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You are here: Home / life / Decorating, Sleep & The Porch

Decorating, Sleep & The Porch

November 19, 2025 at 9:41 am by Claudia

I started decorating the girls’ cubbies for Christmas.

It’s too dreary and dark today to get a better photo. That can only be done when we have late afternoon sun. But you get the idea. I’m trying to find the rest of my little deer(s). They must be upstairs in the jam packed closet. I managed to find the trees, but not the deer.

I have a confession to make. We have been watching the latest Ken Burns series on PBS – The American Revolution. As with all of Burns’ work, it is excellent. I learn so much. But every evening, I have fallen asleep in the middle of the two hour episode. Something about the darkened room, the gentle voices of Peter Coyote and assorted actors makes me conk out. And then when it’s time to go to bed, I can’t go to sleep. And then, like this morning, I feel sleep deprived and cranky. On the other hand, it could be a positive thing for some of you; if you’re having problems falling asleep at night, tune into an episode and turn off your lamps.

This is not a negative comment about the series, which we love. Don isn’t falling asleep. I am. But I may have to avoid watching it tonight.

It is now November 19th. We have had several days of high winds. When they began, I placed all the porch plants on the bluestone floor near the glider and the chair in order to protect them. Consequently, they’re still in bloom. I water them every few days but I do the bare minimum. And still they’re thriving!

On one hand, I love that. But winter is coming and I’m wondering just how long they’ll last. I am incapable, truly, of dumping a potted plant that is still alive. It’s not in me.

I’ll keep you posted.

Almost finished with the puzzle. I should finish it this morning. I already have another one on the way.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: life 18 Comments

Comments

  1. Barrie says

    November 19, 2025 at 9:50 am

    That sounds just like me! So often I fall asleep during a good show, or even a bad show, wake at different times, then can’t get back to sleep. I haven’t been watching the series but it sounds great… I put out a bottle brush tree the other day, will wait to put out the rest. Just a touch of Christmas!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 11:09 am

      A touch really helps, Barrie.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  2. kathy in iowa says

    November 19, 2025 at 10:20 am

    the little trees for the little girls look perfect. i have confidence that you will soon find the little deer. :)

    i know he has a team that helps, but that ken burns … he is definitely in the right job! i love his wonderful documentaries, and public television in general.

    hope you can re-watch whatever you missed and stay awake during programs you want to watch on tv. or, if you can’t, maybe ask don to give you a nudge …?

    and i feel the same way about plants. :(

    misty morning here and currently 44 degrees. went for a nice walk with my sister and that all felt good. now it’s time to cross things off my to-do list.

    hope you, don and everyone else have a good day and stay safe.

    kathy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 11:08 am

      Thank you, Kathy.

      And thank you for the birthday card!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  3. linda in ky says

    November 19, 2025 at 12:44 pm

    dear Claudia/Don — We do not do anything Christmasy until after Tgiving is done which happens here this wkend–all the children, spouses and gchildren must get some
    “special” Nannie/Pappaw attention !! will they ever outgrow it?? hope not b/c it is so important to all of us.
    I know you have a bday coming up — hope this will be a good day and year for you — Very Best Wishes to you.
    I also have a difficult time watching TV even GOOD programs but I can also fall asleep sitting at the computer — gets annoying to say the least (for me)!! I have to get up and move around to wake myself.
    do you have sweaters/coats for your girls? Sounds like we are going to need them. Stay safe/healthy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 6:13 pm

      We usually wait until the first week of December, but all bets are off this year.

      My girls have sweaters, but I’m too lazy to change their clothes right now.

      Stay safe, Linda.

      Reply
  4. Wendy T says

    November 19, 2025 at 1:32 pm

    We’re recording the American Revolution series to watch later, when there are fewer holiday hecticness. After visiting the small but mighty Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, I want to learn more.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 6:14 pm

      I used to live in Philadelphia. I went to grad school there and lived there for five years. I’ve had the honor of visiting everything American Revolution there.

      Stay safe, Wendy.

      Reply
  5. Ellen D. says

    November 19, 2025 at 2:54 pm

    I find my eyes getting heavy during that program also but I think it is marvelous and have learned to much that I was never taught.
    I have Thanksgiving at my home so Christmas decorations will go up after that.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 6:15 pm

      I agree. I learned so much.

      Stay safe, Ellen.

      Reply
  6. Elaine (in Toronto) says

    November 19, 2025 at 3:59 pm

    We’re watching Ken Burns’s “The American Revolution” too. So far have not fallen asleep but I’ve been known to fall asleep watching tv. Love your bottle brush trees. It’s difficult to say goodbye to plants you have nurtured all season with such care. Hugs, Elaine

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 6:16 pm

      Thanks so much, Elaine.

      It’s very hard to say goodbye and I won’t do that until they are dead. So it’s a waiting game.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  7. maria Dalessio says

    November 20, 2025 at 7:59 am

    Clauadia,

    Don’t feel guilty about falling asleep during the Ken Burns series. I live within walking distance to the Thompson house and Brewster house…and landmarks in my areas. Abraham Woodhull ….code name Samuel Culper. I start to watch and then …..fall asleep. It is a combination of the crackling sound of the small fireplace heater in my bedroom and the piles of quilts on my bed. I am starting to feel like hibernating This morning , I am going to the gym (maybe). Stay well.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 21, 2025 at 9:22 am

      Hibernation is definitely on the docket, Maria.

      Thank you.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  8. jeanie says

    November 20, 2025 at 9:23 am

    I agree on the Revolution! I nod off — not really fall asleep full stop, but out for a minute or two after the first hour. I suspect if I was multitasking, I wouldn’t. But I also wouldn’t be soaking in the whole of it. I have so much respect and admiration for Burns and I think he is a genius. I have since “Brooklyn Bridge” and “The Statue of Liberty,” pre “Civil War.” He brings history alive with all its warts and contradictions. Maybe it is Coyote’s voice. Who knows? Because it is all fascinating. That said, lately I’m only sleeping about six hours a night and by evening I’m whipped. We couldn’t watch last night so I will perhaps catch up on last night’s episode later on today — during the day! We’ll see how that goes!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 21, 2025 at 9:23 am

      Thanks so much, Jeanie.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  9. Irene dykstra says

    November 21, 2025 at 4:01 am

    Oh my, you have the neatest things and props. We made all kinds of things for our dolls and barbies, out of boxes and leftover fabrics and stuff. I have my first doll still. My mom didn’t have a problem leaving her doll in the Netherlands when they came to canada.
    I went from a girlie girl to a tomboy, then bit of a hippie and back to a feminine woman. Stages. I think I’ve always been accepted for being an individual.
    When you lived in Philly, did you run the steps like Stallone? That was Philadelphia wasn’t it? I haven’t been to the US much at all. It’s a big country. I think the Midwest would be nice, and the east. I have a brother-in-law in north Carolina.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 21, 2025 at 9:24 am

      I went to the Art Museum, but I walked up the steps.

      Thanks so much, Irene.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
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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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