Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Day Three Hundred Twenty-One

January 28, 2021 at 10:13 am by Claudia

Don decided that his glass paperweight needed to be a part of this grouping.

I’m okay with it.

Oh, friends, I don’t have much to share these days. I find myself without a whole lot of energy or things to talk about. Winter is always tough for me, but when you add in the pandemic and being homebound…well, I’ll admit it. It’s getting to me.

We aren’t going inside stores now. It’s just too dangerous as the numbers spike and we learn of troublesome variants. We’re unable to get the vaccine at the moment. There just isn’t enough of it around here and people who are at high risk are the priority. So we have no idea when we’ll have the opportunity to be vaccinated.

And, starting this afternoon, we’re headed into a deep freeze for the next three days, with temps in the single digits and wind chills sending them into below zero territory. It’s going to be extremely cold and windy this weekend. More snow coming on Monday and Tuesday in the form of a winter storm.

Both Don and I are having a hard time at the moment, though our nature is to be positive, so I’m sure we’ll get there eventually.

The sun is shining, so that’s a positive.

Anyway, we’re fine. We know exactly what to do to change our collective mood. But I also believe in letting myself feel what I’m feeling. It’s real and totally understandable given our situation.

I’m going to force myself to do a little work on the dollhouse this morning, right after I finish this post. But first, some oatmeal.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: life 43 Comments

Day Three Hundred Twenty

January 27, 2021 at 10:14 am by Claudia

Once again, all my good intentions went by the wayside as I ended up spending time on the puzzle.

I can’t help myself.

Today, I promise to vacuum and swiffer, work on the dollhouse, and pay bills.

Just finished yet another long call with the IRS. When I paid our tax bill online on October 15th, I entered my social security number. But it never got credited (we’ve received late payment notices) because Don’s social security number is the primary number on the account. Because there is some end-of-the-year computer updating going on, every time I called, whoever I spoke to was unable to transfer the payment in order to credit it. Every person I spoke to was quite lovely and when it would fail, they would put a hold on the account so I wouldn’t be sent more letters and then they’d ask me to call back in two weeks. Today, it finally went through.

I’ve learned my lesson on that one. But, hey, it was the first time I had ever paid online.

It snowed yesterday. I’d say we have about 3 inches on the ground. It was quite lovely. We may get a bit more snow today.

I’m starting Winter Solstice  later today. Loved Jane Casey’s police procedural, Cruel Acts. She’s a wonderful writer. I always love it when I can’t quite figure out what will happen in the end.

I’m off to write out some checks and pop the bills in the mail.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles 20 Comments

Day Three Hundred Nineteen

January 26, 2021 at 10:17 am by Claudia

This is what I ended up doing yesterday afternoon. I ignored the dollhouse and started on this. Both the dollhouse and puzzles are calming for me, but jigsaw puzzles (and crossword puzzles) are the most calming – a form of meditation, if you will. I love John Derian’s puzzles. As far as I know he only has three designs, the one I just finished, this one, and one of a cat. I’m not a cat person, so that particular design doesn’t call to me.

This is based on an old map of NYC. Here is what it will eventually look like:

We’re getting snow today. We’ll have somewhere between 1 and 4 inches by tomorrow. There is a chance for a winter storm with more accumulation next Sunday and Monday. We’re looking forward to watching the snow fall today. First of all, it’s pretty. But mostly, it’s something different. Since we’re basically indoors these days looking out at a barren landscape and every day seems the same, something like snow ends up being exciting.

These guys (all 8 of them) have now discovered our yard. This was taken from the kitchen window. We’re fascinated by them. Our neighbor has informed us that the rooster is aggressive, so we’ll make sure to stay away from him. On one hand, it’s slightly annoying to me that they are now free-ranging on our property, but on the other hand, they’re interesting and we get a kick out of them. And don’t they eat ticks? Am I remembering that correctly?

They sure do lay pretty eggs.

I’m almost finished with my book and then it’s on to Winter Solstice.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: animals, jigsaw puzzles 48 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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