Found this crabapple by The Dude on the edge of the Secret Garden. This is my favorite kind of crabapple because of those pink buds. It’s just like the one that was cut down by that idiot last spring. I miss that tree so much, but seeing this yesterday helped a bit.
Well, I’m done with the show. I drove to New Jersey, checked into the motel, checked out of the hotel, took notes at the show, and drove home late Tuesday night, getting home at 12:15 am. Too long a story as to why I decided to check out, but I’m glad I did. The show is in pretty good shape, needs a bit of tightening. The actors are doing well with the dialects, save for a few mistakes here and there.
One of the nicest things to happen on Tuesday was reconnecting with a former student from Boston University who works for the Paper Mill Playhouse as Production Manager. He came up to me and surprised me, and my goodness, it’s so wonderful to see former students again and find them happy and working in the theater. Mike lives with his wife and two kids fairly close to the theater. Confession: I’m always wondering if students from that time in my life are shocked at how much I’ve aged, my gray hair, etc. I’m always slightly embarrassed and then, because I’m insecure, I make jokes about it.
Speaking of former students, I posted this recently on Instagram:
Both Maura West and Cynthia Watros were students of mine at Boston University. And both have them have been working on soap operas for years. They are terrific actresses and human beings. Recently, Maura wrote me to tell me that she and Cynthia were on set one day and were reciting a monologue I assigned to them years ago. It’s from The Caretaker by Harold Pinter and I used it as tool to learn the Cockney dialect. 30+ years later, they both remembered every word! Maura said “We remembered and laughed together with such love for our memories of you!!”
Oh my. That fills my heart, it really does.
She also added that she’ll probably be ‘blathering it (the monologue) in the nursing home!” I get it, Maura. I still remember every word as well!
I worked outside yesterday, but I got tired fairly quickly. I’m just now coming out of that upper respiratory thing, and I was tired from my trip to NJ. Plus, every year at the beginning of gardening season, I realize I’m out of shape. I did clear a chunk of the big garden bed, annoying the robin who is adding to the nest on the shed as I traveled back and forth with a wheelbarrow.
It was also very windy. I wore a mask and sunglasses, but the pollen got to me. And my back, of course. Today, I think I’m going to go to the nursery and hope they still have pansies left. I’m about a week behind on everything around here.
Glad to be coming out of that dreadful illness. Glad to be home. Glad to finally start working outside. Grateful to have had employment.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
glad you are pleased with the show so far … and ran into a former student. and that you were able to get home sooner than expected (hopefully it wasn’t a creepy or dirty hotel, just a desire to be home).
nice that you and two other former students could connect (online), too. their words and reaching out say something good about your work/help to them and about you.
glad you are feeling better … finally.
also glad you could get out in the garden … i know that’s a happy place for you. also, the crabapple is beautiful. have fun pansy-shopping today.
we had lots of rain, lightning and thunder last night and i loved it! don’t know how much rain we received (over hours), but the ground is squishy and the creek (seen from some family members’ deck this morning) is full and flowing fast. now it is overcast, nice and cool … my favorite kind of weather. :)
hope everyone has a good and easy day.
stay safe, too.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy!
Stay safe.
hope don’s feeling better, too. and ready for the surgery and to soon get full use of his hand back!
my prayers continue for you all.
kathy
Yes, he’s feeling better, though this virus really hangs in there for a while. One week from today!
Stay safe, Kathy.
So many things to be grateful for, Claudia. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Hope Don is, too. Don’t overdo in the garden. It’s bright and sunny here today but on the chilly side. Take good care. Hugs, Elaine
Yes, it was quite chilly here for the past few days. Today will be warmer. I’m resting a bit today.
Stay safe, Elaine!
It feels so good to be home and working on your garden. I know you are grateful for the work but the commute is hard and the older we get the harder it is. Enjoy today and hopefully find some pansies.
I’m so much happier when I can work outside in the garden. It’s still very tiring work, but boy, am I happy out there.
Stay safe, Linda.
dear Claudia/Don–so glad your work time was a success — that pix of apple blossoms is so lovely — spring has always been my favorite time of the year –love the many shades of green, of course, was much better in my younger days b/f allergies – but I still love the season — glad you are feeling better, hope recovery continues. good luck to Don next week. stay safe/healthy
I love spring the best, though I find it interesting that I’m allergic to it!
Stay safe, Linda.
Glad you were able to get outside yesterday, even for a shorter while. Every bit helps at this time of year. We have been cleaning drawers and closets here, so haven’t done much outside. We do have 4 yards of mulch being delivered on Friday, so the gardens and bushes will get cleaned out as they get mulched. Kathy’s rain from Iowa has been coming this way over the past few days and everything is pretty soggy ~ but such pretty greening has occurred!! April showers…..
Glad your work in the city is done for now. I know how thankful you were for the job. Coming across previous students is always a joy. My husband encounters many and is always smiling when he comes home to tell me about them. Hope you were able to get some rest today!! Take care.
It’s wonderful to reconnect with students and I know your husband takes great delight in those encounters, as I do.
Stay safe, Chris.
That’s good news about the show and good news that you are home and finished! Well done — and fun reconnecting. Now, it’s garden time. Yes, the allergies and such are bad. My sinuses are exploding, ears plugged and I don’t see a weather change, though I’d love to be proven wrong. But like you, I am having a yen for pansies and may head to the garden center/nursery on Saturday if it’s not raining (again). I need their cheery faces!
Gratitude is good. So good.
Oh, the pansies I bought are SO cheery!
What a difference they make.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
What a gorgeous photo of the crabapple! How fun to connect with your former students…and to see how well they are doing! Glad you’re feeling better! Best to you and Don…and hoping his surgery goes well!
One week from today, Barrie.
We are looking forward to getting it done so he an start on the road to recovery.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Congratulations on making it through that frantic schedule and getting to the end of your illness. The photo of the crabapple tree is absolutely beautiful. Hope all goes well with Don, the upcoming weather will allow you proper time to catch up with your garden.
Yes, I am happiest when I’m outside tending to my garden and setting up the porch for the season.
Stay safe, Nora.