Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Thoughts on Wednesday

January 11, 2017 at 9:35 am by Claudia

• Of course. More flowers from Trader Joe’s, purchased on the way back to Hartford on Monday. I almost never have the amount of cut flowers in vases at the cottage that I have here. I would if Trader Joe’s was closer to our house. It’s an hour away from the cottage, but it happens to be just off the interstate that takes me to Hartford.

And there’s a Trader Joe’s just outside Hartford, as well.

Oh, and I count three Whole Foods within the greater Hartford area. Three. The nearest Whole Foods to the cottage? In Albany, the state capitol, which is over an hour away.

We really do live in the boonies. Whole Foods, I’m talking to you: Why not a Whole Foods in Poughkeepsie? It’s a college town. Just across the river is New Paltz – also a college town. There are a lot of people in my neck of the woods who eat healthily and would love to shop at a store such as yours. Please get on it.

• I took a picture of the chair that used to be my ‘blogging’ chair:

First time you’ve seen it without the ill-fitting slipcover.

Yes, duck tape, makeshift fabric covers intended to hide the stuffing that is escaping, a severely duck-taped cushion that cannot be shown without its cover. That’s why the slipcover (which I never really liked) was being used.

All that aside, look at the lines of this chair! The carved bun feet. I think it’s from the thirties or the forties. We bought it when we still lived in San Diego. It’s covered in a weird textured naugahyde-type fabric, but I love that mint green color. I know that getting it reupholstered would be very expensive, but you see, I don’t want to give it up! I really love it. It’s vintage. And wouldn’t this be the perfect chair for Don? He’s using the wood chair with the red-checked cushions right now, but really, it’s too small for him. This  is a Don chair. And it’s really comfortable. So, sometime this spring – most likely when Don is away in California, I think I’m going to get it reupholstered. They don’t make them like this anymore.

• Oh, President Obama. I watched your speech last night with tears in my eyes. And the stark difference between you and that man  could not have been clearer. One who is inclusive, who reaches out to others, whose focus in this speech, as in everything he has done while in office, is outward, is on us, not himself vs. a man who cannot get enough of the spotlight, who is a child and a petulant one at that, who lies, who continually brings the focus back to himself and how ‘great’ he is, who has never done anything to help others (and if he says he has, he’s lying), who is about as far from a man of substance, a statesman, as you can get.

You will be missed. With all my heart, I thank you for your eight years of service to your country. You have shown us dignity, compassion, humor, diligence, intelligence and brilliance. Not one speck of scandal in your career. Thank you. And a thank you to Michelle Obama, a role model for all of us, and to Joe Biden and Jill Biden. We shall not see your like again.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: cottage, flowers, Obama 40 Comments

Hey, Boo

January 10, 2017 at 10:17 am by Claudia

I slept in this morning – thankfully – after being jolted awake during the night by the sound of snowplows on the street below my apartment. Gosh, they’re loud! I guess it snowed a bit last night, though when I look out the window, the amount of snow seems minimal.

Tell me this isn’t crazy – the temperature here tomorrow will reach 50° and Thursday? 55°. What the heck? I read about that gorgeous redwood with the tunnel toppling in the storms out in California. Oh, how sad. Such history and beauty – gone in a second.

These came in the mail from our friends Lynne and Sean, who live in Toronto. I don’t know where she finds them, but Lynnie always finds unique treasures. And could these be any more perfect for Mockingbird Hill Cottage? I’m thrilled with them! In fact, I had some hot chocolate in one of them on Sunday.

And they capture one of the most beautiful moments in that book. “Hey, Boo.” That particular line of dialogue brings tears to my eyes every time. Thank you, Lynne and Sean. We love you.

I’ve started another Elizabeth George – one I purchased before I came to Hartford in December. Just in case. You understand. I always have this particular conversation going on in my head:

“I’m enjoying this book by this author. But what if I finish it and I love it and I don’t have any other novels on hand by this author? If I’m in the mood for more, I won’t want to start a book by another  author…hmmmm…I’d better buy this book also written by the author. Just in case.”

This particular Elizabeth George happens to be the book that follows Believing the Lie, so I clearly lucked into picking the right one.

Today, I’ll wander over to the theater, where the initial tech rehearsal continues. Tech started on Sunday – it’s a slow process – and will go on through today. And maybe part of tomorrow. By tomorrow night, we should be able to have a run-through of the show. And Thursday night is the first Preview for audiences. See how quickly it goes? Once we start Previews, I’ll be sitting in the house every night, taking notes on what I can hear and not hear, what needs to be articulated more clearly, and any other Voice & Text issues that arise. Previews will go on through a week from Thursday and then we will open on Friday, January 20th (boy am I glad I have something joyous and happy to watch that  day, otherwise I might be slitting my wrists!) and I will return to the cottage the next day.

Today, I’ll check in and see how the show looks with the set, costumes, lighting and sound.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: On The Road, reading, Shakespeare, theater, To Kill a Mockingbird 20 Comments

Heading Back

January 9, 2017 at 9:47 am by Claudia

I just finished Believing the Lie  by Elizabeth George. I was determined to finish it this morning as, at over 600 pages and in hardcover, to boot, I didn’t want to lug it back to Hartford. Excellent! The complexities of the characters and the plot are George’s strength. The mysteries are always character driven and aren’t necessarily tied up neatly at the end of the book. As in real life, things can get messy, remain unresolved. I love that about her writing. I’m officially on an Elizabeth George catch-up binge now, so it’s on to another one later today.

The horizon last night. Pretty dramatic!

I’ve had a lovely time here at home with the love of my life. Being apart means, for us, a greater appreciation of what we have between us. That we are fortunate and blessed we know. That we don’t take it for granted is a daily truth. As I get ready to head off to Hartford for the next 14 days, I am so grateful I got a little time here at the cottage.

We watched Sherlock  last night – how can it get even better? How is that possible? It is simply extraordinary. One more episode next week. I hear rumors this might be the last season. I hope it isn’t. But the producers and writers seem very wise, so if they feel it’s time to end it, I understand.

The newest Squint Box full of minis arrived while I was away. This one is all about winter and nesting and comfort. There’s a tray with a vintage travel poster (come to think of it, it could also work as art to hang on a wall), a kit to make succulents (isn’t that neat?), a tray with candles, a loaf of bread and knife on a cutting board, and…a Slinky! Boy, does that bring back memories! I remember trying to get my Slinky to come down the stairs just as they showed it on the commercials. I was only moderately successful.

Very, very cold here today. Soon, I have to get ready to head back to Hartford. I love my work, as you know, and I can’t wait to see what the production looks like onstage.

Don will be back at the ranch, taking care of things. By the way, he has done an excellent job of watering the plants! I’m quite pleased. I’ll be back home for at least two months before I head off again to Hartford, but Don will be off to the West Coast even before that – at the beginning of April. Busy times ahead for both of us. We don’t take that for granted, either.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: Hartford, miniatures, On The Road 30 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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