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You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

I Can’t

November 6, 2024 at 8:26 am by Claudia

Off the top of my head:

I’m scared shitless. For our country, for the world, for Ukraine, Gaza, NATO. For our civil rights, for the marginalized, for women, children, babies, immigrants, for the rule of law – for things I can’t even come up with now because I’ve only had 3 hours of sleep. This doesn’t make sense. Less voter turnout than 2020? I don’t think so. I’m far from a conspiracy theorist, but I think Musk, Putin, et. al, interfered with this election. I pray that the DOJ will look into this.

On a personal note: we live on our union pension and social security. We have a hefty mortgage payment. If Social Security and Medicare are cut and unions are eliminated – all of which is laid out in Project 2025 – we will lose everything. Everything. I hadn’t planned on being destitute in my old age.

And so will millions of Americans.

I’m babbling, but that’s what is running through my mind.

That’s all for now.

God help us all.

 

Filed Under: life 79 Comments

The Day Before

November 4, 2024 at 8:32 am by Claudia

I took a photo of the burning bush in the afternoon sun. It went down to 28 last night and the night before, so just in case the leaves are going to drop, I wanted to get a good picture.

Don insisted on a Sunday drive yesterday and it was fabulous. We explored several areas we’d never driven through – all within about 10 miles of our house. Lots of twisty, winding mountain roads, sometimes with sheer drop offs. It was spectacular and so much fun! Just what we needed as we await the election tomorrow.

One more day. I’m sure most of you have voted at this point. Normally, we love to vote on Election Day, but this time around it seemed advisable to do what was suggested by many campaign veterans; vote early so your vote registers, and the Get Out the Vote team can devote their energies to those who have not voted yet. Lines around here have been long.- a good sign. The last day of early voting here in NY was Sunday. Now, we take a hopeful breath and wait.

I imagine I’ll be doing what I usually do when stressed: cleaning. Perhaps even the dreaded bathroom.

Later this morning, I’ll take all the plants back outside. The nighttime temperatures should remain above freezing until at least November 16th, so I can have pretty flowers on my porch for a while longer. No rain in sight until the 14th. I cannot tell you how dry it is here. Unbelievable. The rivers are barely there in some places. As most people around here have wells, I’d like some rain please.

I posted this in honor of Flat Lay Sunday. Yesterday’s theme was Pets.

Maybe this will bring a smile to your face on this Election Eve.

Don will tell you that I have been predicting Kamala Harris will win for a few months now. I stand by that.

We’re not going back.

Sending you all lots of love and positive thoughts today and tomorrow.

We are NOT going back.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: life 29 Comments

Pondering

November 2, 2024 at 8:59 am by Claudia

Most of the trees are bare now, but some of our young oaks are hanging on to their gorgeous leaves. That may change tonight – we’re going down to 28 degrees. The same for Sunday. The porch plants will make another trip inside the house. Sigh. I know I could let them go at this point, as far as the forecast goes from Monday until November 16, the nighttime temps will be in the forties. So I can have flowers until at least mid-November.

You know me. I can’t let them go if there’s a chance to save them. But I do go a bit crazy with all the plants everywhere.

Don, per usual, is always game to help me transport them.

My lord, these days are dragging by as we head to November 5th. Our goal here at the cottage is to find things to keep us busy and to talk each other down when necessary. So far, so good. We also decided to watch favorite movies for the next few evenings. Last night was Hannah and Her Sisters. We’ve yet to decide on tonight but the theme is ‘comfort.’

I’ve started We Solve Murders, by Richard Osman, and I’m really enjoying it.

A corner of the studio/office/whatever just after I straightened everything up. It’s a wee bit more cluttered now, but only a wee bit. Don has yet to clear off his desk. Ahem! I might take a stab at it today – make some piles of things and dust off the surface.

Maybe I should just call it the studio now? I’m not really doing any coaching prep there. I’m not really doing any coaching at all. Maybe I can just embrace “Studio.” Or maybe it’s just a “Glorified Cubby.” I will ponder that over this weekend while I eat some of Don’s apple pie.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: studio 24 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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