Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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More Snow, Please

January 31, 2023 at 8:50 am by Claudia

Just a dusting overnight. It will be gone by the end of the day. Still, it’s a nice thing to see a little snow out there this morning. I never thought I’d be saying that I miss snow, but I do. We also need it. But here we are, on the edge of February, and we’ve really only had one significant snowfall and that was in mid-December. The rest has been rain that turned to a wet snow and melted the next day. The kind you see here, where you can see the grass (still green, by the way) through the snow. When I look at the 10-day forecast, I see some snow showers here and there and that’s it. It’s also warmer than usual.

Now, one can say, this is great, Claudia, you don’t have to shovel or plow the snow! Yes, that’s true. But we need a snowpack. Our wells need a snowpack. Our lilac bushes and peonies need cold temperatures. I see a significant difference in a bush or plant when we don’t get those very cold temperatures and a lot of snow. Of course, there’s more to February than the first two weeks and we have March and the beginning of April to go. Here’s hoping we see a change.

My best friend just lost her mother-in-law last night. I’ve known Barbara since the early seventies and she was such a wonderful, fiercely intelligent, and kind woman. Laural is the first person to say that how much she was blessed by marrying into that family. Laural’s mom was like a second mom to me (along with my godmother) and she died many, many years ago. But Laural still had a wonderful mother in Barbara. This is very sad news. Rest in Peace, Barbara. You are loved.

We ran some errands yesterday. Today, I have to make an appearance at the post office to cancel our PO Box. I am NOT paying that much for something we don’t use all that often. So there, Louis DeJoy. By the way, now that the USPS Board has changed, why is DeJoy still there??

I’m just about to finish The Dictionary of Lost Words – I’m not crazy about it, but I’m enjoying it. And then…drumroll…I’m ready to start the latest Louise Penny. I always delay gratification on the newest Penny but now, two months after publication, it’s time. And of course, a chapter a day of War and Peace.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filed Under: books, Laural, reading, snow 29 Comments

A Dud

January 26, 2023 at 8:57 am by Claudia

Well.

This is what we saw during the supposed ‘big storm.’

Maybe a 1/4 inch more fell after I took this picture.

This is what we have this morning:

It morphed into rain. By the time we were ready to go to bed, the only place I saw snow was on my car.

Very disappointing. I stressed over what day to go to rehearsal for two days. I wanted to go yesterday. Darko wanted me to go yesterday. I poured over every weather forecast. Don and I talked about it several times. On Monday night, I was sure I would go Wednesday. By Tuesday morning, after reading yet another update on the forecast, I made the decision to go that day because I was worried that driving conditions would be too dangerous on Wednesday. That didn’t happen.

Also, Don and I were looking forward to an old-fashioned snow storm.

This January has been abnormally warm. What will February bring? The same? We live in the northeast, for heaven’s sake!

Sigh.

For one brief moment in the morning, there was enough evidence of snow for me to take a picture.

Imogen in the snow.

At least there was apple pie in the afternoon.

I don’t see any possibility of snow on the horizon. Maybe some snow showers, but that’s about it.

Boo!

I’m in that stage where I know my current job is finished and that always brings a ‘down’ feeling. The fact is, I feel more alive when I’m working – even with all the travel hassles. I love my work and I love helping actors be the best they can be. Don almost always comments that I look ‘really good’ (of course, I have makeup on, so there’s that) and that work agrees with me. Transitioning is hard. They present the show to producers, etc., on Friday.

But I’m grateful for the work and I’m ready for whatever comes next.

War and Peace  continues. We’ve now started Part II.  And I’m really enjoying The Dictionary of Lost Words  by Pip Williams. Hey, before I forget, if you’re a Deborah Crombie fan, her new book – A Killing of Innocents –  comes out on February 7th! With Crombie, we always have to wait a long time between books, but the wait is worth it.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, coaching, reading, snow 26 Comments

Command Central

January 18, 2023 at 9:31 am by Claudia

Command Central.

This is my view as I read books, check out instagram, and write this blog. The rabbit pillow is upside down, for some reason. It’s since been repositioned.

The girls are directly in front of me, next to the two steps that lead to our little sunken den.

I love this little room. I spend a great deal of time in it. Don, however, only visits the den in the evening, when we’re eating dinner on a tray and watching whatever we’re watching. He’s rather particular about that. But then again, so am I. The only instance that brings me into the living room to blog or read is when there’s something amiss in the den. Sometimes, after we get a lot of rain, there might be a musty smell for a couple of days because the den is directly over a crawl space. Then I’ll visit the loveseat in the living room. But I’m not entirely comfortable there during the day. We’re both such creatures of habit; increasingly so as we get older.

I returned two books to the library yesterday, did my walking on the property, and promptly took a nap. And I read three chapters of War and Peace (trying to get ahead, since I’ll be back in the city this week) and a big chunk of State of Terror. I suspect I’ll finish that today. It’s really quite gripping! I’m enjoying being in ‘reading mode.’ So grateful to be immersed in all the books I’ve been reading, including W & P, which is simply wonderful.

Gray skies today, rain on the way for tomorrow, which means I’ll be dealing with that in the city. Ah well. Maybe there will be a lull as I’m walking to and from the rehearsal studio.

If I’m not here tomorrow, it’s because I’ve been called into rehearsal.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: books, den, reading 18 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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