On The Road — Page 10

The Kitchen and Our Trip to Phoenicia

February 25, 2020 at 11:11 am by Claudia

I felt the need for flowers yesterday. Two reasons come to mind; the gorgeous 61 degree weather we had yesterday, and I wanted to see a vase of flowers on the island. More expensive than Trader Joe’s, but when you figure in the money I have to pay for gas to drive an hour to get there, it all evens out.

I love our kitchen. I’m in love with our kitchen. And I know that it doesn’t look like any other kitchen. I don’t want a space that could be anywhere. I see a lot of those in magazines and on Instagram. I want it to be our space, unique to us. It’s a work in progress, but we’re very happy with it as it is.

A few pictures from our trip to Phoenicia.

The Phoenicia Diner, with someone you know walking to our car.

I love places that have older waitresses that have clearly worked there for a long time. This place was packed, with a 20 minute wait for a table, and they were working hard. Nevertheless, they were so friendly and helpful and down-to-earth. The food is terrific.

On the way into the little main street area.

My just under 6’5″ husband looks petite here.

Loved this charming little house. The colors used are wonderful.

Likewise here, in this bed and breakfast.

Check out that intricate detail on the trim.

We were intrigued by this theater. It’s a community theater that has its own performing space. They’re currently raising money to redo the exterior. There are a lot of New York actors who have weekend homes in this county and several of them (some of whom we know and have worked with) have participated in benefits and readings to help raise funds for the theater. We plan to go see something there whenever their next season starts.

Both of us have roots in community theater and we believe in it and what it offers to the the many people who aren’t necessarily professional actors, but have talent and a desire to perform or design or direct or run lights and sound, not to mention what it offers to the community. In some ways, it reminds me of a clear and unadulterated time in my life – by that I mean when I worked 40 hours a week doing something I disliked, and used every bit of my spare time to do what I really loved. 40 hours in the office, an additional 20 or 30 in evening and weekend rehearsals. Driving long distances in order to act. Don had the same experience early in his career; none of the complexities and, frankly, BS, that comes with a professional career. We did it because we loved it. We met and worked with wonderful people. Becoming a professional was the goal in our case, but we now really appreciate and miss that time when we worked with no pay, just because we loved it so. I worked with some incredibly talented people, who, for whatever reason, chose to do it on the side.

Anyway, we got nostalgic. We still are, a few days later. Phoenicia is a community that has a strong artistic presence. There is some sort of society there for the voice – as in singing – and they’re going to perform Tosca! I suspect we’ll discover more when spring and summer come because it’s a tourist area as well. Lots of fly fishing and camping and tubing.

Okay, I better hit publish!

Happy Tuesday.

Back Home

February 7, 2020 at 10:52 am by Claudia

Late start this morning. I slept in until 8 am – a true rarity. After the past two days of very little sleep and the intensity of the trip to Hartford and back yesterday, I was well and truly wiped out.

The weather was a huge factor in my drive yesterday. On the way to Hartford, it was foggy and hard to see. On the way home, at night, it was raining heavily and I could barely see the white lane markers on the highway. I was so tired and tense from the journey that my muscles ached when I got home. But I did get home and boy, was I happy to see my husband open the door when he heard my car in the driveway. It really feels as if I ran a race yesterday. The actual work, watching the run-through, taking notes, and talking to the actors, was relatively easy. The show is in good shape and the cast is doing terrific work. It was just the other stuff that was hard; trying to find a moment to eat something, the terrible weather, the long drive.

It’s done and I did it all on my own, despite an offer from Don to come with me. So I’m giving myself a little pat on the back. But just a little one.

I arrived home and Don shared the news that a friend of ours, Mike Kruglinski, had died. Mike lived in our town, was very active in politics (which is how we met him) and was one of the kindest men I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. His spirit was so joyful and positive. He had been fighting cancer. Mike’s wife, Diane, sometimes reads this blog. My heart goes out to his family. He will be sorely missed. Last year, we lost another member of our Democrat Committee, Barbara Sides. Too much loss.

Another of Don’s friends here in town is battling cancer. Another, back in California, has serious heart problems.

It’s all too much sometimes. Our prayers and thoughts are with all who suffer loss and who are faced with illness.

Don is reading Walden and he really loves it. I should read it again because I read it in high school, when it was an assignment, and I know I would get much more out of it at this point in my life. We spent this morning talking about books and the power of reading, the intimacy that comes with reading the words on a page – just you and the book and your reaction to those words. It’s such a blessing, reading. Especially in these times.

I’m almost done with Transcription and then I’ll move on to The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. Come to think of it, except for some small chores that need to be done, that’s how I’m going to spend my day.

Happy Friday.

On The Road in the Rain

February 6, 2020 at 8:08 am by Claudia

From a local new and used bookstore., where we stopped the other day so Don could replenish his TBR stack. He bought Walden, which he has never read. We also stopped and had a late breakfast. We never go out to eat or to the movies. So we thought, given our car issues, that we deserved a small – and inexpensive – treat.

Don’s car is back. My new tires are on my car. It sure makes a difference in the way it rides. I’m going to have to drive to Hartford today. The weather, though still bad, isn’t as bad as predicted. We will have heavy rain today, but by the time I leave, the freezing rain will be long gone.

I’m so exhausted, though. This was the second night in a row where I didn’t sleep nearly enough. But it’s either today or tomorrow and if I went tomorrow I’d have to spend the night in order to pass notes along to the actors the next day. I’d rather not spend the night since I’m going to have to do that next week. So, I’m going to pray for the strength to get through this very long day. I’m relieved about the weather, though it will still be dark and rainy when I’m driving home tonight.

Sigh. This has been a difficult week, to put it mildly.

Tomorrow, I plan to take it easy all day long.

Okay friends. I have to get going. Wish me luck today!

Happy Thursday.

The Kitchen and Our Trip to Phoenicia

Back Home

On The Road in the Rain

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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