Well, we’re back home at the cottage after a lovely and, at the same time, exhausting weekend.
This morning we shared a cup of coffee in the Secret Garden, which, it turns out, Don loves. It’s quieter, more secluded, and slightly magical. He’s starting to let go and relax. He needs to rest and heal.
I drove into the city on Saturday morning. We had decided that Saturday was for pleasure; we would just have fun. Sunday would be for packing and all the emotional and physical stress that would bring.
First stop: Prince Street down in Soho. Don has been following a guy named Louis Mendes, who is famous around NYC for his Polaroid Portrait street photography. He is 78 years old now and he has taken more street portraits than you or I can imagine over the course of his career. He uses a vintage Crown Graphic Press Camera. He is usually stationed near B & H Photo (one of my favorite places). Anyway, Don has had several talks with him, and I have also met him and chatted with him. He has taken our portrait. We both follow (on Instagram) one of the many photographers he has mentored, Jean Andre Antoine, so we set off to try and meet him. He is usually stationed on Prince Street, near Broadway.
To our delight, he was there. What an amazing soul he is, gentle and kind.
We spent a lot of time talking to him; Don especially.
There’s the camera. A Polaroid back has been added to the camera. It’s the coolest camera – from the 40s.
Don has his Holga camera with him. We both have one of these inexpensive Japanese cameras – toys, really – that have a cult following. Each one is different, with distortions and vignetting that are never predictable and always amazing. There is a massive group of Holga followers and a lot of them post on IG under the #holga hashtag.
Anyway, we asked Jean Andre do a portrait of each of us. I cannot believe how amazing his work is, how extraordinary his eye.
A picture of the picture. Just by chatting with me and watching me, he knew to ask me to lean on the ledge, telling me to put all my hair to one side. I usually detest photos of myself, but I really love this one.
And Don:
Isn’t it amazing? Jean Andre’s street photography is extraordinary.
Don has really been taken by both Louis’ and Jean Andre’s work, and…he’s going to study with Louis. Don has a great eye, loves photography, and really wants to engage with people and take their portraits. It’s something he can do when he’s not acting. I’m really excited for him. He’s so passionate about it and I think the thought of studying with Louis is helping him through this transition. If you’re interested in doing so, google Louis Mendes and you’ll learn all about him. The whole idea – since the film is expensive – is that the photographer only has one shot at the portrait. So he has to know what he’s doing.
After this, we walked north to Greenwich Village and Washington Square.
This incredibly talented classical pianist somehow rolls a piano into the park (I have no idea how) and plays for hours. We sat down and listened to him and the music was lovely.
Also: I fell in love with the text on the piano, which Don tells me is a message that Woody Guthrie used to have on his guitar.
It wouldn’t be Washington Square without something like this.
The park was full of New Yorkers. It’s such a great place to people watch. If you look on the left side of the photo, you can see a dog who was having the best time playing in the water.
A rainbow was just what we needed to see, because Sunday was all about packing up the apartment, loading up the car and heading home, officially ending the six months that Don has lived in the city.
All packed and ready to go. Don wisely hired three guys who do bike deliveries for the restaurant next door to lug everything downstairs for us. Going back and forth, up and down four flights of stairs would have been exhausting for us.
The front of the apartment building, taken while I waited for Don to come back with the car. Thankfully, there’s a loading zone right next door, so I kept watch over everything and Don pulled in, put the hazard lights on, and we loaded up the CR-V. An hour and a half later, we were home. Then we unloaded everything.
We were really tired at the end of all of this.
Right now, Don is happy to be home. It’s a big adjustment. He’s also sad, of course, that the show has closed and he would jump right back in if he could. But we’re coming to terms with things as best we can.
I’m back to my particular reality, which is mowing the lawn. That’s on the docket for today.
Don needs to rest his legs and knees, so I’ve told him firmly that I will handle it this week.
Glad he’s home. Sad the show is over because I know how much he loved every minute of that experience. Now we begin to readjust to being back in the same house together. He’s had his routine in NYC. I’ve had mine here. Now, we try and mesh.
Happy Monday.
I think it’s fantastic that Don will be honing his photographic skills. As one door closes…another opens, perhaps?? Some time to rest and decompress is a good idea for Don….and you two, for that matter. I’m sure it’s going to take a bit for both of you to adjust to ‘living together’ again. The secret garden sounds like the perfect place to start.
Unfortunately, mowing does have to be done…nice of you to volunteer!! ;)
Don is resting today. He’s letting go and and suddenly he’s feeling how awfully tired he has been.
I’m so sad that the NYC experience has ended but what a wonderful home to come back to. I love those portraits. I think Don has a great eye and have always enjoyed his photos so this is a great new path for him. Life is such a journey with many twists and turns. We never know what just around the corner. I have to remind myself of this all the time. Rest for Don and mowing for you Claudia. Then rest together in your sweet home. Sending big hugs.
Thank you. We’re trying to be gentle with each other and just be.
It feels good to reach this turning point with you guys. Best wishes as you go to the next place. It was great fun to ride along while the show was running, I followed it with you and ETM’s Facebook. Your inside scoops were the best, informative but not gossipy. I’m always so awed by the great amount of unseen work that happens backstage (son-in-law is a union-member professional stagehand).
I have been reading your daily posts in a soulful way these last weeks, as I somewhat unexpectedly lost my mom in May. Your mourning became my mourning, you had words that I could not express. It helped more than I can say. Most of my family is not open with sharing thoughts or feelings. I’ve learned to let them be and take solace where I find it, and I found some here, from you and many of your community who shared about themselves.
Thank you for your bravery in being real and touching our hearts each day.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Eve. I know how you feel and so many of us here understand exactly what you’re going through. If I’ve been of any help, I am most thankful. Be gentle with yourself, allow yourself time to mourn and grieve and you can always, always share your thoughts here. Much love.
Thank you, Claudia. You share so much daily strength and hope here, that’s why I will continue to read. Looking forward to what’s next!
to eve …
many condolences for the loss of your mother. may you be surrounded by friends with hugs, casseroles and ears and hearts to hear anything you need or want to say. may you be comforted by happy memories and God’s promises, including of eternal life.
sending a hug, if you like, and prayers for peace …
kathy in iowa
Kathy, thank you for your kind words, and hugs, and prayers for peace. Expanding circles of women is the way to peace.
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother; it’s so hard.
Vicki, thank you for your kind sympathy and wisdom. We think we are prepared to say a final goodbye and discover we weren’t.
Such a wonderful life you and Don have crafted for yourselves! The photos and the photographers are amazing, thanks for taking us along on the tour.
You are very welcome, Deb!
Glad to hear that the move went well & you’re back together again [even though the reason for both really sucks]. But as Linda already wrote, you never know what might just be around the corner. Every year at this time I watch a lot of Commencement speeches on YouTube and I just viewed one that Aaron Sorkin gave at Syracuse U – his alma mater – a few years back. In it he tells the story of the casting of his first movie, A Few Good Men. Evidently they cast a relatively-minor supporting role with an unknown actor who – a few days later – ended up getting the lead in a Milos Forman movie. Obviously that actor happily gave up his part in ‘A Few Good Men’ & Aaron said the role was re-cast with Noah Wylie [from “ER”]. But, as it turns out, the Milos Forman film got shelved after a few weeks. And as Aaron went on to tell the SU crowd, Noah Wylie hasn’t stopped working since. Who knows what would have happened to him if the first actor had played the original smaller role? As I was listening I thought of you both and how this must happen a lot more often than we know in “show biz.” So try to keep your faces turned toward the Sun. You really NEVER know what might be just around the corner. In the meantime, enjoy this hiatus together. If you HAVE to have one, you couldn’t have it at a better time in the Valley. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Oh, Don’s been in the performing arts for over 40 years. He’s seen and experienced pretty much everything. So have I. We’re not young like Noah Wylie was, we’re older and older actors tend to have less of those opportunities. We never say never, of course, and we’re hopeful. But we’re also realistic. Thanks, Janet.
PS – a link to Aaron’s speech for anyone who’s interested – it’s a great one & very brief.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwvilfPWHYI
that was a great speech! thanks for the link.
kathy in iowa
No problem, Kathy. Twas a great speech, wasn’t it? I’m a sort of Commencement speech junkie. If you like them too, check out a couple more of my faves, Meryl Streep [Barnard 2010] and Steve Jobs [Stanford 2006].
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=meryl+streep+at+barnard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc&frags=pl%2Cwn
I enjoyed the story of the last few days and the photos.
Thanks!
happy meshing darling bean!
this has all been quite a wild and wonderful ride. happiness and joy and exhilaration and then shock and sadness as any loss brings. but just to have the experience! and we got to see his beautiful self on a BROADWAY marquee! that is nothing to sneeze at!
loved this post and all the pictures.
and OH MY! especially those that Jean Andre took of the two of you. and I NEVER would have guessed his age at 78. he’s incredible!
stay as cool as you can. still high heat here as well. XO
Of course you wouldn’t have guessed that Jean Andre is 78! That’s because it’s Louis who is 78, not Jean Andre! Jean Andre is probably in his early thirties!
LOLOL! thank you for not grading my pathetic reading comprehension skills! :D
xoxo
We reinvent ourselves several times during our life time. I always know that people with many interests will always find a way to engage. Don’s photos have always been wonderful, so to study under this man will only bring out new insights and hidden talents waiting to be found! Fun to imagine!! The Secret Garden sounds like a grand place in which to contemplate all of it.
You will soon fall into your previous footsteps at home and mesh once again. I’m glad it is still summer so you have a bit more room with the outdoors, good weather to plan some excursions, pretty gardens to gaze upon, and a lovely front porch upon which to sit and chat. Time in itself can be a blessing.
Have a good Monday!
Yes. We have done this before, but we’ve never been apart for such long periods of time as we have for this past year and a half. We’ll get there. Thank you, Chris.
All will be well and all will be well and all manner of things will be well
Wishing you both peace as you navigate these changing waters together
Siobhan
Thank you, Siobhan.
I recently joined Instagram and was vicariously living your NYC adventures with you. Sad that it’s come to an end but glad you and Don can be together in your lovely home. Before we know it, these golden summer days will be over. That Jean Andre’s photos are something special. Love the pics he did of the two of you and what a camera!
He’s a very talented photographer!
it sounds like the weekend went better than expected and i am glad about that for you two. kept thinking about you two last weekend and hoping, praying it was going well.
also glad that don found some guys to help carry things down all those steps … whew!
and i am even more glad that don gets to study photography with louis mendes. with all due respect, i’ve never heard of mr. mendes, but i have enjoyed the photos you and don share on instagram and am glad don has another creative outlet he loves, especially now.
i feel the same way you do, claudia … i don’t like having my photo taken … but your photo portraits by jean andre are lovely and i’m thinking they will be little treasures of a poignant and special time for you two and i am glad you were able to find jean andre so he could take your photos.
love the message on the piano!
hope the mowing can wait. would it help to know (per a county conservation officer) that letting the grass reach at least 3.5 inches in height before mowing has several ecological benefits? :)
have a great week!
kathy in iowa
Our lawn is a country lawn, half weeds of all sorts, and different types of grass. Ecological benefits or not, it looks terrible if it’s too long – too much irregularity.
Don is going to study with Louis Mendes!…how amazing this will be for him with his love of cameras and photo taking!!…I will be watching his Instagram to see what comes from this!…How wonderful!…I hope that you both get some well deserved rest…the secret garden sounds like the perfect place to start…Hugs to you both as you get your strength back and move on to your next adventure!
Thank you, Nancy!