Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

Three Little Maids

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Three little maids who, all unwary,
Come from a ladies’ seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary —
Three little maids from school!

These words from The Mikado  popped in my head this morning as I edited this photo. I took it to show off the newest hats by my friend, Feng. I already had the green hat and the red and brown hats arrived in the mail the other day. I just adore them – they fit perfectly. They’re my favorite hats for Blythe dolls.

I was in a production of The Mikado  years ago. I played Katisha, a somewhat mean (but misunderstood) character – just the kind I like to play. I was in college at the time. I’ve also been in HMS Pinafore. Thanks to Mr. Mark, my junior high school music teacher, I was exposed to Gilbert and Sullivan at a young age and grew to love their work. I’ve written about Mr. Mark before. He was a mentor to me and is the reason I love musical theater to this day. He gave many of us kids in the Dearborn school system the chance to work on a musical every summer. I continued working with him every summer through my first year of college. I can never thank him enough for the opportunities he gave me.

One of my favorite movies is Topsy-Turvy, a wonderful film about Gilbert and Sullivan and the real-life singers and actors who made up the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. It centers on the idea for and development of The Mikado. A fabulous cast, including one of my favorite actors, Jim Broadbent, as well as Lesley Manville and Timothy Spall. Directed by Mike Leigh, it is beautifully realized.

I just watched it again when I was away from home working in Rochester. It makes me happy. (On Amazon Prime, by the way.)

It rained all day yesterday and today looks to be cloudy all day long. Sigh.

Happy Birthday to my late brother. And to his youngest son, Eric, who lives in Chicago.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Daffs

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A cooler Saturday, which is welcome. Some rain coming on Sunday. Don mowed the large section of the front lawn yesterday. I did some weed pulling and clean up work.

At the end of the day, we were both very tired. I didn’t do all that much, so I am putting it down to pollen and allergies. Because EVERYTHING is bursting forth at the moment. Even the catalpa leaves have emerged – a very tiny version of them, but they’re there.

In the big garden bed. I couldn’t see any buds for the longest time. Finally, one bud emerged. And then, seemingly overnight, flowers everywhere. There’s another patch of these in the woods behind the shed. They’re so lovely.

I’m reading The English Spy  by Daniel Silva. And when I’m finished, I think I will be caught up with this series. I’m not absolutely sure, though. I thought I might have already read The English Spy, but I now realize that wasn’t the case. I also picked up Amor Towles’ newest book, Table for Two, a collection of short stories. I’m not a big short story fan, but I love his writing so much that I’m eager to dive in.

Don was supposed to play a gig today, but the venue accidentally double-booked it, so – no gig. Instead, he will mow the corral and the lilac side of the front lawn. Lucky Don!

Okay. Have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Lilacs

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It’s been unusually warm this week, but it’s going back to normal today. This morning is sunny, the grass is too long (Don has to mow since my hand is still troublesome,) I’ve planted all my pots except for the ones in the secret garden. The warm temps supercharged all the perennials and they’re growing by leaps and bounds. Every day I see the trees leaf out more and more.

My favorite time of year.

Speaking of favorites:

They’re especially lush this year. And the scent!!!

Don loved filming the other day. It went well and he got home at a decent hour, which is a plus. He’s missed working so much. He says it’s like being home again. It’s a world he knows very well. In fact, this year is the 50 year anniversary of his first SAG job.

There is supposed to be one more episode in June. Fingers crossed!

I found out on Wednesday that my mother’s cousin, Jane, died. Jane was one of my favorite people. She was so kind and warm and generous. We often chatted on Facebook. Jane and my mom were both only children, so they thought of each other as sisters. Jane lived a long and full life. She was 90. But it does feel like the connection to my mother’s family is now gone. Rest in Peace, dear Jane,

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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