Ssssh! What? Oh, pardon me. I’m just enjoying the quiet. For the first time in a month, the air conditioner isn’t on. For the first time in a month, I can open the windows. The humidity, that awful, awful humidity has broken.

Hallelujah!

I never thought that hearing the sound of the refrigerator could be so wonderful. Or the sound of a car going by. Heaven. The minute I got up this morning, I turned off the downstairs A/C, opened all the windows and smiled. Maybe, just maybe I can actually spend some time on the porch today.

I’m continually trying to grab a picture of all the birds that frequent the birdbath. It’s been especially active around there lately because of the heat and humidity. The robins, the catbirds, the finches, and an occasional mourning dove, have been drinking and bathing and frolicking. I have to shoot the photos through the glass on the kitchen door because any opening of the door will scare them off. Nine times out of ten, by the time I grab my older camera with its zoom lens, they’re gone.

I have to move quickly so I just point and shoot. And hope.

Finally, I was able to get some photos yesterday.

Four birds sharing the communal bath. Perhaps they were having a meeting?

Imagine my delight when I examined the photo a bit more closely. Move your eyes just a bit north of the birds.

It’s a chipmunk! He’s peeking out from behind a rock in the garden.

I have to say, this was a fun surprise.

One bird has left, three remain. And Chippie, still watching.

I adore chipmunks.

The blur in the upper left hand corner is a retreating bird. One bird remains, along with our ever vigilant Chippie.

Birds and chipmunks. Sigh of happiness.

The opening for Pygmalion was a few days ago. Don is working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, one of the most respected summer theaters in the country. It’s a rather big operation and very busy. There are always a lot of well-known, even famous, actors working there. It’s in a beautiful college town and while at least two plays are always running, there are even more plays in rehearsal, ready for the next round of performances.

Anyway. Dare I brag a bit? Don tends to not read reviews. Nor do I. But, he casually mentioned he had heard through the grapevine that the reviews of his performance had been great. And then he changed the topic of conversation. Because he’s pretty modest. But I’m not at all modest about his talent.

The internet can be pretty handy at a time like this. If you don’t mind, I’ll just share some quotes with you. By the way, Don sometimes chooses to be billed as Don Lee Sparks. Sometimes, Don Sparks. This time it’s Don Lee Sparks. (I’ve given up trying to figure it out.)

From the ArtsFuse, Boston’s Online Arts Magazine, written by Helen Epstein:

“Don Lee Sparks, however, steals the show as Eliza’s absentee father Mr. Doolittle. When he’s dressed for his wedding in lavender gloves, vest and spats, he serves as the perfect mouthpiece for Shaw’s views on class, marriage, morality – almost everything.”

From Broadway World, written by Larry Murray:

“Equally delightful are the two extended appearances of Eliza Doolittle’s father played by a perfect Don Lee Sparks…When Sparks is on stage everyone else just about fades to near -invisibility. He not only fills his role, he overflows it, as Shaw has him dominate the proceedings and his delicious acting easily earns the biggest laughs of the evening.”

From the Times-Union, written by Steve Barnes:

“Don Lee Sparks almost steals the show as Eliza’s father, Alfred, a dustman who, thanks to Higgins, gets a lecture tour, money and misery that he didn’t have when he was poor.”

I read much the same when he was doing the role in San Diego. Don thinks this production is even better than the one in San Diego. I can’t wait to see it next Saturday on closing night.

My husband is an extremely talented actor. He’s a gifted comedic actor, as well, with pitch-perfect timing. I’m proud of him.

Sort of bustin’ my buttons here at the cottage.

Happy Sunday.