Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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War and Peace, Rain, and the Clown Show

January 5, 2023 at 9:12 am by Claudia

Day three of rain and dark skies, with not even a wee bit of sunshine. Both Don and I find it depressing. But, it’s a gentle rain, rather than what hit the Bay area yesterday. I need to do some reading about it, but it was very intense with lots of damage, that’s for sure. Take care of yourselves.

This arrived in yesterday’s mail. Oh boy! So far, I’ve been keeping up with reading a chapter a day. I may have to play catch-up when I’m dealing with long, long days in the city. It’s too bulky to carry with me on the commute. That, a script, and another book? Nope. So far, the chapters are on the short side.

I walked down to the mailbox to get it, brought it inside and took it out of its packing. Then I walked over to Don to show him the size of the book. I had previously had a conversation with him about the readalong, explaining that I would be reading a chapter a day. Much to my surprise, Don saw the book and said “I should do this, too.” What??? Don is a nonfiction guy. So I was surprised and happy. I think the ‘chapter a day’ idea makes the thought of reading the book so much less formidable. So, he ordered his own copy. I’m looking forward to future discussions.

Other than that, nothing else is new. It’s too dreary outside to take walks. We’ve been watching the GOP members of the house and their complete disarray – a clown show. The next two years will be full of  ‘investigations’ and performative ‘look at me!’ faux outrage. Legislation to help Americans? Don’t think so. There certainly wasn’t any positive legislation during their previous reign. It’s depressing. But, it’s like watching a car wreck – you can’t take your eyes off of it.

When having power for the sake of power is the only thing that matters to you, perhaps running for office as a public servant isn’t your best option.

Sigh.

I’m definitely too old for all of this.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: books, dollhouse 22 Comments

Wednesday

January 4, 2023 at 9:30 am by Claudia

Gray, rainy, rather depressing outside.

Inside:

My copy of War and Peace  did not arrive yesterday and being a good student type who also always arrives early, I felt a bit of panic. We’re reading a chapter a day and it was already 3 days into the year. So I downloaded it to my iPad (for $1.99) and read the first three chapters. Of course, after thinking it was lost, I just received a message that it will be delivered today. I took this picture for Brenda, who loves using a Kindle/iPad for reading. See, Brenda? I won’t be reading any more on the iPad after today, but here’s proof that I used it!

More of the girls sans Christmas sweaters and then I’ll ease up on posting photos of them.

Holly.

Maeve.

Sophie.

The sweaters have been put into ‘storage’ until next year.

I packed up all of the miniature Christmas decorations and they’re also stowed away until next year. The furniture in the dollhouses has been rearranged and all is back to normal.

Now, I have to force myself to straighten up the office. I’ve done a wee bit up there, but much more needs to be done. I tend to dump things on the desk and chair.

Okay. There is much reading to be done today and watering of houseplants and vacuuming, etc.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, reading 17 Comments

Sans Christmas Sweaters

January 3, 2023 at 8:58 am by Claudia

Pippa and my planners.

I give you a little Blythe content today because I’ve not posted about the girls in a while. Nevertheless, they’re still having adventures – how could they not? Sunday morning found me relieving the girls of their Christmas sweaters after hearing numerous complaints that they were a) too hot and b) they were sick of them. I’ll show you a couple of the changeovers today.

Olivia is now in a sweater dress. (I would like something like this.)

Madeleine is in one of my favorite dresses.

My goal was to find them something to go with the tights/socks and shoes they already had on so I didn’t have to open another suitcase full of  accessories.

Zoe requested another sweater.

I’ll share a few more tomorrow. I only had 7 Christmas sweaters, so not all of the girls got to wear one.

Let’s see: real life. Not a lot going on. If you remember, I was so sleep deprived yesterday that I was barely functioning. But I got a solid one hour nap in yesterday afternoon while sitting in this chair and that made a big difference in the tone of my day. Thank goodness.

I should receive my copy of War and Peace  today. I’m looking forward to reading the first three chapters. I’m still reading Desert Star  by Michael Connelly. I’m trying to finish reading those books I have to return to the library as I begin my work on Darko’s project next Wednesday. I work four days next week and two days the following week and the days will be very, very long when you throw in the commute. I’ll be up at 5 am every day and I probably won’t get home until 9 pm. It’s the kind of schedule I couldn’t maintain over a long period of time unless I was staying in the city, but for 6 days I can handle it. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post. I’ll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, the books will be due during the time I’m in the city. I suppose I could always send Don to the library to return them. I’ll just have to keep track of due dates in my planner.

It’s a rainy day today and it looks like the rest of the week will also be rainy. Sigh.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books 22 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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