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You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

Day One Hundred Fifteen

July 6, 2020 at 10:05 am by Claudia

We are in for a hot and humid week. Yesterday was a stay-indoors-out-of-the-heat kind of day and it looks like today will be as well. I went out to water everything, but that was it. Don went on his walk early in the morning and then ventured out to play the guitar on the front porch. He’s writing music again (that makes me very happy.)

What did I do? I spent a lot of time on the jigsaw puzzle, which is a real challenge. I finally made some headway, so I’m feeling more positive about the whole thing. I needed to take a few days off from making stones for the dollhouse. (I need to start calling it by its name, which is Dove Cottage.) The other day, I spent several hours scrolling through artisan dollhouse miniatures on Etsy. If I like something, I put it on my Want List. I’m starting to think about the interior and the windows and wallpaper and beams and trim and wood floors…First up, beams and floors and windows. But all of that costs money, so I have to rein myself in a little and see what I can do on a budget. I welcome the challenge.

I’m thinking of doing another IGTV video – this time of Don’s Mini Studio. I spent some time cleaning and dusting everything in it yesterday. I have to film it when Don is out of the house, so maybe tomorrow morning. Eventually, I’ll do a quick tour of the vintage houses as well.

Today? Probably more work on the puzzle and maybe some work on the dollhouse.

Rest in Peace, Nick Cordero. I didn’t know him, but many of my friends and colleagues did. He was loved and adored by so many people. It’s simply heartbreaking. And then I see video of idiotic people jammed together at various beaches and bars and I want to scream. Because of those selfish and self-absorbed people, people will die. We will be quarantining even longer. I know the majority of Americans are sane and are wearing masks, but it doesn’t take many to spread this disease and screw it up for the rest of us. Quite frankly, there should be a national mandate requiring everyone to wear a mask. And if you don’t wear one, you will be fined. If you’re warned twice, you go to jail. For heaven’s sake, one inept guy trying to conceal a bomb in his shoe has resulted in years and years of taking off our shoes when going through airport security. And no one questions it. This reaction is the result of the idiocy in the White House.

I have to stop. It makes me so angry. Nick Cordero was a healthy, fit Broadway actor in the prime of his life. He went through an unimaginable 3 or 4 months while the virus slowly decimated him. I want to throw all of these entitled fools in jail. Ditto for the people who destroy things in stores because they’ve been asked to wear a mask, all of whom managed to get their little hissy fits recorded on video so that they can get lots of attention.

I’m over it.

But I love you.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles, social distancing 58 Comments

Day One Hundred Fourteen

July 5, 2020 at 9:59 am by Claudia

My first coneflower has opened. I have scads of them throughout the property, so I look forward to this every summer. To me, they are the perfect cottage garden flower.

How did we spend our anniversary? Mowing the entire front lawn and secret garden in very hot and humid weather. It had to be done, but we were pretty tired at the end of that chore. Don cooked a great breakfast, a picnic-type lunch (veggie hot dogs and burgers) and a great dinner. We listened to James Taylor’s On the Fourth of July, which seems as if it was written for us. Several years ago a friend sent me a link to the song on our anniversary and I fell in love with it.

By the way, all those thunderstorms that were predicted for Friday? 100% chance of 2-3 inches of rain? Zip. We heard lots of thunder, but no rain. That’s the second time that has happened lately. We really, really need the rain. Sigh.

We’re taking it easy today. Don’s back is bothering him – too much lifting – so he has been ordered (by both of us) to refrain from any of that work for the next week. He, like me, doesn’t always know when to stop. I’m much better about that nowadays, but I’ve had years of experience working outside and last year kicked my butt so I made a vow to ease up this year and I’ve been pretty successful. I also made a vow to know when to ask for help and I did that, as well. Don, on the other hand, is a little newer to all of this. He’s learning the hard way, just as I did. So he’s on back rest. I’m sure he’ll walk his paths, etc., but no dragging falling trees or lifting rocks or even hoeing.

I’m reading Faith Fox  by Jane Gardam, a British writer that I discovered in Oblong Books last year. She’s a wonderful and funny writer who completely gets human nature and her characters are richly detailed.

Maybe more work on the dollhouse today. Or the puzzle (which is unbelievably difficult). Or both. It’s going to be hot and humid again, so I’m headed out to water everything after I finish this post.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, grass 22 Comments

Day One Hundred Thirteen

July 4, 2020 at 9:31 am by Claudia

Short and sweet today.

I met this guy for the first time on this date, 26 years ago.

(I also cut his hair way too short yesterday, but we’ll move on from there. And no, it’s not this haircut.)

You’ve all read these posts of mine before. So I’ll be brief. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me and I acknowledge that gift every single day. I’m very lucky.

Here’s to 26 more years together, my love.

I’m not a flag waver. Actions speak louder than words or symbols. These days the Fourth of July is a celebration of the day we met. When things change in Washington and we once again can honestly say that in this country, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” I’ll be celebrating and dancing in the streets.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: anniversary, Don 32 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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