Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

And We’re Back to Reality

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A lovely day yesterday, starting with brunch at Doug and Rick’s place. Rick made french toast and I got to see what has happened with house decorating – it’s looking lovely inside. They’ve accomplished a lot outside, as well, a new driveway, new exterior paint, some trees taken down. A fire was lit in the fireplace – the perfect setting for food and lots of laughter. Doug’s daughter is simply lovely and I’m so glad I had the chance to talk with her.

Then – and don’t get too excited by my whirlwind of activity – I went to the grocery store.

Yep. That’s it.

And then I watched Gigi  on TCM. I love that movie.

Don contemplating Nighthawks.

Don said that he tested his voice in the shower yesterday and it was a bit better. The meds are kicking in and he’s feeling better. Today, he and his doctor will decide whether he needs a shot of steroids. Hopefully, not, but he’s got to be able to sing. At 1:00 central time, send positive energy his way.

In the meantime, we texted a lot and had one FaceTime where I asked ‘Yes and No’ questions.

I’m pondering whether to begin painting that last wall in the kitchen.

Pondering. Not doing anything. Just pondering.

Last night’s sunset was beautiful, but the sun went down at 4:15. Too early!

I just finished Michael Connelly’s newest (great, as always) and have now tucked into the new John Le Carré – A Legacy of Spies.

Today is about getting the mail from the post office, paying bills, and making calls about the Tax Scam. The latest realization: I would lose the tax deductions that are absolutely necessary for me to sustain my freelance work. There’s a long list of horrors in this bill – this is just one of them.

Resist.

Happy Monday.

Back at the Ranch

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Hello from the cottage.

A long day of travel yesterday, of course, with an Uber ride to O’Hare, the flight home, then the shlepping. That’s what I find the most tiring; I had two small rolling suitcases (Don currently has the large one) plus my handbag and a coat and I had to constantly start, stop, adjust my handbag, take my coat off, put it on, grab the suitcases by the handles to go up and down stairs, and maneuver through subway turnstiles to make my way back into the city. As it was unseasonably warm and I had layers on, I was uncomfortable and just wanted to get home.

But, I caught the 5:00 bus and my friends Rick and Doug picked me up from the bus station. And when I got home, my plants were in pretty good shape. The monstera (split-leaf philodendron) and the pilea were drooping quite a bit. Watering was my first priority and I’m happy to say that this morning, every plant looks revived and healthy. Two weeks away is okay in the winter. It would be more problematic in the spring and summer when plants require more water.

I’m glad to be home. I’m going over to Rick and Doug’s place for brunch this morning. Rick is making French Toast, one of my favorites. Doug’s daughter is visiting and it will be nice to get to know her.

Unfortunately, Don lost his voice on Friday during the matinee and, even though he planned to go on that night, the music director pulled him from the weekend shows because he has to be better for Monday’s recording of the cast album. Also unfortunately, my best friend and her family came to the show on Friday night, so I was texting and calling her at the last minute to tell her Don wouldn’t be appearing.

So, they didn’t get to see Don in the musical, which was the whole point of going. Laural is in the theater so she understood. But Don felt badly; he really wanted to do that performance for them.

The company manager found an ENT doctor and Don saw him yesterday morning. He has an upper respiratory infection and is on meds and isn’t talking for the whole weekend, so we’re texting and/or face-timing with me doing all the talking and Don nodding yes or no.

Say a prayer or two for him, okay? He has to be better for that recording tomorrow.

I have to run to the grocery store this morning to stock up on food. I’m ready to eat at home for a while. Dining out is fun but when it’s every day, I get tired of it.

What a blessing it has been to travel to New Orleans and Chicago and spend quality time in both places. Don will be home a week from tomorrow and we can settle in for the month of December.

That will be nice.

Closing with a shot of nighttime Chicago, taken my last night there.

Happy Sunday.

A Fond Farewell to Chicago

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I have had the best time here in Chicago. From start to (almost) finish, it’s been simply lovely. Family, friends, seeing the sights, my birthday, Thanksgiving with the cast of Escape to Margaritaville – my cup runneth over.

I’ve always loved Chicago and now I love it even more.

A christmas tree in Grant Park.

This building, which sets my architectural loving heart aflutter.

This Art Deco-y font on the marquee.

My best friend of 53 years. Laural and I are true-blue; we know each other on a deep level that transcends time. We met at Macy’s (which I keep referring to as Marshall Fields – wishful thinking,) had lunch in the Walnut Room (she treated for my birthday) and talked for 5 hours. We could have continued but she had to get home. A perfect day with my dearest friend. She and her family are coming to the show tonight.

A low-key day yesterday, with an afternoon walk, and then dinner with the cast of Escape to Margaritaville. Dinner was at a local restaurant, where we dined at beautifully set round tables in a private room. I cannot say enough about the beautiful souls that are part of this production. Kind, funny, talented, good – there is no drama, only love.

On our way to the restaurant, we noticed Chicago was getting its red and green on:

Alison Luff, the female lead, took this candid picture of us.

It might be my favorite picture of Don and me. Alison is incredibly talented and a beautiful person inside and out. Thank you, Alison.

Oh, Chicago, thank you for your hospitality and the chance to explore you. Thanks for housing my family and best friend, so that I could spend time with them. Thanks for your soaring, gorgeous architecture and your Art Institute, for your park, for your bridges, for your great restaurants and theaters. I’ve had a wondrous time.

My friends, I have an early flight tomorrow, so I most likely won’t post. We’ll get back to normal posting on Sunday.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Friday.

 

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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