Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for trees

Day Three Hundred Ninety-Four

April 11, 2021 at 10:05 am by Claudia

So far this morning: Four deer were munching on the grass right outside the kitchen window, the wren has been singing and working diligently on the nest since at least 6 am, two robins were fighting, four cardinals – two male, two female – were in the big garden bed, Canada geese flew overhead, I saw (and heard) two mourning doves, and we had our first groundhog sighting.

I knew we had one living under the shed, as all the entrances and exits were free of leaves. He’d been doing some spring cleaning. Don’t know whether this is the same one that was living here last year or a new guy/girl, so we have no name yet. Last year’s was named Shifty, if you remember. We’ll watch and observe.

A little darker this morning as we’re going to have rain the rest of the day and tomorrow. It hasn’t started yet. He’s still nest-building – I just saw him through the den window.

The little tree next to the catalpa is in bud. I just noticed that this morning.

Better than any television show or movie, this is. My heart is full. I told Don that I realize that I was unconsciously ‘holding’ myself during the winter months and that I feel more open now. He said, sure, you were contracted and now you’re expansive. Exactly. No more unconscious contracting, now I’m consciously expanding. I love living here. It’s like we’re living on our own little nature preserve. The maples are starting to get small buds, as are the other trees. The last to leaf out will be the catalpa.

Grateful on this Sunday morning.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: bird nest, birds, groundhogs, trees 20 Comments

Allowing More Time for Reading

September 9, 2019 at 10:10 am by Claudia

The mornings are definitely cooler nowadays. Our walks include wearing a hooded sweatshirt. It’s brisk out there!

On today’s walk, we kept hearing (and seeing) acorns drop to the ground, black walnuts falling from trees, bird skirmishes up in the branches, and squirrels running up and down the trunks.

Speaking of noticing things, when I mowed the back forty last week, I stood for a moment on the edge of our property that borders our neighbor’s property and looked at the trees that abut that huge grassy field I showed you the other day. I noticed – for the first time – that we have two catalpas there. I guess I had to be standing in just the right place to identify them, as it’s on a slight hill. That makes at least 6 catalpa trees on the property. Since they’re one of my favorite trees, this discovery made me happy.

It’s 9:53 am and I haven’t turned my phone on. This is part of my new attempt to not have it on, and therefore, tempting me, for most of the day. I want to read more and look at the phone (and my laptop) less. I read a post by a young woman who I follow on my other Instagram account, which is for books and reading. She may be only 29, but she is very wise. She also felt that her attention was too often being diverted to her phone and iPad/laptop. It all came to a head when the Wi-Fi in her apartment kept failing. She didn’t have it for about 3 weeks. During that time, she read far more than she had been and she liked it. Eventually, she made the decision to have no Wi-Fi.

Now, I can’t do that, because I write this blog and do other things that necessitate having Wi-Fi. But, I can severely limit my time online. I’ve written about this before and it can be a struggle for me. But both Don and I are of the same mind on this one. I’m going to work hard to turn my computer off after I write this post and check back in later in the day. Likewise, I’ll do my usual Instagram check-in and then turn the phone off. If there’s a phone call/message, I’ll know soon enough. And we still have a landline, so there’s that.

We’ll see how it goes.

I’m reading John Connolly’s latest, The Book of Bones, which is 694 pages long. Interestingly, I had just ordered 3 books from the library when I picked up this book to read. Those books are going to come in this week and I will still be immersed in this almost 700 page long book. A quality problem, but a problem, nonetheless. I couldn’t help it, the Connolly is what I was in the mood for.  I’m a bit less than a quarter of the way through it.

We’re off on our weekly visit to the grocery store.

Don had a good day at the Farmers Market. His photos are wonderful.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: autumn, books, life, reading, trees 24 Comments

Trees

June 21, 2019 at 10:23 am by Claudia

I took this picture about a week ago on yet another gray day and I realized this morning that it gives a good indication of just how tall the maple and the catalpa are. You can see the catalpa – in bloom – on the right. The maple is huge. So is the catalpa. I’m terrible at estimating the height or length of anything – math is not my strong point. Keep in mind that I’m standing across the street on a lower elevation, our house is actually on a hill. And the trees are also on a raised elevation. So they’re not quite as tall as they seem.

You can’t even see the big garden bed, it’s so shady over there!

From yesterday’s second-cup-of coffee-time on the porch. A still life.

We have rain this morning and then it will clear up for the afternoon. Two days of sun on Saturday and Sunday and then back to rain. Two days of sun = two days of mowing, because we have to do it before it starts to rain again. I’m sure that’s been the same for many of you this spring.

Don will finally be able to get out there to take some portraits. Huzzah!

I did start another Instagram account yesterday. If you’re inclined to follow, you can find me at: @lifelongbibliophile. I’ve only done one post so far and I may not post every day. Keeping it stressless. Many of you have already followed that account and I thank you!

Today? I have no idea as of this moment. We’ll see what comes to mind.

Happy Solstice, longest day of the year, and first day of summer!

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, summer, trees 25 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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