Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1627 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

So Far Today…

May 2, 2011 at 6:46 pm by Claudia

So far today, I have:

:: discovered this bird’s nest right outside the door to the balcony

It’s really a work of art. A closer look:

I suspect it is from last year, as I’ve seen no activity there. Just to make sure, I got up on the dining room chair and peered in. A perfect little nest with no eggs. Of course, I do have a smidgen of hope that the birds have it all ready to go and will soon be laying eggs. If it’s still there and hasn’t been used by the time I leave, do you think I can take it home as a souvenir? I just may do it. You know how much I love bird’s nests.

:: drove into town to buy some more groceries. I now have the route to town and to the theater all figured out.

:: looked everywhere for a metal steamer insert. I eat a lot of vegetables. I’m a vegetarian. I ended up paying $10.00 for one at the local hardware. A small town mark-up, wouldn’t you say? Yikes. I actually felt ashamed that I paid that much. But to get anything cheaper, I would have to drive to Madison and with the cost of gas, I would lose the amount of money saved on the amount of gasoline used.

:: tried to rescue a dog. Wherever I go, this happens to me. I was talking to Meredith on the phone and saw a Brittany Spaniel puppy running around on the golf course. Collar but no leash. Off I went to see if the puppy needed rescuing. But then I saw the owner walking across the green, exasperated expression on his face. Good thing, because this little guy wasn’t going to come to me. “Beauregard” was the cutest darn puppy, full of the dickens, but so cute. Once I knew the owner was on the case, I left.

:: bought this copy of Midwest Living because…(take a guess):

No, it’s not because of the Twisted Chicken (see note about vegetarianism above.) You get a star if you guessed the pottery in that perfect shade of aqua.

Of course, I am from the Midwest – a Michigan girl – so a magazine about the Midwest makes perfect sense.

:: said many thank yous to my husband for suggesting I bring the small Bose speakers we use for his computer with me. Before I left, I took an afternoon and downloaded lots of my favorite pieces from our CD collection to iTunes. Having my music to keep me company makes me happy.

:: started to play around on Pinterest. Sort of fun!

Tomorrow we begin rehearsals.

If It’s Sunday, I Must be in Wisconsin

May 2, 2011 at 12:03 am by Claudia

Hello, everyone. This will be short and sweet as I arose at 3:30 this morning and can’t think straight. My eyes sting and feel like sandpaper. It’s only 4 pm (5 pm back at home) and I’m wondering how I’m going to stay awake until a decent hour. I don’t want to go to bed too early or I will wake up in the middle of the night.

I managed to find my way to the condo I’m staying in without any trouble. According to the company manager this condo is much nicer than most of the company accomodations. I certainly lucked out! It looks out on a golf course and is open and airy. For over half the time I’m here, I will have it to myself. For the last 3 weeks, I’ll share it with the guy who is composing music for Blithe Spirit. He’ll have the downstairs area to himself – my bedroom is upstairs along with the kitchen and living room.

On the way home from the airport, we stopped at a grocery store so I now have enough food on hand to get me through the week. Unfortunately, the cook of the family is Don. Shouldn’t he be here to cook for me? Here’s some photos of the condo:

And the view. I’ve seen lots of golfers out this afternoon.

I’m grateful for my lovely apartment. Now I wait. Tuesday is the first day of rehearsals. There are a couple of events on Monday night. Unlike San Diego, a place where I had lived and worked and knew very well, this is all new to me. We’re out in the country. I’m feeling homesick. 7 weeks sure seems like a long, long time.

More soon.

The Garden, Leaving and Loss

April 30, 2011 at 8:51 am by Claudia

From the garden, as I prepare to leave tomorrow morning:

Texture.

Lamium – Dead Nettle

Lamium – Yellow Archangel

Jacob’s Ladder – poised to attempt a garden takeover while I’m away.

Catmint

Tulips – ready to bloom (but not, apparently, before I leave.)

My other daffodils (white with delicate yellow centers)- ready to bloom
(but not, apparently, before I leave.)

What’s blooming?

Violets scattered throughout the grass.

And my Wiegela bush.

Why do I have the feeling that bright and early on Monday morning, as I rise in Wisconsin, everything here will burst into bloom? I try to take comfort in this – since this has been such a late spring, maybe I’ll be able to catch a little of the Catalpa tree in bloom (which usually blooms the second week of June) and the tail end of the peonies when I return home on June 19th. Cross your fingers for me.

I’ve been waking up too early lately. There is much on my mind and much to do. Today I do laundry and pack – the usual ‘what to take for 7 weeks’ challenge. Don’t want to go. Don’t want to leave my husband, my dogs, my garden, my cottage.

On a sad note: Several bloggers have had to say goodbye to their beloved pets in the last week. My heart breaks every time I read one of these posts. Yesterday, my dear friend Donna had to say an unexpected and painful goodbye to her dear Fezzik. Fezzik was only a year old. He was still a puppy. Please know my thoughts are with you all. Saying goodbye to a beloved family member, whether at the end of a long life or suddenly without warning, is gut-wrenching. I can only say I understand your grief, your pain and the profound loss each of you has suffered. I do believe, with all my heart, that your beloved pets are with you in spirit.

So Far Today…

If It’s Sunday, I Must be in Wisconsin

The Garden, Leaving and Loss

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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