Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Day Eighty

June 1, 2020 at 9:57 am by Claudia

June 1st, the eightieth day since we went into self-isolation. It’s also my parents’ anniversary. They would have been married 74 years today. Heck, they are  married 74 years, because I am absolutely sure they are together. I love you Mom and Dad. I miss you.

We’re having some coolish days and nights. We didn’t need to use the a/c last night. I plan to do a bit of weeding today and maybe some weed whacking, as well. Today is ‘grocery’ day. Don is going to the local farm stand to get produce and then we’re picking up our grocery order from the  supermarket. Picking up – at least here – seems to be the way to go. Securing a slot is quite easy. It used to be next to impossible, but either they’ve changed their system or people are not using it as much. Both times we’ve ordered lately, we’ve been able to secure a slot for the next day.

Our supply of disinfectant wipes is perilously low, as is everyone’s, I gather. We do have rubbing alcohol, etc., so we can always resort to that.

The morning glories and zinnias have poked through the soil.

Let’s see, what else? I’ve been working on the puzzle, chatting with Little Z on FaceTime, spending a fair amount of time outdoors, and staying away from the news. I know what’s going on, of course, I’ve written about it here. But I am not falling down that rabbit hole.

Speaking of rabbits, I haven’t seen one bunny rabbit here this spring. I’m wondering if Don’s work up in the woods, making new paths, clearing old ones, has disturbed them. They may have moved on. Their absence and the loss of Henry is making me sad. I don’t even see the other groundhog that used to hang out here. Birds, bees, butterflies – yes – but no little critters except chipmunks and squirrels. I miss my little friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: flowers, social distancing 39 Comments

Day Seventy-Nine

May 31, 2020 at 9:38 am by Claudia

Heavens, it’s so beautiful out there today that I threw a jacket on and started taking pictures at about 7:15. The play of light and shadow was simply gorgeous.

It’s much cooler today. The birds are singing, it’s relatively quiet (we live on a busy road) and Don has already taken his morning walk. We’re now on our second cup of coffee.

We mowed yesterday – it was especially tiring as the grass was very long due to the rain we’ve had. But it sure looks pretty now! Next up (probably tomorrow) the corral and the back forty. I think we’ll take a break today.

We have declared today to be a break from all news. We will relax, do whatever brings us joy, and that’s it. That’s more than enough.

I am always grateful for my home, though we pay a hefty mortgage. To us, it’s worth it. I am blessed with a shelter that I love, with gardens and paths through our woods (all of which we have created) and all sorts of wildlife. It’s never more beautiful here than it is in May and June. One of the gifts of the lockdown is a renewed appreciation for simple things. For this fleabane that is blossoming all over the property. For the play of light and shadow in the living room and kitchen. For the yarrow that has self seeded up in the corral. For the view of the mountains. For quiet time together sitting on the glider. For books to read. For Peet’s Coffee. For the wee little buds on the hydrangea, just beginning to emerge. For the chance to rescue a wasp that had flown inside the house this morning. For flowers and trees and wildflowers. For bird song. For the things we love and collect which surround us every day. For my husband, the greatest gift I have ever received. For my family. For my sister and nieces and nephews. For the lovely conversation that I had with my brother’s eldest child the other day. (Her daughter is graduating from Boston University – a place I know and love.) For the play of light on the antique dollhouse which I can see from my chair in the den.

For all of you.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Filed Under: gratitude 33 Comments

Day Seventy-Eight

May 30, 2020 at 9:40 am by Claudia

We had a very warm and humid day yesterday with severe thunderstorm warnings. We did get a big old thunderstorm later in the day with sheets of rain blowing every which way. I took this shot after it was over.

You’ll note that the catalpa is finally leafing out. It’s always the last to display its magnificence – maybe it likes having the stage all to itself?

I worked on the puzzle yesterday and got a lot done. I had been reading Twitter and getting more and more angry at the events I referenced yesterday, so I finally pulled myself away and walked directly to the puzzle.

I calmed down immediately.

Know when to pull away. We have been held hostage by a madman for four years. It’s impossible not to let him get under your skin, impossible not to worry about COVID-19, but it is entirely possible to make a deliberate choice to read a book, to listen to music, to do a jigsaw puzzle, to garden, to take a walk, to sing a song, to watch old episodes of Cheers that make you laugh out loud, to cook, to create, to call a friend.

The view as I made our second cup of coffee this morning.

I just finished A Room of One’s Own  and am now reading Maigret and the Old People, by Georges Simenon. Simenon’s Maigret mysteries are so well written. They’re also relatively short, about 150 pages or so. He wrote scads of them and Penguin has been reissuing them with new translations. They were originally written in French.

We’re going to mow the front yard today. You know I love to mow and I actually woke up and got excited knowing this is a mowing day. We’ll tag team. But even if I had to do it all by myself, and that has been the case many times, I’d still be excited.

It’s a gloriously beautiful day out there; blue skies and fluffy white clouds, birds singing, wind chimes moving slightly in the breeze. Good news by the way – my zinnias have sprouted and so have some of the morning glories and moonflowers.

I’m having an “I am blessed” day. Hope you are, too.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: books, jigsaw puzzles, reading, social distancing 33 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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