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Family

November 13, 2017 at 10:04 am by Claudia

Yesterday was all about family. We had breakfast with Mere, John and my nephews. I’m so proud of those boys. My two older nephews are really lovely young men and all-around good guys. Having the luxury of time to talk with them – on Saturday night and yesterday morning – was a gift. After breakfast, John and the older boys took off for the Bears/Packers game and Mere, Don, Little Z and I chatted a bit longer. Then Don left for his matinee and, since Little Z was really under the weather, we went up to the hotel room and hung out there.

Poor boy.

That’s all the energy he could summon up.

Mere texted me this morning from the airport – Little Z is feeling a bit better, thank goodness. I’m sad that they’re gone. In a perfect world, we’d all be living in the same community, but in my family, we all live far away from each other.

The lower lip.

He’s so much taller! He’s still a bit of a peanut, but his legs are longer. Still has the best eyebrows I’ve ever seen. And the most expressive. Oh, and the most beautiful thick fringe of black eyelashes.

Let’s face it. He’s a beautiful boy.

I downloaded the Uber app so I could grab a ride from the hotel to our apartment and I told Mere that I’d better get going so that I could beat the crowd at the end of the football game. Too late. When I got downstairs, I saw scores of fans streaming out of the park, so I had to wait about 20 minutes for my ride. But my driver was great and I had a great time talking with him. I love Uber, but there’s not a big call for it back home in our little town. NYC? Yes.

Around about Don’s dinner break, I walked over to the theater and met him at the stage door and we grabbed a bite to eat.

My view walking back across the Chicago River.

Chicago is a gorgeous town. I’m enjoying my time here. I’ve been here a lot over the years but this two-week opportunity to explore the city is a gift. I’m grateful.

Today is Don’s day off. Yay!

Happy Monday.

Tagged With: chicagoFiled Under: Don, Little Z, Meredith, On The Road 30 Comments

Chicago: Breakfast, Coat Shopping, Dinner with Family

November 12, 2017 at 9:48 am by Claudia

Breakfast yesterday was at the famous Lou Mitchell’s. In business since 1923, it’s a Chicago legend. While you’re standing in line, you are served a donut hole. You get a little box of Milk Duds. And the food is fabulous. Truly the best omelet I’ve ever had. (Obviously, I’m not vegan on the road.)

We have a new favorite.

We walked across the river to Randolph Street where the theater is located.

And then walked over to Macy’s (formerly Marshall Fields – I still mourn that loss to this day) and did a little shopping. I needed a winter coat, a cloth coat, so that I wasn’t limited to my very casual jacket. They had a big, big sale going on and I found a dreamy coat – very stylish – from DKNY. I’m in love with it. Sometimes, there are pieces of clothing that make you feel glamorous. That’s how this coat makes me feel.

I also bought some Frango Mints; my favorite chocolates, and a must buy when I visit Marshall Fields. There, I said it. Marshall Fields. It will always be that for me.

Then Don had rehearsal and I walked to Whole Foods to get some much needed groceries.

Then dinner with the family, which was sheer heaven. I cannot tell you how much it mean to me to see so many of my family members gathered together. My brother and parents were smiling up there in Heaven, of that I am sure. We had a great evening together and Don managed to spend a good hour or so with us before he had to leave for the theater.

What a handsome group! Today I’ll spend some time with Mere and Little Z. He, unfortunately, didn’t feel at all well last night, he’s coming down with a cold. So he wasn’t his usual funny, bouncy self. Poor guy. But Uncle Don and Aunt Claudia managed to make him laugh a wee bit.

Don says the audiences here in Chicago have been fantastic. Last night’s lucky audience members got to see Jimmy Buffett and Lin-Manuel Miranda watch the show and join the cast on stage for the curtain call and a round of Margaritaville. (Wish I’d been there!)

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Don, Escape to Margaritaville, family, On The Road 46 Comments

On Thursday

November 2, 2017 at 9:09 am by Claudia

This morning’s view (taken just a few minutes ago) of the living room. After a gray and rainy day yesterday, it looks like the sun is going to make an appearance.

Don is in the middle of all the celebrations going on in Houston. Congrats to the Astros! This morning, as I came downstairs, I remembered everything Houston has been through this year and, though this victory doesn’t set everything to rights, it sure must help to be able to celebrate something wonderful.

By the way, the cast of Margaritaville got a VIP tour of NASA yesterday – they got to see some stuff that one doesn’t see on the standard tour. Don had a great time. NASA even had a welcome to the cast message, with the show’s logo, on their monitor in Mission Control. Somebody bought me a T-shirt. He also got a few little presents for our Little Z. He’s a good uncle.

I’ve been bringing this plant back from the almost-dead. It’s one of the two plants that Don didn’t water when I was in Hartford. Remember? One did bite the dust, but this one had life in it so I took it back to Hartford with me. There are still bits of brown that I am hesitant to pull out because there’s often green growth further along on the stem.  It’s so much better than it was!

I have errands to run today and, I think, dinner with Rick and Doug tonight. I leave for Chicago a week from tomorrow. It’s a pretty quick turnaround. But there’s a family gathering planned for the day after I get there and I don’t want to miss it. My niece and nephew will be there with their families, as well as Mere and her family.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Don, houseplants 30 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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