I’m back home after a long and satisfying day working on Anastasia.
When I pulled in the driveway around 8 pm, Don had dinner waiting, bless him. What a guy! He also spent the morning putting in our new mailbox. When the guys were here working on our culvert, they had to pull the mailbox out of the ground and when they put it back in, it was too low in height. Our wonderful post person, Lori, had to lean way over to open the box. As the mailbox itself was incredibly rusty after almost 11 years of service, Don replaced the whole thing. And he mowed the lawn.
First things first: today is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. And April 23rd is also considered to be his birthdate, though we can’t know that for sure. Since a great deal of my work has to do with Shakespeare as I gradually work my way through the canon, I couldn’t let this anniversary pass without saying – once again – that I think Shakespeare was the greatest writer ever to walk this earth. I never tire of his work. No matter how many times I’ve worked on a particular play, I learn something new. He understood the human heart. He understood good, greed, temptation, passion, joy, love, jealousy, hate – everything we humans feel and fall prey to. He understood the metaphysical. He was simply a genius. Thank you, Will!
I posted this on Instagram the other day. When we were out and about on Primary Day, I saw this in our local antique barn. Oh, my heavens. It’s a dollhouse – or rather, a doll barn – called Red Robin Farm. Those doors slide open and the inside is a barn with stalls for animals. The roof lifts off.
I did a little research and this building was manufactured by an American company – Converse, based in Massachusetts – in the early part of the twentieth century. There were varying sizes of these buildings. It looks like this one was one of the largest.
If I’d had an extra $265.00 on hand, I would have seriously considered this beauty. It’s in great condition. Made of wood.
But I must tend to other things, like this little project:
As you can see, I have yet to deal with the front porch or the trim around the bottom of the building. And I suppose I have to put a roof on, though I don’t want to.
Decisions, decisions. Will I get it done in time for Don’s birthday on June 24th? I have ordered a few more components, but I need some sort of work table that is a bit taller than the temporary farm table I have in there at the moment. I need to figure out how to make a sound board. I’m ordering a couple of stools and I need a coffee maker. What else? A large rug to absorb sound while recording. Lots and lots of vinyl records. I want to make some sort of shelf to hold the records – something I can hang on the wall.
Can I do it? Cross your fingers.
Happy Saturday.
Claudia, I have wanted to ask you for a very long time if you are an oxfordian or believe Shakespeare was the true writer. I think you answered the question today. I am of the opposite opinion after very extensive research. My belief is Edward Devere was the author. I realize that opinions are about half and half between actors and scholars. It’ interesting, isn’t it.
Very interesting! I have also done research and have read most of the opinions on the subject and I believe Shakespeare was the author. I think that genius happens. And that, just as with Mozart, we find genius that can’t be explained or ‘solved.’ I think that there will always be theories about this particular subject, but I am firmly in the camp that says Shakespeare was the writer. The only writer. But I have a feeling there will be a spirited debate about this for centuries to come, Shirley!
How nice to have dinner waiting when you arrived home. That Don is such a great guy. I loved seeing the barn but pricey for sure. TSP is coming along nicely and I vote no roof! I hope your weekend is wonderful. I’m working on my spare room. Next week my friend is coming and will take apart that bed in there so I can sell it!! Yay!! More room for crafts and fun.
hugs,
Linda
I’m so excited about your room, Linda! Can’t wait to hear more about it once you get rid of the bed.
Claudia, it must be thrilling to have a play going to Broadway. Very excited for you and your friends!
Have been unable to log onto the internet. My IPAD is shot. Am on a borrowed one now and trying to hurriedly get this posted..
In a nutshell, I have caught up with your posts. Love the new little treasures you found for Caroline, and I think that barn needs to go home with you. You could make little needle felt critters to live in there. It might well be worth the splurge!
Don is a sweetie. So glad he fixed your mailbox situation and that he had dinner ready for you. Also glad to hear he is feeling better.
If I am MIA you know why. It might be a week or more before I can get some new device. But I will try to read on my phone and keep up. I just can’t post from there. The print is too small for me.
Enjoy your weekend!
xo
Sheila
Thanks for stopping by, Sheila! I hope your internet situation gets solved very soon!
Maybe you could say it is a solar building and do something w/ plexiglass or some such thing on the roof. Being Green surely does sound like Don!!
I remember you once said you would some day do a few posts to help educate some of us on Shakespeare. I read him in HS and college, and have seen a few productions at the APT theater, but I can’t say I really appreciate him. I certainly know NOW isn’t the time, I just hope it hasn’t fallen off your radar! Maybe a winter idea for when there aren’t flowers calling you to join them outside!!
Have a wonderful Saturday!!
It’s a good idea, but you’re right, now isn’t the time! Remind me about it come winter, Chris!
Claudia – Glad you are back home. How about a glass/plexiglass top on the secret project? As modern as it looks, I think that would look great and you could see inside so well. I have no doubts that you will get it finished by his birthday. He is such a sweetheart. Tell him I said hello.
Have a great weekend,
Judy
It’s just the curve of the roof that would be the problem, Judy. I don’t know how to shape plexiglass! But it’s a great idea. I’ll tell him you said hi!
For what it’s worth, I quite like the open look of just the beams and no roof on the TSP. I’m sure it will all come together beautifully in time for Don’s birthday.
I like what the grandmother in ‘A Tree Grows In Brooklyn’ said about owning a book of Shakespeare’s plays: ‘I have heard tell that all the wonder of life is in that book; all that man has learned of beauty, all that he may know of wisdom and living are on those pages.’
I love that line too – thank you for reminding me of it. It says it all!
I might stay with the open beams, Barbara. I love all the light that gets in the room.
How about a narrow frame for the roof, with pop-up plexiglass, or other transparent material, propped up as if there are open skylights? You can place two such openings over the middle in between the beams?
Hmmm…maybe. But it’s the darned curve of the roof. I’ll take a picture of it and show it to everyone tomorrow.
PS – I get an e-mail every morning from the National Days calendar and according to them, April 23 is also “National Talk-Like-Shakespeare Day.” Which I’m sure has something to do with this day possibly being his birthday, date of death etc. So, Happy Birthday Will! Wherever you are, I hope you’re aware of how much your life’s work has meant to so many who followed you, whether readers, actors or audiences. Hope you’re still writing too… ?
I can’t imagine what it would be like to be such a great writer that four hundred years later, you’re more popular than ever!
The TSP looks wonderful…I must be missing the curves on the roof…I don’t see them. I’m still rooting for plexiglass…or no roof at all! The last time I read or saw Shakespeare, was in high school. We would read a play in class, discuss it…and then go to downtown Milwaukee to see it performed. I’m not sure how much I ever understood him. Chris had a great idea I thought…hope you can educate us during the winter. Enjoy your day! ;)
There are big curves – the front where the sliding door is is much taller than the back.
Claudia, can you find a thin flexible material, either thin plexi or a thin plywood that can give you enough of a curve to place as a roof? I like the idea of the plexiglass roof but mini-Don might roast (greenhouse effect). I always liked Shakespeare in school. It seems like every story can trace back to his themes somehow. There’s nothing new in human nature, is there? Have a wonderful day and enjoy the sun.
Well, the dollhouse comes with a roof, and it is made to curve, but it’s made to be nailed on. I don’t think it would maintain the curve without nailing. Just came in from working outdoors in the lovely sun!
I actually visited the blog to comment! My suggestion was to have plexiglass roof or at least skylights. It would be a shame not to be able to look in from above because it is so cool. I think the architect would want that. I see someone else mentioned it in the comments though. Just my two cents that took forever to type.
It’s a good idea, but the roof is curved. Not sure if I have the skill set to bend plexiglass
I vote for a removable or hinged roof? With skylights of course! I think you’re correct that you would not want to nail the roof down.
Removable is a good idea. But I’m not sure how to do it, as it has to curve with the roof line and that necessitates nailing it down.
Has Don seen his gift? Oh my god he is going to love it . Too bad you couldn’t put one of those sky roofs or something of that order on it. I personally like the openness of it without the ceiling. Great job girl! You’re the best?
No! It’s top secret, Janice! He hasn’t seen it. I like it without the roof, as well. Still up in the air on this one.
That barn is a treasure…I wish you could buy it too…lol…aren’t there thin plexiglass that will bend and curve…Happy Birthday Mr Shakespeare…Thanks for all that you gave us…He was never knighted was he Claudia?
There may be, but I’m not sure how to curve it. Heat? Have no idea!
He was never knighted, Nancy.
Well, you’re a genius doll house decorator/creator so, yes, you can do it, and what a birthday present for Don who is QUITE the guy and what a fantastic husband indeed.
Oh, Claudia, I want you to buy that barn! I’ve never seen ANYthing like it! I can see so many possibilities for it as I know you can! A whole new kind of ‘doll house’ !!! Can you dicker with them a little?
Probably not. I had to get new Muck Boots for outside work and another pair of shoes – that’s where I had to use my money yesterday.
Claudia, I think you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself to “finish” the project before Don’s birthday. This project will probably be a work in progress, like your dollhouse….. always evolving.
Give it to him on his birthday and he will love it, no matter how finished it is!
It’s no pressure. I’ll have it finished enough to give it to him and I’ve already told him I’ll be tweaking it as time goes by.