Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 320 — Life in our little cottage in the country

Life Can Be Complicated

August 24, 2021 at 9:26 am by Claudia

I’m seeing more and more of these on the ground. Thought it’s still summery out there, fall is on the horizon. I’m not sure I’m ready for it yet, but I’m getting there.

I’m feeling off today – the extreme weather, barometric changes, humidity and moisture have left me feeling congested, coughing, and really, really tired. Plus, I’m wrestling with a potential work situation that may or may not work out and it’s one I’d really like to work out. That’s all I can say for now, though I’m at peace – I think – with either outcome.

All that is to say that I’m exhausted today. I woke up very early as well. So I’m going to lay low, try to keep myself occupied, as well as get some rest.

I hope you don’t mind that this is on the brief side.

The newest Louise Penny arrives today – that’s good news!

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

For The Rain It Raineth Every Day

August 23, 2021 at 9:29 am by Claudia

If this picture could only express how sodden the ground is! Listen, we’re very lucky. Yes, rain, torrential rain, over a long period of time, but no high winds. Actually, no wind at all. It’s still raining and that will go on throughout the day, but at the moment, we’re in a lull. In the midst of all of this I heard a bird singing this morning, as well as the sound of crickets.

So we’re very grateful this morning. Don’s appointment at the eye doctor isn’t until late this afternoon. They squeezed him in because the next available appointment was in mid-September and by that time, he wouldn’t be able to see out of that eye. More gratitude: we will be able to get there today.

One more thing: our well is nice and full.

I know many are without power in the aftermath of this storm. I hope that is resolved quickly. The tragedy in Tennessee is heartbreaking. Water and wind are so powerful, things can change in a second.

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The new Louise Penny should arrive in my mailbox tomorrow. And I’ve pre-ordered two other novels which are coming out soon. Simon Doerr, who wrote All The Light We Cannot See, which is one of the most powerful novels I’ve ever read, has a new book coming out in September: Cloud Cuckoo Land. And Amor Towles, who wrote A Gentleman in Moscow, which I’ve now read twice because I love it so much, has a new novel coming out in October: The Lincoln Highway. I’m very excited. Not every book that I want to read gets ordered in hardback, but these two authors, three, if you count Louise Penny, definitely make the cut. I don’t usually pre-order, but in the time of COVID, the less running around, the better.

We just finished watching the original Danish series, The Killing. It inspired the American version, which starred Mireille Enos, who I worked with a few years back in Shakespeare in the Park. But, we always go with the original and, in this case, it paid off. Brilliant. Unsettling. And it had a protagonist that I didn’t always like, often got frustrated with – just like in real life. Last night, we started the second season.

Okay, my friends. Today is about rain and vacuuming and doing something other than sitting around, which I’ve done far too much of for the past few days.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Pre-Hurricane Sunset

August 22, 2021 at 9:36 am by Claudia

Last night’s sunset: the calm before the storm.

After heading directly for the Hudson Valley, it appears that Henri has veered off toward Long Island, so our forecast has changed. We’ll get some wind, but not nearly what was predicted. We will get heavy rains, which really haven’t started yet, but should commence shortly and continue through the day, overnight, and through tomorrow. I imagine we’ll get at least 3 or 4 inches, but who knows? Maybe more. The usual flood watches/warnings are in effect. We have a lot of rivers in the Hudson Valley – we happen to live across the street from one, and just down the street from another. And, of course, there’s the mighty Hudson River.

It will be wet and messy and last a couple of days. Now, we just wait and see.

Sending prayers to all those who are in the path of the storm. I have friends on Long Island and Cape Cod and the coast of Rhode Island and they’re all understandably nervous. Let’s send positive energy their way.

In the meantime, we will have to venture out tomorrow as Don has his eye doctor appointment, which has been delayed at least a month due to the doctor having a family emergency and then, to COVID in the office. His sight has been impacted so there’s no delaying this appointment. We will go.

We’re hanging out at the house today (of course) and I did run out and buy some primer yesterday. So I’ll either be painting Roseville or the dollhouse, depending on my mood. And reading, of course.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Life Can Be Complicated

For The Rain It Raineth Every Day

Pre-Hurricane Sunset

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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