Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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And, We’re Off!

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We had our first Preview performance last night. This is a rollicking, fast-paced comedy and it needs an audience, so it was wonderful to hear laughter coming from someone other than those of us who are involved with the production. The director and actors learn a great deal from laughter, not the least of which is timing.

We are rehearsing during the afternoons with a performance at night, and that will continue until Opening Night, which is next Friday. And then, I’ll be on my way back to the cottage.

I held off posting this until Previews had officially started. Darko designed this set. It has everything, including boats! In the midst of winter, it evokes sunny and warm climates – and suddenly, I’m yearning for a vacation.

I hope you’re all well. I don’t have much more to say.

This production is a positive in the midst of so much that is negative. I’m grateful for that. I have a request: Can you share something positive in the comments section? Something that is making you happy at the moment? I think we could all use a nice dose of happy.

And speaking of that,

Happy Friday.

Hey, Boo

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I slept in this morning – thankfully – after being jolted awake during the night by the sound of snowplows on the street below my apartment. Gosh, they’re loud! I guess it snowed a bit last night, though when I look out the window, the amount of snow seems minimal.

Tell me this isn’t crazy – the temperature here tomorrow will reach 50° and Thursday? 55°. What the heck? I read about that gorgeous redwood with the tunnel toppling in the storms out in California. Oh, how sad. Such history and beauty – gone in a second.

These came in the mail from our friends Lynne and Sean, who live in Toronto. I don’t know where she finds them, but Lynnie always finds unique treasures. And could these be any more perfect for Mockingbird Hill Cottage? I’m thrilled with them! In fact, I had some hot chocolate in one of them on Sunday.

And they capture one of the most beautiful moments in that book. “Hey, Boo.” That particular line of dialogue brings tears to my eyes every time. Thank you, Lynne and Sean. We love you.

I’ve started another Elizabeth George – one I purchased before I came to Hartford in December. Just in case. You understand. I always have this particular conversation going on in my head:

“I’m enjoying this book by this author. But what if I finish it and I love it and I don’t have any other novels on hand by this author? If I’m in the mood for more, I won’t want to start a book by another  author…hmmmm…I’d better buy this book also written by the author. Just in case.”

This particular Elizabeth George happens to be the book that follows Believing the Lie, so I clearly lucked into picking the right one.

Today, I’ll wander over to the theater, where the initial tech rehearsal continues. Tech started on Sunday – it’s a slow process – and will go on through today. And maybe part of tomorrow. By tomorrow night, we should be able to have a run-through of the show. And Thursday night is the first Preview for audiences. See how quickly it goes? Once we start Previews, I’ll be sitting in the house every night, taking notes on what I can hear and not hear, what needs to be articulated more clearly, and any other Voice & Text issues that arise. Previews will go on through a week from Thursday and then we will open on Friday, January 20th (boy am I glad I have something joyous and happy to watch that  day, otherwise I might be slitting my wrists!) and I will return to the cottage the next day.

Today, I’ll check in and see how the show looks with the set, costumes, lighting and sound.

Happy Tuesday.

Thunder, Lightning, Books, Flowers & Theater

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Big, big thunderstorm last night! It seemed to go on for hours. Cracks of lightning, the sky lit up, thunder, torrential rain.  This morning everything in the garden is water-logged and sort of smashed down. I know this because I had to go out to remind Henry that the big garden bed was not for him. That scamp!

During the storm, I had my iPhone out and was checking The Weather Channel. There was a warning saying “Lightning Strikes in your area. 0 miles WSW.” In other words, right here. When I tapped the warning, a map came up and I could see all the lightning strikes happening around us and it was actually sort of terrifying! It felt like we were sitting ducks! Maybe it’s better not  to know that sort of thing.

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Impatiens are my favorite plant for our shady porch and there are pots and pots of them. Normally, I overwinter several of them, but I only overwintered one plant this past winter.

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Yesterday, the first flower opened up on that overwintered plant. Hurrah!

We chat with Little Z most every night, but now we have introduced FaceTime to the mix. I had a long FaceTime chat with Z the other day where we talked and laughed and he asked to see ‘my things’ and I played a little of the piano for him. He immediately requested another chat, which took place yesterday evening. I love seeing his adorable little face on the screen. I do my best to make him laugh and give him kisses and Uncle Don, who was in the middle of cooking dinner, also made an appearance that sent Z off into gales of laughter. (We’re actors, after all, and are really good with funny faces and voices.) Added bonus: I get to see my dear sister. I had a nice long chat (a traditional phone call) with her yesterday afternoon, as well.

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Yarrow in the big garden bed. I have two yarrows this year.

I’ve started John Connolly’s newest book (I’m a big fan) titled, A Time of Torment. It won’t be published until the beginning of August, but I have an eGalley. You know that feeling when you open the newest book by a favorite author and you read the first page or two and then you sigh with happiness because you know you’re in good hands? That’s what I felt yesterday.

I’ll feel the same way when Daniel Silva’s newest comes out next month and Louise Penny publishes her newest at the end of August. By the way, in case you missed it, I reviewed a book by a new-to-me author yesterday as part of Soho Crime’s 25th Anniversary Read-Along. It’s Rock Paper Tiger  by Lisa Brackmann. I really liked it and plan to read the other books in this series. Book review here.

We received the official news yesterday that Anastasia  will open on Broadway on April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theater. Even better, the actors playing the four leading characters have been signed. I love that – they are talented actors who captivated audiences and deserve to be a part of the Broadway production. Bravo!

Wonderful piece of writing on LitHub: On the Invisibility of Middle-Aged Women.

Happy Wednesday.

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Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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