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You are here: Home / Archives for life

New Jeans: a Symbol of Re-Entry

September 20, 2021 at 10:07 am by Claudia

Today’s version of a foggy morning.

As I write this, the sun has finally broken through. The mornings are cooler now, but the temperature will go up to 76 today.

I was very busy yesterday, picking up some new jeans I’d ordered (I desperately needed them), running some errands, cleaning, doing laundry, unclogging the bathtub drain (success!), watering houseplants. Today I will be coaching Ben for an hour and figuring out where to get my COVID test on Friday. This is not the rapid test. It’s the PCR test, which needs to be done 72 hours before I report to work on Monday. Rapid tests are not a problem. The PCR can be, in terms of getting the results on time. So I have to do some research today and make some calls.

It will work out.

The problem with jeans – the kind that stretch, which I need these days – is that they eventually stretch out of shape. And then I end up looking like a misshapen old woman. Usually I ignore that fact because I’m always at home and Don doesn’t care. But now that I’m going out in the world for work, I need to look a bit more stylish. Actually, a lot  more stylish.

No news yet on Greta, though I did just see a comment on Facebook from my nephew’s wife saying that she was “slowly improving.”

I watched a hummingbird dine on my zinnias yesterday. And we’ve had a doe and her young fawns dining in the back forty. A lone monarch flitted though the garden. And I heard a Carolina wren singing yesterday morning. At this time of year, I’m so happy when I hear bird song, other than crows cawing which seems to be the predominant melody at this time of year.

Okay. I’m off to get ready for my coaching session.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 6 Comments

Mid-Week Ramblings

September 8, 2021 at 8:58 am by Claudia

This was the state of the sky on our walk the other day. I took the day off from walking yesterday, but I’m going to get back out there this morning before my coaching session. I like this kind of sky – deep, dark, foreboding. Interestingly, no rain occurred that day.

Today, on the other hand, we’re supposed to get big thunderstorms with gusty winds in the afternoon and early evening. And maybe a bit more rain tomorrow, then six or seven days in a row with no rain.

Don’s off to recycle. I’m going to try to get some chores done before I coach in the afternoon.

I’m still waiting for my doll to arrive. I’ve been tracking her journey from Liverpool to the States. There was a murky period there where England said it was ready to leave the country and the US said it had been notified that a package was being prepared and nothing happened for at least four days. Sort of like purgatory for international mail. But over the weekend, it was processed through JFK, then went to the Jamaica, Queens postal facility, then to Stamford, CT, then to Jersey City, NJ. Now it’s in Albany. I’m betting it gets here Friday. But – that being said – I’ve seen things leave Albany and end up in Springfield, MA for no rhyme or reason. The circuitous, sometimes baffling, journey of mail is weirdly fascinating. And often maddening.

Nothing else to report of any note. The new dollhouse is still filled with dishes of dried coffee grounds, hopefully absorbing all the musty smells. Since I’m busy with coaching, I’m not feeling impatient. I’m going to let those grounds sit there for a while.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 16 Comments

Shutting the World Out

September 5, 2021 at 9:37 am by Claudia

It’s a rainy Sunday morning, which is a relief. After lots of mowing yesterday that left us feeling very tired, we decided to take today off. It’s as if the universe is supporting that decision. Don mowed even longer than I did and I had to force him to stop. We still haven’t finished but we’ll get to the rest of it tomorrow or Tuesday.

Of course, I do have to work today as I have a Zoom session with the actor I’m coaching in the movie. But that’s only an hour or so and he’s delightful, so it will be fun.

And laundry. And dusting. And….

But still, no yard work!

It’s a quiet day. We’ve been talking a lot lately about our preference for Lockdown Mode. By that, I mean a bit more cut off from “the world” with a feeling of being snug and safe in our cottage. Turns out, we prefer it – at least for now. I guess I’m thinking about it a lot because I have to go out into the world for work in October, November, and December and that makes me uneasy. I would never turn down either opportunity, I’m grateful for them, and I will be masked in the rehearsal room for Anastasia, as well as on the movie set. The safety protocols for film are rigorous. But – I’ll be commuting around NYC, going to various locations, I’ll be around lots of people. After more than a year and a half of only working via Zoom, turns out I actually have to go out there to really do my job(s) and get paid. Who knew?

Also, of course, is the fact that world seems more insane by the moment. People are more insane. I’m so tired of it all and I know you are, too. There was a brief moment there, around the Inauguration, where I thought we might be relatively home free. Silly me. I’m tired of willful stupidity and ignorance. Tired of a barrage of misinformation. Tired of liars and cheats and those who want to overturn everything we hold dear. Tired of natural disasters. Tired of white men trying to tell women what we can or can’t do with our bodies, with the added bonus of putting a bounty on us. At times, I’m enraged.

Self care. That’s what we all need to do and that’s what I plan to do today and tomorrow. No news. N0 24 hour a day barrage of talking heads. Yesterday helped, as mowing the lawn, doing something physical, vacuuming, watering plants, etc., are all great ways to lose myself in the moment and shake off the world.

None of this is new, of course, It’s just what we’ve been confirming in the course of several conversations. Shutting the world out isn’t a bad thing.

Wanted to add that we’ve been watching a great French series on Netflix, Black Spot. It’s a mystery/police/detective series, set in a remote area of France, including a fair amount of magical realism. Beautifully captured on film, it’s full of wonderful actors and nifty plots. So far, there are two seasons. It definitely reminds me of Twin Peaks  in its humor, otherworldlyness (I think I made up that word) and dense forest setting full of mystery. We love it. And we’re due to finish it tonight and then I’ll be sad.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Filed Under: coaching, Don, life 34 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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