Mockingbird Hill Cottage

The purple loosestrife that grows by the culvert. It’s supposed to be invasive, but it’s never been invasive here. It usually appears in damp places, near water. The culvert is where the rainwater flows, so there it is. I love it. Even Don remarked on the beautiful color.

I should have said “it’s never been invasive here in the 20 years we’ve lived here” as we celebrated 20 years of living in this cottage on Saturday. We moved in at the same time Hurricane Katrina hit and we had no idea of the impact and damage because we had no cable for several days. Such happiness for us and such devastation for Louisiana. Forever linked in my mind.

I go back to NJ on Friday, so I won’t be blogging Friday and Saturday. I’ll head home on Sunday morning. There will be one more Friday/Saturday the following week, and then I’ll be done. I love the coaching; it’s the driving there and back that’s a bit of a drag. But I’ll be reimbursed for the mileage put on my car.

The Mets are imploding at the moment. We just couldn’t watch yesterday afternoon – it’s so frustrating! I suppose they could still pull off a wild card bid, but it’s looking less and less likely.

Modern Art Barbie. She arrived around 9 pm on Saturday. I had given up on her but the FedEx driver was dealing with a lot of deliveries. She’s really beautiful! This is a doll and dress that was issued in the 1960s and she’s been recreated for this Silkstone Barbie. I love her curly bubble cut and the combination of her red hair and green dress.

The two Barbies – both Silkstone reissues. The painting came with Modern Art Barbie. This Barbie is an artist and she signed the painting. I’m keeping them on the desk as they look too small next to the Gene Marshall and Ellowyne Wilde dolls – they’re 16 inches tall and Barbie is just under 12 inches. (I filmed a little video and it’s on my YouTube channel.)

Don is extremely good natured about the various dolls popping up all over the house. I have rules; no dolls on display in the kitchen or the living room or the bedroom. And not in Don’s area of the office/studio. But he’s a good guy – he really likes the newest acquisition.

Okay. I have to do some work on the script. There have been lots of changes and I have to record them all so I’m not thrown during the run through on Friday.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Another gorgeous day today. The temperatures are moderate with no excess humidity. It’s really been a beautiful week. Very, very thankful.

I have a reproduction Barbie arriving today. She’s a Silkstone Barbie, made out of a hard plastic that mimics the look of porcelain. They also feel heavier. Anyway, the Silkstones were made for several years and then discontinued in 2020. As of 2024, they’re being made again.

I have one other Silkstone and it’s this one. She’s a reproduction of an early Barbie; she has the ponytail and those shoes we all remember. “Busy Gal” is her name. I love the face on the original Barbies, which was more angular and stylized. This face is based on the original 1958 mold. Of course, this is what my bubble haircut Barbie had and what I grew up with. I really like the Silkstones. They’re highly collectible.

I’ll share her with you on Monday. (I’m excited!) I ordered her just in time because she sold out right after that. Silkstones are always limited editions.

Speaking of dolls, I have two newish videos on my YouTube channel: “New Blythe Custom” which takes a longer look at my new Blythe, Miyoshi, and “Details and the Story behind the Gene Marshall dolls.”  They’re not long and you just might enjoy them! Here’s the link. I’ll attempt to film the unboxing of the new Barbie later today. I purchased a little stand for my phone camera and I’m crossing my fingers that it works.

And speaking of dolls, Pru was found climbing on the vintage folk art dollhouse yesterday. That girl doesn’t have an ounce of fear, unlike her mother who is afraid of heights.

We’ve been having quiet and calm days here at the cottage. Then, at night, we’re watching the Mets play, hoping they get a wildcard slot. Lots of cheering and screaming and exhaustion.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Speaking of Rose of Sharon, some deer chomped on the smaller of the two bushes, eating lots of the flower buds. Grrrrr.

Next year, I’m installing some sort of barrier around them.

Boy, the weather has really changed. There’s definitely a feeling of autumn in the air. It’s now dark when we wake up so we’re not sure what time it is. And the evening dark comes much earlier. I’m ready for sweaters and thermals (our favorite winter wear.) There are small maple leaves that have already changed color falling to the ground. It happens so quickly.

As much as I love spring and summer, I find myself feeling happy that it will soon be autumn. That’s what I love about the seasons and what I eventually missed when I lived in southern California. I grew up in Michigan, moved to Philadelphia, and then moved to Boston. Four distinct seasons is what I know. And now it’s what Don – a San Diego boy – knows, too. He loves it.

The phlox is fading, as are the coneflowers. September is around the corner. Soon the kids will be back in school. The rivers are low. We need rain, just like last year at this time. But there’s one thing we know: it will all change. And then, we’ll be complaining about too much rain.

In a week, I go back to NJ for two days. And again, the week after that. Don has his last event in the summer concert series while I’m gone next week. I’m disappointed because that’s the one I had planned on attending because Don is on the bill. He’ll be singing. But, what can you do?

By the time I finish this job, it will be mid-September! Time goes by so quickly.

Today, I have lots of little chores to tackle. Nothing exciting, but definitely necessary.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.