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You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

Potpourri on Sunday

November 24, 2019 at 11:11 am by Claudia

• It’s been raining for 12 hours and it will continue throughout the day. Definitely a stay indoors day, which is fortunate, since I did a lot of porch clean up yesterday and have no desire to do any more for the time being. Pots were lugged, one by one, to the leaf pile and dumped out and then placed near the shed entrance. Porch decorations were added to the pile. Various pots and supports were retrieved from the garden beds and they were added to the pile. Then the rakes, weed whacker, and shovels. Then I had to find a place for them in the shed – not easy!

And then, facing reality, I brought the snow shovels to the porch.

I always put off this particular job, partly because I’m lazy, but mostly because I hate saying goodbye to the summer and fall. I still have a bit to do, and we have to take the Adirondack chairs and cushions to the storage facility, but soon it will all be done.

My little stone doves are now upstairs in the office, perched on top of the French cabinet. The little turquoise child’s chair is up there, too, but I think I have to find a better place for it. The Boston Fern is already up there, wondering why it isn’t outside.

• What else? I upgraded my iPhone, not because it wasn’t working just fine, but because it kept running out of storage and I was sick of having to delete photos all the time. I was eligible for an upgrade because I’d paid off my current phone, so I bit the bullet and got a new one with a lot more storage. I like the larger screen area. And the camera is better, as well.

• Did you know you can call Amazon? I ordered a phone case that was to be delivered in one day because I have an Amazon Prime membership. I needed it in one day because the phone was arriving that same day and I needed to go into the city the following day. I didn’t want to be carrying around a phone that had no protection. Anyway, the next day I got a notice from them saying it wouldn’t arrive until Friday. I was not happy. In googling how to call Amazon, I found a number, called it, and someone answered! I explained my problem and my disappointment in the change in delivery dates. (I guess there are times the inventory looks available for a certain area and then the computer realizes that it isn’t nearby, hence the delay.) Long story sort of short: the woman I spoke to called me back on Friday to confirm that it hadn’t arrived in time for my day in the city, so she’s refunding the cost and I can keep the case.

Even though they are a monolith, you can talk to someone.

• We’ve been watching season 3 of The Crown  and finished it on Friday. Excellent. Don had seen seasons 1 and 2 (he watched it when he was staying in the city) but I hadn’t, so we started watching the first season last night. Wonderful acting, wonderful set design and attention to detail. Simply superb.

Okay. Looks like we have to clear our culvert a bit as it seems to be overflowing (though this is the county’s responsibility). And then I’m going to read.

Happy Sunday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 20 Comments

What Are You Reading?

November 23, 2019 at 10:10 am by Claudia

Taken from inside the bus as I made my way home yesterday.

Coaching went well. As usual, even though I coached for two hours or so, the day itself – from the moment I left the house until I drove up our driveway – was 10 hours long. Imagine what it’s like for Don when he has an audition; all that time for approximately 8 minutes actually auditioning.

It was a windy, rainy day, which is always a challenge in Manhattan. My umbrella flipped inside out at least 4 times. I was very happy to arrive home to a welcoming wave from Don and dinner ready to be served. He’s a great guy.

Speaking of that great guy, I told him that I didn’t want anything for my birthday, as I’d just had an incredible gift in our trip to Paris.

There was little gift bag, however. And in it was this:

A print of a picture of us kissing on the Seine. The story behind this: Don stopped a young woman and asked her if she would mind taking a picture of us with the Seine in the background. (You can see her shadow in the bottom right corner of the photo.) She took a few of us doing the usual standing side by side thing, and then Don suddenly and unexpectedly grabbed me and kissed me. For quite a long time! And this lovely woman kept snapping.

Anyway, isn’t it sweet? What a wonderful memory.

Today is sunny. Tomorrow will be rainy. I believe it’s time for a major porch clean up.

I’m reading The Essex Serpent  by Sarah Perry. I just started it yesterday while on the bus and I read a bit more this morning. It had rave reviews a few years back and won all sorts of awards, so I’m expecting a very good read.

Since I’ve told you what I am reading, will you tell me what you are reading? It’s my favorite question, you know.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, coaching, Don, Paris, reading 67 Comments

Thank you!

November 22, 2019 at 8:17 am by Claudia

Just a quick note this morning as I have to leave for the city soon.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful and kind birthday greetings! You made my day.

It was a nicely quiet day, warmer than usual and sunny! I spoke to my best friend and my sister and Don was adorably attentive. He prepared a delicious dinner, we had some sparkling cider in my grandmother’s wine glasses, he somehow found a sugar-free lemon cake – it was lovely. I plan to celebrate all weekend long, but in the meantime, I have to do some coaching today. And days in NYC are long.

Don’t forget to read Wednesday’s book review and leave a comment if you’re interested in entering the giveaway.

More tomorrow.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: birthday 12 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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