First things, first: I was so busy last week with over 24 hours of travel time back and forth to the city, as well as rehearsals for the glorious Anastasia, and with only a few hours at the cottage to try to catch some shut-eye, that I completely forgot that Friday, February 17th was the 9th Anniversary of this blog!
Nine years! How can that be?
Nevertheless, I hit ‘publish’ for the first time on February 17, 2008. That was back when I was on Blogger and I remained there until 2012, when I moved the whole blog over to WordPress. At that point, I started to post every day. A total of 2,733 posts as of today. 106,632 comments. No guest posts. All written by yours truly.
The blog has evolved over the years but it has always been about life here at the cottage. The original tagline after the blog title was ‘Life in our little cottage in the country.” Nothing has changed. It’s still about that, along with our adventures here and there.
During the course of the last nine years, we’ve lost Don’s father, my mother and father, and two beloved pets, Riley and Scout, as well as dear friends. It’s all down on ‘virtual’ paper. This blog of mine is what I always wanted it to be, a journal. Since I was a woeful failure at keeping a real journal, I’d given up on ever writing one until this new blogging medium came along. Somehow, the combination of writing online and adding the visual element of photos did it for me. And as the actress/theatrical coach that I am, I loved having an audience.
Which brings me to you. Over the course of the past nine years, I’ve met so many new friends here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage! Some have come and gone, some have been with me right from the start (I’m looking at you, Donna!) Each and every one of you, present and past, has been a blessing. My world has expanded.
There were many times in which this blog was a lifeline. And I am so profoundly grateful for that. The process of putting thoughts and emotions into words, editing, editing again, not always getting it absolutely right but getting it, nonetheless, has been a game changer for me. At times, it has provided the catharsis I’ve desperately needed. When I go back and read certain posts, I’m moved to tears. Some make me laugh. All of them, from the mundane to the gut-wrenching, are precious to me and I’d never delete them. They’re part of my journey and, I think, part of yours, because you share your thoughts, as well. The comments section has become a way to exchange thoughts with each other and how I love that. We laugh together, we learn together, and we comfort each other.
So thank you, my friends, for being here; for understanding when I needed to take a break after my parents died and after Riley and Scout died. Or this week, when I was so overwhelmed and so tired that I felt like I was losing it. Without you, this blog would have been abandoned long ago.
Next year will be rather momentous, won’t it? 10 years!
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I’m back at home after having finished 6 days of rehearsal on Anastasia. Heavens, I love that cast and everyone associated with this production. I can’t get the music out of my head. I have to go back into Manhattan on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. I’m very, very grateful to be a part of this process.
I reveled in the morning today, a morning when I didn’t have to leave the house at the crack of dawn to travel to NYC but, instead, could sit and sip my coffee and finish Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie. I was so tired this past week that I couldn’t read anything but the newspaper and obsessively scroll through Twitter. Anyway, the Crombie is excellent as I knew it would be. She is such a wonderful writer. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I love her recurring characters and their world in London and I find I don’t want to leave them when the story is over.
Today? My husband and I are going to have a little lunch at our new favorite place, The Commissary, and visit the bookshop and record store. It’s our belated salute to Valentine’s Day, which, frankly, we never make a big deal of, knowing that we say “I love you” to each other several times a day, every day.
Happy Sunday.
Nine years! I know I haven’t been with you since the beginning but I’m so very glad I found your blog and you several years ago. You bring to my life a view into a world I love and a friendship I treasure. I’ve laughed with you, cried with you and raged with you. I hope it continues for many years to come.
Enjoy your day with Don. Hugs!
Oh, thank you, my friend! I’m glad I’ve found you, too!
Congratulations on nine years, Claudia! I’ve been with you (daily) for around three years now, but I did go back to the very beginning and read every single post. I only comment occasionally, but I look forward to your blog each day, and I miss you when life keeps you busy! I live in California, in a large city, so reading of your life in rural New York is a pleasure and a treat. Thank you for sharing your world with us, and best wishes for many years of blogging, health and happiness.
Thank you so much, Roneta!
Thank you for making my life better, for new perspectives, learning about different facets of the theater, your part of the country and your kindness and generosity of spirit to all living things. You also have given me hope during these terrible and dark days for our country.
You and Don are the best.
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye. You brought tears to my eyes. Bless you!
Congratulations on theanniversary of yourblog. I know I look forward everyday to hearing what you are up to and the pictures of your wonderful cottage.
Thank you, Chris. I’m so glad you enjoy the blog!
Wow…nine years! Big congrats to you, Claudia!
I loved your blog from the minute I started reading it. Know why? It’s real…you share the good, the bad and everything in between. I adore your cottage and the fact that it’s not always in perfect order…that’s real life! I could go on and on…..
You and Don have a wonderful belated Valentine’s Day!
Thank you, Sherry. I couldn’t write it without being honest – warts and all! So glad you love the blog!
Congratulations on nine years! I love your descriptions of life in the country and the glimpses into the world of theatre. I wish you many more years of writing and many more years for us, your readers, to live a bit vicariously in a different world. I very much appreciate that you write each column and never have a guest writer, nor do you add links to “stuff”. I only read real writers.
Thank you, Deb. I really appreciate your thoughts and am very grateful you’re here.
Congratulations on nine years of putting it all out there and waiting to see where it lands! I thinks I found your blog about six years ago and instantly found it to be one I could identify with. I don’t know where I found it or why, but I’m very glad I did. Your view of things is sincere and thoughtful, whether heartwarming or heartbreaking. It’s beautiful and articulate, and I love your devotion to it—and to us. Thank you for allowing us to follow along.
Thank you, Shanna! I’m so glad you’re here; you’re one of the amazingly kind and compassionate people I’ve met through this blog and I am ever thankful.
Thanks for your blog. It is a lifeline for your readers too, I think. It is so comforting to know that there are people out there with the same concerns, trials, and also joys. You and your readers are such a comfort and joy. Congratulations on lots of hard work well done!
If this blog brings comfort, then I am very happy indeed. Thank you for being there, Beverly!
Congrats on 9 years….quite an accomplishment! Thank you for allowing us into your world…it’s been an adventure. Now….have a great day with your hubby…I’m going to do the same! ;)
We’re back and we did have a great day! Thanks for being a devoted reader and commenter, Donnamae! I so appreciate your presence here.
Congratulations on nine years! Enjoy your much deserved Sunday with your hubby. Thank you for always being there for all of us! xo
And thank you for being there for me. That’s the reward of blogging – knowing all of you!
Congratulations on your nine years anniversary. I look forward to reading your posts every day.
I hope you and Don enjoy your day.
Thank you so much, Kathy. I am so grateful for all of you. Fingers crossed that I can keep up the interesting posts!
Congratulations! I know that I feel closer to many blog friends than to people I am around every single day.
Sounds like Anastasia is a perfect project for you right now. I hope that the enjoyment of it makes up for the exhaustion.
Take care!
It is perfect, Bridget. I love the show, have loved it since I worked on it last year in Hartford. It’s a joy. The cast consists of some of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with, the music is glorious – what’s not to love? So, the exhaustion was worth it. And that’s the toughest week I’ll have to deal with, thank goodness! Thanks for being a part of this blog.
Claudia. I never forgot our conversations. Remember Luxe Lanai? I am diagnosed and well enough to be back on line and I am happy to see you thriving, even though you have had sadness as well. I remember how you loved those dogs. I will follow you faithfully. I am devoting time to getting the word out about my illness..Hypopituitarism, I would love to stay in touch. You were such a comfort to me in my darkest of days.
Oh, Susan. This made my day, my week, my year. I have wondered about you so often. There seemed to be no way to get in touch with you, so I had no idea what had happened to you. Hearing that you’ve been diagnosed and that you’re doing better is the best news possible. I can’t wait to tell my husband as he knew how worried I was about you.
I will certainly google to find out more about hypopituitarism. What a relief it must be for you to finally know what was causing you so much worry and anxiety. Please stay in touch. I want to know more – at least, whatever you’ve comfortable sharing. Thank you, thank you, for getting in touch with me. To know you’re doing better and that life is better? Simply wonderful. Bless you. xoxo
Congrats on your blog-aversary! I’ve only been here a little under 4 years but your blog is one of the few things I do every day. And I love it. That you don’t even take weekend breaks is wonderful. I don’t know ANYONE else who writes every day. That’s exceptional. Have a wonderful lunch & afternoon – it’s a great day to get out & soak up some winter sunshine. Supposed to be a spring-like week ahead too. If you still have to go into the city, it should at least be easier. Peace.
#Resist
It hit 60 degrees here today, Janet. The sun actually felt hot on my back! Goodness, I now have Spring Fever! Thank you for being a part of the Mockingbird Hill Cottage community. You always offer such great insights and I value what you share here. xoxo
Congrats on the anniversary of your blog, Claudia. I know it takes a lot of work and I appreciate your efforts whenever you can post…which, is, mostly ALWAYS; its own phenomenon, because so many blog owners won’t/can’t do the same.
Glad you’ll have a nice, relaxing day (at least a couple, til Weds) with Don today. As for my husband and me, we’re just glad we didn’t wash away in all the rain (not even close, but felt like it!!). Today it might actually NOT rain, so he’s about to go out, boots on, and survey any damage…but I think we did okay (our planning [and money spent!] paid off, when we redesigned the rear yard and back hillside, coming up on three years ago). More rain tomorrow, but it’s supposed to be light, not heavy. Southern California got hammered; we had to remember what ‘real’ rain’was around here. Seems so strange, but experts say, even as of today, we’re still in drought, at least where I live in the state.
So glad you and your husband and your house are okay, Vicki. I know the rains have been something out of this world, but because I was so busy, it was only on the periphery of my ‘incoming news.’ Hard to believe you’re still in a drought! Goodness. Stay safe.
Thank you for being part of this blog and for your comments, which I truly value. Best to you and yours!
Congratulations Claudia on nine years! I would truly miss you were you not here.
I’m going to hang around a bit longer, Carolyn Marie! Thank you for being part of this blog. I so appreciate your presence here.
Unfortunately I missed the first 8 years of your blog. But, I am so glad that I am here now.
Your blog is never the same old – same old. You bring something new with every post.
Enjoy your day with your husband. I know he’s glad that you are back.
Peace to you both,
Monica
Better late than never, Monica! I’m glad you’re here now. Thank you for visiting and for sharing your thoughts! xo
Nine wonderful years, congratulations! It amazes me that you contribute to this blog everyday. Especially since I can barely gather enough words to make a small comment — your writing is truly a gift.
I do not think I was here from the beginning, I think I found a link to your blog from This Old House 2 blog. I was hooked right then and there. :)
What a cheerful sunny day in New England. I hope you and Don have a great day.
It’s gorgeous out there, isn’t it? Spring Fever has now hit yours truly.
Thank you, Jay! I’m so glad you’re here, that you enjoy the posts and that you are part of the dialogue here at MHC.
Thank you, Claudia, for your wonderful blog. I found you through Susan Branch’s site and am so glad I did.
I love your articulate, intelligent observation about your life. You hold up a mirror for those of us not quite as gifted verbally and allow us insight into our own lives through yours.
I lost both parents this year but it was the election’s outcome that left me unmoored. Reading your views helped me clarify my thoughts and know there were others who felt the same.
Thank you!
I’m so sorry about the loss of your parents. I understand the pain of that loss.
I also understand how the election can be and is, for many, far more painful and stressful. I feel the same way. Everything we believed was right and good about our country is being denigrated and trampled. It has rocked the very foundation of our country.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I so appreciate that.
Congratulations on nine years!! What an accomplishment!! I treasure your friendship more than you will ever know. Here’s to another nine plus years.
Love,
Judy
Oh, dear Judy, I feel the same way! I’m sorry I missed your call the other day. Let’s try to talk soon – once my schedule settles down a little, I’ll call you, okay? Thank you for being such a good friend – we wouldn’t have met each other without connecting through blogging! What an amazing thing. xo
Blogging is still rather new to me , and it has opened a new world to me . I’m so thankful I found you with your kind and gentle heart . I feel safe , like I’m with a trusted friend , when I visit your blog. I appreciate your faithfulness and honesty . Thank you!
As well , I want to especially thank you for the details you shared about The Commissary. Last year I built a little ‘shop’ and have been trying to figure out the direction for it , that feels ‘right’. I’ve re-read your post several times trying to discover more rich details , as my heart flutters in a beautiful way when I consider having a ‘donation shop’ , similar to The Commissary. {On a much smaller scale though} I’m truly excited about going in this direction and thought you might enjoy knowing how deeply your post has influenced me .
I wish you many more years of blogging . I’ll certainly be reading !
Oh, how wonderful! We were just there today. So happy that learning of the Commissary has been beneficial for your endeavor. That is lovely. Thank you so much for visiting and for taking some time out of your day to read the posts!
How wonderful to celebrate nine years of blogging. I found you when I was looking at miniaturist sites, and discovered you are so much more. Thank you for giving me something to think about with every post you write.
You are most welcome. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for sharing your thoughts here, Wendy. I truly appreciate it.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your blog for a few years now. And it’s been a real daily gift to me since I became permanently disabled two years ago. Your love of your small cottage, dogs and gardening is what first drew me in. I have the same common interests. But it is your kind heart, love of your husband, family and your country that has kept me coming back daily to read. And since the horrible election this has been a safe place to have a conversation. Your blog really is a gift to me, and all of your readers. I thank you for that, Claudia!
Oh, Lily, I thank you! If this place has become a safe place to have a conversation – especially in these tumultuous times – I am very happy, indeed. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for sharing your thoughts here, as well.
Happy Blog Anniversary! You’ve meant a lot to us, too!
It’s a mutual admiration society! Thank you so much, Linda.
Claudia, congratulations on 9 years! Although I may not comment often, I look forward to reading your blog every day. At times it has provided me with moments of peace amidst life’s storms; particularly during the loss of my father 6 years ago and my mother this past year. It is comforting to look at photos of your sunny, inviting cottage, read about life at MHC, or enjoy the progression of your gardens.
I think what resonates with me the most is how you convey your love of life from your husband and family, to your pets, to your flowers. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Blessings to you as you continue on to year 10!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Denise. “Moments of peace”…if I provide that for you, then I have done what I wanted to do. Thank you for being there, for sharing your thoughts, for being part of this family.
Congratulations Claudia for your 9 years of blogging. I have read and enjoyed, cried, laughed, learned, met many other bloggers through your blog. Thank you.
Joy
Thank you, Joy, for being here and for being a part of this community!
Congratulations on nine years, Claudia! I found you about six years ago … it was photos of your wonderful cottage that first drew me in. At that point I went back to the beginning, and read until I was caught-up. So I wasn’t here at the start, but I’ve read every single post you’ve written. You’ve become the friend I start my day with :)
Oh, that’s lovely! Thank you, Debbie. Here’s to friendship!
I thank you for just being you…and Don for the same…I’ve never seen two people more suited to each other and it is a beautiful thing to see…A relationship I have only dreamed of having…but you two have shown me that it can and does exist…
Thank you, Nancy. We are humbled by your thoughts. And we’re lucky, we know that! Thank you for being part of this blog and for being a steadfast friend!
Happy Anniversary, Claudia! Wow, how time flies! I just checked mine and the date of my first post was March 16, 2008. So hard to believe! I hope you had a wonderful time today!
You started about a month later! Amazing! I’m so glad we found each other through this world of blogging! xo
Congratulations Claudia on writing, nurturing, exploring, laughing, crying and sharing for 9 years on your blog. It’s among my favorites!
Thank you so much, Karen. So glad you’re here.
A happy, belated “blogaversary”! So happy for you and always enjoy your blog, though I don’t comment often. You are real, that is what I look for!
Best review I could get, Laurie. I’m glad! Thanks for reading!