It’s a good twenty degrees cooler this morning! I didn’t get up until 7:30 and it was only 45 degrees. I think it will reach 70 today and it’s sunny, so that makes it a perfect day.
There are about twenty morning glory buds ready to pop, but unlike during the heat wave, they weren’t open when I got up. They’re opening slowly this morning.
I just took this picture. Candy-striped beauty.
Yesterday, I was fascinated by the big, fat bumblebees diving into the center of the morning glories.
It’s almost as if he’s lit by a spotlight.
They’re determined. If they can’t fly directly into the center of the flower, they climb up the fragile petal.
I raked some leaves yesterday and mowed part of the property. Don wants me to leave the back forty for him to do on Sunday. That’s fine with me. I think doing something outdoors is refreshing for him after being in a rehearsal room for 6 days in a row.
The additional MiPad floor arrived yesterday. I assembled it in about 15 minutes and then carted it upstairs to the studio/office.
It’s the lower floor – it has a huge front door. Not sure what I’m going to do with that yet, but it needs a big old handle, that’s for sure! The door section is hinged, so that you can pull it away from the house to gain access. Yes, it looks like a coffee cup is suspended in mid-air over there to the right, but it’s really on an acrylic table.
I’m full of ideas and not so full of ideas. I’m loathe to disturb the pristine white and airy feeling of the house, but time will tell. Splashes of color everywhere, yes, but do I cover the floors? Do I put up any wallpaper? I need a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen as well as the living room. How do I fit it all in? Do I – I can’t believe I’m saying this, I’ve gone mad – buy another floor? These are the things that are whirling around my brain this morning.
For those of you who have been asking, Don has one more week of rehearsals in NYC. The last rehearsal is on October 7th and they fly to New Orleans on October 8th. Then they’ll tech the show and preview before opening on October 20th. I’ve yet to make plane reservations – I’m working on that today – but I’m thinking I’ll fly down on the 19th and stay for a week. New Orleans! It will be such fun!
Happy Friday.
Saw a piece on Today show about Mararitaville. They showed Don a few times. How exciting. Love your new mini house!
I didn’t see it, but I just went to YouTube to watch. What fun!
Love the opening shot of un-opened morning glories. I just came inside from shooting some of my own un-opened beauties, checked on your blog, and there was your pic! Great minds, you know. The bumble bee inside a blossom is soooo pretty. Great shot!
Before taking the camera outside I was watching Jimmy Buffet on the Today show, talking about the show on Broadway and on tour. He promised to bring the cast when they get it to NY, so…looking forward to seeing Don, I hope. That would be fun. I envy your trip to NOLA, wish we could make it, too. Love that city! Enjoy your lovely day. I t looks to be a good one, here, as well.
Don was in the clips they were playing as Jimmy was talking, but that’s the same video they showed in LaJolla.
love those flower photos … especially with the bee in the center. you are a great photographer!
the mi-pad looks great so far. i say go get a third level. :)
and i am very happy that you get to spend an entire week in new orleans! that’s one of my most favorite places on the planet (been going there for 31 years) and you will have so much fun! if you want some ideas for “don’t miss” places, please let me know. :)
happy weekend, everyone!
kathy in iowa
I can’t wait to finally see New Orleans. Any tips would be most welcome, Kathy!
You captured that bee perfectly…great eye, and timing! I’m happy to hear you’ll get to spend a week in New Orleans…should be a fun time.
And your mi-pad…the new floor looks great. I can see why your mind is a whirl….so many ideas. A unique space…love the door. It makes quite the statement. Yeah…you should probably get the third floor…wouldn’t want any regrets now, would we?
Isn’t this weather delicious? If only it would stay like this for…forever! ;)
Yes, if only! It’s my perfect weather!
The morning glory photos are so good! Gosh you have a great eye. I think the new floor of the MiPad is great. What fun you will have. I know you will love NOLA. I lived there for several years and it is such a unique place. Great food, great music and history galore! Wish I could join you!
I wish you could too! Luckily, Don’s show will be open and we can do a lot of sight-seeing together!
I saw Don in the clips on Today, also! What fun!! He said he would bring the cast to Today in the spring when they do the Today on Broadway shows. Will eagerly wait for that!
Love the MG pics. Also happy you are enjoying these cooler temps. We have sun and nice temps here, too. Looks like a lovely weekend ahead. These days are diamonds!
Love the temps, though it may rain tomorrow when I have to be in NYC. Ah well!
I took a peak at the “Today Show” clip too. The show looks like a massive good time for the audience AND the cast. Reminds me of when my Mom became an empty-nester – and my Dad was still working – she started clerical-temping for fun [& the extra dough didn’t hurt either]. She had one long-term assignment during which she became good friends with her supervisor there, someone around my age at the time, who was the World’s Biggest Parrothead! No kidding. Jimmy [probably] doesn’t know it but his most devoted fan lives right here in Rochester. I really hope Sharon gets to see “Escape.” I can GUARANTEE you that she’ll turn over heaven & earth to do it. Pouring rain here right now but it’s supposed to be a coolish, crispish nice Fall weekend. You guys have a great one. Peace. 🍁
#Resist
I sure hope your friend Sharon gets to see it! If she’s the world’s biggest Parrothead, she’ll love it!
Love the bee in the center of the morning glory. Like he’s is in ecstasy to discover that he can swim in pollen. Have fun in NOLA. I haven’t ever been there but understand having fun there is pretty easy to come by. Looking forward to a Claudia/Don travelogue. Go for that third floor! Would hanging wall paper out of whatever materials on a frame and then sidling that up to the wall work as temporary wall covering? Then you can switch walls out as you want.
Yes, I think there’s a way around it – I think I need to go for flexibility on this dollhouse!
Those Morning Glory photos are gorgeous. Glad you received your MIPad. Enjoy!
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Claudia, what a beautiful child you were! I am not surprised; I can still tell that is you.
~ handsome daddy too.
I am driving South toward Charlotte to visit my parent’s grave and my late brother’s. I ALWAYS cry when I go. My mom passed away in 2014. Sometimes I forget in an emergency and think “I have to called mom and daddy!” This happened last October when my son Joseph was critically hurt by a hit and run driver. I guess it is just emotional reflex.
Thanks for such a lovely blog, Claudia. I appreciate reading it.
Going to facebook now although the trumpie “shee-it” links are bubbling up from my hometown.
yucky yucky yucky trumpie.
It’s always painful, isn’t it? We never stop missing them.
I can’t wait to hear your impressions (and see your photos) of NOLA. I want you to do everything I didn’t get to do when I had a ridiculously-short visit there in the 90s! Go to the Garden District; have a beignet!
Specifically, “Eat beignets for breakfast at (legendary) Cafe du Monde.” ( With a café au lait!) Café du Monde, 800 Decatur St.”
Other things I’ve made note of (I have a huge file; forgive for not citing the sources!):
Go to La Riviera – See the view…”from the rooftop pool bar at the Omni Royal Orleans, 621 St. Louis St…a quick elevator ride from the lobby takes you to the bar…order (something to drink [how about a virgin frozen daiquiri; I wonder if they make one?])…and then walk up the flight of stairs to the observation deck for a romantic view of the historic French Quarter rooftops and the Mississippi River (supposedly the best view other than Paris itself). ..the (seasonal) bar serves daily until dusk through October…”
“New Orleans is a great walking city, with many attractions located in or near the French Quarter, but to explore the Garden District, you may want to hop on a historic street car.” (“There’s nothing quite like viewing the oak tree-lined St. Charles Avenue through the open windows of an old, swaying streetcar. Settle into one of the classic mahogany bench seats and take in the romantic scenery. The landmarks, antebellum mansions and universities along this Uptown route, as well as the array of folks bumping along with you, make the trip more than just a ride; it’s a relaxing form of entertainment. You can find a streetcar schedule at the New Orleans Transit Authority website, but keep in mind this historic form of transportation can run slowly. Standard one-way fare is $1.25. Make sure you have exact change and plenty of time to reach your destination.”) “St. Charles Avenue is famous for the dozens of mansions that adorn the tree-lined boulevard for much of the uptown section of the boulevard. The Southern live oak trees, plentiful in the historic Garden District, were planted during the early twentieth century. Similar additions were made on other major New Orleans streets, such as Carrollton Avenue, Napoleon Avenue, and part of Canal Street, becoming one of the city’s most memorable features. St. Charles Avenue is one of the chief Mardi Gras parade routes.” (“First Street, Camp Street, and Prytania Street are some good places to see large, elegant 19th-century houses with extensive grounds. Most visitors come to [the Garden District] enjoy the tranquil environment and see the houses, but there are also boutiques and coffee shops in the area.”) I had written down an extra tip: “Take the St Charles Streetcar to the Garden District and get off at Washington, to check out the Lafayette Cemetery (check the hours; maybe not open on Sun) – OR take a tour with Historic Tours of New Orleans of the Garden District and cemetery. They are not really big groups and you will learn so much more than just walking around on your own. Eat lunch at Commander’s Palace, one of the grand dames of New Orleans cuisine. Ride the same streetcar to the end of the line and back just to soak up the city. ”
Ride the antique wooden carousel at Carousel Gardens in City Park — “Hop onto one of the carousel’s ‘flying horses’ and enjoy a spin on this magical landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The carousel, one of only about 100 such carousels remaining in the United States, sits in Carousel Gardens, along Victory Avenue in City Park. Carousel Gardens hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $3 per person and rides cost $3 each.” (“New Orleans City Park covers more than 1,300 acres and contains numerous attractions, including the New Orleans Botanical Garden and the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden. Of particular interest is Carousel Gardens…as well as beautiful areas for walking. The park claims to have one of the world’s largest stands of mature live oak trees, with one that is almost 800 years old.”) “In the south part of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the finest of its kind in the South. The museum features an excellent collection of French and American art, as well as African and Japanese pieces. On site and another of the institution’s highlights is the outdoor Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, with more than 60 sculptures, as well as walking paths, lagoons, and mature live oak trees.”
“The most famous street in the French Quarter is Bourbon Street, but it is not necessarily the highlight of the area. This street is relatively benign by day but at night transforms into a loud and boisterous pedestrian area that may not always feel safe. (Go for, instead…) Royal Street (which) offers a great mix of history, fine cuisine, and unique shopping opportunities, with some higher end stores, galleries, and hotels. One of the notable buildings on Royal Street is the Court of Two Sisters (1832), now a restaurant known for its jazz brunch. To hear some quality musicians playing traditional jazz music, Frenchmen Street is (also) a place to go. Good restaurants can also be found along here, and artists frequent the area….(and) not to be missed in the French Quarter are Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral, located just off the waterfront.” (“Jackson Square is the main square in the heart of the French Quarter. Standing prominently at one end of the square is the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, with its white façade and cone shaped spires. Also in the vicinity of the cathedral are the Presbytere and Cabildo, both Louisiana State Museums. The area in front of the cathedral, along the iron fence that surrounds the square, has long been an artist’s hang out, and nearby are shops and restaurants, making it a popular spot for tourists.”)
“A cruise on the paddle steamer Steamboat Natchez is a wonderful way to experience the Mississippi River and a unique way to see and learn about the city. The harbor cruises take about two hours and provide narration on the sites, with an optional lunch of creole cuisine. The dinner cruise features a live jazz band, buffet-style dinner, and of course, wonderful views of New Orleans. The whole area is very attractively laid out along the banks of the Mississippi, with the Riverboat Docks and promenade.” (Or, a traveler tip I’d jotted down: ” Take a ride on the Natchez (not the meal, just the cruise) to get out on the river – if you don’t have time for that, take the free ferry across the river to Algiers and back – great views back of New Orleans.”)
At 1 Canal Street is the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas: “Along the waterfront in downtown New Orleans, within walking distance of the French Quarter, the aquarium focuses on species found in North, Central, and South America …with exhibits that highlight freshwater fish of the Mississippi River and marine life from the Gulf of Mexico.”
And this: ” To see the sites at your own pace and learn a little of the city’s fascinating history, the best option is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Tour on an open-top, double-decker sightseeing bus. This tour stops at 18 locations around the city and gives you the option to get off wherever you like, or you can choose to stay on the bus for the full two-hour loop. “
Oh dear, I got carried away with my enthusiasm for New Orleans, Claudia. I do know you have your own ability to scope out what you want to see and do there! I’d always thought I really hadn’t liked New Orleans so much…like anywhere, there are areas you want to be careful in at night; I had a bit of a scare with some street kids in Jackson Square after dark…and it’s, to me, a large city, although any city seems pretty large to me, since I’ve mostly lived in small towns (such that large cities can sometimes be difficult to traverse when you’re a novice/tourist), but I loved Louisiana in general; the whole Creole/Cajun cultural thing (influence of French in the early U.S.); the great river; the bayous; the boats. I would LOVE to make a return trip but, until then, I’ll live vicariously through your experience! You do need some time there; you can’t do New Orleans in a long weekend, not in my opinion!
I just booked the flight – I’ll be there for about 7 full days and that will be fun!
Thanks so much for all the travel tips, Vicki!
You Go Girl! You deserve every bit of fun you can get out of this life!
Judy A-
Thank you, Judy!
Have I told you that I really enjoy your pictures with insects, bugs, bees, spiders, etc in them…they seem exceptionally good to me and very interesting…I think you should order the third floor also Claudia…knowing you, if you don’t do it now it will just stay in your head and you will end up doing it would later…lol…I only have one thing left to say…Yippie!…We’re going to New Orleans!!!!
Thank you, Nancy. I love taking that sort of picture. I find all animal and insect life fascinating.
The third floor decision is still pending…
Yay! New Orleans!