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You are here: Home / Archives for Meredith

On Friday

August 14, 2015 at 8:24 am by Claudia

I held off saying anything about this until my sister wrote about it and she now has. My nephew, her eldest son, was jumped by three strangers last weekend while walking a very short distance to the hotel he was staying in with his girlfriend’s family. They’d all been together for a family wedding in Columbus, which is where my nephew lives while attending Ohio State University. The three attackers appeared out of nowhere, beat him up, and left. It all happened within a minute. Maybe less. He was punched repeatedly in the face and kicked in the ribs. He’s okay. But his face is swollen, he has two black eyes, and very sore ribs.

He had been planning on coming home for a visit this week and he arrived the other day. Now Meredith can take care of him and make sure he’s recovering.

Attacking someone just to do it. Just for the thrill of it. That’s what happened. They didn’t take his wallet, they didn’t steal his phone. They just beat him up.

I’m sure you can imagine the words I have been using when speaking of the attackers. I won’t use them here. I’m furious and outraged and sad. My sweet and funny and kind nephew; I hate that he’s had to experience something like this. But thank God, he’s okay. There’s no lasting physical damage.

If you have the time, go on over to Meredith’s blog and give her a virtual hug, won’t you? She could use one. And send some love and healing to my nephew. Thank you.

8-14 hydrangea

I went to the eye doctor and had my eyes examined yesterday. After many years of needing no glasses for distance, my eyes have changed and now I should wear glasses for driving and watching a movie or a play. I could still pass an eye test for driving and recently did. But the fact is, I need them. And I also need glasses for reading, which I already knew. I got a nicely worded lecture on NOT using readers, which I have been wearing for a few years now. Guilty, as charged. I already knew I shouldn’t be wearing them, but budget constraints kept me from ordering real glasses. So, while the constraints are still holding us firmly in their grasp, I knew I had to get glasses. My eyes were getting tired and were not making the adjustment to distance after working online. And I’d noticed that I wasn’t seeing quite as clearly when driving.

Thankfully, they have different options there and I’ve order two pair in what are called Value Packs. So, while they aren’t completely inexpensive, they are much less expensive than a trendy frame, etc. They’ll do.

We talked about progressive lenses, but they’re much more expensive and you have to change the way you read, which is something I didn’t want to do. I decided to go with one pair for reading and one pair for driving. I did ask the doctor about computer screens and if they were seeing a whole new category of eye strain due to people spending hours on the computer and she said yes. Some people get glasses specifically for work at the computer and have another pair just for normal reading. Welcome to the 21st century.

It’s a beautiful day out there. I think it’s time to mow again.

There’s a book review up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – the first book in a great new series. Stop by.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Filed Under: flowers, Meredith 44 Comments

Roses and My Girl

May 24, 2015 at 9:16 am by Claudia

5-24 scoutina2

Just because.

She’s amazing, our girl. She has good days and not-so-good days, but she’s full of spunk and she makes us laugh. In a couple of weeks, she’ll be 16½ years old. We are so blessed by her presence in our lives.

Adorable, magical Scoutie.

My rose bushes are leafing out, slowly but surely. I was worried that the brutal winter did them in, but they’re coming back. I’ve been cutting dead canes here and there, but I’m also waiting to see where leaves develop before I do much more. Right now, there are a lot of bare branches – not the most attractive look – but mother nature seems to be doing her magic. Hurrah!

5-24 rose bud

My friend Martha sent me a rose bush last year in remembrance of my mom. It’s called Remember Me. We tucked it in next to the chicken wire fence and it rewarded us with a spectacular bloom.

Here we are, almost a year later, and look what I found! It’s already developed a bud. I can’t wait to see it bloom again. Thank you, Martha. Thank you for this wonderful remembrance of my mom.

Nothing all that exciting on the agenda for this Sunday. A little trip to the nursery for some plants for the Funky Patio. Some reading. Maybe a hike with Don? We’ll see.

Something happened that I find utterly despicable. It involves both the good and the bad of being online. Thank goodness for the blog reader who alerted my sister to the situation. It’s Meredith’s story to tell, so I will direct you to her post.

As you can imagine, I want to see scumbags like this pay for their actions.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, Meredith, Scout 35 Comments

Just Two More

May 1, 2015 at 8:36 am by Claudia

In the interest of being honest here, I feel like most of my subject matter for the last month has been my stuff: first, my egg cup collection, and then the McCoy collection. Then there are all the gifts I’ve been receiving lately, which have been delightful surprises, of course. I talk about them because I think it’s important to highlight both the giver and the gift in this space; to say thank you, both privately and online.

But I feel uncomfortable. Am I showing off too much? Do you read these posts and think, “Geez, this girl gets a lot of presents. Enough, already!”? (I think I’m breaking a rule or two by using an exclamation point, quotation mark, and a question mark in a row.)

If you had known me for a long time, you’d know I’m pretty self-effacing, an interesting quality in one who was an actress for a big chunk of her life. But actually, I know a lot of actors who are self-effacing – including my husband. I don’t like to show off or be in the spotlight.

So you can see why I worry just a tad about this sort of thing.

But if you came to my cottage, I’d share these things with you. And since I want this blog to be like a visit to the cottage, well…

That being said, will you excuse me if I share two things with you today? Pretty please?

I succumbed to another piece of McCoy. This one is a real gem. I’ve been wanting it for a long time.

5-1 newest mccoy

Isn’t it lovely? It’s about 6 inches high. Gosh darn it – I love the leaf and berry motif that is on a lot of McCoy Pottery.

5-1 newest mccoy rear

From the rear.

I’ve always thought of this vase as the companion piece to one I already had:

5-1 two together

They make sense together. Both have the leaves and berries, both are about the same height. They’re petite vases. As I was taking photos yesterday, I ended up setting them on this desk. I think I’ll keep them there.

Then, my sister (that scamp) sent me another  package this week. She is a talented knitter, crocheter and weaver, among other things. See what she made for me!

5-1 runner

A beautiful table runner. I have it folded in half in this photo because I’m still sick and I wasn’t up to tackling the stacks of mail, etc. that are currently on our kitchen table.

5-1 runner 2

Her work is so lovely, don’t you think? Thank you, dear sister, who always has several projects going, most of which you give away because you are that kind of person.

My greatest delight nowadays? Hearing my little nephew’s voice on the phone. That Little Z! I’m simply crazy about him, as is Don.

Okay.

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I’ve been talking about this on Just Let Me Finish This Page, but for those of you who don’t know about it, tomorrow is Independent Bookstore Day. Many, many bookstores around the country are planning events. Our Independent Bookstores are essential and must be supported in this age of chain stores and online monoliths. So go out tomorrow, stop by your local independent bookstore, buy a book, and thank them for all they do. Thank them for persevering. Thank them for the caring and personal relationship they have with their customers. Thank them for sharing their love of books and reading.

Do it.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: bookstores, china and pottery, collecting, McCoy pottery, Meredith 56 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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