Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Saturday

January 7, 2023 at 8:53 am by Claudia

There is an occasional series of prompts called “A Doll a Day” on my Blythe IG account. It’s a lot of work for the woman who does it and she really challenges us. I rarely take part, but for this ADADJanuary, I’ve posted for the first six days of January. Go figure! I love seeing what other Blythe photographers come up with. This picture resulted from the prompt “Six words.”

My six were: Can’t stand. My head’s too big.

And that, my friends, is a fact and the reason we invest so much time posing the girls using various methods; stands, and all sorts of invented contraptions to hold them upright without you seeing them. I use skewers a lot and they usually do the trick.

Saturday. Cloudy and dark but no rain in the forecast, so that’s a step in the right direction. I’ve abandoned Chuck Wendig’s  The Book of Accidents. Not that it wasn’t good, but it didn’t grab me enough at this point in time to stay with it. Adding to that, it’s a library book and I’m very aware that I’ll be away in NYC for four days this week and two days the next and it’s over a thousand pages and very heavy. So…it goes back to the library until I’m in the mood again. I decided to read a book I’ve had around here for a while: State of Terror  by Louise Penny and Hilary Rodham Clinton. I have the paperback version, so it’s light and I can chuck it into my tote bag when I travel into the city on Wednesday. I read chapter 6 of War and Peace  yesterday. I’m quite liking it so far. Tolstoy’s gift for describing place and character is formidable.

I’m taking a break from puzzles for a couple of reasons; I’ve been doing them constantly for months and the fact that I didn’t want to finish the sky in the last one was an indicator it was time to pause, and I don’t want to spend any extra money right now. Even though they’re relatively inexpensive, I complete them fairly quickly and the cost adds up. I’m fine with it. I’m also really enjoying reading right now and that seems to be capturing most of my attention, along with the work I’ll be doing next week.

Laundry today. I still haven’t cleaned up the office, so I think I’ll finally tackle that.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, office 14 Comments

Some Sunlight, Please

January 6, 2023 at 9:50 am by Claudia

Day 4 of rain and fog.  I think we’re heading out of this weather pattern later today. Fingers crossed.

The *%*#show  continues in Washington, DC, where we are being held hostage by the same people who incited and supported the insurrection, which took place two years ago today. I was sort of half watching yesterday – as was Don – and I finally had to say ‘No More.’ It was ludicrous and disgusting at the same time and I felt it taking its toll on my state of mind.

I finished reading the newest by Michael Connelly and returned it to the library. I started another book but I’m not sure I’m the mood for it. I’ll give it another chance later today. I also have to keep in mind that I’ll be commuting to NYC next week so I want whatever I’m reading to be light and portable.

A bit of a sigh here; I think I’m in the holiday letdown part of the month, where all the lights and magic are gone (save for our outdoor lights, they’re still up) and I’ve returned to daily worries about all sorts of things, including money and work and the future and friends who are ill. I’m sure I’m no different than anyone else – we’re so grateful when there’s something that takes us away from all of that – like Christmas. Or the movie premiere, in my case.

Speaking of that, I want to thank everyone who has watched Spoiler Alert. Some of you wrote to me, either on this blog or via an email, and your praise for my work means the world to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of opening nights in my career, including two on Broadway – four, if you count Don’s – but coaching the movie and getting the chance to appear in it? The biggest deal of my career. So, thank you. I hope more of you get the chance to see it in the future. It’s such a wonderful movie. Don is crazy about it and he’s pretty picky. Yes, some of that is about me, but more than that, he thinks it’s wonderfully acted and directed and loves the story.

Okay. Time to do some laundry and chores.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: life 16 Comments

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

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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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