Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 358 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Tuesday Thoughts

March 15, 2022 at 9:56 am by Claudia

Mei is celebrating the onset of Spring.

And who can blame her?

I know it’s not officially spring until Sunday, but what the heck? We’re celebrating a little early. The snow has melted, it’s almost completely gone. I’m still nursing my back – it’s hard to find a comfortable position in which to sleep that doesn’t screw me up the next morning. And my sinuses are out of control with all the crazy weather extremes we’ve been having.

I think I’m going to see if BritBox has the first episode of the new season of Gardener’s World. That would be the perfect thing for me to watch today. I’m trying to keep busy while resting – if that makes any sense! I read a lot, I thumb through Instagram, I listen to music, and I get up and do the occasional chore that won’t involve lifting or pushing. It’s slowly getting better.

I wanted to say a few words about William Hurt – I didn’t know him, have never met him. But I was a huge fan of his work. The thing about William Hurt was that he almost always underplayed a scene (and that’s a compliment), did less than many less confident, less experienced, less ego-driven actors would do. He took the work very seriously and approached it with intelligence and honesty. Everything I ever saw him do rang completely true. If you didn’t know better, you’d think what he did was easy. It wasn’t. The last thing we saw him in was the excellent series Goliath starring Billy Bob Thornton. Hurt had a recurring role. In the final episode of the series, he appeared in a sort of dream sequence where he was on a train in the Old West, a train that was clearly taking people on to another plane of existence. His character was dying. That scene sticks in my mind, especially as he was clearly ill in real life when he shot it.

He was far too young to leave us. Rest in Peace.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

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.

Tuesday Thoughts

A Glimmer of Spring

Snow and Books

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives