Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Tuesday Thoughts

February 28, 2023 at 9:07 am by Claudia

This morning:

I’d say we have about 6 or 7 inches so far and it’s still snowing. It started snowing about 8 pm last night and we woke up to this loveliness. The last time we had any sort of significant snowfall was December 13th and it was still autumn. We might get more snow on Friday and Saturday.

Yesterday was a stressful day for me, only because I’m my worst enemy. I was nervous about heating oil. I was nervous about the washer. Right after I initially posted, I took a shower and when I emerged from the bathroom, Don told me our oil company had confirmed a delivery for that day. Hurrah! We kept the temperature down, conserving whatever we had left until whenever they could get here.

The technician arrived around 1 pm and we explained the problems with the washer, including the fact that it was working just fine until Don did a very small load – one pair of jeans. Then the water came. We had removed the doors and the molding before he came so he could get to the washer. Turns out we probably didn’t need to because he was able to remove the front panel of the washer quite easily. (What do I know?) Anyway, he was in there for a while. By the way, Don met him outside when he arrived and asked him if he would wear a mask, which he readily agreed to  – we supplied the mask. We’re still very careful here at the cottage. After a while, I heard the sound of water! Long story short, this is an older washer/dryer and the shocks aren’t in tip-top shape so when Don did that small load, it was very unbalanced and the knocking caused a hose to become unattached. Hence, the water going right to the floor instead of inside the tub. I have to say that my initial reaction when it happened was that it might be a hose, but of course, I had no idea how to confirm that or if it was even true.

He was able to fix it on the spot, it cost less than $250.00, and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy. Huzzah!

He left and about 20 minutes later, the oil truck arrived. We are so grateful!

_________________

I want to mention my old friend Tom Sizemore, who is a wonderful actor. He was my classmate in graduate school, We went through 3 years of school together and as in any intense acting program, you become very close to your classmates. You really get to know them. After we graduated, both Tom and I were cast in a groundbreaking production of 1984 at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, which went on to a run at the Kennedy Center. Tom was sort of a live wire, a bit of a rogue, and it wasn’t until we did that show together that I got to know him a bit more deeply. I saw his vulnerable side, the part of him that was usually covered by bravado. He was a good guy. He went on to work in Hollywood; he’s been in lots of films, including Saving Private Ryan. His drug use and self destructive tendencies were well known and well publicized. But all that time, I would remember the real Tom, hoping he would find some peace.

Last week, he suffered a brain aneurysm and has been in a coma since then. This morning, one of my classmates sent me an article from CNN – doctors have said there is no hope and his family is now making end of life decisions. It’s all so terribly sad and heartbreaking. He’s only 61.

Thinking of you, Tom. Praying for you. Remembering all the good times and laughter – remembering the real you.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: snow 24 Comments

The Day of Reckoning

February 27, 2023 at 8:29 am by Claudia

Well, here we are. We’ve left a couple of messages about the urgency of an oil delivery. We originally called last Thursday, but…the weekend screwed things up. I’m going to make Don call again in a few minutes.

And the service technician is coming to look at the washer. As soon as I’m done here, we’ll take showers and then remove the doors and molding in prep for his arrival. There’s a nice tracking code which we can use to see how many stops away he is. Four stops as of now, but each stop can take an hour or so, so maybe around 11 am?

And then, we just get out of the way while he does his thing.

And we await 5 – 8 inches of snow tonight, another 1 – 3 inches tomorrow morning….and wait…the same thing on Friday. I have been telling Don all along that we’d get walloped in March. Sigh. We need the snowpack for our water table, so it’s a good thing in the long run. It’s just not something you want to see in March.

All of the above on the same day.

Ah, well.

Please cross your fingers that this thing with the washer is something we can get fixed.

And that oil is delivered. Today.

I won’t share a photo of me in pajamas, a hooded sweatshirt, and a wool cap. I’ll spare you that.

Edited: The oil is coming today. Whew!

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: life 28 Comments

When It Snows, It Pours

February 26, 2023 at 9:21 am by Claudia

Careful what you wish for.

We got about an inch of snow yesterday. No big deal. But we’re due for 5-8 inches Monday night into Tuesday. The problem is that we are sweating an oil delivery. Don says we can make it until tomorrow (the heat is turned way down) but with the storm on the way, we need it delivered tomorrow. We can’t wait until Tuesday, which would be problematic anyway, as that will be the day for clean up, aka shoveling and snow blowing. He’s going to call today and leave an “Urgent!” message.

To top it all off, during our second load of laundry yesterday, water started flowing from under the washer. We tried again. Same thing. Crap, crap, crap. I called and someone is coming out tomorrow to diagnose the problem. Our washer and dryer is in a closet in the bathroom. It’s a narrow stacked combination of washer/dryer made by Whirlpool. It’s almost 18 years old. The last time a technician was here he said to do whatever we could to repair it in the future because the newer models aren’t as good. But, in doing a little research yesterday, I discovered that Whirlpool doesn’t make this model any longer. Anyway, I’m very stressed about repair costs and/or possibly having to replace the unit. Let’s see: $400+ for oil and $1200+ for a new washer and dryer. For us, that’s a big chunk of money.

When it rains, it pours. Or, when it snows, it pours.

So we’re holding our breath for the next 36 hours or so.

Also, the closet that contains the unit is narrow, just inside the main door to the bathroom to the left. We have to remove two doors to get the unit in and out as well as some molding and even then, it’s a giant pain in the tush.

I can feel my stress level rising as I write this.

This too shall pass.

I was hoping my book would come in at the library yesterday, but the roads were slippery and I don’t think the county-wide delivery van was making any deliveries. Ah well. Highly doubtful they’re working today and the library is closed tomorrow and then there’s the storm on the way…looks like I’m going to have to wait until Wednesday, at least.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: life 18 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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