Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Wednesday Thoughts

July 20, 2022 at 7:22 am by Claudia

Second day in a row where I’ve been awake since 4 am. Crap.

I’m so tired.

Don woke up early today, as well.

The brown-eyed susans are opening. I can never decide what to type; black-eyed susans or brown-eyed susans. Apparently, it’s the same flower with two different names. And the flower looks different depending on where you live. Since that “eye” is brown, that’s what I’m going with.

We haven’t tested for Covid yet. We decided to do it today. We’ll see. Frankly, I’m so congested on a daily basis, I’m not sure whether I’d know if I had any symptoms!

I have two coaching jobs coming up and that means I have to be out in the world again. As did Don when his group of artists performed the other night. Through this performance, the artists earned a little income after two years plus of not performing and I’m proud of Don (and his friend Elly) for planning that wonderful evening of music.

There’s been a lot of talk on the blog about being responsible and careful re: Covid. As far as I can tell from the comments here ever since the pandemic began, all of us are very responsible. Don and I are extra vigilant, but we do have to work. The venue where they performed the other night required proof of vaccination. Some people were masked, others weren’t. Don was masked the vast majority of the time. He didn’t “take a risk” as someone said, any more than you do when you go to the grocery store and shop among masked and unmasked shoppers. That’s life nowadays. We do what we feel comfortable with. As always, Don and I make these decisions together. Frankly, when I worked on the film, I felt more protected than any place other than my home because the protocols were so strict. At times, we took off our masks to eat and to pose for photos. The rest of the time, we were masked. The protocols will be strict in rehearsal rooms and theaters, as well. We limit our exposure, we don’t eat inside restaurants, we are so careful that many people would make fun of us.

But, as freelancers who need to work, we tend to accept job offers. Because…income.

There’s a large segment of the population that isn’t careful and in some cases, have never been vaccinated. I don’t get outraged any more. It is what it is and that’s the way it’s going to be going forward. All I can do is take care of myself, wear a mask, and do my best to protect others. And I do. We do.

The house yesterday morning.

Okay. I need more coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden 48 Comments

Here We Go

July 19, 2022 at 8:20 am by Claudia

And here we go with the heat advisories. Today it will reach 92° with a heat index of 95° to 100°.

This is my least favorite part of summer. You really can’t go outside for more than a short time. I’ll water the plants on the porch this morning. We did get some rain yesterday, but not nearly what was predicted. I checked the radar and every big storm was either just to the north of us or just to the south. It’s like the storms got together and agreed to avoid us.

It’s not that I love storms and wind – I don’t – but the rain? Yes, please. Especially now.

I also woke up too early and that isn’t helping my mood.

I’m trying to stay away from the news this week, other than watching the hearing on Thursday evening at 8 pm. My spinning brain needs a break.

I’m just about to finish my book. Reading has also been slow lately. I feel too scattered and it has an impact on my concentration level. I read a lot last night in bed and saved the ending for this morning so I could fully appreciate it. This Mick Herron series is so darned good! The one I’m finishing is called Spook Street  and the next one in the series is London Rules, which is arriving tomorrow.

If you decide to read them, read them in order.

Okay. Time to water the porch plants and take some photos before it becomes unbearable!

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: books, summer 37 Comments

Shoes, Rain & Uh Oh

July 18, 2022 at 8:42 am by Claudia

It’s raining very lightly at the moment, but we’re supposed to get thunderstorms off and on today. Then, the temps will be over 90 degrees all week long. Happy for the rain, not happy about the high temperatures.

But, as my husband would remind me, stay in the moment and enjoy the rain. The grass, trees and flowers are very happy.

What’s Sophie up to?

She’s showing off her new shoes, of course! (We won’t tell her that she has to share them with her sisters.) Gosh, they are ADORABLE! You can order them in different colors and you can bet I’m going to do just that.

I find myself retreating more and more into the magic of Blythe world and the meditation-like work on the jigsaw puzzle.  And reading, of course.

Wordsworth’s words are often on the tip of my tongue these days: “The world is too much with us.”

We’re currently a little on edge. Last Thursday, Don and some of the artists that are on his label performed at a venue in Woodstock. It was the first time in a long time that Don played in public. It was, according to Don, a magical evening. Everyone had a powerful experience that night.

We talked about masking before he left the house. He wore his mask most of the time, only taking it off to eat dinner outdoors with the rest of the artists and when he performed and emceed the event.  Everyone had to be vaxxed to get in. Two days later, all the artists got a note from one of the musicians saying he had tested positive for Covid – he woke up with a scratchy throat that morning and decided to test. Oh boy.

Most of the other artists didn’t wear a mask.

So now, we’re all sweating it out until we can test tomorrow, which will be five days from the initial exposure. I wasn’t there that night because I was feeling unwell, but I live with one of the musicians, so…

Say some prayers for everyone involved, most of whom are older – like us.

Okay. Have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls 29 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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