Don — Page 94

Morning Glories and Roseville

October 1, 2017 at 9:30 am by Claudia

I got home around 7:30 last night. Yes, a ten hour day for a less than 3 hour run-through. So it goes when commuting from the Hudson Valley. Anyway, it was that time when it was almost fully dark, but the morning glories were still open! I was grateful as they hadn’t opened yet when I left in the morning. I think they like this cooler weather with no late afternoon blazing sun that forces them to close.

This morning:

My cup runneth over. I also saw two robins and blue jay in the bird bath this morning. And I slept in. A nice way to start my Sunday morning.

Don is in the process of figuring out what he needs to bring home and what he’s taking on the tour. Then he will get in the car and drive home to the cottage for his day off. When he leaves tomorrow, he’ll leave the car and go back by bus.

I haven’t purchased any Roseville for a while, partly because of overpricing on eBay and partly because I just naturally seem to slow down after a while. Because I have a nice and varied collection, any new piece has to be something I really want. There are two patterns I really love that are hard to find and usually very pricey: Cherry Blossom and Morning Glory. I’ve had a couple of ‘almost got it’ experiences with Morning Glory, but alas, nothing yet.

But I finally got my piece of Cherry Blossom, which comes in two colors; a brown background and a blue background, actually closer to aqua.

I think you know which one I’ve been coveting.

It was waiting for me when I got home last night. It’s a smallish piece – it measures 5″ across. It’s unmarked, as many of the Cherry Blossom pieces are.

Isn’t it beautiful? I’m so happy to add it to my collection.

I’m struck by how much heavier Roseville pieces (and for that matter, McCoy as well) are than pottery made today. There’s such a solid feeling. This small piece weighs three times as much, for instance, as a similar sized pot made today and sold at Anthropologie or West Elm. Another instance of ‘they just don’t make ’em like they used to.’

Also, that Ohio clay was perfect for pottery.

I’m going to enjoy this day with Don, as I won’t see him for a few weeks after tomorrow. I have booked my flights to and from New Orleans. I’ll be there from the 19th to the 27th. I’m very excited!

Happy Sunday.

On Monday

September 25, 2017 at 9:14 am by Claudia

I just spent some time on the porch with my husband, drinking our second cup of coffee. He leaves in about an hour for the city. We had a lovely day yesterday. Too short, but we’re grateful, nonetheless. I baked him some more cookies and biscuits, so he’s set for the week.

The gift that keeps on giving. I thought this morning glory would never bloom, now there are buds everywhere. What a blessing as we move into Autumn!

And the hollyhock just keeps blooming. It’s rather amazing! I hope it comes back next year.

It’s still unbelievably hot around here and it looks like it won’t ease up until the end of the week. I’m over it. Yes, I’m finally officially ready for fall and cool, crisp weather. Don mowed a bit yesterday and he couldn’t get over how hot it was – it was 90 degrees in the late afternoon. Enough, already!

I’m contemplating starting to paint another wall in the kitchen this week. I’m going to take it slow; it will be an ongoing project, with the cupboards being the biggest challenge. Walls first. Cupboards later.

This was my view the other evening when I went outside to deposit some trash in the trash can. So lovely.

I see that Don has just finished cleaning the gutters, bless him. I have to go so I can say goodbye for another week. And then I’ll start raking up those leaves!

Happy Monday.

New York, Flowers, Leaves & Henry

September 19, 2017 at 10:14 am by Claudia

I snapped this very quickly yesterday morning as I made my way to my car and a trip to the city. Two beauties! Today, as I look out my kitchen window, I see another bloom. They started blooming very late, but I must say that lateness has turned into a blessing. Beautiful new flowers every day as I see everything else slowly fading. And falling. I can’t tell you how many leaves there are on the ground. Leaves that I have to rake today.

I had a very good day yesterday coaching dialects on a production of Shadowlands, which is a play based on the unexpected meeting and marriage of C. S. Lewis and Joy Gresham. It’s a lovely play and the cast is terrific. I’ll probably go in again later in the week to finish some work with the actress playing Joy. My rehearsal was only a few city blocks from Don’s. Don is rehearsing in the same studios where Anastasia rehearsed and where I’ve worked more times than I can count on various productions – it’s perfect for musical theater because of the large rehearsal rooms.

I had no idea when he was going to be released and as I walked out of the rehearsal studio at around 4 pm, heading toward the bus terminal, I texted him. Turns out he was finished and just about to leave, so we met up on 42nd Street and had a quick bite to eat together. After all these years, when we see each other in the course of a work day, in a place other than our home, we’re surprised and delighted. Then I headed for the bus (managed to catch one just about to leave) and Don headed for his bus.

And there we are.

Today I plan on raking and mowing and running to the grocery store. Exciting, right?

Oh. The other day I looked out the living room window and who did I see?

Mister Henry, dining on some of the grass near the Funky Patio. I’m always delighted to see our friend, so I grabbed my iPhone. One of the windows was open and as I snapped the picture, from several feet away and inside the house, Henry heard it and ran for cover. That boy can hear everything. I cursed myself for not muting the phone before I took the picture because I don’t like disturbing him when he’s brave enough to get that close to the house. I’ve been known to delay something for a half hour or more when I see him out there.

Anyway, I’m always comforted that he’s alive and kicking and happy in his home under the shed.

Happy Tuesday.

Morning Glories and Roseville

On Monday

New York, Flowers, Leaves & Henry

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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