Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 764 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Beauty in the Everyday

August 10, 2018 at 8:11 am by Claudia

I was sitting on the loveseat next to Don late yesterday afternoon and I found myself staring at a glass lampshade I bought many years ago in San Diego. And I realized that I haven’t really ‘seen’ it for a while. You know, we get so used to the interior landscape of our homes that we often forget to really register something. That’s how it was for the lampshade.

So I got up and took a picture of it.

I found this in a little shop. I had been searching for a replacement for the shade that came with this vintage floor lamp and I found this beauty. I forgot how lovely the subtle touch of green is.

I walked around the house, camera in hand, and took some more pictures.

Reflections in the Wallace Nutting.

One of my favorite pieces of McCoy.

The top of the Necco Candies jar.

A mini Eiffel Tower surrounded by Roseville pottery.

Everything so dear, so loved by us. I’m going to do more of this.

We’re in for more rain for the next few days. Will it ever end? The Secret Garden, which always tends to be wet, is so soaked that we can’t spend any time out there. We’re not really complaining as the porch will do quite nicely. But I would love it to get dry enough out there to mow the back forty. And have another stab at mowing the front lawn.

Don’s photography skills are getting better every day. He loves working with the Crown Graphic and usually spends a few hours at a location. He’s now working with light and is studying how it changes and how essential it is to understand where the light is when you are working manually with one shot, one chance instant photography. He came back with two wonderful photos yesterday; beautifully focused, beautifully lit.

He amazes me. I’m so proud of him.

I just won the other Snow White egg cup that was up for auction. Should I have bought another one? I don’t know. But this one has eyes that are painted beautifully and the lettering is more centered on the cup. Hey, it won’t hurt to have two of them, will it? After years of searching, who would have thought I would end up with two of them? I’ll love them both.

Happy Friday.

Movies and Doves

August 9, 2018 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Big thunderstorm last night! Loud cracks of thunder, torrential rain, lightning. We were watching Amelie at the time – a movie that we both knew of and, for some reason, had never seen. By the way, we loved it. It has the same magical quality that The Shape of Water has. I find I’m very taken by that kind of movie; the movie equivalent of magical realism in novels.

I’m still not feeling well but I’m hanging in there. My head feels like it’s stuffed with cotton and I get very sleepy. After Don dropped me back home yesterday, I sat down in my chair and the next thing I knew, it was 30 minutes later. I went out like a light.

Hello, little stone dove.

I had been meaning to tell you this, but I kept forgetting. My worries about the demise of Lonesome Dove and/or the pair of doves on the property were unfounded. It took a while, but I started to see them in June. I was so thankful and relieved! They mean the world to me, these sweet birds, and I consider them part of our extended family. I’m very grateful they are still with us. I’m sorry it took me so long to let you know.

In fact, lonesome dove hung out on the birdbath for quite a while yesterday, effectively stopping us from going outside to sit on the porch. She/he looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to disturb her. (Don is used to this.)

There’s my beauty. Photo taken from inside the living room.

I need to weed but it’s too humid and I don’t feel up to it, so I’ll just have to let it go for a few more days.

It’s quite beautiful out there today.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday Morning

August 8, 2018 at 8:41 am by Claudia

I’m feeling a bit under the weather with all this humidity. Since I’m allergic to molds and mildew, an extended period of high humidity takes its toll.

I’m over it.

I did manage to get out yesterday to water the plants and take some pictures. Then it was back inside with the air conditioning. And Don and I moved our morning coffee location to the front porch to avoid the mosquitoes in the Secret Garden.

A couple of monarchs have been gracing us with their presence. I think they’ve recently emerged from the milkweed. They flit, they fly, they land on things and move on as if they’re just discovering this world. It’s lovely to watch. There is something about them that is magical. And to know that the milkweed that I let grow wherever it wants to on this property is part of the reason for their existence makes me very happy.