post on Healthy Eating on the Go with Newtons cookies. They’re awfully tasty.

Also, if you haven’t already, remember to check out my most recent book review for Drift. I’m giving away a copy.

Happy Friday. (I had to look to see what day of the week it was. Once again, I thought it was Thursday!)

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: life 32 Comments

On Loss

August 8, 2013 at 9:02 am by Claudia

redalstro1

This is a week of loss. And I’m very sad.

A few days ago, my dear friend of 56 years lost her mother. Her mother was a very important part of my life from the age of four on. I truly loved Mrs. Orr. I spent a lot of time with her. She was a lovely person who made me laugh and cared for me and fed me Italian food and gave me my first hair cut. She was widowed at a young age and she fiercely and lovingly raised her two daughters on her own. Her daughter Jackie is my oldest friend. I was in her wedding. Last night, I called Jackie and we shared memories of her mom and of our adventures and of the laughter we all shared together. Because that’s what I remember the most – laughing until tears rolled down our faces. Jackie and I have the kind of friendship that is strong and rooted and that is not dependent on daily phone calls, or physically seeing each other. It’s just there. Always.

Mrs. Orr lived a long and full life. For that, I am very grateful. It doesn’t make her passing any easier, however.

This morning I was trying to cobble together a post, when I received an email from another childhood friend who I’ve known since first grade. I’ve written about Debbie before. She has been battling cancer for many years now, with grace and dignity, rooted in a strong faith. She lost her mother (who was my Girl Scout troupe leader) to cancer many years ago. Her sister Karen died three years ago from cancer. In the course of her own treatment, she reconnected with our high school pal, Corinne. Corinne was also battling cancer. They formed a bond and helped each other through the rough times.

I also reconnected with Corinne on Facebook. And then she started reading this blog. She wrote beautiful emails to me about my writing and my life and the many things we shared in common and her battle with cancer, and then she learned how to leave a comment here on the blog and I was so happy to have her back in my life – this adult life, so many years after we graduated from high school.

She died last night.

It was shocking and unexpected. She had some complications and an infection started and, suddenly, it was over.

I am shocked and saddened and angry at what cancer has done to so many beloved people in my life.

Suddenly the post I had been working on lost its appeal. I am in mourning this week for dear ones who are no longer with us. I am filled with sadness for those who are left behind; left to grieve the loss of a parent, a grandmother, a wife.

Rest in peace, Corinne. Rest in peace, Mrs. Orr. I am blessed to have known you. You were everything that is good and honest and true. Thank you for being in my life.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: friends, life 88 Comments

What I’ve Been Doing

August 4, 2013 at 7:55 am by Claudia

sundesk

Sitting at this desk an awful lot – when I’m not at rehearsal.

sunredsox

Watching my Red Sox. This is the perk of being in Hartford; I can watch every Red Sox game. (They won this one.)

sunbook

Reading my third Louise Penny mystery. This woman can really write. I’m a big fan.

sunpurpleflowers

Watering my plant with the purple flowers. It’s nice to have something green and thriving in this apartment.

sunbaseballcaps

Looking at the acronym for the Williamstown Theatre Festival and thinking how it represents something I say quite often. (Yes, I can use some salty language with the best of ’em.)

sunsunset

Catching the sunset through my apartment window.

mirror1

Wandering around the apartment, taking pictures. Notice my haircut? Much shorter.

It’s Sunday and I have another full day of rehearsal ahead. (By the way, for those of you who asked, we rehearse 6 out of 7 days a week. Monday is our day off.)  I had been thinking I might go home for a day or two, so when the director said we were to rehearse until 7 pm today, my heart sank.  I wouldn’t get home until 9 or 10 and I’d have to return either Monday night or early Tuesday morning. That particular turnaround would be too tight.

So I’m a wee bit disappointed. For some reason, I’m having a hard time being here. Maybe it’s because I was just here for a 5 week stretch. Certainly, the fact that Don and I have been apart for over 7 months in the last year plays a big part, along with the fact that he was home for only one day before I had to leave for Hartford.

I’m restless. I haven’t worked one-on-one with the actors yet, so I feel curiously detached. All of the table work on the text, something I normally love, isn’t doing it for me. I know that will change as we move away from the table and I establish a relationship with the actors. I just have to be patient and know I will soon become immersed in this process.

I’m grateful for the work, that goes without saying. Don’s grateful for the work that comes his way. We get it. It’s good to have a job and we utter thanks every day. But seven out of twelve months spent apart is kicking my butt to the curb.

Since I’m woefully behind in reading blogs and commenting, I’m trying to use the little free time I have to visit you all. I apologize for my lack of comments and I’m going to remedy that.

Don gave Scout a bath. I wish I could nuzzle my nose in her silky hair.

And I’ve been eating too many mini chocolate bars at rehearsal.

Must stop.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: life, On The Road 42 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 295
  • 296
  • 297
  • 298
  • 299
  • …
  • 366
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

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.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2026 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in