I’ve been hunting and gathering. Oh, not food. Just my own little gallery of natural wonders.
I can’t walk through the park, which is filled with a large variety of beautiful trees, without bringing something home to the apartment. It’s my version of walking on the beach, eyes trained downward, looking for seashells. (After writing that, I now want to be on a beach.) I found this branch from an oak tree on the ground one day. It had broken off, most likely in a storm, and it had this cluster of young acorns. I nabbed it and carried it around with me as I ran errands and checked out books from the library. This one is a keeper.
Yesterday I found these feathers. Very fluffy and translucent. Are they from a young bird? They are really beautiful.
This older, somewhat grizzled acorn cap called to me. Look at that amazing texture. It’s the wise old man of acorn caps.
I have leaves, feathers, acorns, and pods. Some of them will go home with me on Saturday, some may be too delicate to transport. We’ll see.
It’s my little Cabinet of Natural Wonders, minus the cabinet.
This last stretch in Hartford is somewhat maddening. I really don’t have anything more to do on either of the plays. It’s more than time for me to back off and let the actors be. I went to Macbeth last night and took a few notes. La Dispute is in good shape, I don’t need to see it again. Technically, I could go home right now and boy am I homesick! But, I almost always stay for opening night, which is this Friday. It’s nice to salute the actors and the director and this particular opening night kicks off the 50th Anniversary Season. So, I’ll probably stay. And, as Don tells me, I should enjoy a bit more time to myself while I can. He calls it my “Mary Tyler Moore” life. It sort of is. Except I’m not single and I’m not dating. Maybe I’ll go toss my hat in the air.
So, I’m trying to stay in the moment and simply enjoy my remaining time here. I won’t be back for quite a while, maybe even a year. The weather is beautiful. I have a park to walk in. I’m making another trip to Anthropologie today – it’s in an lovely shopping center that I thought I would explore. It’s a good day to window shop.
The nights and early mornings have been quite cool. And, of course, once it got considerably cooler out, the air conditioning was finally fixed. Ah well.
Missing husband and sweet dog. Trying to stay in the moment. Thankful for all of you.
Happy Wednesday.
The phrase “Life is Good” is over used….but so true. Have a wonderful day!
Lori
Most likely overused because it’s so true! xo
Claudia, I sure have enjoyed following your adventures in Hartford, seeing your trinkets, and reading your thoughts on your “two worlds” pf Home and Hartford. Thanks for taking your readers along! Blessings, Bess
Thank you for putting up with me, Bess!
I have also enjoyed your adventures in Connecticut. Where ever you are you make your blog really interesting!
an escape of sorts for me. The funny thing is when you get home you may miss that place (adventure) a bit.
I have heard so many times live in the moment! I don’t know how to do that? I think my mom meant that same thing when she used to say “don’t wish your life away”. So Thank-You for this blog!! -Judy A-
You are welcome, Judy!
I imagine it’s probably extremely valuable to your group to have you stay for opening night, and, after the excellent effort you put into the project, it’s probably a good closure for you too. I also love to collect little bits of nature form around me, and anyway, you never know where the next good idea or inspiration will come from. :) But I do feel your loneliness because I miss Robert and Theo something rotten just about now and we’re apart by thousands of miles. (But we speak every day and that’s lucky.)
I know how you feel! It’s awfully hard being apart. Don and I speak several times a day, which helps, but it isn’t the same as being with our loved ones, is it?
I’m watching my red oak tree for the first signs of acorns. The ones from that tree are big, fat and lovely to me.
I have always loved natural items such as acorns and pinecones. I don’t even put my pinecones away. They stay out all year.
Acorns remind me of my youth. We had a lot of oak trees in our neighborhood and I loved gathering them. There’s something rather comforting about that.
Yes…go to the park and throw your hat…or something…into the air and twirl!! I’ve personally always wanted to do that…I can live vicariously thru you! Enjoy your last few days…seeing the opening I would think, would be a reward for a job well done! ;)
Thanks, Donna!
Like you, I come home from walks with bits of driftwood and sea glass, or twigs and acorns, depending upon where I’ve been. I think every home needs bits of nature scattered throughout.
Ooh, Anthropologie – not in my town and I’d love to wander through one. Such fun displays I see on the web. Do enjoy yourself in spite of longing to be home.
Oh, sea glass! How I love it. I want to find some more next time I’m at the shore.
Hi Claudia!! I have so enjoyed your posts from Hartford!! You have collected quite a nice assortment of Mother Nature’s gifts!! I hope they all make the trip home with you!! It does seem when we are anxious for time to go by it goes so slowly and other times we wish we could freeze it and it just goes so quickly. I hope these last few days are good ones for you. I think it is good that you will stay and see opening night – it will mean a lot for the actors, I’m sure!! Enjoy your days!! Francine
When I was facing the prospect of 9 weeks in Hartford, after I’ve already spent a total of 10 other weeks here in the past, I figured I would run out of things to say. Somehow, I did it!
Love that acorn branch. Great find. I am on the lookout for some natural fall finds. Need lots of pinecones for a project I am getting ready to do. have fun. xo Laura
Good luck with the pinecones, Laura!
Making the most of each moment is what it is all about.
It is, indeed, Beverly.
I love your natural fall decorations! They say autumn far more than any ceramic painted pumpkin from the dollar store. Please don’t anyone be offended, it’s just my opinion :)
Well, natural is free! That’s a good thing!
I am in the mood to take a walk around my property to find some nature also..Yesterday I brought some wildflowers/weeds in to put in vases..I feel the same as you about them..I don’t care what they call them they look pretty to me..Wishing you luck on finding that blue feather in the next few days!
I looked for a blue feather yesterday. I’ll look again today, Nancy!
Loving all your fall finds. They are beautiful.
Thanks, Dawn.
Hi Claudia,
Your little gathering of natural gems would be perfect for an autumn mantel! I know you don’t decorate for the seasons, neither do I, as my house is basically filled with fall colours all year round, but, I really think that just placing these delicate finds somewhere visible to remind you of your days in Hartford would be a nod to your adventures there. Maybe right next to a Mary Richards cap!
xo
Poppy
Wish I had a mantel! But I do have a gathering of finds on the sideboard back home and I plan to add these to the group, Poppy!
Such pretty photos of the autumn treasures! You will be so happy to be home! :)
Probably weedwhacking is in your future, ha ha ha :
Unfortunately, trying to salvage smashed plants in my garden is in my future, from the limb falling.
Your natural collection is very special! Enjoy your last days in Hartford! I know you are ready to get home!
hugs,
Linda
I sure am!
What better way to stay in the moment than to commune with nature…love that grizzled cap!
Isn’t it neat? I love it.
Yes, please throw that hat up in the air!!! Enjoy the rest of your time there. Gather some more treasures. Blog about it all. Ann
Thanks, Ann!
Hi Claudia, I love your little treasures. I, too, am a collector and have quite a supply of pinecones, feathers, pebbles and shells from trips or daily outings! I have a large piece of quartz which we found on our honeymoon (33 years ago!) and it travels with us when we move. I know you are looking forward to going home but I think you will be happy to see opening night. I think they should make an announcement before the curtain goes up — no cell phones! Enjoy your remaining days in Hartford. The weather is supposed to be wonderful. Linda
That’s a beautiful collection you have there Claudia. I do the same, picking up and pocketing little bits and pieces when I’m out and about, but it hadn’t occurred to me to blog about them … guess I should.
Happy homecomings when you get there :)
Vicki from “Life in my Empty Nest” is looking for book suggestions..I thought of you immediately but I don’t know how to link anybody…I love you fall goodies..I just plain love fall..
Beautiful autumnal collection you have there! We could hang out together quite well. ha I love Mother Nature and all her gifts. The feathers are from a duck. There used to be a pair of ducks who waddled to my house from their house 1/4 mile away every day for months. They left feathers and other “gifts” all over the yard. ha I loved them so. Unfortunately, coyotes got them. Broke my heart.
The cups are so beautiful. I’d be making another “window shopping” trip too! :-)
I hope you have another enjoyable day.