Hello from the cottage.
A long day of travel yesterday, of course, with an Uber ride to O’Hare, the flight home, then the shlepping. That’s what I find the most tiring; I had two small rolling suitcases (Don currently has the large one) plus my handbag and a coat and I had to constantly start, stop, adjust my handbag, take my coat off, put it on, grab the suitcases by the handles to go up and down stairs, and maneuver through subway turnstiles to make my way back into the city. As it was unseasonably warm and I had layers on, I was uncomfortable and just wanted to get home.
But, I caught the 5:00 bus and my friends Rick and Doug picked me up from the bus station. And when I got home, my plants were in pretty good shape. The monstera (split-leaf philodendron) and the pilea were drooping quite a bit. Watering was my first priority and I’m happy to say that this morning, every plant looks revived and healthy. Two weeks away is okay in the winter. It would be more problematic in the spring and summer when plants require more water.
I’m glad to be home. I’m going over to Rick and Doug’s place for brunch this morning. Rick is making French Toast, one of my favorites. Doug’s daughter is visiting and it will be nice to get to know her.
Unfortunately, Don lost his voice on Friday during the matinee and, even though he planned to go on that night, the music director pulled him from the weekend shows because he has to be better for Monday’s recording of the cast album. Also unfortunately, my best friend and her family came to the show on Friday night, so I was texting and calling her at the last minute to tell her Don wouldn’t be appearing.
So, they didn’t get to see Don in the musical, which was the whole point of going. Laural is in the theater so she understood. But Don felt badly; he really wanted to do that performance for them.
The company manager found an ENT doctor and Don saw him yesterday morning. He has an upper respiratory infection and is on meds and isn’t talking for the whole weekend, so we’re texting and/or face-timing with me doing all the talking and Don nodding yes or no.
Say a prayer or two for him, okay? He has to be better for that recording tomorrow.
I have to run to the grocery store this morning to stock up on food. I’m ready to eat at home for a while. Dining out is fun but when it’s every day, I get tired of it.
What a blessing it has been to travel to New Orleans and Chicago and spend quality time in both places. Don will be home a week from tomorrow and we can settle in for the month of December.
That will be nice.
Closing with a shot of nighttime Chicago, taken my last night there.
Happy Sunday.
Oh! Reflections of tall buildings in dark water have to be some of my favorites! Fingers crossed and good vibes going out to Don today, too. And welcome home, traveler!
Thank you! I’m so happy to be back in my little nest!
Glad you made it home safely! The plants do look good! Poor Don! Sending healing prayers his way.
Have fun at brunch!
How is Stella? 😊
Thank you, Debbie! Stella is great! She cooked a sweet potato last night and heated the water for my coffee this morning.
You had such a great time in both places didn’t you? That is so wonderful! I am glad you are back safe and sound!
Positive vibes and get well prayers to Don this beautiful Sunday morning!
I did. Two great cities – entirely different, but each of them was unique and beautiful.
Thanks, Becky!
Claudia, Sorry to hear about Don’s voice. Hopefully he is all well now. I am glad you went and enjoyed your time in Chicago. I know it meant the world to Don to have his number one fan with him. :) Blessings, xoxo, Susie
I miss him, but I know he’ll be home next week.
Your plants look good. Sorry to hear about Don’s voice…I’ll send some positive vibes his way. Enjoy your brunch! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae!
Glad you’re home and loving it, even though you are worrying for Don. Sending good healing thoughts that Don will be fine for the cast recording.
Thank you, Wendy. We appreciate it!
you made it all so real with wonderful posts that I now even feel your fatigue! LOL
i’m glad you’re home safe and sound and that all is well.
now to just pray that don is well too before tomorrow.
Me too. He said he tried a little singing in the shower and he thought he sounded better! Fingers crossed!
Very cool nighttime photo with the red on the water.
So sorry Don is feeling lousy. He’s been pushing hard for awhile now and exposed to a lot of diff environments/people. ‘Tis also the time of year for getting sick.
Glad you’re home safe & sound – – and SO much to look forward to come December. You’re an intrepid traveler, Claudia; I find all that coming & going on your own to be intimidating (I don’t think I could do it without losing my mind [or fingernails]; but you just forge ahead).
Both you and Don have had QUITE the year.
I’m glad our SoCalif heatwave is seemingly over. It was 60 degrees about an hour ago; sunny. We’ve got a lotta work to do outside today in the yard, having been hemmed in/delayed due to the hot weather. Gotta make tracks now, although my husband has all the exterior holiday lights done (I think it’s SO early for this; I’m not for it, but I have to let him do his thing; I do see lights on houses more than I figured, though – have been out the past two nights and even with people gone for the holiday and many houses dark, it’s sorta amazing how many homeowners even also have Christmas trees already decorated inside their homes, as seen through front windows; again, this is too, too, TOO early for me personally).
We had a low ground fog last night that completely encased our valley. The only way to escape it was to drive up into the hills. By 9pm I couldn’t even see one end of my yard, much less the house across the street. Eerie; I didn’t like it! Damp, wet & claustrophobic.
Glad it’s cooler where you are. The whole cast has been working long hours and it takes its toll. I’ll be glad when I know he’s getting through the recording session with flying colors!
Poor Don! I am sending him positive vibes for complete healing. Bless his heart and yucky throat, too. Love you sister, glad you are home safely.
Me too. Good to be home!
Gorgeous nightscape of Chicago. To have had the “3-D” view must have been even better. Poor Don – not an opportune time to lose one’s voice. I used to lose mine like clockwork at the end of the first week of school, after doing NOTHING but talking to 6-year olds for 3 solid days. You know, going over the rules, how we do things in 1st grade, I-know-it’s-exciting-to-have-your-own-desk-at-last-but-please-stop-moving-the-desktops-up-&-down-all-day-long, yadda yadda. LOL. Never failed. Every year, no voice left on Fri. Those Hall’s eucalyptus & lemon jobbies always helped me a lot. Of course I didn’t have an infection. Glad he’s on meds. Maybe the drops would help his throat feel better though. Have fun at the brunch. French toast is one of my faves too, especially when stuffed! I’m sure Stella kept the house “under control” while you were gone. Traveling is awesome but it’s always even better to be home at last, isn’t it? The world spins in the correct direction again… Peace. 🏡
#Resist
If it’s still bad tomorrow, he’ll get a steroid shot. But we’re hoping all is well by then.
I’m really happy to be home!
glad you made it home safely after such fun times in new orleans and chicago and found your plants, etc. alright. brunch with friends sounds like a lovely way to ease back in to your usual routine so glad you’ve had that, too!
prayers said for don’s speedy and full recovery for his own sake and in time for the recording of the soundtrack!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy! I’m crossing my fingers and toes that all is well tomorrow.
Home at last Claudia!…Your plants are looking good…I hope that you got some good sleep last night…I’m sure you had fun visiting with Rick and Doug for brunch…sending tons of good vibes for Don to get better…I imagine that when an actor gets sick and can’t perform it is quite upsetting to them…
It’s very upsetting.
Thank you for all the beautiful shots of Chicago. I was born there but was only 4 months when we left so I remember nothing. Seeing your pics is a treat.
Positive thoughts to Don to be all better
Glad you got home safely
Thank you, Sue.
I know you had fun in both New Orleans and Chicago, but I’m sure it’s great to be back home. I agree that dining out is fun, but that you actually get tired of it when it’s constant. Nothing like home cooking. I am so sorry to hear that Don is sick and that he’s lost his voice. Prayers and good thoughts for his healing headed his way! I’m less than 50 miles from him, so maybe those vibes will reach him quickly. ;-)
I hope they do! Thanks, Melanie!
I am so happy that you had a wonderful adventure. Enjoy having Don home.
Not for another week yet, but soon. Thanks, Kay.
Traveling is never easy these days, no matter what mode of transportation you take. Hope Don is much better by the time the recording session begins.
Me too! I’ll know more soon. Thanks, Tammy.
I’m glad you’re home.. the traveling sounds so tiring. I’m glad your plants came back so well. I’ve come home from vacation to some really stressed and drooping plants before and it’s sad. Enjoy the peace and quiet and then your dear husband’s return.. I hope his voice comes back fast! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I had two that were stressed. Thank goodness they perked up, Teresa!