We may have reached the point where my daily efforts to save the potted plants that live on the porch have become a losing battle. A quick scan at the 10 day weather forecast shows lows of below freezing every night.
Will I gracefully give up the ghost? Will I recognize that losing battle when I see it?
I think so. I’m starting to feel that sense of letting go. My geraniums, which were planted in the big white barrels that live by the Funky Patio, held on far longer than my other plants. But they, too, said goodbye a few days ago.
Sob.
Let’s see, this is November. I’ve got about 5 months until I see any significant new growth around here. That does not make Claudia a happy camper.
Did I ever tell you I was a camp counselor for two summers during my college years? I worked at a camp in Northern Michigan, a gloriously beautiful place that made my heart beat just a bit faster. The camp was owned by the Lutheran Church in America (the church I was raised in), which is now called something else – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America? Though it was church-based, it wasn’t overly preachy. Just my cup of tea. (The LCA was pretty liberal.) The spiritual experience was found in the beauty surrounding us, in the light of a campfire, in the fellowship of campers and counselors, in a loving atmosphere that encouraged growth, in a service in the outdoor chapel. I really loved it there. It was such a change from my college life. I think I earned $40 a week, so I wasn’t in it for the money. I met some wonderful people there, some of whom remain my friends to this day. I met my first love there. Magical, gloriously beautiful, with the smell of pine trees and the scent of a campfire in the air; that place had a significant effect on me. For years, I would make the trip back there for a visit.
It’s still there. But now I think that if, these many years later, I visited the camp once again, I might be disappointed. I sort of like the way it is in my memories. I don’t think I want to mess with that.
When you work at a camp for the summer with a staff of fellow counselors, far away from home, they become your family, your source of support. There is a bond that develops more quickly than it would in your everyday life. It’s more intense. The same thing happens when you are acting in a play. That cast becomes your family. You need each other. You have to feel safe with them in order to take risks onstage. You create together. You are often out of town, away from your loved ones, and so your cast mates become your loved ones, your family. Then, suddenly, it’s all over and you are saying goodbye as you move on to the next thing.
The Rep company in Hartford has just gone through that kind of bonding experience. And as they head into their final weekend of performances, they will be sad that it is about to end. Grateful. But sad. They will head back to their homes and go through a period of re-entry, where the people they have spent every day with for months are suddenly gone. I’ve lived in that world for most of my adult life, as has Don. It is as familiar to us as riding a bike.
I’m so grateful that I have been able to work in those environments, where I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who have become my friends. Far, far more than I would have met in a normal 9 to 5 life.
I have a lot of families.
I’m very lucky.
Happy Friday,
Claudia, my grandma brings her geraniums in every year and they bloom all winter long inside. She has had the same flowers for years.
There are too many of them to bring in, Dawn! I have run out of space for indoor plants, unfortunately.
It’s a shame you can’t have blooming flowers all year Claudia for they surely bring you lots of happiness. I can relate to you feeling like you have many families. I have run an in home daycare for more than 20 years and have stayed close to most of the babies I once kept. A few have moved away and it does my heart so much good when they come back to see me. Recently I was reunited with three of them at a friend’s birthday party and I was just beside myself. One young man mentioned that he still had a handmade ornament he made for Christmas one year with me that he hangs on his tree every year. Though my husband and I never had children many have blessed our lives. Keep warm and try and enjoy some p.j. time if you get the chance.
Same with us. My campers and, later, my students are my ‘children.’ Along with my dogs, of course!
It’s that transition time of year again – I think many of us are feeling it inside, we’ll be better once the real winter starts. We were lucky enough to see the RSC doing Richard II at Stratford last weekend and that production had a very intimate feel – probably helped by being very close to the actors – I can’t help being grateful for the skills and dedication of the cast for giving us such a great experience.
So glad you enjoyed Richard II! Stratford, Ontario or Stratford-upon-Avon?
Oh, Stratford-on-Avon (sorry, being parochial). x
Whoops! Typo there. Avon. I’ve been there, but it’s been many years!
Love your blog and your pictures. What camera do you use?
Thank you. A Canon Rebel t3i.
Claudia, Don’t you think the occasions that we feel the strong bonding,,that we take thru life with us,is most often when we are in the”service” of others? I think with out realizing it sometimes. The people we are serving are blessing our lives at the same time!
I was thinking this morning,about how much work you put into this blog! You must be working in your mind almost all the time. To keep coming up with fresh, new, entertaining material,day after day. I have never found one post that bored me. Just want to say Thank You. It sure helps me get thru the day! And sometimes even inspires me to think differently about somethings. THANK-YOU! -Judy A-
Yes, I absolutely agree. I’m at my best when in the service of others and it’s such a satisfying experience!
I definitely feel sad about the loss of the flowers, too. I know there is beauty in every season, but i sure do like the blooming, warm months the best. I too have had many people come and go in my life and feel enriched by each of them in some way. xo Laura
I like the blooming months the best, too. By far!
I love fall and prefer winter to the heat of summer…You’re lucky to have so many “families”. It seems as we get older ones circles get smaller…
I like fall. Not crazy about winter. It’s find up until about January 15th. Then it needs to leave!
It is a depressing thought to think we will not have growing things for five months….sometimes longer. Our choices…to move or to tend to other living plants in our homes. I’m not moving…you? How’s Riley’s garden doing? I cannot pretend to know the bonds that are made in the theater world. But, bonds are bonds no matter what…and they are to be treasured! ;)
Nope. We’re not moving at the moment! I love my indoor plants, but…..
Riley’s garden is doing well. Some plants are doing better than others, but they are all surviving!
As much as I love Fall and look forward to that time of year when we get to hibernate, rest and restore ourselves, it also means the flowers, gardens & pretty things go away. Definitely Not Cool. But it really does help me to think A – Nature is entitled to a little rest; she’s put on quite a performance over the last 7 or 8 months. B – No Pain No Gain. C – something my five-year old self heard my grandmother said in passing once which has always stuck with me: “If we had Springtime all year long, we’d never really appreciate it. All those tulips & daffodils. And the first brave little crocuses.”
Well, I know that’s true in theory….but I’d be perfectly happy to test it out by having blooms all year long!
This is when I’d love to have my very own greenhouse.
I would also love to have a greenhouse Claudia..I would have a comfy chair to sit on and read books and visit my beautiful flowers..lol
Now, that would be perfect, Nancy!
Claudia, I so enjoy your photographs. They are breath-taking, and bring back memories of my childhood in Connecticut. And I love your sweet Scout, who looks like my beloved golden border collie, Beauregard, a rescue dog I cherished for eighteen years.
Fondly,
Nancy
She is a border collie Nancy and I sure hope that we can have her here with us for 18 years. She will be 15 in January. Thank you so much for the compliment on my photographs!
I, too, was counting the months until first leaf. Really, Claudia…it’s almost half the year we go without our outdoor green. Thank goodness for plants that come up even in the snows of February, such as primula. But…the trees have almost lost there leaves and my heart feels the bleakness deeply.
When I was nine and ten I attended a Lutheran Church camp up in Northern Michigan….it was called Camp Mich-A-Luca. I bet it was the same one….your description surely sounds like it. The name of the town I believe was Fairview by Grayling. Great memories were made there.
Diane,
That is indeed the camp I am talking about! Oh my goodness, what a small world! I wonder if you were there during my time there. It was such a beautiful place! I spent a lot of time in Fairview and in the little town of Mio. The counselors also had an annual Canoe trip down the Au Sable river. xoxo
Good (Saturday) morning, Claudia, I meant to comment on this Friday blog but was swamped at work. Yes, Noble and I have built our friendship base from the numerous theatres at which we both have worked. You are right that out of necessity, friendships are forged fast because of the short work period. Most of those friendships are finite and end with the the play’s closing. However, Noble and I have coined a shorthand term to describe those people we know will be in our lives after the end of that job. We call them “keepers.” So whenever Noble finishes a show, I ask him, “Are there any keepers?” Sometimes there are none, Sometimes there is one. I asked Noble if he had any keepers when he finished Tempest. You, dear Claudia, were the keeper! I finished Scout’s costume so let me know if there is any time this weekend I can drop it off. Noble was going to come in after the rep ended and before Christmas Carol started but our dear friend Malcolm Morrison (past dean of the Hartt School) passed away yesterday and as we were close to his wife Johanna and him, I will be heading into Hartford for the service instead.