flowers

Wednesday Thoughts

March 23, 2016 at 10:16 am by Claudia

3-23 moon

Last night’s moon rising over the back forty. It was so beautiful!

3-23 hollyhocks

• Dare I hope that the self-seeded hollyhock is coming back? It sure looks that way.

3-23 lilacs1

• Checking in on the lilac bush: leaves and buds.

3-23 lilacs2

3-23 lilacs3

• I know the calendar indicates that Spring has arrived, but I always check my gardens to confirm that fact. The Day Lilies, Sedum, and Catmint are all showing new growth. But it’s not yet time to uncover the garden beds, which are covered in leaves and mulch. In a couple of weeks, yes. But not yet.

• We went to the bookstore yesterday because I wanted to find an adult coloring book. Don already has one, courtesy of my sister. More colored pencils were purchased at Michael’s. As I walked around the bookstore, I saw two books that have just been published – both by rather well-known 30-ish bloggers. They are beautifully designed and I’m sure the authors are thrilled, but once again, I looked through them and saw nothing I didn’t already know. They’re supposedly full of tips and helpful ideas about decorating (in one case) and living a simple life in a small apartment (in the other.) I can only conclude they are meant for a younger generation of readers who haven’t yet discovered these rather rudimentary facts. I must confess, I don’t get it. I suppose it’s part of the cycle of life.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun?

3-23 confederateflag

• From our road trip: Really?

This was in Virginia and I thought I saw a sign that said something about the Confederate States of America…so maybe it’s considered a historic site.

Nonetheless…

3-22 me and Z

• For Meredith, who didn’t like yesterday’s picture which showed her in pajamas (not that anyone would have known that.) Here’s one you took of me in my pajamas with Little Z. It’s blurry, but now we’re even.

• I usually showcase my eggcup collection on the blog at this time of year. This year, I’ve been sharing a few favorites on Instagram. You’re welcome to follow along if you’re not already a follower. Click here.

• But all this seems trivial when I think of the tragic events in Brussels. My heart breaks for all those who have suffered loss and who saw things they should never have to see. Prayers and hope for peace. That’s all I can say.

Oh, I can say one other thing. Seizing on that tragedy and using it for fearmongering in order to drum up votes? Despicable.

Happy Wednesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

February 15, 2016 at 8:14 am by Claudia

Both of these photos were in Instagram yesterday, but since I shouldn’t assume that you saw them, I’ll share them with you.

I ended up taking the day off yesterday, since the actors are doing well and I felt I could give them a day off from my note taking. My stomach was acting up, a reaction not unexpected after the stress of losing Scout. I was tired and worn out and I just needed a quiet day. Knowing that I have to teach a Master Class this morning had something to do with it as well. I needed to rest so that I would be able to function at my best today.

When I shared that decision with Don, he sort of hesitated and when I asked why, it turned out he had sent me flowers which would be waiting for me at the theater box office. So I bundled up and ran over there to pick them up.

2-15 valentine flowers

They’re beautiful. He asked the florist to include one white rose (which you can’t see in this photo.) We exchanged a single white rose on our wedding day.

The afternoon light prompted me to take this photo:

2-15 stilllifewithroseville

“Still Life with Roseville.”

I like the way the texture of the green leaves is echoed in the background texture on the Roseville vase. I didn’t plan it that way, it just is.

I’m off to get ready for my class.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Back in Town

January 26, 2016 at 8:54 am by Claudia

I’m back in Hartford. My trip back included a stop at the post office to mail the green scarf to its new owner, a stop at the gas station to fill ‘er up, a stop at my local supermarket to buy some Peet’s FR and Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa as well as fresh vegetables, brown rice and other essentials, and a stop at Trader Joe’s for a couple of things, but mostly fresh flowers.

I pulled into the parking lot at the apartment building at 4 pm. Perfect. I like getting back in time to relax, have dinner, take a bubble bath and get a good night’s sleep so that I’m fresh and ready for the next day’s work.

As I was taking my trash bag to the trash room, I saw this (I ran back to the apartment to get my iPhone.)

1-26 sunset over the capitol

Sunset over the Capitol Building.

1-26 red alstro

More flowers.

1-26 white stock

And more flowers. I now have three vases full of beautiful flowers and oh, what a difference it makes in a temporary living space.

I also grabbed couple of smallish potted plants at the grocery store, loaded them into my cart, and they are now sitting in front of the windows. I’ll get some photos of them today.

I’ll be here for another month, so the more I can do to make this space home, the better. But I only purchase things I’ll also use at home. The plants will probably end up in the shared office space back at the cottage. (I said a brief hello to it yesterday. Sob.) Everything else that I’ve added to this space has been brought from home. I’m fortunate in that I can load my car up and drive everything here. But even when I was spending ten weeks or six months coaching in San Diego, I managed to do the same thing. I sent a couple boxes of things from home that I wanted around me and I filled in the rest with a couple of visits to IKEA. Everything I purchased there has since been used in the cottage. No waste. If it won’t work in both spaces, I don’t buy it. (If the job is less than three weeks, I’ll usually refrain from bringing anything, though I’ve been known to pick some wildflowers and put them in a jar.)

One other addition:

1-26 Wayfrum

Wayfrum Holmes. After apologizing to him profusely for actually considering being here without him, I nestled him in the car and here he is.

For those of you who are newer readers, several years ago – in 2009 – I had to work away from home for six months. Don gave me this little bear so that I’d have someone to cuddle when I was missing the dogs and him. When I mentioned that he needed a name, Don came up with Wayfrum Holmes. Usually Wayfrum is accompanied by Maggie Rabbit and a little lamb, but this time, I decided that Wayfrum and I needed some quality time together – just the two of us.

Thank you for your kind words yesterday. It’s a tough time right now, with some good days and some bad days for our girl. Yesterday was a wee bit better for her. Lately, the stuff of life has been a bit too much for yours truly.

But, I’m very grateful for my work and the opportunity to work here on this beautiful masterpiece of a play. That is a blessing. As is my supportive and incredible husband.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Wednesday Thoughts

Flowers

Back in Town

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives