Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Wednesday Potpourri

September 28, 2022 at 8:15 am by Claudia

• For some reason, Don and I both woke up at 4:30 am, so you can imagine how thrilled I am about that. And we’ve had to turn the heat on this morning – just for a bit. We ordered more oil yesterday. $$$$$$$$

• I’ve chatted with Meredith this morning. They’re getting tons of rain and some wind, which will increase to about 60 mph as the day goes on. The hurricane has veered to the south of Tampa and will probably hit  the Fort Meyers area. The worst bands will be south of the hurricane. So, what is a relief to us is devastating to others. Praying for everyone.

• It’s my dad’s birthday today. He would have been 99. I miss him. Happy Birthday, Dad!

• And now, because I haven’t posted any photos of the girls in 3 or 4 days and I’m tired and on the edge of being irritable:

Sophie on the puzzle.

I think she needs an Alice in Wonderland dress, don’t you?

And this little beret arrived yesterday::

These are made by a woman in Germany. She makes whimsical hats out of felted wool for Blythes, these little BJDs, and other dolls. She uses natural dyes. They are utterly charming. The beret arrived in yesterday’s mail, along with some beautiful dried flowers and little cloth carrot with a face. Someday, I’d like a Blythe-sized hat as well. Wren looks adorable, I must say!

• I cleaned up my section of our shared office/studio and it’s looking much more organized. Why do I have so much old income tax stuff in my file drawers? I mean, way older than I need to have on hand? I have to do a major clean out of those file drawers. They’re also crammed with dialect sheets and notes and old contact sheets from various shows I’ve coached and I’m reluctant to part with them until I’m officially retired.

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: bjd dolls, Blythe dolls, hurricane 31 Comments

Tuesday

September 27, 2022 at 9:25 am by Claudia

Last night’s sunset.

Gorgeous.

I’m trying to check in with my sister (who lives in Florida, for those of you who do not know) this morning. Reader Brenda, who lives closer to the coast but not far from my sister, is under mandatory evacuation. I suspect Meredith isn’t, but I’ll feel better when I can talk to her. Brenda, take care! We’re thinking of you and your family.

Anyway, I’m waiting for a text from Mere. She might be working today – I’m not sure.

Finished puzzle. I really loved working on this one. I’ll let it sit there for day or so because it’s so cool.

I spoke with Darko yesterday and I’m going to work with him on a workshop of a new musical in January. It will be so lovely to see him again – it was great talking with him, too. As Don said, it’s nice to start the new year with a job. It’s just for a couple of weeks, but it sounds challenging and exciting.

I haven’t made it upstairs to clean up my studio yet. Every time I’m about ready to plunge in, my back kicks up a bit. It’s a confined space which requires bending over, etc., so I’ll see how I feel later this morning. I’d really like to have things in order as we head into ‘indoor’ time, which means more time for projects.

Just heard from Mere. She’s in a no-evacuation zone but both the older boys live in evacuation zones, so they’re relocating.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 34 Comments

Puzzles, Netflix, and Hurricane Ian

September 26, 2022 at 9:01 am by Claudia

It’s going too quickly! I’ve spent a fair amount of time on this puzzle in the past couple of days because it’s such fun. I’m a bit panicked because I don’t have another one on hand. There’s Agatha, sitting on her chair. The puzzle is full of little details and, as always with this particular line of puzzles, I’ll wait until I’m done to read the notes as to the clues scattered throughout the scene.

I hope they come out with a new puzzle soon.

I’m completely engrossed in The Ink Black Heart. I read a chunk of it this morning after I got up. Excellent.

Don and I have been unable to get Netflix on our older Smart TV for some reason. It just stopped the other day and I’ve done everything recommended and it’s still not working. We can get Netflix on our laptops so it’s not due to Netflix being down. I’m now considering getting either Roku or the Amazon Firestick. If any of you have experience with either, will you share how it works for you? I need some advice!

In the meantime, we’ve been watching old episodes of What’s My Line? (from the fifties and sixties) on YouTube. We are thoroughly enjoying them. We’ve traveled back to the days when everything was civil and polite and being educated and knowledgeable was a good thing. We’ve also noticed that everyone who ‘signed in’ on the chalkboard had beautiful penmanship; the days of yore when cursive was taught in the schools. It’s fascinating and we love it. I remember watching it with my parents; also I’ve Got a Secret  and To Tell the Truth.

All of you in the path of Hurricane Ian (including my sister and her family): take care. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday

 

Filed Under: hurricane, jigsaw puzzles 50 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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