Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 265 — Life in our little cottage in the country

A Glimmer of Spring

March 14, 2022 at 9:24 am by Claudia

I had to grab a photo of something…

Look at that Roseville vase on the top shelf. The really tall one on the right. I purchased it last year because it was a pattern – Columbine – that I didn’t have yet. No one was more shocked than me when I saw how tall it was. I had to scramble to find room for it. I’m still not sure if I’m crazy about it. I mean, I am, but it’s so big! I briefly thought of putting it somewhere else in the house, but it needs to be protected. My husband is a big guy – he has bumped into and broken several pieces of pottery over the years. He now points out ‘danger zones’ to me – places where he knows he might break something while attempting to do something else. I then take steps to remedy the situation.

I’m still laid up, but I feel some improvement. I’m being extra careful but also doing my best to move around during the day, so I stay loose.

It’s sunny today and we’re finally starting a stretch of warmer weather. Hurrah! It will be in the fifties this week and next with a couple of days in the sixties. It feels like we’ve made it through the winter. I see glimmers of spring. I heard the Carolina wren this morning and quickly looked out the window at the birdhouse. He was standing right in front of it, facing out, and singing away. I think he’s telling the world that the trailer has been leased for the season. Oh, that makes me so happy. To be able to sit in my chair and watch this couple ready the nest, feed the babies – heaven!

The other day when we were loading things for recycling, I noticed the robins nest that is nestled in the climbing hydrangea that runs up the front of the shed had tilted so much that it would be hard to fly in and out, so I carefully righted it. Even though the robins are a pain in the tush when they’re nesting there, they’re worth it.

So we’ll watch the snow melt today and tomorrow and say goodbye to winter storms. Never say never, of course, because we have had snow in April, but I’m going to stay positive. I’m getting that little tingle that says ‘You’ve been freed. Spring is almost here.”

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Snow and Books

March 13, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

From yesterday during the storm.

I’d say we got about 3 inches – less than predicted. It’s very cold today and we had strong winds all night long. Tomorrow will be much warmer and the melting will begin. We’re fine, so we’re not going to have anyone do any snow blowing. Don purposely parked his car down the driveway near the street, so, if necessary, we can get out of here easily. So we’ll appreciate this pristine and pretty snow while we can, because this will be it for this year.

I appreciate your support and recommendations concerning my back. But I know exactly what is causing this and I know what to do. Also, remember that my sister is a therapist and she has given Don exercises that are helping him and will certainly counsel me as well. Thanks.

I’ve started a new book, Orfeo (pulled from my TBR pile.) It’s by Richard Powers, who wrote one of my favorite books ever, The Overstory, which won the Pulitzer Prize. He wrote Orfeo in 2014. He is a brilliant, lyrical writer. I have his newest in that pile, too – Bewilderment – purchased during my stay in Brooklyn. Powers introduces me to new ideas, takes me to places I never thought of, and changes me forever. One of my goals is to read all of his novels.

I think I bought it on that first trip to Oblong Books, right after we were fully vaccinated.

I consider it a privilege to read his words.

So, we’re both laying low today, happy to have heat and a roof over our heads, to look outside at the untouched snow gleaming in the sun, to have music and books and each other.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Crap

March 12, 2022 at 9:37 am by Claudia

I call Livvy my Emotional Support Doll and she is. This is where she’s sitting right now, on the coffee table just to the right of my chair. She’s keeping me company because I threw my damn back out again yesterday. Unbelievable.

We were getting ready to recycle and stop by the grocery store. I had insisted on going along with Don because I didn’t want him lifting heavy bags of trash. We had to get this done before the snow today, which, as I write this, is falling heavily. Crap. Anyway, I bent over to fix a cushion on the green sofa and I felt it go. Just a simple movement and bam! I mentioned it to Don but continued on to gingerly bag up the trash and carry the recycling bins to the car. By the time we got to the grocery store I was walking pretty slowly and carefully.

Fast forward to this morning. I could barely get out of bed. I woke up before Don and I didn’t want to disturb him as sleep has been hard for him lately because of his shoulder. I wasn’t sure I could navigate everything, but slowly, I did. Now I’m ensconced in my chair and Don – who is also in pain – is taking care of me. As Don said, we’re the walking wounded.

And we’re getting 4-8 inches of snow today. Cue my scream.

It will all start to melt on Monday but in the meantime, we may ask our other neighbor if she would be willing to use her snowblower on our driveway – we’d pay her, of course.

I have officially had it. With my back, with winter, with the world.

But ibuprofen is helping, thank goodness. And my faithful heating pad. Yes, I used ice yesterday, as well.

Okay. I’m off.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

A Glimmer of Spring

Snow and Books

Crap

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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