friends — Page 19

Flowers and Friends

December 11, 2015 at 7:59 am by Claudia

12-11 instagrammy picture of LR

This is another Instagram photo that I’d also like to share here in this space. Real Life, my friends. Lots of little rugs for Scout, Don’s guitar on the loveseat, Scout snoozing, air conditioner still in the window, assorted clutter on the kitchen table.

But I love the golden light. When the sun pours in the windows here, it’s truly lovely.

And look at this!

12-11 geranium

The geranium plant that was hanging on the porch is still blooming! I brought it indoors and it’s gorgeous red blossoms are really adding some cheer around here.

12-11 geranium2

This is the time of year when I can no longer garden, when I can’t take a quick picture of whatever is blooming at the moment, so I hunker down and concentrate on the inside of the cottage. I start to nest in earnest; gathering, collecting, rearranging. I think we all do – at least those of us who live in wintery areas of the country.

But I haven’t done one bit of Christmas decorating yet. Not one. We’ve barely talked about presents. It’s the way it is this year.

Speaking of presents, Don has a great friend who is a fellow musician. His name is Fran. I also know Fran and he’s a great guy. Remember those donuts I love so much that are made fresh every day in our neighboring town? Well, Don and Fran often meet at the donut shop for coffee and donuts and talk. I benefit from these meetings because Don brings me a chocolate glazed donut. Heaven.

Anyway, yesterday Don came home with a donut and little bag and said that Fran had sent me something – something that was on his mantel that he thought I would like. (Don told me that Fran occasionally reads my blog, which surprised and delighted me.) Fran knows I love pottery, and this was what was wrapped up inside of that bag:

12-11 gift from Fran

This beautiful little piece of cobalt blue pottery. It looks like it might be a cruet of sorts. Isn’t it lovely? There’s no mark on the bottom. I love the graceful curves and the elegance of the design.

I was so taken by this wonderful surprise. Thank you, Fran, for thinking of me and sharing this little treasure. I will think of you every time I look at it.

Aren’t people wonderful?

Book Review of two books by M. J. Arlidge on Just Let Me Finish This Page.

Happy Friday.

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The CD Release Party

October 18, 2015 at 9:24 am by Claudia

Last night’s CD Release Party was simply incredible.

Magical. That’s the word I kept using. Magical. I couldn’t find a better one.

The restaurant was full of friends and supporters and singers and songwriters. The Hudson Valley has a thriving music scene and the level of talent continues to amaze and delight me.

Don had set up the evening to include performances by his fellow musicians. First up, was Montgomery Delaney, then Dave Kearney and Elly Wininger (Small Engine), then Open Book (Rick and Michele Gedney), then Marji Zintz – all of them sang two songs and all of them had completely different styles. Extraordinary. Don introduced each of the acts, telling a little story about his connection to them, how they have influenced his musical journey.

Then, I got up and introduced Don and Dan and they performed all ten cuts from their album, plus, after a standing ovation, an encore.

10-18 open book

Rick and Michele Gedney, known as Open Book. Simply exquisite. Rick was also intimately involved in this CD as it was recorded and mixed in his studio. He is so talented! And to add to all of his skills, he is a gifted landscape painter and I would love nothing more than to own one of his paintings.

10-18 marji zintz

Our extraordinarily talented friend, Marji Zintz. She is a chanteuse, singing intricate, sexy, jazzy songs that cast a spell on you.

10-18 donanddan

The stars of the night: Don and Dan.

And yes, he is hot.

10-18 donanddanandrick

Don, Rick and Dan.

I’ve witnessed many moments of joy and delight in the years I’ve been with Don. But last night might be one of the most joy-filled evenings I’ve ever been a part of. He was so moved by the support of his friends, by the performances of his fellow musicians, by, as he said, ‘a dream fulfilled.’

The entire evening, from start to finish, was magical. I am so, so happy for my husband. And for Dan. But seeing my husband so moved, with tears in his eyes? I’ll never forget it.

We’ll be talking about it for days to come, that I know.

Hard freeze last night. I’m just about to go take the sheets off. I almost resigned to the fact that my plants might be done. The catalpa is shedding hundreds of leaves as I write this.

That, my friends, is not making me happy.

The zinnias didn’t make it, and I don’t think the morning glories did, either. We’ll wait and see. But the geraniums in the barrels are hanging in there. And all of the porch plants are safely inside the house, making it look like a jungle.

Thank goodness I have memories of last night to balance everything out.

Happy Sunday.

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Autumnal Light

September 21, 2015 at 8:40 am by Claudia

9-21 late summer hydrangea

I’ve been exploring the autumnal light that comes in very late afternoon. It’s bright and golden with that sort of autumn tinge that tells me the seasons are changing.

Yesterday, as if a switch was suddenly flipped, the temperature dropped to the low seventies and last night the temps were in the fifties. Hello, Autumn!

The garden beds are flashing a flower here and there, but basically, they’re getting ready to go to sleep. Henry/Henrietta has been spotted chowing down more than a few times a day. I suppose he/she is getting ready for hibernation.

The doves came back to the birdbath last night.

9-21 late summer zinnias

Our dear friend, Adrian, came to visit us yesterday and stayed with us last night. Adrian (who coincidentally has the same last name as Don) has been friends with Don for over 40 years and with me for over twenty. He’s such a great guy – an actor, like Don. In fact, I’ve coached him out at the Old Globe. He’s been filming a movie about Ernest Hemingway over the past few years in which he plays Hemingway. After a long and sometimes stressful period of filming and not filming and waiting to start again (they filmed at Hemingway’s home in Cuba) the final editing has been finished and Papa had a screening at a film festival in Boston on Thursday. We’re so excited for him! It will premiere in Havana. Fingers crossed for all that is good for our friend.

9-21 zinnia and fly

I’m halfway through Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon. It’s a lovely and gentle read. I believe it will be officially released tomorrow. A review on Just Let Me Finish This Page tomorrow.

Don’s new CD, Ready for the Radio, has been mastered and will now be duplicated, printed and packaged. Whoo hoo! It is really, really well done. Both Don and Dan have poured their considerable talents into this recording and I can’t wait until I can hold it in my hands.

Happy Monday.

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Flowers and Friends

The CD Release Party

Autumnal Light

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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