Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 199 — Life in our little cottage in the country

Burning Bush

October 26, 2022 at 8:34 am by Claudia

Our burning bush has turned a beautiful red. I said to Don yesterday: it’s as if Mother Nature gives us one last vivid splash of color to remember as everything else is becoming muted.

More rain today. Sigh. Though, the rain is also a little muted, usually in the form of gentle showers rather than downpours. Today we get our septic tank pumped out. Exciting, right? I’ve left all that to Don.

I finished Victim 2117 this morning. What a great read! Truly one of those “I can’t put it down” reads. Excellent writing as always from Jussi Adler-Olsen. I’m going to start John Connolly’s newest, The Furies, later today after I have a good go at the current jigsaw puzzle.

I did quite a bit of cleaning yesterday which was very satisfying. There’s much more to go. I’m not a deep cleaner. I keep things dusted, vacuumed, and try to eliminate clutter, but deep cleaning? That’s where I slack off. I can always think of other things I’d rather do. My sister, on the other hand, is an excellent deep cleaner. She puts me to shame. But now, I am on a bit of a deep cleaning tear and I realize that I need to do it section by section. So each day, I’m going to try to figure out a small area I want to tackle and have at it.

My friend Natalia, who customizes as VegaDolls, posted these sweatshirts about two weeks ago. They are made by a friend of hers and Natalia mentioned she was going to start including them with newly purchased dolls. I wrote her and said I wanted one and would happily pay for it, but she insisted on sending it to me gratis. Olivia won the chance to model it, as she was the first VegaDoll I purchased.

This is Natalia’s logo. Her beautiful young daughter, Vega, is in a wheelchair.

I adore Natalia. She has a big heart and is so kind.

I’ve met some pretty wonderful people through this hobby.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Rain and More Rain

October 25, 2022 at 9:06 am by Claudia

Another rainy day here at the cottage. We’re going to have do a lot of raking after this is over. Leaves on the driveway and walkways need to go. They’re too slippery.

I was so tired yesterday that I needed a little pick-me-up. So I dressed a couple of the girls and photographed them. Never fails to cheer me up. Lucy seems made for that red color and Holly, who already had the dress, tights, and boots on, added a sweater and a beret. Then I bring them back in the house and show them to Don, who truly enjoys seeing them. (I’m blessed.)

I figured out that part of the reason I was so tired \during and after my trip into the city was the fact that I had mowed the day before, kicking up all sorts of leaves, leaf mold, etc., and I was suffering from an allergy attack. It’s settled down a bit today, thank goodness.

Today, I’m washing bedding, cleaning the bathroom, working on the puzzle, and reading.

So heartbreaking to hear of actor Leslie Jordan’s tragic death. We were shocked. His daily videos during lockdown made us all laugh and brought us together. He was extraordinarily talented, and kind, and good. He and Don had the same agent years ago and Don met him. Jim’s production company is currently producing Mayim Bialik’s television series, Call Me Kat, and Leslie was a cast member. He’s heartbroken. So many people I know knew him and loved him. And, because of his warmth and generosity and humor, we all felt like we knew him.

Rest in Peace.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Rainy Monday

October 24, 2022 at 8:12 am by Claudia

This is the best I can do for you today – a quick photo of the coffee table. I’m exhausted and it’s raining outside and very dark inside, so photo possibilities are very few and far between.

These days in NYC are very tiring. It’s not the actual work, that’s not at all tiring. It’s – as Don calls it – the logistics. Driving to the train station, the hour and a half journey on the train, the subway, endless sets of stairs in Grand Central and the subway stations, maneuvering through a sea of umbrellas in the rain, running to get some lunch before the matinee. Then, a matinee that started late for some reason, which required a speed walk to the subway station after the show ended so I could go up and down stairways again before I caught the #6 train, stopped at Grand Central (more stairs) and just made it to my train home. I didn’t get the chance to drink enough water, and the water I would have purchased at Grand Central was an impossibility because I had to catch the train. We won’t mention the runs to the bathroom. So I was dehydrated, which didn’t help.

When I was working on the movie, I faced much the same situation, but since I was there for 6 weeks, I built up my stamina and was in great shape by the end of my time there. Now, I do this sporadically, so every time I go in it’s like I’m doing it for the first time. It’s always been a tiring process, but I certainly feel it more at this age. Now, just imagine, Don used to have to do all of the same things for a 5 minute or less audition. Much worse.

All that is to say I’m tired today.

As I remind my husband on a daily basis, I don’t need the problem solved, I just need to talk about it.

At least I got to see the show again! It’s delightful and funny and moving.

I have to type up my notes this morning and send them to the actors. And then I’m going to do nothing. Maybe I’ll start my new puzzle. I read a lot this morning while sipping coffee. Very nice indeed.

We’re due for rain for the next three days. Sigh.

I know. There was a time this summer when I yearned for rain. Now, we’re getting too much – not really, of course, our water table needs it – but “too much” for my state of mind.

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Burning Bush

Rain and More Rain

Rainy Monday

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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