Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Change of Season

September 7, 2008 at 2:07 pm by Claudia

Even though I’ve barely taken in the fact that it is September, I see signs of Autumn approaching. More and more of the leaves on the weeping willow are turning yellow, here and there I see some red leaves among all the green in the woods, and the quality of the sunlight is changing. The daylight has a more golden tone – a subtle change that will become stronger as we move further into Fall. We had a big rainstorm last night due to Hanna coming up the East Coast. It was very windy and a hard rain fell. We needed the rain badly, but when I got up this morning there were many more leaves on the ground than there would be with a summer storm.

Autumn is my favorite season, but I also feel a touch of melancholy at this time of year. Summer is fading, my garden has started its decline, it is getting cooler at night – all signs that we are moving into a seasonal change that will eventually take us to Winter. Perhaps it is that knowledge – that Winter is closer than ever – that brings a bit of sadness. Whatever it is, I feel it today.

So I’m cleaning, doing laundry, washing floors, and thinking about getting back to my quilt-in-progress. That’s another sign of the change of seasons; after high heat and humidity all summer, I begin to feel a strong urge to quilt. My sewing machine is under our skylight – no air conditioner nearby – so I tend to stay away from it in the summer. But now? I am ready to get back at it.

More later.

Filed Under: autumn 1 Comment

Dad’s Painting

September 3, 2008 at 9:18 am by Claudia

My Dad started painting with oils when I was a little girl. This was his very first – painted on a piece of slate with a frame made by hand. I think I was about 6 years old when he painted it. This oil of a single long stemmed rose was always in our house. It hung on the wall to the right of our front door. I saw it every day.

When my parents moved to northern Michigan, the painting went along and found a new home. And when they moved to Florida, it went right along with them.

When I visited my parents recently, I was curious when my Dad said that he had something for me. He disappeared into another room and came back with this painting. I was completely surprised and delighted as it means a great deal to me. I carefully packed it in my suitcase and hoped it would survive the luggage handlers. Thankfully, it arrived in one piece and now it lives in our cottage in upstate New York. We are thrilled to have it here.

Thank you, Daddy!

Filed Under: Dad 2 Comments

I love New York

September 2, 2008 at 11:27 am by Claudia

As you know, I’ve been traveling back and forth to Manhattan lately. I have two options. I can take the bus from our neighboring village. Its very comfortable, quiet, goes right down the Thruway, into New Jersey and the Lincoln Tunnel and deposits me right at the Port Authority which is in midtown and the theater district. Perfect. I walk one block and I am at rehearsal.

I take the train when it is a Friday or a Sunday or a Holiday weekend. We live in a spot that is frequented by tourists and weekend home owners. I learned the hard way last year that the Thruway is a no-no on the weekend. (I was working on Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park and thought I’d take the bus into Manhattan for a Sunday night dress rehearsal – Imagine my horror when we sat on the Thruway for 3 hours. Needless to say, when I finally got into Manhattan it was time to turn around and go back home again.) Since we just had a three day holiday weekend, I traveled on the train on Friday and Monday. It goes into Grand Central and I take the shuttle to 42nd Street/Times Square.

This is the view of the Hudson River from the railroad station. Beautiful, don’t you think? I get there early, sit on the bench and take all this in.

The train pulls into this glorious station. Grand Central Station is one of my favorite buildings in Manhattan. The inside is just as beautiful- The architecture is stunning.

Yesterday was so beautiful that I walked back to Grand Central Station after rehearsal. My very favorite building is the tall one in the background – The Chrysler Building. That Art Deco design gets me every time. Isn’t it fabulous?

Even though the commute is a bit long, how can I complain? I get to work in Manhattan and see all its beauty.

More later.

Filed Under: coaching, new york 1 Comment

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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.

Thanks for stopping by.

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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

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

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