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Saturday Thoughts and Blog Etiquette

January 13, 2024 at 8:58 am by Claudia

♦ A week ago, we had over a foot of snow on the ground.

Yesterday:

There’s even less this morning as we had another 2 inches of rain overnight. It’s in the 50s this morning, but the temps are going to plunge about 20 degrees during the day.

I can’t keep up with it.

♦ Today I’m going to grab some things at the store that I’ll need for the trip to Rochester. I’m not taking the scenic route this time, just straight up the I-87 to Albany and then west on I-90. It’s all business this time. Plus, it’s not so pretty out there right now. As always, even though I’m frustrated by the lack of time with the actors, I’m grateful for the work. Don said he’s going to write a book called, The Way it Was: The Way Working in Theater Used to Be. He’s not, of course, though I thought it was a great idea. We were lucky, starting out in professional theater when we did. We worked with so many incredible talents, regional theaters were thriving and they were doing exciting and excellent work. Subscribers flocked to the theater. There were realistic periods of time allowed for rehearsals, tech, and previews. Don, working in theater since the age of 19, could tell you so many stories. He could have a subsection about working in television and film – something that has also changed dramatically and not for the better. I know that I will write about this off and on as I watch respected regional theaters struggle to stay alive.

♦ Speaking of Don, he has a habit of running a hand through his hair in a circular motion. It’s comforting and almost meditative for him. At times, I catch a glimpse of the hair configuration that is the result of this “swirling” and I laugh out loud and promptly take a photo. I’m collecting them.

Here is yesterday’s.

Don has more than a few weird photos of me that he trots out every now and then and we laugh ourselves silly looking at them. Same with these.

♦ Blog etiquette – I ran this by Don before I addressed it here, just to get a second opinion. He agreed with me, so here goes. I’ve noticed something lately in the comments. First of all, you know I don’t expect you to comment on every post, but I am grateful when you do. And I like that you share comments with each other as well.

What I don’t like is when you leave a comment on a reader’s comment but ignore me, the writer of the post. I’m the one who wrote the post that the commenter you are now addressing is referring to in their comment. It’s like going to a party and never once acknowledging the host. Frankly, it’s rude.

If you read and never comment, no problem. If you read and sometimes comment, no problem. But if  you read and decide you want to comment on something someone said, but can’t take the time to leave me a comment, that is a problem.

Be polite, please.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

Filed Under: blog, Don, theater 45 Comments

Saturday Stuff

February 18, 2023 at 9:04 am by Claudia

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your lovely messages yesterday. It’s been a tough time here lately and, given our phone conversation with Adrian yesterday, will continue to be. Many challenges, some losses, lots of worries. But through it all, this blog remains my rock. It grounds me. And all of you are so wonderful! What a lovely group of friends! Your kind words touched me deeply.

On to year 16!

I started a jigsaw puzzle I had on hand. It’s been hard for me to fill my time lately, even though I’m reading a lot, writing Morning Pages, writing gratitude lists, and doing a wee bit of sketching. I sometimes feel listless. So, after a break, I’m back with my puzzles. THIS one was a bear that I abandoned quickly. I was working on the edges and I couldn’t get them to fit. Something was off. I tried to rectify the situation but it didn’t work. I must have had a puzzle on hand because I took what I pieced together apart and stored it in the closet. This time I’m putting together the center first. I’ve done that before when the edge pieces were challenging. Hopefully, after I find my way back to the edges, it will all become clear.

This morning’s 10 minute doodle:

This is the view I see when I look to my right. I left out the porch post and the overhang of the porch roof. Have to say the cars look like something I would have drawn as a kid but since these doodles are moments in time/memory evokers, that’s fine with me.

We’ve (Don and me) moved onto Part 3 of War and Peace. Today will be Day 49 of the readalong.

If you like to visit Don’s music site on YouTube, you might like this one – Blues in Double Time. You might see someone else you know.

Okay, my friends. See you later.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: blog, Don, jigsaw puzzles, life, sketching 16 Comments

Sunset and Some Blog Stuff

August 10, 2022 at 8:57 am by Claudia

Last night’s sunset, which was truly spectacular.

We had another 10 minute heavy downpour in the afternoon. We were cheering! It’s not nearly enough, of course, but every little bit helps. There’s no precipitation in the forecast for the next four or five days. Today is noticeably less humid and by Friday, the temperatures should drop to the 80s which will be most welcome. We just have to hang in there for two more days.

Blog stuff: I’ve noticed that the blog emails, sporadic as they have been for the last year, haven’t gone out at all in the last two weeks. I did some quick research this morning and it looks as if the email subscriptions via Feedburner have finally been stopped – as of the end of July. It’s official.

I warned everyone about this a long time ago. And I’ve periodically reminded you about it over the past year. Frankly, I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long. Bookmark the blog on your browser and come here directly.

You truly don’t need an email reminder that I’ve posted. I post every day of the week. Besides, the blog is prettier than the emails (I worked hard to make it that way) and by coming here directly, you contribute to my ad income.

I’m going to do some work on the shows I’m coaching this morning. I’ve done a lot of work on the deductions – now I just have to wait for Don to do his. He will wait until the last minute; I can guarantee it.

By the way, yesterday morning, Don woke us both up by shouting out in his sleep. I couldn’t discern any words – just sounds, but it was loud! He hardly ever does that. I reached over to comfort him and he told me he had been having a nightmare and that he was shouting “Get out! Get out!!!”

I may grab the chance to pull some weeds this morning. Normally, I’ve stopped doing any weeding by August, but with the heat wave, the weeds have been out of control. I feel the need to exert a little effort and neaten things up.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: blog 21 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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