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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Smokin’ Fish Records

September 17, 2021 at 9:30 am by Claudia

A post today about my husband.

Though I didn’t know about it for a bit – he kept it secret until he was ready to reveal it to me – Don has been working hard on a new venture. He has started his own digital record label, which is called Smokin’ Fish Records. Some of you who follow him on Facebook or Instagram might already be aware of it.

His intention is to highlight talented singers/composers/musicians. Steve Jobs didn’t do musicians any favors when he started iTunes. Streaming music, while convenient, leaves the artists with very little money. The only way big artists can earn money nowadays is by touring. There’s very little money in streaming. That being said, we’ve also lost most of the radio stations that we all grew up with, the ones that played a variety of music, that welcomed an eclectic array of artists.

All of that makes it harder for an artist to get recognition, to get his/her music out there. And Don knows a lot of talented musicians. He’s also been scouting artists who are new to him. He’s doing all of this – and it’s been an enormous amount of work – in order to be of service. To help these artists get a wider audience.

Today marks a month since he started this venture. It’s the real deal; an LLC and everything.

This is Don’s post from today on Facebook:

 

He’d love it if you stopped by this weekend. Here is the link to follow (the one in Don’s post won’t work as it’s a screenshot.)

This guy even took his own music off the label as he doesn’t want this to be about him.

I admire him more than I can say. So stop by, if you have a moment, and listen to a few tracks. I know some of these artists personally. Others are new to me. They’re all enormously talented.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, music 22 Comments

Don, Storms & A Wee Rant

September 15, 2021 at 10:01 am by Claudia

A look at the living room on this about-to-be-stormy day.

And it’s going to hit 85 degrees! No wonder we’re getting storms.

All tax info is now at our accountants. I had a good coaching session with Ben yesterday and we’ll do it again tomorrow.

I’m planning on taking it easy today, with the usual vacuuming, etc. But the thing I really want to do today is finish my Roseville painting. I’m determined. I’ve had a lot of other things going on, all of which kept me from painting. I don’t know if I’ll do more. I do have two other vases that could be the subjects of a painting. If I paint them, I’d have twelve paintings in this collection. We’ll see.

Don is too wonderful for words. This morning, during our second cup of coffee, the subject of Blythe dolls came up. He didn’t understand the concept of customizing the dolls, so I explained it to him. Then he asked if he could see photos of some basic dolls and customized versions, so I went to Etsy and he looked through several listings. He said, “I can see why they’re collectible – they’re art dolls. I think they’re really neat.”

What did I do to deserve him?

Thank goodness for the results of the ridiculous California recall election. What a waste of millions of dollars because a small minority of Californians didn’t like the Covid restrictions Newsom put into place. I’ve had it with these people. Truly. Howard Stern said something this week that really resonated with me. “When are we going to stop putting up with the idiots in this country and just say it’s mandatory to get vaccinated? F*** ’em. F*** their freedom. I want my freedom to live. I want to get out of the house already. I want to go next door to play chess. I want to go take some pictures. This is bull****.

That’s exactly how I feel. These people are holding us hostage. They’re also contributing to the unnecessary deaths of others. They’re clogging up hospitals, which – though they renounce science – they seem to be perfectly willing to run to when they’re sick with the very thing they didn’t want to get vaccinated for. One man with heart problems died because so many hospitals were full up with Covid patients and couldn’t admit him. That’s heartbreaking.

Enough, already. Either get vaccinated or stay in your house for the rest of your life. Those are your options. Of course, I am not including those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. They have no choice. However, if everyone got vaccinated, we could end this virus and those who cannot get vaccinated would be free to live their lives again.

I don’t know how many years I have left, but I sure as hell want to live them. I want to travel. I want to work. I want options. I don’t want to have to worry about yet another variant.

I’ll stop there. End of rant.

Sigh.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Don 51 Comments

Walking and Painting

September 7, 2021 at 9:58 am by Claudia

Lately, I’ve been walking a lot more. It’s good for me, of course, but I also want to get in shape for NYC, where I’ll be walking a lot, jumping on the subway, and walking some more. The pace in the city takes some getting used to – and you have to be in shape. Since it’s been more than a year and a half since I’ve done anything in the city, it’s time to take it up a notch.

Sometimes I walk by myself, but my favorite walks are with Don. Some photos from yesterday’s jaunt:

The creek and the river are back to normal.

There is an old grist mill across the street from us. It was in continual operation from around 1780 until not long before we moved here. It has since been converted to a restaurant under several owners. It looks like it didn’t recover from the pandemic as it’s closed. These hydrangeas are outside the entrance.

Standing on the grist mill deck. Our house is on the other side of those trees, just across the road. Hello, handsome!

I have a coaching session this afternoon with Ben.

I painted for a while yesterday afternoon and it was very calming. My anxiety has been flaring up again, so I’m seeking out activities that keep me grounded. Painting is one of them. Walking is another. As is mowing the lawn.

As is not watching or reading the news, which both of us – within reason – have vowed to do.

Hanging in there.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: Don, oil painting 16 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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