Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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A Nook

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I am a lover of books. I love the look, the feel, the weight of them. I love words on a page. I have been a voracious reader since I was a little girl. The thought of not having something to read makes me panic. I have also said many times that nothing will ever replace a book for me or reading an actual newspaper.

That being said, a recent conversation between my husband and me found us discussing eBooks and readers like Kindle or the Nook. We came to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with the use of a reader for commuting or travel as long as we still read and bought actual books. Not half an hour later, my sister called me and told me she just bought a Nook from Barnes and Noble. (Meredith also loves books and reading.) My nephew and his wife had just been visiting them in Florida and they showed their Kindle to Mer. She became intrigued. Since she has some travel planned in the near future, she decided to buy a Nook. She extolled its virtues and I found myself thinking that it would be a great asset for someone like me who travels fairly frequently.

Yesterday, I went to check my mail at the theater and there was a box waiting for me. From Barnes and Noble. I hadn’t ordered anything from them. Hmmm. After the walk back to the apartment, I opened the box. Meredith had sent me my own Nook!


I was dumbfounded. It takes some getting used to but for me, on the road away from home, it is the perfect thing. You can download current hardcover books, magazines and newspapers but there are many, many free eBooks to download. Free. As I have mentioned before, we are counting every penny at the moment. Times are tough. So I downloaded Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables – for free. I started Anne last night. What fun!

You can also play sudoku or chess. I’m crossing my fingers that someday soon they will have a crossword puzzle available.

Don’t worry. I still have my books with me. And boxes and boxes of them back home – just waiting for the bookcase I hope to build this year. Nothing will replace them.

But this sure is neat. Thank you, wonderful sister.

While Walking by the Zoo

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First, I must say Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom. You are the best, Mom.

I walk to rehearsals every day. My walk takes me through Balboa Park, where the theater is located and where the famous San Diego Zoo is also located. In fact, I walk by the Zoo on my way to the rehearsal halls. Yesterday, as I was passing the Zoo, I took the opportunity to call my nephew who was turning 13. He is the youngest of my sister’s two boys. He has always had the most wonderful speaking voice, very childlike and full of wonder, with a natural musicality that is delightful. If I could I would do an imitation of it for you.

Meredith put him on the phone. I said “Happy Birthday!” A stranger answered. A stranger who has a deep voice with about a 3 note range. What????? I felt like someone had kicked me. Of course, I said nothing to him – I know all about boys and changing voices and self-consciousness. I have several nephews. I get it. But this voice, this sweet little boy voice – I loved that voice.

Gone. When my sister got back on the line, I went on and on about it. She said “Welcome to my world.” Boys grow up, the youngest becomes a young man. I think all Moms want to stop time for a while – have their kids stay at a certain age. I guess Aunts do, too. I’m hoping I can keep that voice alive in my memory, in the little tape recorder in my brain.

Later that day, I was walking back home – again by the zoo. I walk along a high fence that hides the exhibits. For some reason I took my camera along with me yesterday. Alerted by some school children who were pointing and aiming cameras, look what I saw:


Apparently, the back of the Koala exhibit faces the fence. You can see the fence I walked along, and then the interior enclosure. You must know something about me: koala bears are my favorite animals in the zoo. I love them. So I stood there, entranced by this little creature and trying to get a good photo. Here are some more:


He woke up for a minute.


And…back to sleep.

I didn’t even have to pay the entrance fee! Now that I know they are there, I will be watching for a glimpse of one every day. I know that Koalas don’t like to be held and are not ‘cuddly’ but in my world, I prefer to think they are. Isn’t this the cutest little guy? I want him. Do you think they would let me take him home?

Have a wonderful day.

From MHC West

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The view from my balcony on this foggy morning.

Hello dear friends. I arrived safely in San Diego yesterday afternoon. I was going on 2 hours of sleep (for some reason I lie awake for hours when I know I have to get up very early!) and the journey was long. By the time I got to the apartment, I was definitely dragging.I’m in the same apartment I was in last year. When I returned home last summer, I left some things behind. Some of them are still here…and others are missing. Hmmm. I had to rearrange things like they were last year so that I could feel more at home. I shipped two boxes here and they were waiting for me in the apartment – things like my own bedding, a pretty shower curtain and some little things to make it more like home. Since I stayed here for 6 months last year, I knew exactly what was needed. Believe me, the bedspread and the shower curtain that are normally on display at the apartment are ugly. I have to have some prettiness around me if I’m going to stay here for 10 weeks!

I walked to Trader Joe’s (oh, I love that place) and carried two bags of groceries back to the apartment. I have a rental car here but past experience tells me that it is impossible to park there on a weekend. So I walked. The bags were very heavy (remember, I had only 2 hours sleep) and I thought I might not make it back! But I did. I settled in as best I could and then I just watched television until 9:00 (midnight back east) and went to bed. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and I feel much better.

I’m catching up on blogs and then I have to walk over to the theater to meet with a director. Then I plan to go to IKEA and pick up a few things. I am on a much stricter budget than I was last year….so I must be frugal.

I’ll be back with more news and photos soon.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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