Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Blythe dolls / Back Home

Back Home

September 11, 2022 at 9:09 am by Claudia

Good morning!

I’m back home. I’m so glad I do not have to make that trip again! I will say that all four trips to and from Rochester were beautiful. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather. I’m grateful for that. On the return home, Google Maps sent me on a different route for the last leg of the journey and that helped perk me up. I came home to a big hug from my husband, who was concocting a new recipe for dinner as a welcome home.

I drove directly to the hotel this time as I had a few hours before I needed to be at the theater. This time, my room was smaller but faced the Genessee River, so I had a lovely view. So much nicer than facing the parking lot, like my last visit.

At the last minute, I decided to bring Holly along for the ride because I had also packed some yarn to crochet another hat and I needed a model.

She liked the view, too.

My husband made the most wonderful dinner for me. The cooler worked beautifully, by the way. (I had no idea what was in the containers as they were supposed to be a surprise.) The contents: fried potatoes, thinly sliced, which is one of my favorite Don creations, and a vegetarian stir-fry full of tasty favorites. Oh my goodness! It was so appreciated after the long drive.

I headed to the theater to watch the final Preview. There were so many technical problems earlier in the week. These things happen. So a couple of previews had to be cancelled. I have to say it’s in great shape, despite all the stress earlier in the week. The cast is wonderful. The actress playing Jane did it in Hartford, as well, and she’s such a powerful and heartbreaking Jane. The actor playing Rochester is simply wonderful. They have terrific chemistry. The audience loved it and stood up immediately. I’m glad for the cast, but my side note is that standing ovations are a dime a dozen nowadays. In my earlier years in the theater, they were rare, so their impact was powerful. Now? People just stand up no matter what. Sigh. I’m not saying this cast didn’t deserve the ovation, just that if ovations always happen, they lose their power.

I took notes, talked to Elizabeth (the director) and Fiona (the dramaturg) and then got back to the hotel around 10:45. I called Don to let him know I was safely in the hotel, and took a bath, as my back was very painful after the drive.

The next morning, I finished crocheting the hat. I left a little later than planned because I didn’t want to leave any stitches still on the hook, so I crocheted like a madwoman. Hat? Finished.

I’ll let Holly model it for you (picture taken in the hotel.)

I’ve figured out the kind of yarn I need to use, so this one turned out perfectly.

I left Rochester around 9:40 and arrived home exactly 5 hours later at 2:40.

I regret to say that my back suffered from all the hours in the car, so I was in pain last night and am this morning, as well. It will get better. I have a few days free before I coach again and I’m going to baby it.

Coaching on Jane Eyre  is complete.

I’m happy to be home. It’s raining outside!

I write about 9/11 every year. This year, I’m simply going to acknowledge the date.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, coaching, crochet, On The Road 19 Comments

Comments

  1. kathy in iowa says

    September 11, 2022 at 9:43 am

    glad you had a good trip (beautiful scenery on the drives and view from the hotel room, delicious food from don, a good show …) and are now home.

    hope and praying your back feels better quickly. when my back broke, none of the prescription medications or “pain relief” creams helped at all. what did give me some help was over-the-counter aspirin marked as “back and body” pain relief. i won’t say the brand name unless you ask, but it’s a major brand and easy to find.

    those blythe girls are extra-stylish with their new hats. good work with such tiny thread, hook and projects!

    prayers for those lost 21 years ago, for their loved ones, this country and the world.

    hope you all have a peaceful day.

    xo,
    kathy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      Thank you, Kathy.

      Stay safe!

      Reply
  2. Petra says

    September 11, 2022 at 10:05 am

    I hope Holly appreciated the trip… and the hat?

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      She loves the hat!

      Stay safe, Petra.

      Reply
  3. Brendab says

    September 11, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Love the picture of the scenery
    Gorgeous
    I agree
    In my journal
    I wrote 9/11
    Remember
    Enough said
    Hope you feel better
    I understand the pain as I need new hips new knees new shoulders
    Hands and legs pain also and oh the back
    Nothing I can take with history
    But I do believe my walking helps
    Am at the place now go up bending and standing but when I am like that out the door and around the condos
    Take care
    Thankful you are home safely

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm

      Thank you, Brenda.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  4. Linda in Ky says

    September 11, 2022 at 11:53 am

    dear Claudia/Don — glad to hear you are home safe and mostly “sound” — sure hope you can rest your back for a few days — 1) love the pixs from Rochester (not much fall color yet, too early??) — 2) your husband is a Prize — you won the lottery with that one — you two make a great couple/team, am so glad for you all. stay safe/healthy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm

      Too early for fall color. Not until October.

      Thanks, Linda.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  5. Nora Mills says

    September 11, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    I’m glad that you were home safe. That’s a marathon drive, it’s nice you have a companion. I love the hat! Your surprise dinner is such a lovely expression of Don’s regard for you. I hope your back feels better and that you’re getting a little Rain as we are.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      We are getting a little rain. It’s rather nice!

      Stay safe, Nora.

      Reply
  6. Barrie says

    September 11, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    Always good to be home! Sounds like you had a good trip, though…job well done! And Don’s cooking sounded delicious! I agree with you about the standing ovations…I have had a subscription to musicals and I’ve noticed over the years the ovations seem too common and come too quickly. Though all the performers usually do a fantastic job! I did put the flag out today …quiet reminder…

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 4:51 pm

      I’ve standing ovations given to many performance that were not at all good. Boggles my mind!

      Thanks, Barrie.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  7. Dee+Dee says

    September 11, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    So interesting to learn about ‘behind the scenes’ theatre work. Glad that you’re back home and can hopefully rest your weary back.

    Just had an enjoyable day but one that’s always tinged with sadness, it’s my son’s and (my ex husband’s birthday) on 11th September. My son and his partner have just enjoyed a beach & city holiday near Barcelona. Anyway, we spent this afternoon with my brother, playing Poker for chips not money!
    My son’s partner who is of Italian heritage taught us Scopa, a card game that her grandfather showed her how to play.

    A third series of All Creatures etc. is returning very soon so something cosy to watch this Autumn.

    Stay safe

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 11, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      That means we’ll probably see it next year. I think it was in March this year, so probably March next year.

      Stay safe, Dee Dee.

      Reply
      • Chris K in WI says

        September 11, 2022 at 8:53 pm

        Dee Dee, Love when you alert us to a new season of ACG&S coming up!! As Claudia said, we won’t see it for a few months…so worth it!!!

        If I remember correctly, you are in the UK? I have been watching much of the coverage of the life of the Queen. What a remarkable woman. It has been so interesting.

        Take care, Chris

        Reply
  8. Olivia says

    September 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    Are more standing ovations due to the theory everyone gets a trophy? I agree that it should be reserved for only the best of the best performance.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 12, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Yes. It’s been cheapened, unfortunately.

      Stay safe, Olivia.

      Reply
  9. Chris K in WI says

    September 11, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    Glad you are home & again had a an uneventful drive. Pretty scenery, I am sure. Glad the performance was good. I agree w your comment on SO’s. But, I always go w the flow & get up, also!

    We have had a dreary & rainy day here today w more for tomorrow. Glad you are home. Your surprise dinner sounded quite wonderful. You had me at fried potatoes!! Take care.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 12, 2022 at 9:07 am

      I sometimes don’t get up. If I think a performance has been less than it should have been, I’ll dig in and stay seated.

      Rainy here this morning but I won’t complain as we had no rain for so long.

      Stay safe, Chris.

      Reply
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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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