You do know, of course, that there are times I am going to write about politics? Because there are. If you don’t like that, you are free to move on. Posting daily about my life and passions means that sometimes the content isn’t going to be cute and pretty, but it will always be from my heart. I have a lot of interests and strong opinions. If you haven’t gleaned that from reading this blog, then you’ve clearly been missing something! The truth is: I determine the content on the blog. It’s about my life. And a great deal of my life lately has been about politics. So there you go.
I work hard at varying the daily content of this blog, but I won’t censor my subject matter on any given day for fear that some readers will be unhappy. That’s when a blog loses the author’s voice. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve never taken a poll here asking my readers what they want to see on the blog. I assume that if you’re here, there’s something that appeals to you. But not everything is going to appeal to you and that’s just fine. I’m very protective of the integrity of this blog and the authenticity of my voice. It’s always going to be real life, warts and all.
Don: Stop here.
Okay. On to something ‘cute.’ This arrived in the mail yesterday, all the way from Thailand!
Check out the packaging. This is from Lilu Miniatures on Etsy. The packaging, the presentation, the careful packing – all of it is impeccable.
The back of the box:
I was so excited as I opened this!
Inside:
Excuse the graininess – it was, of course, dark and rainy yesterday, and I was quickly taking photos before I had to leave for Hartford.
Unbelievable perfection.
Doesn’t that look cool? I’m in love. (Caroline is going to be jealous. She has a small laptop.)
Gosh, darn it! I love working with miniatures. I am well and truly hooked on them.
As each new item arrives in my mailbox, I get more and more excited. Tomorrow, I’m going to do some work on the outside of the TSP.
Today, I’ll be attending a run-through of Anastasia. Can’t wait to see it!
And then I’ll be on the road again, driving back to the cottage.
Happy Thursday.
Thank you for speaking out on the political issue. We must not remain silent. It always surprises me that there are those who rise to his defense.
Me too. It is, of course, their right and they are welcome to speak out here. But I’m not going to stop speaking out, either!
Please don’t stop being a voice of reason! I am a fairly new reader of your blog but I’ve become a big fan. Thank you for exposing your views on this horrid candidate, your critics have plenty of other places to find support.
They sure do. Thank you, Connie.
Dearest Claudia,
A few thoughts on another soggy, drippy day.
~I totally agree with your viewpoint shared on yesterday’s post. I am just exhausted at the thought that a true sociopath has gotten this far. I will be ordering my woman card also. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions. I stand and say Bravo!
~That computer has got to be one of the cutest little things ever! It is so adorable which is something I never thought I would say about any computer.
~You asked last week for opinions about the color of the table and the orange legs. I love the orange legs! I think it ties the room together and it’s a happy color. The visual conflict I have, is with the turquoise of the table top and the lovely chartreuse of the adorable stool at the coffee counter. I see Fiesta ware color tones in the legs and the stool cover so maybe that’s why the turquoise seems to clash or maybe it’s just me.
I hope you have a terrific day and the Anastasia goes terrifically well!
You may not know (I was a collector of Vintage Fiesta) that Fiesta had turquoise – quite a strong turquoise – as one of its colors – I have some pieces here. So, really they all go together. If anything, the chartreuse is a little off in terms of Fiesta colors. But Don loves color, so I have no problem mixing them.
Thanks so much for your support, Kim!
The gardener, the artist, the daughter, the sister, the wife, the Mom to Winston, Riley & Scout. All that makes up the woman whose voice rings true in your words — every day. Can’t tell you how thankful I am that you share all that with your readers.
P.S. Totally agree with yesterday’s post – we as American’s need a strong leader who tells us the hard facts we need to know and not the boasts/lies some of us want to hear.
Thank you, Regina. You brought tears to my eyes.
i appreciate very much that we have the right to free speech in this country (all people around the world have that human right, but many more need that freedom) and enjoy your speaking out on political issues. keep it coming … here in the usa and around the world, we all need to be able to discuss and learn things and, hopefully, help make things better for everyone!
great work on the tsp. congrats on anastasia!
and prayers for our country and whoever may become the next president.
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy! Prayers are needed, aren’t they?
At the risk of sounding like a 10 year old girl, I have to say that the new computer is super-cute! I’ve perused that Etsy shop before and always wondered if the product lived up to the photos. It certainly does!
I always enjoy reading your perspective on different topics, including the current political situation. I may not live in America, but I share many of the same worries and concerns of the working women in America striving to take care of a family during uncertain times.
I know I don’t need to use caps to make my point, but:
YOU ROCK CLAUDIA!! :D
The product is excellent, Barbara. Impeccably done and so well packaged. Amazing. I’ll be ordering from him again.
Thank you, Barbara, for your words (in caps!)
I’m in love with that tiny computer. It looks so good in the TSP! I hope your day is going well and that you have no problems with driving back home tonight. I am so proud of you for putting into words what so many of us think. Your blog is you and it is why I come daily to share in a slice of your life.
hugs,
Linda
I’m home now, Linda. Tired. But home. Thank you for your words of support!
Claudia, I rarely comment but I read your blog every day. Why? Because it’s you and it’s just right the way it is. I can count on you being here each morning and you have such interesting thoughts. We share political views and I’m having so much trouble with today’s climate and have to pace myself so my head doesn’t explode from rising blood pressure. I can hardly stand the hate being spewed each day. Your flowers and a glimpse into your cottage life are so good for me… but, we have to acknowledge the ugliness out there, too.
Don’t change a thing, for anyone except yourself! Keep doing what you do best. And thank you for it.
Thank you so much for your words of support, Deb. They mean a great deal.
I completely agree with the views you expressed yesterday. And even if I did not, I appreciate it when you voice your opinion because you are well-informed and I always learn something. I’m so discouraged that that idiot has come this far. And what is more disheartening is that there are members of the party who will convince themselves that he’s not ‘that bad’ just to continue to vote along party lines. I see it in a few friends and family members, which just depresses me to no end. What is our country coming to?
On a positive note — love the little computer for TSP.
God forbid they jump party lines to vote for the best candidate. Although I’ve heard of some that are doing that very thing.
Thanks so much, Karen.
The latest addition for the TSP is wonderful!! And, enjoyed your post yesterday. Didn’t have time to comment and going back this a.m. to look at comments (particularly after the opening lines of today’s post)…well, I’m not even sure what to say other than I continue to be amazed by people — what they do, what they say, what they do not hear, etc. Truly amazed as well as saddened. Do hope you are enjoying your time in Hartford.
What they do not hear is key. And what they do not research on their own to see if it’s either true or false. A voter has to question everything that’s said and make his/her own decisions based on facts, not hyperbole or conjecture. I’m dumbfounded that in this day of the internet, where the facts can be found quite quickly, that these people don’t take advantage of it.
I agree wholeheartedly with you Claudia. It is your blog and your voice. A month or two ago I had some people send me private messages about my blog, telling me that they would prefer it if I didn’t talk about my health issues…they didn’t read it to know about me, but to see the “happy, happy.” Well, my loyal readers immediately responded and said they wanted to know when I was struggling so they could be there for me. And they told me what everyone is saying to you, and you already know. It’s YOUR blog and you can say whatever you want to.
On another note, I love everything about this room and the computer is perfect for it. Enjoy your day Claudia.
Blessings,
Betsy
I can’t believe anyone would tell you that! The gall! If they want ‘happy happy’ they should watch a Disney movie. This is real life. Thank goodness for your loyal readers Betsy. You share what you want to and if those complainers don’t like it, they are welcome, I’m sure, to move on. Bless you, Betsy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views, for your various interests and what is in your heart and soul. It makes me uncomfortable when a blogger asks too often what their readers want. I just want Their creativity and who they are to come through. You do that so very well.
Thank you, Joan. I want to read a real person’s posts, not posts that are tailored to what that blogger thinks I want.
That computer is (again)… I can’t even find the words!! I continue to be amazed at what people can do when making miniatures! Those photos, if seen without content explained, would look just like an actual room in a house!!
I actually woke up this morning and thought possibly the current political mess was a nightmare and no one would believe me if I told them what I had dreamed. Sadly, not the case. I cannot even begin to imagine the horrors we will be subjected to in the next (long, long) 6 months before the election. Lots of head shaking ahead, I am afraid. I loathe Reality TV, and I think that is sadly what we are in for in the months ahead. ugh.
Oh, if only it were a nightmare! Speaking of Reality TV, I think it is partially responsible for the dumbing down of the public. What else could explain people believing what a guy who was on a Reality show says??
Adorable! Cutest computer ever! I so enjoy hearing your political opinions. As you know I live in Madison,….which is often described as “30 square miles surrounded by reality.” So reading your blog is like talking to my neighbors….minus the coffee. It’s reassuring to me to know there are like minded individuals who feel as I do in different parts of the country. I value your opinion! Enjoy your day! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae. You know I love Madison!
I hope you kept the box in which the computer came. It’s all part of the package.
I can always count on the integrity of your blogging voice. Thank you.
Oh yes, I kept the box. It’s beautiful! Thanks for your kind words, Wendy.
I love that we have free speech and I can learn so much every day. I listen to people’s view and learn and decide how I feel. Religion and politics are two subjects people can discuss forever and maybe never agree but that is okay. Love the new computer! Enjoy your day at work Claudia.
Amen, freedom of speech. Thank God we have it.
I agree!
Thank you, Doris! I once swore never to talk about either religion or politics on this blog – this was several years ago – but times change. Still really haven’t talked about religion yet, but who knows?
Thank you for posting your views on politics! I’m totally confused about what to do now and it helps me to hear other people’s thoughts on the subject. I love your blog and look forward to reading it!
Thank you, Lottie, for your words of support!
Hey, Claudia, you own the blog; you control the content. End of subject. I’ve read blogs that turned me off, got me pissed off for awhile but then, like any good friendship, I reconnect. It may be cyber, but it’s still human. I love that your blog isn’t ‘plastic’ and instead is full of emotion!
You are pulling out all the stops on the TSP. Don is going to go WILD when he sees it!
Thanks, Vicki. I sure don’t want my blog to be plastic!
Oh my, oh my, oh my ~ love it! Like you, I am a Mac girl too and every dollhouse needs one. About being authentic, I could not agree more. I think a blog should reflect the personality of the author. I was at a party a couple of months ago and while talking with a group of people, one of them said “be careful what you say, it may well end up on Susan’s blog”. The blogging world is so competitive and dare I say crowded now. I see so many bloggers copy each other or try to be like a magazine. It’s boring, at least it is for me. How many times can one repaint the same piece of furniture? Surely there must be something else that interests them.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I’ve stopped reading a lot of blogs that look and sound like every other blog. That’s not what I’m interested in. I agree about ‘painting the furniture’ – I’ve moved on from blogs that talk only about one thing – like decorating. I like decorating, but apparently so do thousands of bloggers, and I’m sort of over it.
I have been feeling very up down blogging wise lately so your words come at a good time for me. Thank you! I feel lately that I have driven readers away and have been worrying whether or not readers want to read what I am writing. Instead I just need to get on and do what I do. I hope that Caroline isn’t too jealous!
If I may step in here, I love to read comments from other readers on Claudia’s blog, so decided to go over to your site from here and, I must say, I really love the name of your blog and I listened to a lot of your latest podcast although, alas, I’m not much of a crafter nor do I cook. (But, you see, I do ASPIRE toward these things!) You speak very well and I enjoyed reading things that you wrote. I would have left a comment on your blog but it’s a small problem for me as I currently have a bit of difficulty with my google account which I hope to remedy soon. Yes indeed, just do what you do; be yourself. These are the BEST blogs, always (authentic!).
Good for you, Vicki!
Thank you so much Vicki! That is so kind of you. I am glad that you aspire to all kinds of things, that is good isn’t it! Sorry to be so long replying, I have got rather caught up with other things, so now I am getting caught up with e-mails and replies!! I kept your reply because I especially wanted to say thank you. So thank you again!!
If I have one piece of advice for you as a blogger it is to be true to who you are and what you want to write about. Readers come and go, they sure have for me over the years. That’s okay. (And by the way, comments are down most everywhere, so don’t worry about that.) xo
That box!!! Of course the contents of the box are wonderful, but the box takes it to the next level! This Top Secret Project is inspiring me to think of making my own miniature world. As far as your blog, I love it. Regarding the circus that is our political climate right now, it make me lose sleep at night thinking of the possibility that He Who Shall Not Be Named is even in the running, let along a front runner. How low can this country sink? Craziness! The venomous hatred coming out of his supporters mouths is horrifying. But, back to your blog, I love it and look forward to reading it each and every day. Carry on!! (I am jealous of Don’s cool present)
You’re right. He could have just shipped the Mac and I would have been thrilled, but the box is amazing and unexpected!
Thank you for your kind words, Teresa.
I agreed with you – and everyone else here. It’s YOUR blog and YOU control the content. It’s really that simple. If people are upset when things get serious occasionally, that’s THEIR problem. They must either cope with it, or find their own solution. Susan Branch got a boatload of criticism when she took a break from her regular content to reflect when the Sandy Hook shootings took place. A LARGE group of readers were extremely unhappy with her, and vented plenty of their own feelings back. But it didn’t deter Susan either. She answered just about every comment [as you probably know she gets 100s per day] and basically said that it was her blog and she couldn’t pretend that things were still all sweetness, light and sugar cake all the time. So you don’t need me telling you, of course, but you go, Claudia. Nothing EVER gives solved, or gets better, on its own. People need to talk about things to bring about change. Even schoolchildren know that a bully need to be stopped as soon as possible or he only feels stronger and stronger.
Unbelievable! I read her blog, but must have missed that little episode! Who are they to tell her what to write about? I’ve used this word in another reply, but I’ll use it again – the Gall! There is a thing that happens with blogs and readers sometimes. Some of the readers start to think they have the right to tell the blogger what to blog about. As if because they feel invested in the blog, they have that right. I’m always stunned by that behavior. The blogger can write about whatever they please. The reader can ‘flip the channel’ if they want to, but they do not have the right to complain.
I feel a bit ashamed that DT won the Republican vote here in PA…What I really do not get is how so many women stand up for him…after he has repeatedly put us down..over and over again..Please ladies..someone explain to me what is his appeal to you!…Claudia it amazes me how realistic some mini’s are…another great choice..
I don’t get that either. I don’t get a whole lot of this, I must admit. Thanks, Nancy!
When I see someone leave a negative/critical comment on someone’s blog post I always think what you said Claudia – “the gall”!!!! I personally like reading the thoughts and ideas of others (even if I don’t agree) … god forbid we might learn something new!!
Don is going to be so pleased with the TSP :)
It’s always good to be challenged, to read about other points of view.
Thanks, Debbie!
The new furnishings for the TSP ?
Ridiclously,Outrageously Fab!!
-Judy A-