There are splashes of yellow all over the property. Goldenrod, a staple of late summer, is blooming. How can I not smile when I see this cheery yellow?
However, today is a dark and rainy day here. We had storms last night. Not necessarily the best weather in which to travel back to Hartford, but there you go. We’re going to go out for breakfast before I head back to CT.
It’s been so lovely being home that I feel like I have to force myself to get in the car and turn it toward points east. I don’t want to leave. Don and I are feeling the sadness that impending separation brings. I figured it out yesterday: by the end of the year we will have spent 9 months apart. Nine months. That, my friends, is a hazard of our profession. But it’s easier to handle when you’re young and eager and ready to go anywhere to work. It’s much tougher at this point in our lives.
Anyway.
Stella is a dream. She cooks evenly. I know it will sound silly, but the baked potatoes we had (twice) were the most evenly baked we’d ever had. The texture was smooth as silk and they were delicious. As were the biscuits. As were all the entrees Don cooked on the stovetop. Oh my goodness. What a difference gas makes! And what a difference Stella makes.
This morning I walked over to her and hugged her. I love her. I love her in our home. I never get tired of looking at her. I never will. I have absolutely no regrets. Investing in Stella was the best thing we’ve done in a long time.
Another sign of impending autumn – Sedum Autumn Joy.
Hurricane Irma is a juggernaut and we are worried about her impact on so many island dwellers and the state of Florida, where so many are in her path, including my sister and her family. Please stay safe. I know many of my readers live in Florida and I urge you to evacuate if you are told to.
Happy Wednesday.
How hard it must be to be separated that long. I keep hoping that Irma will take one of those “fish storm” trails and head out into the Atlantic without causing any more harm than it already is today.
I hope so! That would be the answer to a prayer!
Claudia, Hope your trip is save and your time goes quickly so you and Don can be back together soon. I love your new stove too and think it’s the best. It was made when we care about quality more and things were built to last. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
You’re right. It’s solid as a rock (500 pounds!) and it’s a winner.
It’s sad that you and Don have to be separated and I have nothing to say that could make it better. Days go so slow when you are not able to have the love of your life close, but the days speed up to faster than the speed of sound when you are together! Doesn’t seem fair. But you will have friends, neighbors and Stella to keep you occupied. And Don will have the work he loves. Nowhere near what you want, but it is something. The West is on fire, Texas and now part of the East will have wind and rain. It’s the first thing that goes through my head when I wake up and I start praying. Your sister and her family are in my prayers as are everyone else. I hope never to see another summer like this last one. I have lived in and around Seattle most of my life, except for 14 years, and I have never seen smoke like this, and now we have another first, ash. It is small and gritty and comes through the screens on the windows. So you have to close the windows and hope the fans can take care of the heat. We do have one stand alone air conditioner, so I keep the kitchen cool. Enough of my whining! I’ll go back to my prayers.
I’ve been reading about the fires in Oregon and California. Heartbreaking. Stay safe. I’ve only been subject to falling ash once or twice and that was when we lived in San Diego. It’s scary.
You’re not whining! You’re just stating the facts. Hang in there, Tana.
How much longer is your job in Hartford, Claudia? When do you plan to visit Don? Being apart is difficult but at least nowadays, there are lots of communication options. Haha, I love at you hugged your stove!
I’m here for about a week and a half. Then I go home. But I start a short job (only a few days) after that. Not sure when I’ll see Don. Depends on when his day off is and we won’t know that until he starts rehearsals.
I love that you hugged Stella. It’s definitely possible to love an inanimate object – I’ve loved many – and I can completely relate to your joy of finally having Stella home & cooking. Bummer that you & Don will be separated again for a while, but as you said, it IS a hazard of your profession. And it will bring great things too. I mean, how many of us can say we’re headed for Broadway?? Come on!! THAT – is super cool. Plus, I will be able to say, my friend’s husband is currently performing on Broadway!! If I haven’t said it yet, I will now. I fully expect to see “Margaritaville” on the Tony Awards next year! Have a safe trip back. Peace.
#Resist
You may not see it on the Tony Awards. You should have seen Anastasia on the awards – it has the best score of anything running on Broadway. But it was snubbed. As was Christy, who gives a bravura performance. In fact, many sites came up with lists of the shows that should have been nominate and were snubbed and Anastasia and Christy were at the top.
The committee that comes up with the nominations is, to me, notoriously ‘trendy’ and snobby at the same time. I can’t imagine them embracing Jimmy Buffett’s music, but I’d be happy to be proved wrong. As Don says, no one who doesn’t like Jimmy Buffett’s music should review it.
This has been such a crazy year and with several months to go! I hope you and Don can fine ways to spend time together while he is touring. I’m praying for all in the path of Irma and hope Meredith and family will be safe. I also have some family in Florida and many blog friends. My cousin and I were just laughing on FB that our family seems to be magnets for hurricanes, but really it’s just that we live on the coast! I love Stella and wish I could have a gas stove. Maybe in my someday cottage! Take care as you travel. Hugs!
I’m back in Hartford. A bit down, as I’d rather be home. But it will be great to see the show with sets and costumes tonight.
I think you said it all when you said you and Don “invested” in Stella. It was an investment, but it will pay back for years and years ahead. My appliances are 13 years old and they are quite literally falling apart. We have bits and bobs holding handles on. And if you bother to ask at all, the response is “we don’t do those repairs. It is better to just replace the dishwasher, fridge or stove.” Better for them, that is for sure!! When I grew up, we literally grew up with the appliances in our house. And when we moved out and came home for holidays, etc. they were still doing their job. 13 was barely middle age!! I know, I know….. I really sound old!!!!
Prayers and thoughts going out to those in Florida as well. I truly don’t know how our country can handle another hurricane. The resources are pulled so tight right now. They all seemed so smug when they huffed and puffed about lowering the FEMA budget…. Mother Nature has her own agenda. The idiot has no idea what the heck he is doing, and the Congress spins and dances to about 100 different tunes at any given moment. We are in one extremely large mess. Can’t even speak of DACA as it makes me cry. We will ALL be impacted by this travesty….and they just keep coming and coming and coming.
Let Meredith know we are all praying for her and her friends and family and everyone in Irma’s path. It will be beyond a blessing if this storm heads out to the ocean and diminishes there. Safe travels today, Claudia.
Planned obsolescence, right? Nothing lasts nowadays. These stoves were made of cast iron and they were built to last. Plus no digital clocks, no computers, just burners, griddles, ovens, broilers and a gas flame.
Didn’t Trump also decrease funding or stop funding for hurricane research? I’m not sure the degree to which that was impacted but it looks more foolish than ever at this point.
DACA is heartbreaking.
Thanks for your prayers for Mere and her family!
Claudia, Utah and Montana, right now and through out the season have had incrediable wild fires!I can’t tell weather I’m breathing Montana’s smoke or my own! When I first walked out the door this a.m. I really had shortness of breath,and the Sun&Moon look like Red balls of fire! Breathtaking in all ways. God Speed your way to Hartford, and blessings to those in harms way. Don’t forget, God Loves his children and stands ready to help. Stay Safe Everyone. -Judy –
It sounds like wildfires are everywhere in the west, Judy. I’m so sorry! Prayers for everyone in harm’s way – including the animals!
We will ride out the storm with my aunt and uncle who have a much sturdier home than our double wide mobile home. We are preparing for the worst but praying for the best. I’m so glad you have no regrets about Stella.
I’m glad you’ll be in a safer place, Janie. I am praying for you and for the safety of you and yours and your home as well. xoxo
There is certainly dearth of things to worry about, nor pray for in this country, at this particular time in history. We have family in Florida too, although I believe they are up farther north in the state than Meredith. I sincerely hope that all those warned to evacuate will heed that warning. We are stretched rather thin for resources when you take into account the western fires as well. Not to mention are dire political straits…oh my word!
Wishing you safe travels today…although you are probably there by now! ;)
Mere said that they are in the third tier of evacuation zones, so hopefully, they’ll be safe. They’re preparing and they’re waiting to hear about what is happening with her middle son who is away at school.
DonnaMae, FEMA also took AHuge cut in Funding :^{
Prayers for all in Irma’s path. Glad to hear that Stella cooks like a dream.
Marilyn
Yes, prayers, indeed. Thank you, Marilyn!
Just a brief comment on DACA, It is all very simple,tear apart every decent thing that O’bama
accomplished, albiet mostly he had to wrangle in all kind of ways because of the automatic NO TO,everything, he tried to do.
Couldn’t have said it better, Judy! Thank you.
I intended to write President O’Bama.
xo
Someone said to me that they hoped that Irma would be kinder to Florida than Harvey was to Texas…I said I have to go get online and check on
Claudia’s sister!…Mere is such a sweet, loving lady…I do hope that she and her family are doing well and are safe…I also love that you gave Stella a big old hug…and that she is everything you dreamed she would be!
She is! We absolutely love her.
I love your sedum photo. I enjoyed reading about Stella and your biscuits look divine! My mom was a biscuit master and I miss them. Congrats on finding your dream stove and having her brought to you. I admire your determination to have your dream come true! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Biscuits are comfort food and I really love the recipe from my Grandmother. Thank you, Teresa!