Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Tired Garden

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About the time mid-August rolls around, my garden is tired. And I’m tired…of weeding, of pinching back, of pruning…all of it. Fallen maple leaves make their new home amongst the plants ~ their presence heralds the arrival of Autumn.


The hydrangea changes from white to soft green.

I know this is part of the cycle. Nevertheless, it always makes me a little melancholy.

Some plants, like my sedum, don a new color.



I used to say that Autumn was my favorite season and it still might be. But since we have lived in the Cottage, I have been blessed with a garden and I love it so. I hate to see it fade away for another 9 months or so. By the way, we moved into MHC 4 years ago on August 30th. What a wonderful day that was!

I managed, in true Claudia-the-procrastinator fashion, to avoid doing the two things I needed to do yesterday. My husband shot some photos of me for my work-related web site and we were so pleased with the results that we merrily drove off for lunch and a visit to the bookstore. Next thing I knew, it was time for dinner. So I must tackle both tasks today, along with cleaning the oven. Last night husband was making a delicious pizza when the kitchen filled with smoke, setting off the alarm and prompting a call from our alarm company. Many windows were opened, fans turned on, and the alarm company was reassured that all was well. But something was smoking in that oven. Some cleaning must be done.

I just realized that this is my 301st post! How did that happen? Have a wonderful day!

Random Thoughts on a September Morn

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Some random thoughts:

Thought 1: I have blogs I follow and blogs that are bookmarked on my browser. I stop by most of them every day or every few days. My point is that I usually am up to speed on recent blog posts. So when I click on a blog and find it gone…I am always taken by surprise. Has this happened to you? Suddenly there is a message saying the blog no longer exists and that the name is available. What happened? I know the demands of blogging can become too much for some bloggers. Or life changes or crises get to be too overwhelming and trying to maintain a happy blog feeling just can’t be done anymore. In recent weeks, two bloggers I know said they were taking an extended break from blogging. In one case, the blog remained. An extended break for the other blogger meant totally deleting the blog. Sometimes a blogger will take the time to explain why the blog is being deleted. Sometimes the blog is suddenly gone. Just yesterday, I clicked on another blog to find it completely missing – erased.

I don’t know about you, but when this happens I get worried about my blogging friends. I wonder what has happened. Is my blogging friend okay? Is there a way to contact them? Quite often there isn’t and I’m left feeling sad and worried. Blogs come and go, I know, but when they suddenly disappear from my radar screen it is unsettling. What have been your experiences with this?

Thought 2: If you have been reading my blog you know that August was hot and rainy and humid. Today, September 1, there is a chill in the air and I would swear it was October. How quickly the weather can change! I’m sure it will get hot again this September but I am enjoying being covered with a warm throw as I blog this morning.

Thought 3: I have to clean the refrigerator today. I hate cleaning out the refrigerator. I also have to gather tax info. We are notorious for filing for extensions. Every year. This is due to the fact that almost every year one of us is gone during tax season. Also, we freelance – my husband is an actor and therefore gets lots of W-2s for residuals. He also has a lot of receipts, as have I. It makes for tax craziness. We also don’t like dealing with finances or figures. Hey, we’re in the Arts, what can I say?

Happy September 1st!

Missing and Mowing

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I looked out my front window this morning and saw this pink ribbon moving in the breeze. I miss our little stray kitty…this is the ribbon we used to help her relax a bit and begin to trust us. And beyond the ribbon are the hydrangea and spirea bushes where little Birdie was hiding. I know we couldn’t keep her…but I miss her.


The endless rain has finally left us along with the humidity and what a gorgeous day it is. I decided to tackle some lawn mowing. More specifically the back forty where I encountered two yellowjackets in recent weeks. We’ve had both nests treated but because of the rain and humidity I couldn’t get back there to mow. I must be honest. I was nervous. So I wore these:


My husband’s size 13 boots. I needed some ankle protection – just in case – and I didn’t have anything remotely appropriate. My foot size is much smaller, so I’m sure I looked ridiculous. Nevertheless, they gave me the confidence I needed to get out there and get the job done. And I did.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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