Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Wild Roses & Humidity

June 3, 2023 at 8:32 am by Claudia

We had exactly 2 minutes of light rain yesterday.

That’s it.

Storms all around us, Don drove through a whopper about 20 miles north of us. Here? Not enough to make a difference. But the temperature has dropped and I’m very grateful. It’s a rather cloudy day today. I may take advantage of the cooler temperatures and do some much needed garden clean up.

Two beauties.

I spend a couple of hours (much longer than usual) changing out Nina’s body. She was on a taller body, which I didn’t mind. Her neck joint, however, stabilized her but didn’t allow for head tilts, etc. I tried to remove that neck joint so I could keep using the body but it was glued on. For some reason, the process was harder than usual and I made little errors and had to start over again. I do have the excuse of incredible heat and humidity and you know I don’t function well in that kind of weather. After I got her reassembled, the head still seemed too loose. After taking it apart about 4 times, I finally hit on the idea of removing the neck joint and swapping it out with the only other neck joint I had on hand. It worked. The other neck joint was, I don’t know – a bit wider? Not sure.

Then we went out on the porch while we waited for the thunderstorms to roll in – they didn’t – but it was nice and breezy.

The wild roses are in bloom all over the property. These are up in the woods.

Don had to emcee a concert last night – it’s part of a free summer series in a town north of us. He booked the musicians, etc. It had to move to a church, rather than its normal outdoor venue, because of the threat of thunderstorms.

I didn’t know what to do with myself! Couldn’t watch anything that we are watching together. Most of Jeopardy was preempted by Biden’s speech. It was hot and humid, so I just sat here with the fan trained on me. And then I took a bath, something I normally don’t do because we go to bed early. It was lovely.

When I was going to grad school in Philadelphia, which is notoriously hot and humid in the summer, I shared an apartment with a fellow classmate during my second year. She went home for the summer and I stayed in town doing my usual temp work to help pay the bills. We had no air conditioning, and after work I walked the 20+ blocks back to my apartment, took a cool shower since I was dripping from the humidity, and sat on my bed in my underwear with three fans set on high speed. One at my right, one at my left, and one facing me. It was the only relief available. I can still see myself on that bed – in fact I mentioned it to Don again last night (he’s heard this story more than a few times.) A very strong memory from long ago,

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday,

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, flowers 14 Comments

Friday

June 2, 2023 at 8:30 am by Claudia

Fleabane by the gate.

Friday. I’m very tired; didn’t sleep too well. Plus, my allergies are a wee bit haywire.

Record high temperatures predicted for today. Hopefully, thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. Then much cooler weather tomorrow. So we just have to get through one more day of this.

It’s been a pain in the tush without a/c but we’ll install them next week. I didn’t want to strain my back, neither did Don. So, we toughed  it out, just like I used to when I was a kid and we didn’t have any a/c. In fact, I never had an a/c unit in my bedroom window the entire time I was growing up.  And it used to get very humid in Michigan. I distinctly remember sleeping with my head at the bottom of my bed so I could get the benefit of the fan. That is a very strong sense memory for me!

I have much to do in the big garden bed. It’s already looking rather wild. I will probably wait until tomorrow, however, as it will be much cooler then.

We started watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel   from the very beginning. We decided we need to watch something brilliant and beautiful and witty, something that makes us feel good. We need an escape. It was the right decision.

That’s about it for today, my friends. I need some more coffee!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: wildflowers 25 Comments

The Woods, Flowers, and a Dress

June 1, 2023 at 8:12 am by Claudia

A clearing in our woods that Don named Maple Grove. You can see our neighbor’s field in the distance.

June 1st. My parents’ wedding anniversary. Let’s see, they would be married 77 years today. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

We are due for a high of 90 degrees today and 91 tomorrow. Then it will drop back into the 70s. So, do we try to install our air conditioners today? My back is a little tetchy…it was a lot better but something set it off the other day. But today, it seems stronger. Anyway, Don is sore as well. So, do we just try to hang in there for today and tomorrow and wait until next week to install them?

You don’t have to answer.

It is a beautiful morning. Still no sign of rain, though we might get thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon. I have learned not to count on these ‘chance of rain or thunderstorms’ forecasts. Invariably, the rain passes us by.

The clematis is blooming. Actually, it’s blooming a lot more than this; I took this a few days ago. I will get an update photo later today. I love this gorgeous color.

Both Elly Griffiths books are now in my possession. I started reading The Locked Room  yesterday.

And finally, a wee frock arrived in yesterday’s mail.

It’s what the creator calls a ‘handkerchief dress’ because it’s made from a vintage handkerchief. This is so deliciously retro looking that I couldn’t resist. Madeleine wears it with elegance, as usual.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, flowers, garden, woods 32 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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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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