Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Hey everyone, strange things have been happening with the blog. Commenting is impossible and I can’t figure out what the problem is. If I want Bluehost (my host) to look into it, I have to pay money to the WordPress experts there. I can’t do that right now. I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to see what I could do, talking to Bluehost on the phone, and I ended the day so tense that my entire body was aching.

Just now I got another warning about a database connection from my security company, so I’m having them look into that.

In the meantime, I’m exploring options on Substack, a place that a lot of bloggers, writers, and artists are now using. If I feel I can make something there that works, I may just end the blog as is and start up there. On Substack, readers can subscribe to your blog and will get an email when a new post is up.

I’m just too tired and maybe even too old to deal with this on an ongoing basis. If the blog keeps misbehaving, then maybe we’re both too tired to continue it in this form.

Maybe the universe is sending me a sign?

I’m not sure yet.

I’ll keep you updated.

My email address is at the top of the sidebar. If you click on the envelope icon, you’ll get a form to send me an email. So if you want to comment on the blog via an email, I’ll definitely respond.

Thank you for your patience.

Yours truly is over this.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

I’m having some problems with the blog and my host. Yet again, it’s impossible to leave a comment and trying to get an answer from my host is problematic. And it looks as if WordPress problems might entail a fee of some sort. Ended up crying and had to stay home instead of going to Don’s gig.

You can reach me through my email, which is at the top of the sidebar on the right.

I’m off to cry some more.

Anyway, this will be my Saturday post.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday,

I’m trying to find some balance right now. A balance between the need for calm, peaceful days and my rage about what is happening in DC. Oh, it’s a struggle, isn’t it? The last couple of days have challenged me, that’s for sure. This morning – so far – I feel fairly calm. Let’s hope I stay there.

Yesterday, I went outside to do something or other and I heard bird song. Now, I hear some bird song throughout the year, including my beloved Carolina wrens, but this time was different. It’s the first time I’ve heard a variety of song, some from across the road, some from back in our woods. It was heavenly. I felt a surge of happiness. They’re back, though I haven’t seen any robins yet. And we had some smallish birds – around 20 of them – stopping off on their flight northward on Wednesday. I swear we must be on some bird-world travel guide.

Happy to host them as they stop for a bite to eat.

Don’s car needs expensive repairs, it feels unsafe to drive, and we’re not able to do any of that right now. And, we wonder, is it worth it?  We’ve been struggling with that question for a more than a few weeks. We decided to turn in the plates and temporarily take it off our car insurance policy. It will stay here because Don’s not ready to give it up and if we are blessed with  money from a job, we’ll get it repaired. Or, maybe we’ll find we’re ready to give it up because we really don’t need it anymore. In the meantime, we’ll be saving money on our car insurance, which has become increasingly expensive. We never need to use both cars at the same time. We used to, but life has slowed down a great deal, so why pay to insure both cars?

It may seem obvious but it took us a while to come to that conclusion. We feel relief.

Don has a gig tonight and I’m going along with him because it’s a favorite venue in New Jersey that he’s always wanted me to see. It’s a restaurant on the grounds of a Waldorf School/Community and Don absolutely loves to sing there. I’m looking forward to it.

Yes, one more doll photo to give you an idea of the differences between the wee ones. Wren has the largest head, and since she’s a mini me, that makes sense – I have a large head. I think Lily’s head is slightly smaller. Ruby’s is the smallest. They’re awfully cute together.

I’m aware that leaving a comment is impossible today. I have yet to figure out why this is happening. If you want to contact me, the email address is on the sidebar. I just don’t have the time or energy to deal with it.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.