Yesterday was the official Opening Day of the Chautauqua Institution for 2014. All in all, a very festive day around here. People everywhere, lemonade stands, the local fire department had a chicken barbecue (as a vegetarian, I did not partake,) children and adults were eating ice cream cones, music wafting through the air….and perfect weather. The morning started out with the Opening Service, which took place in the amphitheater.
The choir sounded lovely, the organ music was beautiful (I’m a sucker for organ music) and the speakers were inspiring. The President of the Chautauqua Institution officially opened the summer with 3 raps of a gavel.
Then the theater company met inside the theater and the summer season of the Chautauqua Theater Company was launched. It was lovely opportunity to meet the rest of the students and staff. From there we walked over to another amphitheater where the Friends of the Theater had an opening event. It was a lot of fun. Each student this summer will be ‘adopted’ by a couple that lives in Chautauqua. I expect that some home-cooked meals will be on the docket – a nice relief from dorm food.
All of this took most of the day and as I left the Friends event and headed home, the sounds of an orchestra drew me once more to the amphitheater, where a concert was being offered.
It really is magical here. Music, dance, theater, symposiums, book clubs, life-long learning…such a wonderful place! Today, a series with author Roger Rosenblatt begins. Each day, he will interview an author. Today? Tom Brokaw. Tomorrow? Margaret Atwood. These events take place at 10:45 am and I am going to try to catch some of the Brokaw interview before I head to Chautauqua Miniatures.
Tonight, the Canadian Brass are playing in the amphitheater.
Pretty cool!
I poked around some shops this week.
I saw my red shoes in purple, which is the other color I would have chosen had I purchased another pair. Gosh, I love these shoes! But I didn’t buy them. (I haven’t even received my first paycheck yet.)
I do like to buy something vintage, preferably something I collect, wherever I travel and I found that something in the one and only vintage shop on the grounds.
An egg cup! This one is on the petite side but is very heavy, with the feel of ironstone. The transferware scene depicted looks either Chinese or Japanese, with three figures against a scenic background.
Only six dollars.
After taking part in all the day’s activities, I decided to opt out of the Company Barbecue last night and grab the opportunity for a few hours alone here in the apartment. I’m so glad that I did. Made some dinner, watched 60 Minutes and a documentary on Frederick Law Olmstead on PBS, fell asleep on the sofa for about an hour, then did a little more TV watching. It really helped. I need some solitude that had been sorely lacking.
Today…Chautauqua Miniatures! I’m so excited! I’ll take some photos – though shop photos with an iPhone are always iffy.
I hope you are all well.
Psst! Tomorrow is Don’s birthday. If you could all come around tomorrow and leave a birthday greeting for him, I would be most appreciative! I don’t like being away from him on his birthday, but we’ll celebrate when I get back home. So, since he’ll be alone tomorrow, I bet your Happy Birthday greetings would make his day! Tomorrow is also Little Z’s birthday (my newest nephew). We think it’s just wonderful that Z and Don share the same birthday.
Happy Monday.
I’m glad you got some “alone time”….it DOES sound like a full & lovely day, though….and in such a lovely setting!
It was, Rebecca.
Sounds like an amazing day! Love your new egg cup to add to your collection. Happy to hear you were able to have some time to yourself. Enjoy miniature shopping today. Can’t wait to see the pics.
I’m so looking forward to it, Chy!
Sounds like you had a wonderful day, and hooray for Canadian Brass! Love your egg cup. This weekend I was visiting my daughter and she made soft boiled eggs for breakfast and guess what? She had no egg cups at all! (I did think of you and your lovely collection) She loves mismatched blue and white china, so at Sunday’s flea market I found her four small blue and white egg cups for $2.50. Gotta love flea markets. :)
Oh, perfect! Your daughter will love them, I’m sure.
Claudia, That is a good crowd. That organ is beauty, I bet it sounds great. You found the perfect little treasure to take home. So sweet. Blessings for a fun week, xoxo,Susie
It will be a busy week, that’s for sure, Susie!
I want to live there!
Me too!
What a fantastic place you are in! I love your new egg cup (of course) it’s really pretty! Great addition to your collection. I’m so excited about the miniatures shop! Glad you got some rest and alone time. I had some of that this weekend and I’m feeling refreshed also. Good thing because the moving container arrives today and it’s a week of unpacking ahead of me!
hugs,
Linda
It makes a huge difference. I found I was able to be warm and welcoming when everyone got home. Good luck with the unpacking, Linda.
I am over the moon with the egg cup. Also, I got my two pairs of red shoes from Spring Step last week. I am wearing them everywhere, even to bed! Last night in a Sunday episode of “Elementary” I think I spotted Don. He was a lawyer. Lord, does your man have screen presence! (If that was him.) And I will be back tomorrow!
Tana
So glad you like the shoes, Tana! Now you have to buy a purple pair. Yes, Don was on Elementary and he was a lawyer. It was him!
So glad to hear you had a few peaceful hours alone. I like my alone time too :) it does wonders for a person.
It sure does, Dawn.
You must have be revelling in your “alone” time yesterday, Claudia. PS – I think your iPhone photos have been amazing. I’m considering getting one at some point – and almost solely based on the incredible iPhone pictures I’ve seen here. The only thing holding me back is trying to justifying the iPhone price, seeing that I just don’t use a phone that much. If I was on the phone a lot now, I’d get one immediately. Enjoy your week!
Do you have a cell phone carrier like Verizon or AT & T? You can do what I did, and Don, too. Buy an older model of the iPhone. When I got mine, the newest model was the 4S – so I bought the 4 for about $50. Same thing with Don’s – the 5 had come out, so he got the 4S. It’s a big discount that way, Janet.
Thanks for the info, Claudia. I have Virgin Mobile now – my service is only $20 a month which works fine for me. But this sounds promising. I’ll check it out!
If you have to be away from home, sounds like you are in a delightful place. Glad you got some alone time, too. Can’t wait to see what you find at the miniatures store!
I’m getting some alone time today, too. Just what the doctor ordered.
I’m loving those shoes in purple too..The egg cup is so sweet..A little alone time and rest can do so much for us..I will be sure to leave a greeting for Don and will visit your sister to leave a greeting for Little Z too..I am ready and waiting to see the miniature shop!!!
it was pretty neat, Nancy!
Sounds like you had a fun day…with lots of activities…and some alone time! Your iPhone pics are great as far as I can tell…you are taking us (me), on a journey I probably wouldn’t be on…so seeing all that is great! ;)
Hi Dom, happy birthday!!! I wish you a lot of peace and health!!
I’d love to hear the Canadian Brass..One of the group used to play in our Symphony..He visits now and then…I like your shoes in purple..Go for it!!