Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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!

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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.