Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Voting, Fog, Books, and Dollhouses

October 30, 2024 at 9:09 am by Claudia

A foggy morning with a view of the burning bush and a splash of light from the porch light.

It’s supposed to be 75° today and 80° tomorrow. What???  I swear, the weather has been all over the place lately. We did have a light rain for about an hour yesterday but it’s not nearly enough considering how low the rivers are. It is dry, dry, dry here. Hopefully, we’ll see some rain on Monday and Tuesday.

We voted on Monday. There was a line but not a long one and things moved very smoothly. We had a nice conversation with a couple standing behind us – lovely people. It felt so good knowing we’d voted and that our votes have registered. Now, we wait. (Hey, I had no makeup on, but I did wear red lipstick in honor of Kamala.) Her speech last night from the Ellipse was powerful, a well-planned and perfect response to Trump’s January 6th horror show.

Now, we wait.

I had to block another Trumper after Monday’s post. I wouldn’t have them in my home and won’t have them here.  I long for the days that all of us remember, when you could agree to disagree and didn’t have to worry about the other party trying to dismantle our democracy. But there’s no agree to disagree this time (frankly, there wasn’t in 2020, either.)

The washing machine has been repaired. Hallelujah! I still watch it like a hawk; I can’t quite relax yet.

Something wonderful arrived in yesterday’s mail:

What a gorgeous cover!

As is my wont, I will delay reading it. A new book comes every two years now, so I don’t want to quickly breeze through it. I also don’t want to start it with the election niggling away on the edges of my thoughts. It deserves better. But I fully realize some of you might want to read it right away because  of the election – it can take you away to another world.

Anyway, that being said, I have two books from the library to finish and the new Richard Osman, We Solve Murders, is waiting for me to pick up. The Osman will have to be read within 10 days, while the other two books can be renewed. Do you find yourself juggling books that you’ve had on hold? I sure do! And now we add The Grey Wolf  to the mix.

These are quality problems.

I cleaned out the vintage Cape Cod style dollhouse the other day. It had – as dollhouses do – become very dusty. Don remarked that I need to get some lamps because it’s so dark in there. He’s right, so that’s on my list. I managed to move a single “wrought iron” bed into the small bedroom that’s only accessible via the interior doorway. I’ve wondered whether I could do that for about 3 years and I finally took some action. I’m painting a little sink/counter unit – just like the one in Dove Cottage – for the other small room. Still need to fill the shelves on either side of the fireplace but it’s getting there. I’ll take some pictures soon.

Forgot to mention! Ten bluebirds here yesterday,  at least three more today. I guess MHC has passed their test!

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: books, dollhouse 30 Comments

Monday

October 28, 2024 at 8:10 am by Claudia

Dear friends, I am taking a mental health day today.

The Nazi Rally at Madison Square Garden was abhorrent, vile, deplorable and beneath contempt.

I have been right every time I blocked a Trump supporter from this blog, and elsewhere on social media. There is no reasoning with them. They are lost.

So, I’m going to mail some packages, take the porch plants back outside, vacuum, and VOTE.

I know many of you have aready voted. If you haven’t, please make sure you do.

Love,

Filed Under: life 25 Comments

The View

October 26, 2024 at 9:13 am by Claudia

I took a little walk through our woods and sat on the bench that Don got for me. This was my view:

Not bad, huh? This is my neighbor’s property. It was recently mowed for hay. Don and I took a walk right after this picture was taken – through the back of the field and down the hill.

I’m sitting at the edge of our woods, so trees are right behind me.

I love living here – in every direction our views are expansive. You can’t beat it!

The repairman has the parts for the washing machine and he’ll be here this afternoon. Maybe I’ll finally be able to stop wiping up leaking water! Fingers crossed.

In view of the cowardice of the Washington Post, it was ironic that All the President’s Men  was pre-scheduled on TCM last night. Of course, we watched it because it is a movie that we love, love, love and that we will drop everything for – no matter if it’s in the middle or near the end. It’s a must see. (If you don’t know about the Post’s latest move, google it.) Brilliantly done.

I haven’t shared a doll photo for a while – mostly because I haven’t been inspired to dress/pose them, but I did have a little inspiration the other day, so here’s Madeleine, out of her sleeveless dress and bundled up for the cooler temperatures.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: life 25 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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