Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Thoughts on a Tuesday

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I’m still at the cottage.

I didn’t go into the city on Sunday because I wasn’t feeling well. Sinus/allergy crap. We decided to wait a day, but I was still under the weather yesterday, so – though disappointing – I stayed home. NYC takes a lot of energy and I didn’t have enough on hand.

I’m going in next weekend, though, and soon Don will be home. Time is flying. This is a tough time for everyone in the show. After talking to Don about it, I called it The Long Goodbye. They know it’s closing, but it’s still running. Every show is bittersweet. Don will miss his life in the city, of that I’m sure. On the other hand, he’s tired and emotionally drained and he longs to be home.

The day after closing, they fly to Washington DC to do A Capitol Fourth on PBS. It’s now going to be PR for the tour instead of the Broadway run, which doesn’t start for over a year and, most likely, will not involve most – if any – of this cast. So it’s all very strange and topsy-turvy. Then Don will come back to the city and we’ll pack up and be out of the apartment on July 8th.

I have to work on anger, resentment, and jealousy. Anger that it’s closing.  And resentment and jealousy come to the surface when I see other shows heading for long runs – shows that I don’t get, am not drawn to, and am flummoxed as to their popularity. Anger also about the treatment of Jimmy Buffett, who isn’t taken seriously and is clearly considered an ‘outsider’ by many in the Broadway community – reminding me of cliques and high school.

Oh, and anger at the mean-spirited critics. On the other hand, there were reviews that were glowing and I’m grateful for them and for the audiences who stand and cheer and sing along every performance.

It’s all stuff that will fade in time, but I have to do my part to let it go.

I wanted a long run for Don, who loves his role, loves the show. We’d hoped to finally get ahead financially, but that isn’t going to happen – at least not with this show. That’s tremendously disappointing for us.

Perspective. That’s what’s needed. And I’ll find it. I always do.

Thanks for listening.

(I’ve edited this a bit. Some opinions that I have should be kept to myself!)

Happy Tuesday.

Sunday

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A quick post this morning as I’m getting ready to head into the city.

The other day I saw two groundhogs emerge onto the shed ramp. They proceeded to play with each other like animals do, wrestling, standing on their hind legs and batting at each other.

Has Henry had more kids? I’m not sure, but they definitely emerged from under the shed. One of them looked older than the other, so perhaps one was a parent. The bigger one sure looks a lot like Henry.

I was only able to get a few pictures with my  special lens – they were way across the yard.

Gosh darn it, they were cute. We’ve had babies before but I usually see some sign of them when they’re very small.

Peony update:

We’re not supposed to have rain until Wednesday, so they should stay intact for a while.

I’ll try to post from the city. I’m not taking my laptop but Don has one. Or maybe I’ll take it. I haven’t decided yet. If you don’t hear from me tomorrow and Tuesday, I’ll be back on Wednesday. I’m starting to think it’s healthy to take a day or two off every once in a while.

Happy Sunday.

My Favorite Week

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Stop the presses!

It’s my favorite week of the year.

Because:

And because:

And because:

And because:

Not to mention these, which are blooming everywhere:

And these buds on the catalpa tree, which will open this week and fill the property with their glorious scent.

None of which, by the way, I had anything to do with. The wild roses were already established (and they’re invasive,) the peonies were planted long ago by previous home owner, and the catalpa has been here (along with four other catalpas up in the woods) for years and years.

This week, when they all take off and blossom, is my happiest week in the garden. Frothy little white flowers on all the edges of the property, beautiful peonies down by the entrance to the driveway, and beautiful blossoms high up in the catalpa tree.

I texted a photo of a peony to Don last night, with the caption “They’re here!”

It’s also a simply beautiful morning. I’ve been sitting on the glider for about two hours now. I don’t want to leave. So I went inside and grabbed the laptop so I could write today’s post outside. Birds are singing, the bullfrog is doing his thing, cyclists – both bicycle and motorcycle – are passing by.

I’m going to stay out here most of the day. Tomorrow morning, I’m going into the city for a couple of days, returning Tuesday. Since Don’s time there is limited now, I know he wants to lap up all he can, while he can, so I decided I would go to him. Then it will be back home to start the mowing process again. I’m not complaining. I come alive in the spring and summer.

Yesterday, I stopped at my local nursery and picked up a few more plants. I planted some additional coneflowers in the big garden bed because I love them and I know they reseed and will go a long way toward filling up the side of the bed that’s closest to the maple tree. I also bought another hollyhock.

And these, for the vintage plant stand:

More lobelia, which will get bigger and spread and the tendrils will hopefully go between the wires (I’m already training them.) This must be the summer of lobelia: my hanging plants, the pot on the table, which is full of purple and white lobelia, and these newest additions. There’s something romantic about lobelia in this kind of rusty vintage plant stand. I like it.

We’re slowly getting used to ETM closing. But it’s very hard for the cast. No one would know watching it, but the joy has diminished a bit. How could it not? We’re in mourning but time helps ease the pain a bit. I would do anything to protect my husband from this. But I can’t. I can be with him as much as I can, however. Meanwhile, the landlord has begun showing the apartment and that makes Don sad. He really loves that apartment and I know he’d give anything to keep it. If we were wealthy, we’d rent it. But it rents for more than our hefty mortgage payment. The whole thing makes me unbelievably sad. I cry a lot.

Okay. I’m going to hang out here today, along with a little garden work and weed pulling.

Happy Saturday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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