Heavens, it’s taking me so long to recover from the trip! I didn’t sleep well the night before last, waking up at 4 am, so I barely functioned yesterday. I got more sleep last night, so I feel better – foggy, but better. The drive on the Garden State Parkway is insane. Huge backups for no reason. It takes forever. Once I got on the Thruway in NY, it was smooth sailing.
I was tired when I got home, but the first thing I saw was a black swallowtail butterfly flitting around the garden. Wasn’t that a lovely welcome? Better than the welcome from my husband, who fell asleep on the porch glider and didn’t even hear me drive in! I was in and out of the house calling for him, and starting to get worried, and then I found him on the porch where he had been sitting, waiting for me. Sleep overtook him.
The theater building and complex are fabulous and so well planned. Filled with light. It was renovated not that long ago. Red Bank is a pretty little town on the Navesink river, not far from the Atlantic Ocean. I did walk around a bit on Friday. There were antique shops right by the theater, but they were disappointing. Pretty junky. But the view of the river is beautiful and when Hurricane Rita finally passed us, I could see the harbor and all the boats.
It felt good to be coaching again, and not via Zoom, but in person, face-to-face. There’s no comparison. I go back in a little less than 2 weeks.
Ruby and Dexter, dressed for a road trip.
Blythes are good companions, but this little girl is sort of the perfect size. Same body size as a Blythe, but obviously, a smaller head.
This is how they traveled. Remember this basket from my friends at Play From Your Heart that I got at the Blythe convention? It comes with a little mattress and pillow.
Don took this photo.
I think everyone should have a doll as a traveling companion!
I missed the others, though, and was glad to see them again.
I am telling you: they keep me sane in the midst of the horrors and crimes and abuse from this administration. Play. Whatever your preferred method of playing and creating is, go for it. Do everything you can to find pockets of peace and joy. We are meant to play, and that shouldn’t stop just because we’re adults. Or old ladies, in my case.
Love to you all.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Bravo Claudia!!! You got your groove back! I am so glad you have this opportunity!
And as for traveling companions… I agree one hundred percent…. especially if they have such a lovely basket and don’t have to go through Airport Security! :) I can never choose between my too many Little People… perhaps I just don’t have the right focus to have them along when I travel. But the pictures you captured are gorgeous and I can relate to the feeling of having a friend along for the trip.
And I have experienced the New Jersey Turnpike…. but not for many years. We got a flat tire in the pouring rain with just Me my Mom and my Sister on the way home from a trip to Miami to see my Grandma…. it was memorable and we survived!
I am glad you get a “breather” between the sessions., and that the Garden welcomed you home!
I think driving in NJ is crazy. Two years ago, when I was working at another NJ theater I was so stressed trying to find a way to cross the median to get to my hotel. And even with GPS, it was hard to figure out where to go.
Thanks so much, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Play is so important! I find arranging and rearranging my crystals brings me great joy. My Grandgirl loves crystals also, so sharing this with her is super fun!!
I want to get a few more crystals, myself!
Stay safe, Linda.
So pleased you had a great coaching experience. And that you had Ruby and Dexter to keep you company during down time at your apartment. I love your suggestion to play. Everyone has that ability but many don’t have the willingness to let themselves go. My play is my crafts. Lately, it’s sewing little pieces for the three grand-nieces who will be born in October. I love snipping the last thread and holding up these tiny items of clothing. There will be a set of twins, the very first set in our family!
Such a great idea to sew for the grand-nieces!
Thank you, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Yes, we must all remember to play. We must nurture our inner child. Who knows how to play better than a six year old? And playing with dolls is the best! Rest up. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks so much, Elaine!
Stay safe.
i am so glad for you to have had that week of work (excepting the hard furniture and slow garden state parkway traffic) and to now be home!
i feel the same way about not bouncing back as quickly as i used to. and i agree about the importance of play, stress relief, relaxing, but i do not agree with you calling yourself an “old lady” … and not just because i’m only a couple years behind you! :)
i knit a couple hats over the weekend. hope to knit a lot more for my church (it has a craft-y fundraiser early each december to help various mission projects. any unsold hats i take to a family service organization or school). i found my favorite yarn online at a great price and with free shipping so i ordered a bunch. using”super-bulky” yarn and a very easy pattern, i can knit one hat in four hours. that’s my “play” right now and it feels good.
hope you are all settled, have easy days and time for play.
xo
kathy
I miss knitting and crocheting, but I did so much of it that it took a toll on my hands and wrists!
Stay safe, Kathy.
i’m sorry that you have any pain and are kept from knitting and crocheting. :( glad you have other outlets and interests! :)
kathy
thanks, Kathy.
Sounds like you had a productive time at the theater…excepting for the furniture, thruway, and weather. I’m sure it felt great to be back doing what you love and what we know you are so good at.
I had to chuckle at Don sleeping through your arrival….but I’m sure you are both delighted to be back together.
You are so right about play. We all need those diversions…I’ve recently taken up building Lego flower sets. After watching my kids for years building sets, I decided I wanted to try. It’s good for my mind, too.
Enjoy your day! ;)
Thruway was fine – it was the Garden State Parkway that was insane.
I know several people who love building with Legos. Enjoy, Donna!
Stay safe.
Welcome back! I’m so glad you had a wonderful experience with the coaching — sometimes a return isn’t as rewarding as we hope. This sounds excellent in every way, apart from the drive! And I love your traveling companion.
I’ve been more or less without news (apart from a peek at the NYT) for the past few weeks, painting a lot. My head feels so much clearer, and my mood less anxious and yet I know so much is going on that is serious and I can’t stick my head in the sand, much as I’d like to. But it sure is heavenly. (Although cold — 49 degrees this morning.)
Glad you can lose yourself in painting, Jeanie.
Thanks!
Stay safe.
I sit at my sewing machine and sew, sew, sew. Lately I have been making cloth napkins. Family and friends, watch out. Christmas is coming! Lots of leftover fabric from years of sewing. Didn’t have to buy anything. Have a great day you two!!
What a great idea, Tana!
Stay safe.
I really enjoy hearing about the workings of a play. I have only been part of the audience.
My news is I saw Don (this is the third time this summer) in another Law and Order episode! He was playing a NYC policeman and was in a conversation with Jerry Orbach’s character. He had a NYC accent, too, I noted. I get excited and it makes me happy when I see Don. Before, this summer I had only seen him in the PBS special that was filmed in Prague.
Take Care,
Kaye
He loved working with Jerry Orbach. He was a great guy and a wonderful actor. Don knows Jerry’s son, as well.
Glad you saw him, Kaye!
Stay safe.