Today is opening day here at the Chautauqua Institution. There are all sorts of activities that we are encouraged to take part in. Tonight is a barbecue for the theater company.
But I’m tired.
There are currently 5 of us in the apartment, as the lighting designer’s wife and little daughter are spending Sunday with us. The little girl is adorable and everyone couldn’t be nicer, truly, but I am so missing my alone time. It’s awfully hard to be social all the time, to have to make conversation, to adjust to the noise level here – although all of us try our best to not be intrusive.
But it’s making me crazy.
I’m a bit too old for all of this. In fact, I am quite a bit older than my thirty-something roommates. But I keep telling myself that it must be equally as hard for them as it is for me.
One more week.
I’m homesick. I want my quiet little cottage and my sweet dog and my husband. I want my solitude in the embrace of my family.
Here are some flowers I discovered on my walks around Chautauqua.
There are lovely gardens everywhere. The residents really do beautiful things with their little plots of land – as well as the porches that are such a key part of the look of Chautauqua.
Tomorrow I am going to visit the miniature shop. I’m really looking forward to that…a little time to myself, off on my own, looking at dollhouses and miniatures. Sounds like a slice of heaven right about now.
Happy Sunday.
Claudia, I will be getting taste of young people and their noises, when I go to SLC, for my grandson’s wedding. We have rent a huge house to share with many others. I would almost rather stay home. LOL. I loved your pretty flowers. Thought of you this morning as the last of the catalpa flowers were on the ground. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I totally missed our catalpa bloom this year, Susie. Hopefully, Don took some photos.
Doesn’t sound like my kind of situation either, Claudia…sure makes you appreciate home…xo
Or an apartment to yourself, Linda.
When you are use to quiet and solitude it is hard to have so many people around. Glad you are getting out tomorrow for a special treat!
hugs,
Linda
Yes, I am too. I’ve decided to skip the barbecue tonight as well – I took part in all the activities today and I’m tired. It will give me some time to myself.
I so agree with you. We are toooooooo old for roommates! Like you said, they are lovely people, and you are a lovely person, but, no.
Tana
Agreed.
So sorry you are homesick :( Call today if you want to talk. Pinning some of your beautiful flowers :)
No time today, Dawn. The day was packed with opening day activities! I’m tired!
Take lots of long walks by yourself, as often as possible. You’ll have solitude and exercise, a win-win. (And your blog readers will get to see more of your lovely photographs!) When things get difficult, my father (a WWII, Battle of the Bulge ~ at the age of 19 ~ Vet) always says, “At least nobody’s shooting at us.” That makes me focus on the positive.
I’ve been doing that. The thing is that I need a little cocoon to return to at the end of a long day… a place all to myself. But this kind of thing happens more than you think. Budgets are tight…housing is for only a few weeks. It is summer theatre, so it’s a whole different ballgame. Don had to do the same thing last summer at Williamstown.
Being an introvert, that situation would put me into a panic mode. Glad you had the first week on your own. With the entire community now engaged, I will bet that the week will fly by in a flurry of work and activity.
And remember…. one week from now you will be on your way home to Don and Scout…… along with a paycheck!! :-)
Haven’t been paid yet, Chris. First paycheck is next Friday. The next one will be after I get home.
I would feel the same also Claudia..Hopefully your trip to the miniature shop tomorrow will lighten your spirits and take your mind off of this..I am so excited to see the pictures you take..I have never seen a miniature shop before..Remember..one more week..
I’m enjoying my time here, Nancy. It’s really lovely. Just a bit homesick.
I can sympathize with you. I would not want roommates. Right now I have family staying I have not seen in over a year whom I love dearly, but I loved having a quiet day at home when they were out and about.
I’m staying home tonight for just that reason. I need a few hours to myself.
Well…like you said…you will have solitude tomorrow! Excited for you to visit that miniature shop…hope you can take pics! Don’t know if there’s a cure for homesickness…unless maybe it’s wine? (Works for me…shhh!). Enjoy your day today…and tomorrow! ;)
Well, I don’t drink. But I cheated on my diet today and had some ice cream.
Good for you! ;)
Oh gee, that WOULD be hard – sharing a living space with strangers. Even really nice ones. To borrow a line from “When Harry Met Sally” – hey, I just want it the way I want it. Naturally you want what you like and are accustomed to. And that’s having your special little cottage with Don and Scoutie. Maybe it’s “age-ist” but I think “roommating” is really something for younger people. You’re used to it as a kid. But think how much more you’re going to appreciate the little yellow house once you get back there again!
I think roommates are meant to be younger people. There’s a certain amount of stuff you are willing to put up with when you’re young. And I’m used to having my own apartment or hotel room when I’m on the road. But this is summer theater and it’s very different.
As a fellow introvert, I totally “get” you on how it’s unnerving to share your space with other people. And to be “on” all the time. It’s exhausting. Glad you’ll get to home some alone time when you get out of the apartment…enjoy the miniature shop!
Thank you, Melanie. I do want to emphasize that my roommates are awfully nice.
As someone who has recently passed the mid-point of my fifties, I totally understand what you are saying. What a gift you had in the time before the others arrived, and what a gift you will have when you get home to your husband and home. I have so enjoyed your posts about your Chautauqua visit. I am glad you were in a lovely place and hopefully you made some money while there. (If so, how you did not spend it while there might be an interesting story too?)
I haven’t been paid yet, Laura. That makes it very easy to NOT spend money!
Ha! That WOULD make it a little easier! Hope your paycheck is mailed to you after you get home then! ;)
Beautiful photos Claudia. Can’t wait to see your news about your miniature shop visit. (Do understand that it’s a bit of a trial being with a lot of people when you are used to lots of quiet, and that it’s not a slight in any way on the people themselves.)
So looking forward to seeing Chautauqua Miniatures, Norma!
Claudia, I have sometimes thought as I read your posts that as awesome as it is to be able to work in a creative way that you love, I wouldn’t want to do the travel at this stage of life. I have become a homebody in the ways you describe.. I like my alone time with the house and gardens and animals and continual socialization and sharing of space with various people is indeed work, regardless of how nice they are and the interests you may share.
Enjoy the miniatures shop, I would love that too, and I bet you’ll get some great ideas as well.