Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Home for a Pit Stop

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Home. Briefly.

I lead a fairly quiet life. I like that. So when I am catapulted into an intense weekend full of new people, places, lots of talk, meetings and parties, I don’t sleep very well. Sunday night I had a total of 5 hours of sleep. The grand total for Monday night? 2 hours. Yes, you read that right. I just couldn’t sleep and knowing that the alarm was going to wake me at 4 am didn’t help.  I was to be picked up at 5 for the hour drive to the airport in order to catch a 7 am flight.

By the time I got home to MHC, I was a zombie. 22 hours with the family then off to Boston. So, I threw some clothes in the wash, took a nap on the sofa, cuddled my husband and dogs and went to bed early. And that was hard to do since Jean Harlow was the featured star on TCM last night. Dinner at Eight – oh, how I love that movie. I think I made it through about 3/4 of it before I had to give up and say goodnight. Platinum Blonde (my other favorite Jean Harlow movie) was on too late – 11:30. Don isn’t up yet, but I think he watched it. Harlow was so talented, so funny and brave in her work. I think she is underrated as an actress because she was so beautiful. I have become a big fan. And every time I watch her, there is a more than a tinge of sadness at the realization that she died so young.

I took these photos this morning, as the early morning sun poured into the kitchen. The vase is one of my favorite McCoy pieces. Sometimes called The Strap Vase, it’s quite tall and very heavy. A week (or two?) ago when I started to clean up the front yard, I gathered some weeping willow branches that had fallen to the ground. I like the way they look in the vase – beautiful in their spareness.

As much as I’m looking forward to my time in Boston, I would be happy to stay here in my cottage. I’d like to work outside, catch up on sleep, clean, and just be with my family. There is always a push-pull about traveling for me. I get excited about being in a different place, yet I want to stay home at the same time. I wonder if any of you feel the same way?

Ah well. More coffee. Maps to print out. Packing. Last minute check list. Rental car to pick up.

More later from Boston.

A New Place & an Old Friend

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Greetings from Wisconsin. Yikes, am I tired. Yesterday was a long day full of meetings and new people and chat and smiles and laughter. All good, but when I got home last night, I was on sensory overload so I couldn’t get to sleep for a long time. A lot gets packed into a short amount of time. I’m trying to be charming, funny, intelligent and wise. All the time.

My dear friend, who was the head of the training program at Boston University and was my boss, is here. He recommended me for the job. Yesterday, on my way to the table that continually had a spread of food and munchies for all of us, I saw him. Big hugs, much laughter and stories were exchanged. Last night at dinner, we continued our conversation and when he dropped me off at my motel, we were still talking. I love this guy. He’s worked with my husband many times and knew Don before I did. He is generous beyond measure, a loyal friend and colleague. He will be working here this summer, but alas, not until the latter half of the season and I will be gone by then. What a joy it has been to spend time with him.

I’ve met some wonderful people and I look forward to getting to know them better. Even though we are in the midst of gray March days here, I can see how lovely it will be in May. The outdoor theater is built into a hill, surrounded by trees. The surrounding countryside is beautiful. Today I have free time, so I plan to walk around this charming small town.

I didn’t bring my camera. You’ll have to wait until I return in May. I will be heading home early tomorrow. One night at MHC and then I’m off to Boston for 5 days. The camera will be going along on that trip.

Missing Mockingbird Hill Cottage. Missing husband. Missing these little scamps:

Need sleep.

Little Hints of Spring

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Just a quick hello. Our second snowfall of the week (grrrr!) was Wednesday. Thankfully, at this time of year it all melts rather quickly. I grabbed a few minutes of free time to check out the garden.

I see green!

Oriental Poppy.
Sedum Autumn Joy.
I was crossing my fingers about this one. I bought a potted hyacinth last year and when the time was right, I planted the bulb in the garden bed in front of the porch.
I can’t wait to see the flowers.

Well, my friends, I’m off to Wisconsin tomorrow morning for 2 days of meetings. It promises to be a chilly weekend with temperatures in the 30’s. Then on Tuesday, I have the pleasure of rising at 4 am to catch an early morning flight home. I’ll try to post something on Tuesday afternoon, then I’m off to Boston on Wednesday. As always, I’ll share my journeys with you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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