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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Socks, Puzzles, and Miniatures

September 16, 2022 at 8:48 am by Claudia

Warning: If you’re offended by cuss words, I’m giving you a heads up. (I’m not, and I have a salty tongue that is in use regularly, just not on the blog.)

As you know, I was very down yesterday and I felt that way all day long. I feel much better today. I got a good night’s sleep, it’s a beautiful and cool fall morning and my back is a wee bit better. Don was out running errands. When he returned he came into the den with a gift bag.

In it was a card with a lovely note from him, a Cavallini jigsaw puzzle (theme: houseplants,) and a pair of socks that made me laugh out loud.

I’m in love.

It’s as if they were made for me – and every other avid reader in the world.

It was just what I needed, that belly laugh.

I was supposed to coach today, but the stage manager asked if I could do it next Wednesday instead. So I get a bit of a breather and that means I can rest my back. I find that when I’m sitting in my chair while zoom coaching, I often sit forward in the chair and my back tenses up. I’m not even aware of it until I start to feel pain.

Today? Reading. Maybe with my new socks on. Dressing a couple of dolls. Crocheting a hat.

I managed to wash the sheets yesterday but I needed Don’s help putting them on the bed. After a few skirmishes, we successfully completed our task and we had fresh bedding last night.

It’s the little things.

We’re entering the season where a new Michael Connelly and a new Louise Penny are published. I can’t wait. I need to buckle down, let go of all of the things that take my attention away, and read. Don’t get me wrong, I am reading, but I’m not reading in big chunks and that isn’t satisfying. Today, I hope to do that.

And I’m eyeing the next doll house project. Speaking of miniatures, the IGMA show is in a week. It’s just outside of Hartford. I’m wondering if I will go or not. I’d like to. I was reading the program this morning and I was so saddened to read that Barbara Vajnar passed away in July. I’ve mentioned her several times on this blog because I have a few pieces of her furniture. She retired a couple of years ago.

She made this:

And this:

Her work was exquisite. When she announced her retirement, she put her pieces up for sale on eBay, a few at a time. Most of them went for far more than I could afford, but I did manage to snag this corner cupboard. It will go in the Beacon Hill.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara and her husband as I dithered about buying the mustard colored cupboard. They were endlessly patient and kind.

Rest in Peace, Barbara.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, IGMA Show, miniatures, reading 32 Comments

Harper

September 1, 2022 at 9:25 am by Claudia

First of all, reader Deb from Phoenix is having a heart procedure today, so please say a prayer for her. We love you, Deb!

Secondly, Don managed to clear out the storage space yesterday. It’s empty! He took 2 loads to the recycling center in a neighboring town. Some of it came back home to live in the shed or the house. And some of it needs to be sorted here before we make the final decision on whether to toss or keep. All of this occurred while I was on a call with the director of the next show I’m coaching and then coaching Jim. Thank you, thank you, dear husband.

It’s now an even dozen. I’ve wanted a Ferro Doll (a customizer in Russia) since I first started collecting Blythes. When a new Ferro Doll is listed, it’s adopted within minutes. Sometimes, seconds.

They have a fierce, intense gaze that I love. I always wanted one with dark hair and dark eyebrows but then, this other girl appeared who was being put up for adoption by the owner who had only adopted her in June. I went back and forth on this one for over a month; maybe, maybe not. At one point, Kat, the young owner, decided she was bonding with her, so I encouraged her to keep her. But one day, about a week ago, Kat messaged me and asked me if I still wanted her. The price was reasonable. I pondered, and then I said yes.

To be honest, I was put off by her hair color, so I decided I could always change her scalp to a darker color. But now, after receiving her, I love it. Here she is, right out of the box:

If you look closely, you can see tiny veins in her cheeks. The level of detail is amazing.

Also, check out the detail in the coloration of the area around the eyebrows. And the eyelids, of course!

She has synthetic hair but it’s clearly been given a treatment by the customizer because it feels like silk – and it’s minty-colored. Much to my surprise, I’m love the hair and I’m going to keep it.

She was named Claire by her previous owner. She is now Harper Claire, after – you guessed it – Harper Lee. I walked around with her during most of the day yesterday (except when I was coaching, of course. That would have looked weird.)

I’ll try to get a good close-up of her face soon, so you can see the tiny little details that make her so beautiful and collectible.

This morning:

I love her. She’s a serious girl. I have a feeling she doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

I finally own a Ferro doll. If I could, I’d collect even more.

Don is quite taken with her. Never – not once – as he been anything other than encouraging about this little turn my life has taken. He’s charmed by the girls, loves it when I change their clothes and parade them in front of him. He raves about my photos of them.

How did I get this lucky?

Okay. No coaching today. No coaching until Sunday night when I watch the run-through of Jane Eyre  on stage. I’m going to rest a bit – it’s been an intense week.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, collecting, Don 34 Comments

Sunday Morning

August 14, 2022 at 8:53 am by Claudia

I’ve been engaged in prep work for the two shows I’m coaching. Tomorrow, I start working with Jim and Tuesday is the first day of rehearsal for Jane Eyre. I’ll be watching the read-through via zoom and, later in the day, I’ll work for three hours with some of the actors. Wednesday will be another day of coaching.

Some husband news: Don has revamped his personal music site. Here’s the link. He has listed only four of his songs; the ones he thinks are some of his best. If you’re at all interested, give them a listen. They’re on sale for 99 cents/each.

We watched 13 Lives  last night. Stunningly powerful. It’s directed by Ron Howard and is the true story of the rescue of 12 kids on a Thai soccer team and their coach. They were deep within a cave when monsoons came, flooded the cave, and cut them off. The story of the massive rescue effort, the thousands of volunteers who aided in the rescue, and the British divers and Thai Navy Seals who undertook a rescue that didn’t have a hope in hell is riveting. Brilliantly directed by Howard. Brilliant cinematography. An international cast led by Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell.

It’s on Amazon Prime. I cannot recommend it enough. I remember the rescue, but had absolutely no idea about the risky chance they took to get those boys out. We stayed up too late watching it, but it was worth it. I’m still thinking about it today.

I started a new puzzle, my reward for finishing my deductions and clearing the kitchen table!

The light is changing. Autumn is coming. I have mixed feelings about that, but I can’t stop it.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Don, movies 18 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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