Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for social distancing

Day Fifty-Three

May 5, 2020 at 9:39 am by Claudia

Rick wanted to drop by yesterday morning to leave a piece of his chocolate pie for Don. When they arrived at 10 am, they had masks on and Sam was with them. So we decided to have a responsible social distancing visit with them – separated by several feet (definitely more than 6 feet.) Sam was on his leash and was handed off to us and we got to hug our favorite little boy.

Rick and Doug, with masks.

Doting aunt and uncle with Sam.

Sam is a licker and he tried to lick my face, which I normally welcome, but the darned mask stymied him. Poor guy! Rick and Doug said he really misses seeing people. We really miss him, so it was so lovely to have some time with him. And Rick and Doug, of course.

It was a cold and windy day and we had vowed to take a day off from outside chores, so we retreated back inside after our visit. I worked on this most of the day:

It’s almost done. I should finish today or tomorrow. We’re mowing today, so that will take up a chunk of time. It’s sunny out there and I can’t wait to get back outside.

I’m currently reading Love in a Cold Climate  by Nancy Mitford, having just finished Thornyhold  by Mary Stewart, a book I had on my shelf for several years but hadn’t read until now.

Puzzles and my garden/porch are keeping me sane. Don’s support and his endless gift of eliciting gales of laughter keep me grounded.

What’s keeping you sane during this time?

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: friends, jigsaw puzzles, social distancing 53 Comments

Day Fifty-Two

May 4, 2020 at 9:38 am by Claudia

Today’s flowers from Don, presented to me as he came in the door from his morning walk. He is the sweetest man in the world. (Of course, I’m biased.)

A few weeks back, Don mentioned that he was concerned about a pair of Canada Geese he’d seen down by the river on his morning walk. After several days of seeing them together, suddenly there was only one. I thought that since the goose was in the same general area, he may have been guarding his mate while she was sitting on a nest. Today he, saw this:

Five little babies, protected by Mama and Papa. Isn’t this adorable? So now we know. He was protecting the nest. That should bring a smile to your face this morning.

We worked outside yesterday – a lot – Don was out there even longer than I was. We were pretty tired and achy at the end of the day, so today is a day of rest. The temperature hit 80 degrees yesterday and it was beautiful out there. Of course, 80 is too hot for this time of year and today’s temperature will only reach 60 degrees. But it’s sunny! And gorgeous. And the porch is coming together, though I have to buy more potting soil and a couple more plants. I’ll probably do that tomorrow. I’m going to wait to plant seeds until next week. Usually, around here, we can sow them the first week of May, but it’s been so cold, I’m holding off.

Don’s been clearing a part of the property that we’ve sort of ignored over the years. He likes a project and it gives him something to do. I must say, he’s doing a good job of cleaning it up. More and more tiny leaves are appearing on the trees, more and more green surrounds us.

Very grateful for green things and buds and pretty potted flowers always, but especially at this time of year. We’re still watching Cheers every night. Situation comedy doesn’t get much better than that show and we’re really enjoying it. Last night, as we started a new episode, we realized it was the one Don was in. It’s called The Last Angry Mailman – a name I’m well familiar with as it appears on residual checks – and Don has a scene with Cliff Clavin, played by John Ratzenberger, and his mother, played by the fabulous Frances Sternhagen. I’d seen it long ago, but it was fun watching it with Don. You know I saw Don on several series, Hill Street Blues, LA Law, Cheers and more, before I met him. I specifically remember him on LA Law because he had a recurring role as an attorney and one of the most memorable episodes was one he did with the late, great Ralph Bellamy. I remember watching it. Who knew I’d end up married to the guy many years later?

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: birds, Don, flowers, social distancing 31 Comments

Day Fifty-One

May 3, 2020 at 9:21 am by Claudia

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful – and warm. I spent some time potting flowers and then realized I need to buy another big bag of potting soil. I always underestimate how much I need. In the middle of it all, we took off for the grocery store, picked up our order, drove back home and did all the necessary stuff to bring it in the house. More work on the porch and then inside because my allergies were flaring up.

Oh, but it feels good to be back on the porch, making it pretty. And to see the hostas and coneflowers and day lilies coming up from the ground, getting taller every day. Don is in the midst of a clean up project on the property and is enjoying working outside.

Some lobelia – I used it last year in this pot and I really love the purple and white inside this textured Italian pot.

I’ve potted some of the impatiens, including in the hanging pots. I’ve added plants to the antique English and French pots that I use in the Secret Garden. I’ll get some photos of those soon. Today, I’ll finish with the impatiens that I have on hand and will put the gardenias in the barrels by the Funky Patio. That is, if the potting soil holds out. Probably one more trip to the nursery is on the docket for tomorrow morning.

I’m also working on the other Nancy Drew puzzle. While I wait for the coffee to brew in the morning, I walk over to the kitchen table and add a few more pieces here and there. And then I work on it again in the late afternoon. Another puzzle arrived in yesterday’s mail; “Peonies” by a Japanese artist.

We’re sure enjoying this beautiful weekend. I hope you are, too.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden, social distancing 32 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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