Claudia — Page 777

Through the Lens

August 24, 2018 at 9:44 am by Claudia

The weather yesterday and today has been glorious. No humidity and sunshine, something we certainly don’t take for granted having been through this crazy summer and its crazy weather. We sat out on the porch this morning feeling a cool breeze, listening to the faint ringing of the wind chimes, marveling at how lovely it is.

I also had one of those mornings where I LOVE MY HOUSE. You know those days? When you look at everything and remember the story behind it? When you look at textures and light and items gathered over the years and feel profoundly grateful?

That was and is my morning.

So I circled around and took some pictures. Seeing things through the lens of my camera adds another layer of awareness.

Now that I think on it, these butter pats were from a booth in another antique shop that is run by the same woman who has the booth in my local shop where I found the cubby cabinet.

Sigh of happiness.

I hope all is well with you this Friday morning. Members of the Resistance, we’re seeing cracks in this administration. We’re beginning to see a glimmer of daylight at the end of the tunnel. I’m greatly encouraged. Who knows what might happen today?

Happy Friday.

Dinner With Friends

August 23, 2018 at 9:42 am by Claudia

Things I’ve seen in the past few days when I didn’t have a camera handy:

A monarch butterfly flitting from one zinnia to another, all the way down the row of flowers. Then he turned around and did it all again. I saw this two days in a row.

Hummingbirds in the flowers in the secret garden, on the geraniums in the barrels, and out among the wild flowers on the edge of the property. I also saw one pop up right in front of us on the porch.

A squirrel sitting on the bench on the Funky Patio. He jumped up from the bench to the rim of the birdbath and took a drink.

It’s never boring around here.

Some photos from yesterday:

We had dinner with one of my former students (who is only 13 years younger than me) last night. Don knows him, too, as they acted together in plays at the Old Globe. He’s one of the funniest people I know, so dinner was full of laughter. We had such a great time. Then we went back to Rick and Doug’s for dessert – pie! – and the talk turned to politics. A lively discussion ensued. We are all of the same mind about the dumpster fire that is this administration.

Doug and me.

James and me. James is looking a little skeptical about whatever Rick is saying.

James and Rick.

Don was taking the pictures on my iPhone.

We had such a great time!

Today? I’m off to get my car inspected.

Happy Thursday.

Rust

August 22, 2018 at 10:11 am by Claudia

This old glider has been through a lot with us. Don found it for sale on the street in San Diego for $25 and he drove home with it in the back of his Blazer. It sat on our porch for 6 years, then it moved out east with us and sat on the ground in front of our rental cottage (we didn’t have a covered porch) and then it moved here. We’ve let it rust, partly because I’m too impatient to remove the rust and repaint, but mostly because we like the rust. We’ve had it for 22 or 23 years. It’s been a source of comfort for me many times. Sitting and rocking and pondering and healing – all of that has happened on this glider.

I cleaned out our office yesterday. Don has piles of bags full of stuff from ETM – opening night presents and notes and things from his dressing room. It was getting too hard to get to the window, so I sorted it all out and put it in one bag. I hung the hat he wore for so many performances on the wall, along with that picture I took of him taking his final bow. I had it enlarged on mounting board and gave it to him shortly after he moved home.

I cleaned off my desk which was full of stuff that was in the desk at the base of the stairs that we moved to storage. It’s tax deduction time for us again (we always file an extension) and we have to get it done by the end of the week and I need a clean surface to tackle this job (which I absolutely hate doing.)

Here are the girls. The one on the left came from Australia this week. The one on the right is the one I purchased from a lady in Canada The eyes on #2 are a bit wonky, but I sort of like them that way. The S in “Snow White” is partly missing. #1 has a clearer “Snow White” and the eye paint is intact. These were hand painted and I find the differences in their facial expressions fascinating. I like them both! They may be twins, but…let’s say their fraternal twins.

Both of them are residing in the cubby cabinet.

We’re having dinner with Rick, Doug, and one of our former students tonight. James was in the first class that Rick and I chose for the program in San Diego and remains one of my favorite people. I’m really looking forward to it.

I guess it’s time to gather up my receipts!

Happy Wednesday.

Through the Lens

Dinner With Friends

Rust

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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