Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

The View

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I took a little walk through our woods and sat on the bench that Don got for me. This was my view:

Not bad, huh? This is my neighbor’s property. It was recently mowed for hay. Don and I took a walk right after this picture was taken – through the back of the field and down the hill.

I’m sitting at the edge of our woods, so trees are right behind me.

I love living here – in every direction our views are expansive. You can’t beat it!

The repairman has the parts for the washing machine and he’ll be here this afternoon. Maybe I’ll finally be able to stop wiping up leaking water! Fingers crossed.

In view of the cowardice of the Washington Post, it was ironic that All the President’s Men  was pre-scheduled on TCM last night. Of course, we watched it because it is a movie that we love, love, love and that we will drop everything for – no matter if it’s in the middle or near the end. It’s a must see. (If you don’t know about the Post’s latest move, google it.) Brilliantly done.

I haven’t shared a doll photo for a while – mostly because I haven’t been inspired to dress/pose them, but I did have a little inspiration the other day, so here’s Madeleine, out of her sleeveless dress and bundled up for the cooler temperatures.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Disappearing Leaves and Fire Warnings

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We raked our tushes off yesterday and our muscles are sore. But the corral and the back forty look better. In the past few days nearly all of our trees have lost their leaves. The oaks are still hanging in there, as are the catalpas, but they’ll soon be bare. This morning, I looked at some photos of trees that I took less than a week ago and realized they are completely bare now. It happened very quickly.

We are facing fire warnings every day now as the humidity is very low and we’ve not had any rain in quite a while. I know I’ve said this before, but this time? I have never seen the rivers so low. It’s very worrying. And there’s no rain on the horizon for at least a week if not more.

A few days ago, these leaves were the only ones left on the big maple. Now, they’re gone.

A photo of the house as we came out of the woods yesterday.

It’s getting cold again. We’ll have to bring the porch plants inside on Sunday and Monday. The rest of that week will bring warmer temperatures at night, so it’s not yet time to let them go.

Lots of chores to attend to today; laundry, bill paying, returning a book to the library, watering all the houseplants, and hopefully, assessing what needs to be done on the Beacon Hill.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

More Visitors at the Rest Stop

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The Mockingbird Hill Cottage Rest Stop remains open 24/7. Yesterday, our visitors were bluebirds heading south.

There were probably about 6 or 7 of them. By the time I saw them, these two sweeties were hogging the birdbath. Don and I stood at the windows, entranced by the whole thing. How do they see this birdbath from way up there in the sky? I don’t know, but they do. We are so honored that they stop off for a drink and a quick bath; migrating is tiring.

I never see bluebirds around here except toward the end of winter. They gather in the bushes outside the kitchen window as they migrate north. And now, for the first time, in the birdbath as they migrate south.

I saw a few robins taking baths this morning. I imagine they’re heading south as well.

I’ll miss you, my beauties. Feel free to use the rest stop again in a few months.

I’m this close to finishing A Stranger in the House  by Jane Casey. As always with Casey, it is a riveting, extremely well plotted police procedural/mystery. I have never been disappointed in one of her books as she’s an excellent writer. Anyway, I had to force myself to stop in order to make a second cup of coffee and write this post. Delayed satisfaction.

I raked a bit yesterday. We rake the leaves onto a tarp, gather the ends together, and make a pile of leaves near the shed. They’ll decompose during the winter. The leaves on the garden beds stay. And the leaves in the back forty generally stay as well. The big catalpa has yet to lose all its leaves – that will be another big job.

Don’s going to rake today. He was tied up yesterday trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with his car.

I’ve straightened up the office/studio – I did a big cleanup on Sunday. I want to start in on the Beacon Hill soon and I need things to be organized before I do that. I will gently remind Don to CLEAN UP HIS DESK this morning.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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