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Wednesday: Some Early Morning Thoughts

February 5, 2020 at 8:17 am by Claudia

That’s all I’ve got for you. We woke up at 4:30, which is way too early. I’ll have to watch myself today. I’ve already been ‘prickly’ this morning – a word Don used, and he’s right. I wish I was the sort who could get by on less sleep, but I’ve never been that way. Not even when I was a kid. But I sure wish I was.

Anyway. It’s now 3 hours later and Don is making sugar-free pancakes because we need a treat and then I’ll get ready to take my car to the dealer for two new tires. Don’s car is still in the shop. Hopefully, he’ll get it back today. I spent an inordinate amount of time yesterday trying to figure out the logistics of getting to Hartford, but in the end, I can’t do anything until I see how the weather turns out tomorrow. It’s not looking good. I informed the Stage Manager of my dilemma and she mentioned that if I do indeed end up there on Friday rather than Thursday, I would need to spend the night as there will be no time for me to give notes at the end of the run-through and I’d have to give them on Saturday at rehearsal. It’s all rather complicated at the moment and I’m just going to concentrate on getting the new tires and running a couple of errands today.

We’re watching Collateral  on Netflix, a British limited-run series. Very, very good. It’s only four episodes and we’ll watch the last one tonight.

In the past couple of days, I’ve read a couple of posts on IG and Facebook from people I know defending Trump. In one case, I engaged, which is always fruitless. In another I engaged but immediately deleted my post – that was this morning. In all cases, I feel such disappointment that someone I thought I knew and respected would still  be supporting – after all we now know – this man. I suppose they feel the same about me. It’s all so disillusioning. As Don says, it’s as if they never read “The Book.” “The Book” is a symbol for how we were raised: how you treat people, what is right and what is wrong, how you address your elders, that it’s wrong to lie, that’s it’s wrong to bully people, that it’s wrong to call people names, that it’s wrong to break the law, that it’s wrong to make fun of the disabled or of anyone, that we are all one, and that it is wrong to treat anyone as ‘less than.’ I was raised by the rules of that book, raised on the Ten Commandments. Yet there are a lot of people supporting and condoning the actions of someone who actively flouts all of those things and is proud of it.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s baffling and will remain so. It’s as if everything my parents believed to be true and upright and good and just plain decent behavior has been tossed out the window. Actually, it’s been trampled on. I know I’m tired at the moment I’m writing this, but I felt the same thing yesterday. And every day since 2016. Was I simply naive about the world? I think I must have been.

Anyway, enough. I am always cheered by the goodness I read about every day. That’s what I have to concentrate on. The truly good deeds done on a daily basis. I have to believe that is who we really  are. Isn’t there something in the Bible about ‘lost lambs?’ Hopefully, they’ll find their way home.

Much love to you.

Happy Wednesday,

 

 

Filed Under: life 58 Comments

A Non-Cheery Tuesday

February 4, 2020 at 10:23 am by Claudia

A quick post this morning. When it rains, it pours; this morning Don heard a grinding sound coming from his brakes, so we have to take it in. It’s most likely the rotors. Tomorrow, I have to pay for new tires. And, in a couple of weeks, for a 30,000 mile check-up.

$$$$

I’m also dealing with some potential weather problems this week – a week in which I have to make it to Hartford, either Thursday or Friday, for a run-through. Tomorrow night we are supposed to get 3- 5 inches of snow which will turn to – you guessed it – ice  on Thursday morning. There’s no way I’ll get out of here for a run-through on Thursday. So we have to hope we can clear all the snow and ice out by Friday so I can get to Hartford then.

I briefly considered going there today, but I don’t want to drive there without my new tires on the car and that won’t happen until tomorrow.

And I have to have dental work done in the not-too-distant future.

Suddenly, I’m feeling overwhelmed.

I want to leave you with this quote from Transcription  by Kate Atkinson, which takes place (partly) in wartime London – I read it this morning and marked it to share with you:

“The future was coming nearer, one relentless goose step after the next. Juliet could still remember when Hitler had seemed like a harmless clown. No one was amused now. (“The clowns are the dangerous ones,” Perry said.)”

Sound familiar?

This isn’t the cheeriest post, is it? Ah well. Life happens.

Leanne, if you read this, I need your phone number for Barbara – she can’t ship from Canada to the United States without a phone number for customs. I sent you an email last week and haven’t heard from you.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 32 Comments

Monday & What Are You Reading?

February 3, 2020 at 10:22 am by Claudia

Because I miss Paris and this favorite place of ours, and because this photo is currently the wallpaper on my phone.

It will be warmer for the next two days and then it will drop back into the thirties. I’ll take 50 degrees tomorrow, thank you very much! I get two new front tires put on my car on Wednesday and then, depending on the weather, I’ll either drive to Hartford Thursday or Friday to watch a run-through of Jane Eyre. There’s a run-through tomorrow as well, but I didn’t want to drive there without the new tires.

Next week, I go to Hartford on the 14th to watch the first preview, spend the night, and give notes to the actors the next day. Then I’ll be done with the show.

Today? I’m not sure. My chores are all done; I was on roll over the weekend and accomplished a lot. I think I’ll get back to the stones on the dollhouse.

We had our weekly chat with Little Z yesterday. I love that kid. There is much laughter on every call and usually a detailed description of the elevators he has visited that week. He’s extraordinary, our Z. All I know is that after each call, I am filled with joy. And he brings that joy to everyone he meets. Just as Scoutie was a magic dog and spread joy everywhere, Little Z is a magic child who does the same.

We finished Hinterland  last night. The last episode was powerful on every level. What a finish! We really loved this series. What next? I’m not sure. We’ll have to see what we discover tonight. Didn’t care one whit about the Super Bowl; in fact, it was barely on our radar.

We have established a cocoon here at the cottage. We do what we want to, when we want to (except for work responsibilities, of course.) It’s one of the joys of being semi-retired and older, isn’t it? What works for us doesn’t necessarily work for someone else. But every day, especially with the world as it is, we express gratitude for our little cottage and the life we have built here. We have our little retreat (and it’s really all we need) where we can shut the world out as best we can. It isn’t always possible, but most of the time it is.

It’s time for my favorite question: What are you reading? I’m reading Transcription  by Kate Atkinson. I just started it yesterday and I’m about 50 pages into it. She’s an excellent writer and this book is no exception.

What about you?

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: books, Little Z, reading 62 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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