Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 207 — Life in our little cottage in the country

Flowers and Autumn

September 2, 2022 at 8:09 am by Claudia

A small bouquet of zinnias that Don gave me when I returned home last Sunday. He got them at the Farmer’s Market. Since we will have no zinnia blooms this year (thanks, bunnies) these are a lovely addition to the den.

It’s actually chilly this morning. I had to don a sweater. We’ve had such high temperatures for so long that we almost don’t know what cooler temperatures feel like. And for all of you in California, I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with another heat wave.

Both Don and I are glad to turn the page on the calendar and anticipate autumn. I don’t think the fall colors will be great this year – we’re in a drought – and some of our leaves started to turn brown a few weeks ago. In fact, when I drove up the driveway after my trip to Rochester, I noticed that 2 or 3 of the trees in the woods have already turned golden brown.

I’m going to say it: what a sucky summer it’s been.

I felt out of it most of the day yesterday and briefly worried about Covid, but then I realized that we’d had a major weather change, so my sinuses were in outrage mode. I started a new puzzle, which kept me occupied, but didn’t do any of the other things I had on my list. Thankfully, I’m feeling better today, so I’ll run a few errands and do some cleaning.

And then, on Sunday, I’ll head back to Rochester.

The sunlight is lovely today. I certainly see the change in the quality of the light as we head into September.

For once, I’m more than ready to leave summer behind and embrace fall.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Harper

September 1, 2022 at 9:25 am by Claudia

First of all, reader Deb from Phoenix is having a heart procedure today, so please say a prayer for her. We love you, Deb!

Secondly, Don managed to clear out the storage space yesterday. It’s empty! He took 2 loads to the recycling center in a neighboring town. Some of it came back home to live in the shed or the house. And some of it needs to be sorted here before we make the final decision on whether to toss or keep. All of this occurred while I was on a call with the director of the next show I’m coaching and then coaching Jim. Thank you, thank you, dear husband.

It’s now an even dozen. I’ve wanted a Ferro Doll (a customizer in Russia) since I first started collecting Blythes. When a new Ferro Doll is listed, it’s adopted within minutes. Sometimes, seconds.

They have a fierce, intense gaze that I love. I always wanted one with dark hair and dark eyebrows but then, this other girl appeared who was being put up for adoption by the owner who had only adopted her in June. I went back and forth on this one for over a month; maybe, maybe not. At one point, Kat, the young owner, decided she was bonding with her, so I encouraged her to keep her. But one day, about a week ago, Kat messaged me and asked me if I still wanted her. The price was reasonable. I pondered, and then I said yes.

To be honest, I was put off by her hair color, so I decided I could always change her scalp to a darker color. But now, after receiving her, I love it. Here she is, right out of the box:

If you look closely, you can see tiny veins in her cheeks. The level of detail is amazing.

Also, check out the detail in the coloration of the area around the eyebrows. And the eyelids, of course!

She has synthetic hair but it’s clearly been given a treatment by the customizer because it feels like silk – and it’s minty-colored. Much to my surprise, I’m love the hair and I’m going to keep it.

She was named Claire by her previous owner. She is now Harper Claire, after – you guessed it – Harper Lee. I walked around with her during most of the day yesterday (except when I was coaching, of course. That would have looked weird.)

I’ll try to get a good close-up of her face soon, so you can see the tiny little details that make her so beautiful and collectible.

This morning:

I love her. She’s a serious girl. I have a feeling she doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

I finally own a Ferro doll. If I could, I’d collect even more.

Don is quite taken with her. Never – not once – as he been anything other than encouraging about this little turn my life has taken. He’s charmed by the girls, loves it when I change their clothes and parade them in front of him. He raves about my photos of them.

How did I get this lucky?

Okay. No coaching today. No coaching until Sunday night when I watch the run-through of Jane Eyre on stage. I’m going to rest a bit – it’s been an intense week.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Drops of Water

August 31, 2022 at 8:27 am by Claudia

We actually had a big old thunderstorm last night, followed by light rain for at least 3-4 hours.

Something that we’d think nothing of normally, has now become a huge event. To go outside this morning and see drops of water suspended from leaves and flowers, along with a blast of much cooler air, was like manna from heaven.

Very, very grateful. We still need a lot of rain to replenish our rivers and wells and plant life, but this is a nice start.

Last week, on Friday, we had 29 minutes of rain. Don and I sat on the porch listening to it come down. Don even timed it on his phone.

These rare bits of rain are now treasured memories.

I coached a lot yesterday. It takes a lot of energy; especially, I find, via zoom. It’s less of an energy drainer if I’m doing it in person. I work with Jim again today, have a phone call scheduled with the director this morning, and then I have a few free days before I drive to Rochester on Sunday.

Don started clearing out our storage space yesterday. It’s on! We’re going to stop paying increasingly expensive monthly fees. They just raised the price by $40/month. Are you kidding me? We had to pay it for this month, but after this? No more.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Flowers and Autumn

Harper

Drops of Water

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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