No photos today. I’m just not up to it.
This has been an extremely hard week, emotionally. My friend and colleague died much too young and the reality of that loss has been heartbreaking. And last night, I learned that a show I worked on, which was transferring to Broadway, is suddenly NOT going to Broadway. I can’t discuss details and to be perfectly honest, I don’t know them. I hope to know eventually. Believe me, this was happening soon, at the beginning of March. I was looking forward to more work, another Broadway credit, and being reunited with the wonderful cast of actors. They are, and I quote, ‘gobsmacked.’ They’re devastated. This news, while very upsetting for me personally, has a much more devastating impact on all of them. They thought they were moving the show to Broadway and now they’re not.
I had trouble sleeping last night and I’m still rocked by this news today.
I’m 70 years old. I still want and need to work, both for creative and financial reasons. I was counting on a little more income, knowing that as a freelancer, there are no guarantees for the rest of the year. Don hasn’t worked in over 4 years, which is heartbreaking and frustrating for him. I’m praying things turn around for him this year. He, like me, needs to work. He needs to do what he he does so well. So the cancellation of potential income for us has left me very, very sad.
Anyway, this news came my way late last night. I’ve definitely shed some tears over it.
One other thing: I mentioned in the comments yesterday that I was concerned about regular reader Chris K in Wisconsin. I was suddenly aware that I hadn’t seen a comment from her in a long time and when I looked it up, I saw that the last comment was on November 23rd. Donnamae, another reader from Wisconsin, and Shanna were also concerned. So I wrote to Chris. I don’t want to divulge too many details until I’m sure it’s okay with Chris, but on Thanksgiving day, she suddenly had trouble moving and walking and she was rushed to the hospital. She had lots of tests, and after about two weeks in the hospital, she was moved to Rehab. She’s still there, but she assures me that PT and OT have really helped and she is doing much better. She did say she could use our prayers, so let’s send them her way. We love you, Chris!
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
What a disappointment for you and everyone who was working on your show. Heartbreaking for all.
I think that is so kind of you to reach out to one of your readers who had not commented for a period of time. I am sure your actions lifted her spirits. That action says a lot about who you are and it is all good.
I hope Don finds an acting job that suits him, sooner than later.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you for your kind words, Kaye.
Stay safe!
So sorry to hear about Chis, but it sounds like she’s working through it. Thinking healing thoughts and best wishes for her now. Those hospital and rehab stays are tough, as I know so well.
Also sorry to hear about your troubles and losses, Claudia. Life is just so hard sometimes and the winter blahs don’t help at all.
This morning I woke up to a pair of cardinals on my front gate. I’m taking that as a good omen.
I believe I saw a photo of that cardinal. I saw one last week, along with a bluejay and three bluebirds (they’re never here during spring and summer.) Thanks for bringing that up! It reminds me to remember the birds when I’m feeling down.
Stay safe, Shanna.
So sorry about your latest news. How upsetting and disappointing. And, your loss of a good friend. Sending love and prayers. Also, prayers for Chris and her recovery. šš»ā¤ļø
Thank you so much, Liz.
Stay safe.
Sending prayers for Chris. I’m also sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and your upsetting news regarding work, Claudia. Gray winter days definitely make everything worse, but you never know what good things are just around the corner. You and Don are both so talented – I truly believe – and pray – something will come along.
Thank you, Jenny.
Stay safe!
i echo what’s been said here already.
prayers for work/other good news for you and don, the cast and crew of that show, everyone.
thanks again for reaching out to chris.
and chris, we’ll plan on seeing you back here soon. keep healing and know lots of prayers have been said and will continue for you. wisconsin and iowa aren’t too far apart … please let me know if there is anything i can do for you!
kathy
Chris will be back, bless her. She reads the blog and the comments every day, even while in rehab.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Best wishes to Chris!
I agree with the other commenters about this dreary winter not being the best mood elevator. Just seeing the daylight hours last longer is an improvement! I hope that you and Don are able to keep your spirits up, and that better things are in store for you as the year moves along.
Thank you, Lynda. It’s hard to keep the mood up in gray January, but I’ll endeavor to do that.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’m so sorry to hear of the show not going to Broadway…that must be disappointing. I hope more work comes your way soon…for you and Don. Best wishes to Chris.
It’s devastating, Barrie. No other way to put it.
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Stay safe.
Prayers for Chris. Prayers for you and Don. Whew. It has certainly been two weeks. Thank for for my family here the little boys are sweeties and now the Indy group coming.
It has been tough, lately.
Glad you’ll be reunited with your family, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Claudia. Frustrationsā¦and so many kind readers to share them with. How nice you noticed someone from this wonderful group having her own difficulties and allowing us a chance to reach out to her as well. I wish all of you, Claudia, Don, the show members, Chris and all your readers some lightness in the days ahead. Verna
Thank you for your kind words, Verna.
Stay safe.
I am so sorry for all of these events. Life just isn’t fair sometimes. This dreary weather is not helping to elevate moods. I wish we would get a nice deep white fall of snow to cleanse our region.
My prayers go out to the cast and crew, Don, Chris and to you for better times to come soon.
All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. I use Julian of Norwich’s words for a calming mantra often especially this winter.
The weather report says tomorrow it will be unseasonably warm. I hope you will be able to go on a nice long walk. <3 Betsy
Thank you so much, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Sorry to hear about your sad news. Sending get well wishes to Kris, hope you are feeling stronger every day. Jen
Thank you, Jen.
Stay safe.
Lots to unpack here. I am sorry to hear that the playās opportunity to move to Broadway got cancelled. More so for the actors, and for your loss of potential income. I hadnāt realized it had been four years since Don had worked. Thatās a long dry spell.
Iām also very sorry to hear about Chris. Oh my! It is good to hear though that the rehab is working, and that sheās reading the blog. Hi Chris! Wishing you a speedy recovery! If thereās anything I can do to helpā¦.Iām not that far away.
Claudia, I hope your weekend perks up for you. We are to get snow tomorrowā¦3-6ā. So, I know what weāll be doing. Enjoy your day! ;)
Oh, snow. We actually would like a good snowfall. That isn’t always the case, but we’re headed into February with no appreciable snowfall. Just snow that fell a couple of times and immediately melted. Even looking at the forecast for the first week of February – nothing.
Stay safe, Donna.
I’m sorry you have had so much to deal with this last few days. Each one must be devastating on its own without a whole bunch of them. I just pray that better things are yet to come for both of you. I can tell by your passion that it’s yours and Don’s blood.
Chris in Wisconsin. – wishing you a speedy recovery all the way from England!š
Thank you for your kind words, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
Oh Claudia, what a rotten double whammy. I’m so sorry about the show not being headed to Broadway. I’d like to believe it’s just not NOW but from your words I’m thinking it sounds a bit more permanent than that. I’m sure everyone is terribly disappointed, especially at this late date. You really are being pummelled this week. And then, adding to it the lack of work for you both over the past few years… that’s really tough.
Please add my best wishes and prayers to Chris as well. It sounds like a wretched way to have ended the year. Rehab does wonderful things and I know she’s working hard. Chris — keep at it! You’ve got this!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. I’ve actually had quite a bit of work during the past few years, but Don has not. And my fees are much less than he would be paid. Covid is part of those 4 years, of course, but Don already hadn’t worked for a year when lockdown started.
Stay safe.
Praying for Chris and praying that things will turn around work wise for you and Don. It must be very discouraging not to have an outlet for your many talents. Don’t give up hope. Good things can happen just as well as sad things. You’ve had your share of sad events, I must admit. Take heart, stay cozy and refuel this weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you for your kind words, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Things should be getting better not worse! There is enough “WORSE” flowing through all of our lives that it’s time for a reset. I am a few years your senior and the last three years have been the hardest for me to process that I can remember. I will keep Chris in my prayers. I will keep you and Don in my prayers. I like to iron, so I say prayers as I iron, besides all the usual times and places. Stay strong kiddo, and so will I.
There’s too much WORSE, isn’t there?
Thank you so much, Tana.
Stay safe.
People talk about resilience, but resilience is hard to find when the blows come on top of each other, and that’s happened to you. Still, you were thoughtful enough to reach out to Chris. Chris, I send my good wishes for your quick recovery along with everyone else. Claudia, I know you’d be just as excited for Don to be tapped as for you to find new work, and I hope it happens soon for one or both of you.
I especially want Don to find work. He needs to feel good about himself.
Stay safe, Linda.
Oh, I have wondered about Chris K in Wisconsin A LOT but I kept curbing myself from asking anything here on the blog because I-me have taken breaks and sometimes it’s so personal, but I was just worried about her sudden absence, so thanks for letting us know and I will definitely keep her in my prayers.
Claudia, I’m so sorry for your bad news (upon bad news); it is just no way to start out a new year; disappointments are hard; grief is hard. I hope the weekend has some brightness for you somewhere. You know yourself and Don well; you two can get thru anything together!
Thank you, Vicki. I wrote to Chris to see if she was okay, knowing that she might just be taking a break. I’m glad I contacted her.
Stay safe.