♦ We’ve had long talks about Jimmy Buffet, Escape to Margaritaville, and the effect that project had on Don’s life. It was truly the highlight of his career and he is extraordinarily grateful, Any disappointments with the shortened length of the run have long since faded away. Years ago, in fact. Now, Don simply has gratitude for an opportunity that came out of nowhere at an age where he thought that kind of thing couldn’t happen. Gratitude for Jimmy, of course. Gratitude for the cast and crew and musicians, and all of the people who came to see E2M when it played in La Jolla, New Orleans, Houston, Chicago, and on Broadway. Extraordinary and devoted fans who made every performance completely joyful. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years in the theater – and if I counted up how many productions I have seen, coached, and worked on, it would be in the thousands. I’ve never witnessed such happiness and joy in the theater.
Complete and utter joy.
Like these ladies, devoted Parrotheads from the Charleston chapter, who had seen the show several times and traveled to NYC for the closing performance. They were sitting next to me and we had a great conversation. When I finally said that Don (J.D.) was my husband, they were thrilled. He was their favorite. And during the last performance of He Went to Paris, when Don sang his wonderful solo and hit a very, very low note, I started to sob, and all three of them reached out to touch my shoulder and hold my hand. The spirit of these women was echoed in every fan who came to see the show. Good people, many of them chapter members who raised money for charities. I immediately thought of these women when we heard the news about Jimmy.
I was the recipient of lots of hugs from Jimmy on closing night and got to kiss him on the cheek. Lucky me!
And lucky, lucky Don for the gift of that incredible experience.
We miss you Jimmy. Rest in Peace.
♦ C’est fini.
There were lots of leaves on the ground in the photo of the Jardin du Luxembourg, and I added them, but I didn’t like what I’d done or how I’d painted them (not in my skill set, yet) so I painted over them. Now the promenade is leaf-free.
I’m not sure what I’m going to try next…I’ll be thinking about that today.
♦ Very, very hot and humid here. Truly dreadful. Grateful for working a/c and indoor pursuits.
♦ I had a great phone conversation yesterday with my friend Doug (the designer, costumer, and doll creator.) I just love him and I’ve felt that way since we first met when I was 17 years old. He’s just a fantastic human being. Yesterday, I got the lowdown on how he got involved with Gene Marshall dolls, as well as information on all the other dolls he created – at several points, having to travel to China to instruct the artists there on how to make the dolls and the clothing. He would sleep at the factory. It’s all so fascinating.
And finally, Olivia would like to point out that the limelight hydrangeas are turning pink and they match her dress!
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
And her hair…
The dress is pinkish-red, and the hair is lavender…but the whole picture does match the flowers.
Stay safe, Petra.
beautiful painting, claudia. hopefully saying it’s complete means you are pleased with it, not just over it … you did a great job and i hope you frame and proudly display it! :)
yeah, jimmy … … i’ve been listening to “the wino and i know”, “i have found me a home”, “coast of marseilles”, the new “bubbles up” and others on repeat. just so sad … but glad you and don had the blessings of “escape to margaritaville” and all that brought to your lives. :) i always wanted to meet jimmy to thank him for sharing his talents, for continuing to tour when financially he didn’t have to …. closest i got was 17th row center in kansas city twelve years ago. will have to do until heaven.
…
glad and grateful for air conditioning here, too. ready for sweater weather.
need to get stuff done around here. that includes another round of paper sorting as there’s one last free paper-shredding event for the year coming up in less than two weeks. going through photos for the same reason. when i was doing those cruise talks, i took many, many (hundreds and hundreds of) photos of oceans and other things and don’t need or have room for them, so the vast majority of them will get shredded, too.
not fun to do, but good to get done.
hope you, don and everyone else have a very good day! stay safe!
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy, I don’t know if I’m pleased with it yet. I’m not doing anything more to it.
Stay safe.
It’s wonderful that you and Don have memories of Jimmy Buffet you can share. Olivia is a sweet as ever in her pretty pink dress. I was happy to see that Meredith has a new post. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Condolences to you and especially Don on the passing of Jimmy Buffet. What a great opportunity Margaritaville was for Don.
I think your painting is very good. It deserves to be framed and hung.
The weather has changed here…woke up to a big thunderstorm. It feels like fall.
Take care
Ps…It was nice to see a post from Mere.
I think we have a couple of days until the weather breaks and then we’re supposed to have rain for several days. Sigh.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
You and Don have lovely memories to treasure from your association with Jimmy Buffet and his music. Thank you for sharing. And your Luxembourg Garden painting of one of the many quiet places there to sit brings back memories. My first trip to Paris we stayed nearby. I spent time there as it was our end of the work day meeting place since Dean had business meetings all day each day. How I envy your ability to recreate the essence of that beautiful place with a paintbrush.
Monday the fam got together and Nick, on day 4 since his adopting him, brought Charlie up to visit. So sweet natured, well-behaved and generally excited about being there meeting everyone. Each of us experienced sitting down and having Charlie, the ultimate snuggle bug, immediately leap up into our lap. He decided he needed to be in the kitchen whenever I was. I quite enjoyed having a dog lying at my feet while I worked. It reminded me of our long-gone Cocker Spaniel from the boys’ early childhood. The kids are now saying “mom wants a dog,” but I’m hesitant. Not as long as our senior kitty is still with us. A high energy dog would probably be more than I could deal with at this stage of my life.
Stay cool,
Kay
If we adopt again, we’ll adopt an older dog. They need loving homes. That’s what you should consider, Kay.
Sounds like everyone loves Charlie!
Stay safe.
I am glad you both have shared memories of Jimmy Buffet. I’m sure it offers some degree of comfort.
Our weather is to turn cooler this afternoon…..and I cannot wait. Bring on sweater weather. It’s been so hot here that my tomatoes have stopped ripening. Hope that starts up again….otherwise it may be green fried tomatoes around here.
I still love that painting of yours….how big is it? Enjoy your day! ;)
It’s about 9 x 11 1/2 inches, Donnamae.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
I am in awe of your painting! You are very talented. It is a beautiful painting.
Take Care,
Kaye
I have always adopted older dogs. I have never had a puppy.
Neither have we. We alway adopt an older dog.
Thanks so much, Kaye,
Stay safe.
Very excellent painting! I think it’s the best you’ve done. Congrats!
Thank you so much, Terri.
Stay safe.
What a warm, beautiful post, Claudia. I can see how a show like that, Don’s involvement, the entire experience, had to be so remarkable and so special. Yes, clearly, an enormous loss for you and for so many Not just the music. The whole experience.
You’re getting what we had a couple of days ago. Then came the rain.
I love your painting. It captures the essence and feel of Jardin du L. Such a wonderful spot. That’s the good thing about oil and acrylics — you can paint over it. No-can-do with watercolor in most cases (much to my chagrin!)
Thank you, Jeanie.
I sure wish I was sitting in that garden right now!
Stay safe.
Beautiful and very touching post.xo
Thank you, Annette.
Stay safe.