Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 187 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Work Mode

January 10, 2023 at 8:20 am by Claudia

I have a lot on my mind today; starting rehearsals tomorrow, finances, worries. Both Don and I woke up too early this morning, so we’re feeling a bit ragged. I’m going to spend the day getting ready for tomorrow, figuring out bus schedules, and the best way to get from Port Authority in NYC to the rehearsal studio. Don is going to figure out food for me, as I’ll be gone for both lunch and dinner. I want to return some library books, as well, so I’m not worried about due dates during the course of this week of rehearsals.

Once I get there and start working, I’ll feel less stressed. A rehearsal studio is like a second home to me and the rhythm of working with Darko is quite comforting and familiar.

By the way, this is a message for those of you who sometimes send me things via our post office box. The cost of the box is getting out of hand. Right now, we’re at $78/6 months and, as has been the case since DeJoy took over, it’s going to increase again this month. It’s not worth it for the amount of mail we get there. So I’m going to let it expire at the end of this month. If you want to send me something, send me a private email and I’ll give you our address. I’ll remind you of this again at the end of the month. Adding to that, the site on which I post my professional website is now going to involve a monthly fee. It was free before. I’m tempted to chuck it, but Don thinks I should keep it going a bit longer. Sigh.

I’m already in work mode. I don’t see how I will have time to post again until Sunday and Monday, which are my days off. There’s just no time. I know you understand. You’re welcome to check back in case I come home early one day (somehow I don’t think that will happen, but you never know!)

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

The week ahead

January 9, 2023 at 8:45 am by Claudia

Monday morning, and rather dreary, but there’s hope for sunshine this afternoon.

We watched the first episode of All Creatures Great and Small on PBS last night. So glad it’s back! I almost forgot about it. Except for Jeopardy, we rarely watch network television, but thankfully, I saw someone post about it on IG. It’s excellent, of course.

I found out yesterday that one of my former students is seriously ill. I have written a note to her and she is now in my daily prayers. She is one of the best people I know.

I’m prepping for my work in NYC starting on Wednesday and also trying to take care of things around here since I’ll only be here to sleep from Wed – Saturday. Then I’ll have two days off. And then two more days on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Then I’m done. Lots of rain in the forecast, always a pain when trying to navigate around the city. And the rehearsal studio is very far west – almost on the Hudson River – so it’s a long walk, as east-west blocks in Manhattan are much more lengthy than north-south blocks. It will probably take a couple of days to figure out the best route. If need be, I’ll grab an Uber because I cannot abide being late.

Thought I’d share a little Polaroid of me that Don took a couple of months ago. He was working with black and white film, light and shadow. It’s tucked away on the bulletin board in the kitchen.

I’m reading a bit more than a chapter a day of War and Peace, since I’ll not be able to read it Wed – Sat. I must say, I’m really enjoying it. It’s highly readable and the character studies are rich with detail. I’ll read a few more extra chapters today.

Okay. Not very exciting, but it is indeed a snapshot of this moment in time.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Sunday: The Sun has Come Back

January 8, 2023 at 9:22 am by Claudia

Proof.

I cleaned up the office yesterday and also dealt with the closet, which has everything under the sun in it, including our downstairs a/c unit. Lots of sorting, organizing, cleaning, and vacuuming. I also vacuumed and dusted both rooms on this floor. I tend to neglect them, as I’m usually downstairs. The closet will get an intense reorganization when the a/c unit returns to duty.

Since we share this space, I also dealt with plants, cameras, and empty boxes that need to be recycled. I’m always quite proud of myself when I do this as it’s so easy to turn it into a dumping ground. Don dealt with his desk a couple of weeks ago, so…for this moment in time…the room looks great. It’s a tiny space, shared by two tall people with lots of STUFF. We’re rarely up there at the same time, and we’re very amenable to vacating the space for the other person if necessary.

I’m still not quite ready to dive into renovating the Beacon Hill. I’m not sure why, but I have to trust that I’ll start in the near future. Last night, Don was looking at my very first oil painting and is now urging me to get back to painting. First of all, I have to deal with my coaching commitment, which starts in 3 days.

Day 8 of War and Peace and I’m really enjoying it. Don’s copy arrived yesterday and he read Chapter 1. I spent some time this morning following the hashtag for the readalong and there are over 800 people doing this! I love that – such a sense of community, and it’s literally taking place all over the world. Some readers are sticking to a chapter a day, others are reading several chapters a day. I’m going to do that on Tuesday because I won’t have time to read chapters Wednesday – Saturday. It’s highly readable. Tolstoy is a brilliant writer.

The sun finally came out towards the end of the day yesterday and it’s already shining today. Thank goodness. It’s been so dreary around here and, as you know, I need sunlight. It’s colder now, the warm spell is over, but I’m fine with that.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Work Mode

The week ahead

Sunday: The Sun has Come Back

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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