Late afternoon picture-taking in order to have something to post today. Do other bloggers do that? Frantically walk around the house, looking for some photo that will ‘do?’ I left it late, which created a too dark picture, which I then tried to brighten – there’s too much ‘noise’ in this one. But I like the canvas of The Lamb With The Party Hat on the wall. Logically, since this is the symbol of the blog, it should be hanging in my office, but Don likes it here. He thinks it adds a touch of whimsy to the living room.
I got a late afternoon call from the stage manager of Anastasia, asking if I could come in earlier to have lunch with Darko and also if I could stay overnight to be there for tomorrow’s rehearsal as well. Of course. So I’m off to Hartford to work for two days. Then on Monday, I have to go into NYC for the day to work on another project.
That’s why I’m rather hurriedly writing this post. I have to get ready and get on the road. Hopefully, I’ll be able to write a quick post tomorrow, but if I can’t, you’ll know why.
I officially gave up on Beach Music by Pat Conroy last night after yet another stab at reading it in bed. As I was trying to go to sleep, I finally came to the realization that this particular Conroy was just not doing it for me. I feel guilty, somehow, because I am such a big fan of his writing and I love the way he tells a story.
But this one? I didn’t like the characters much, though I tried very hard to feel something for them. The fact is that after 200 pages, I still wasn’t on board. That’s a long time to hang in there, especially when the book is over 700 pages long.
So I put it back on the shelf this morning.
My time to read has been limited lately. And reading is so important to me that when I do get a chance to open a book, I want it to be one that captures my imagination and takes me, happily, to another place. I’ll grab another book, as well as my Kindle, for the trip to Hartford. I have plenty of books in my TBR pile!
Happy Thursday.
Is the lamb with the party hat all one piece? I love it!
Have safe travels,
Monica
I made the hat, Monica.
Enjoy your day. Thanks for the pictures and taking time to think of us during a busy time.
You’re welcome, Doris!
I like that about blogging — it forces me to take pictures or write about stuff that I might not normally notice.
Safe travels!
Exactly! Thanks, Jo.
Have fun. I know you love your work and it’s exciting to start a new project. I love the lamb in the hat and it is very whimsical! I have moved on to other books when one isn’t grabbing me also. So many books to read, so if one isn’t enjoyable I pick another. Today is Tiger’s 5th Birthday. The years are flying by. We will have a family dinner and celebrate tonight. I can’t wait!
hugs,
Linda
Happy Birthday to Tiger!
Safe travels Claudia! I understand about Beach Music. I know you will find something enjoyable to read while you are on the road.
I will. Thanks, Vera!
Love the photos of the outage, Claudia!
Safe travels!
xo
Sheila
Thanks, Sheila!
Outage???
That should read cottage!!!
Mr. Magoo meets IPad! :-/
xo
Sheila
xo
Have a safe trip or trips…I adore the “use other stairs ” sign. Hope Don is better soon, men find being confined so difficult.
Yes, they do, Mary!
I love the picture of the cottage…too much noise? I think not! Sometimes I take pics of our home just to show to myself, to see if there is too much going on….I think that really helps to keep some order to our home. Have a safe trip…and a great little adventure…going to the big city after all! ;)
Thanks, Donnamae!
I like those pictures. Rooms much like what the occupant would see. Love the clock!!
Thanks, Jan!
Have a safe trip and enjoy your time… I have a HUGE pile of TBR myself :)
Me, too – very big TBR pile!
safe travels and happy work!
glad don’s feeling some better.
love your sweet lamb in the party hat. you are very creative. :)
especially love the wall clock and cottage sign and am interested in the stories behind them (if you want to share; please and thanks).
kathy in iowa
I got the wall clock online and the cottage sign many years ago in San Diego – it was painted by a friend of mine.
thanks, claudia.
and i applaud you for sticking with a book for 200 pages in case it might grow on you! my limit is 10 pages … if i don’t love it by then, i move on to something else. thankfully that doesn’t often happen … mostly because i read non-fiction 99% of the time and know i love the topic at hand enough to keep reading.
hope you all have a great weekend!
kathy in iowa
I read fiction 99% of the time, Kathy! Don loves non-fiction, especially autobiographies.
I’m the same way about reading, Claudia. I HAVE to feel an affinity about the story and usually about the characters too – or I just know I’ll never finish the book. But I don’t feel guilty when it’s happens, because it’s just not realistic for me to expect to like every single book I pick up. Even if I have liked that particular author before. No one likes EVERY person they meet, or EVERY new dish they try etc. Some just grab us, and some don’t. Darned good thing too, or I’d be in some serious trouble when it came to reading – LOL. PS – I’m curious. I love Darko’s name but am wondering if it’s his actual name or some kind of affectionate nickname he was christened with years ago etc. It’s just a great name & PERFECT for someone who works in theater too.
That’s his real name, Janet. He was born in Serbia.
I know you’re too busy to comment today, Claudia, so thanks for the Instagram updates. They’re fun!
You’re welcome. But I only had time for one update and I don’t know if I’ll have any time tomorrow!
I read Beach Music years and years ago, so don’t remember what it is about. I also don’t remember whether I liked it or not, but I cull books regularly from my library and it’s still sitting on the shelf, so perhaps I liked it’s? I’m currently reading Frangipani by Celestine Vaite. It’s about the relationship between a Tahitian mother and her daughter. I am absolutely enthralled with the book, as it takes me into a relationship with which I’m familiar (being the mom of two daughters), and puts the relationship into the context of another culture, that of Tahiti. This is Ms Vaite’s first novel and I hope not her last. Enjoy your short time away and be safe.
It sounds like a good book, Wendy. Thanks!
I always enjoy seeing the picture of the lamb with the party hat. I smile every time. Have a good time in Hartford. I know from past posts how much you enjoy working with Darko. What a great name. It sounds mysterious and a bit scary. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
He’s from Serbia, Betsy, so he has that great name! He is not at all scary – one of the nicest people I know.
I love the photo of the red shades, green clock and your family snake plant. Beautiful home .
Thank you, Kay!
I have problems reading books that are extremely long…no matter what the subject..I start getting tired and wishing for the end so I can move on…I think story’s that long would be better written as a series…I like your pictures just fine and I always love seeing Party Lamb..Have a good trip Claudia!
Thanks, Nancy!
I agree with you about the books. Some time back, I had an author (who I still love although she no longer writes) who wrote with such pathos and I liked most all of her books in that time period of my life but she definitely had a few misses which didn’t capture my heart and brain. I think this is why I’ve always been hesitant to take a stab at writing a book myself because, not only do I lack the ability to say things in fewer words, I worry that although the story is alive in me, what happens when I can’t translate to the page effectively? I mean, all you can do is try, like anything, but I do feel that writing a book is no breeze and maybe sometimes an author is pleasing himself/herself and not writing particularly for an audience, i.e. a vanity project. Not saying that about Conroy; I know so little about him, although I’m taking your suggestions seriously and have ordered P. of Tides (I know it was a film, of course) and M.Reading Life.
I think it’s great you could spend the night and break up all that driving. Wow, you have a lot going on. I love it when you go to NYC and share on-the-street photos although I know you are generally pressed for time, which I understand. Hope this doesn’t aggravate your ankle or back; all that walking…
Also hope Don doesn’t get too lonely. Glad he’s on the mend. My eye doctor told me today that my eye condition I told you about has no real resolution and I may have to live with it the rest of my life although another patient with a somewhat similar issue had recovery within a year. I’m trying to keep my chin up but this was a development that no one needs. It’s not like I can’t see, but it’s just really distracting and annoying; causing me a lot of eye strain. My husband and I talked about it; my remedy is to just keep busy, try to ignore it (thankfully, it doesn’t affect my driving), remain on my ‘schedule’ of projects to get done in a specified amount of time before our next wave of remodeling this summer; rest the eyes enough with a dedicated amount of sleeptime (I have a tendency to burn the midnight oil) and, you know, we get older, and stuff is going to happen, I’ve already had A LOT that’s happened and I got thru that, so…onward. I’m going to get a second opinion, though.
We’ve had (very) light rain, 3pm to 7pm or so. S’wonderful…
I just read that NYC is supposed to get three inches of snow on Saturday. Good thing you’re not going there til Monday!
No snow showing on my forecast for NYC – just rain on Sunday.
Stay positive, Vicki!
I think the walking in NYC will be good for me as long as I arrive early enough that I don’t have to speed walk!