Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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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

My current obsession

August 31, 2008 at 12:49 pm by Claudia


Tess Gerritsen. There’s the short answer. Do you remember that I started one of her mysteries and said that I would see if I felt that “I’ve got to read all her books!” feeling at the end of the book? Well, I did. I am now on my sixth Gerritsen. Can’t stop. Although I will have to stop soon as I am rapidly going through them. I’ve had a lot of time to read lately what with hours spent in airports, on planes, sitting on the sofa at my sister’s house and reading in bed. I must admit I love being on a plane or stuck in an airport only when I have something totally involving to read. Ms. Gerritsen writes very detailed mysteries involving a Medical Examiner named Maura and a detective named Jane. Sometimes Jane is the focus, and sometimes Maura – sometimes they both are. Various other characters are recurring in all the books. The setting is Boston – which I love since I used to live there. All I know is that I can’t put them down.

I’ve finished with the Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles series. Good news: another is due out in September. I’m now reading The Bone Garden, which is one of her medical mysteries. I’ve just started it. Luckily there are at least three or four of these I haven’t read. Gerritsen is a former doctor and her knowledge helps to make these books riveting.

Hope your holiday weekend is a happy one. I have to travel to NYC tomorrow for rehearsal, so I will be laboring on Labor Day!

More later.

Filed Under: books, reading 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.

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