What? Another potpourri post? Yes, indeed.
Actually, every moment of my thinking life is a potpourri, with my thoughts going hither and yon, sometimes with a speed that is alarming, at best. Slowing down the jumpiness (is that a word?) of my thoughts, meditating – that sort of thing doesn’t come easily to me, but I work on it.
Anyway, this is a talky post, so hang on.
• The catmint is at its purple best at the moment. Flowers everywhere, cascading from the garden onto the lawn. What a sturdy plant this is. If only it deterred deer and little scampy groundhogs. By the way, one of the wee ones in the litter was discovered in the big corral yesterday. My jaw dropped open. How did he get in there? I immediately went outside to try to guide him out of the corral, but that little bugger got out on his own.
They climb, you know.
They’re amusing, my little friends, but I’m ready for the kids to leave home. Go on, you guys…pack up. Time to go off to college. Mom needs a rest. I certainly need a rest.
• Don films a scene in another episode of Mr. Robot today. Actually, tonight. His call is 8:30 pm, which will make for a long night. We went through a bit of a panic yesterday, trying to figure out the best way for him to get there. If he takes the train or bus, he runs the risk of being stranded in the city overnight because he may not finish filming until early in the morning, after the last train/bus has departed. If he drives all the way to the location in Brooklyn, he’s in for some major headaches. Trust me, I looked at the directions on Mapquest and they are insane. Both of us have driven in the city many times, but moving beyond Manhattan into Brooklyn, in this case, the far reaches of Brooklyn, is a recipe for stress.
So, we decided the best thing is for Don to drive into Manhattan, find a parking garage, and let the production company van pick him up in Soho/Tribeca. They’ll drop him off at the end of filming and he can get in the car and drive home. No matter how you look at it, this kind of filming schedule is daunting even if you live in the city, but much more so if you live outside the city, in our case, very far outside the city.
That’s lamium, a ground cover I planted nine years ago. I would call it trustworthy, dependable, and no fuss, because I never have to worry about it surviving the cold or dying back. And now it’s rewarding me with purple flowers.
• Reader Lottie asked me to share my thoughts on the Tony Awards broadcast this year. Well. The more I think about the broadcast, the angrier I get. I posted a little rant about them on Facebook yesterday. (If you’re not interested in the Tony Awards, you might want to scroll ahead to the next topic!)
Here’s what ticks me off:
1. Almost all, if not all, design awards occur before the show or during commercial breaks. That means that these most important categories – can you imagine a show without lighting, costumes, and sound? – are apparently deemed not important enough to be given anything other than a 10 second mention – if that – afterwards. Are you kidding me? It’s so disrespectful.
2. They eliminated the award for Sound Design this year. When I say eliminated, I don’t mean that the award was presented during a commercial break, I mean it was eliminated. No more. I have worked with countless sound designers over the years and to imply their work is less than worthy of an award makes me very angry. And it makes them even angrier.
3. Though the hosts, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth, were charming and funny, far too much time was spent on their bits, as well as staged peeks backstage. Who cares? I have no desire to hear frantic plugs for the next segment or see hoards of performers waiting in the wings. And why does every moment have to be filled with a comic bit? The core audience for the Tony Awards is not a young one that needs to be visually stimulated every moment. The core audience is older. And in the case of those who are younger, they’re there because they love theater. Period. You’re not going to lose them. Stop it. You could have used all that time in a better way; for example, including the design and writing awards live.
Oh yes, the writing awards were also relegated to commercial breaks. So when two women won for the words and music for Fun Home – the first time that has occurred in Tony history – we couldn’t see it as it happened.
4. I had a problem with the In Memoriam segment last year. It was never aired – you had to go online to see it. I guess the producers and CBS got a lot of flack about it because this year they included it, but spent far too much time on close-ups of Josh Groban, so that when they finally started to project the names of those we lost, they had to go through them so quickly that you couldn’t keep up with them. Here’s an idea (courtesy of Don): why not just do it in silence? And take your time with it, giving those we lost the respect they deserve?
5. When someone is awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, that person should be lauded and celebrated in front of the viewing audience, not during a commercial break. I was stunned when Tommy Tune, who has contributed so much to the theater, ended up being the victim of the ill-advised and bone-headed programming decisions of the producers and we only got to hear one sentence of his acceptance speech. After the fact.
I could go on and on, but this is already long. You get the picture. I’m getting more and more disgusted with the awards. Guess what, Tony Award Producers? Your audience is a theater loving audience. You’re not going to pick up a whole new viewing audience when the NBA finals are on and most people just aren’t interested. So stop trying to be something you are not.
Whew! Lottie, I hope you’re not regretting your request!
• And finally, some good news – at least, to me.
I got an email several weeks ago from the Editor of American Miniaturist magazine. At first, I thought it might be a joke, and I checked the email address and the editor’s name to make sure it was valid. It was.
Anyway, the Editor asked me if I would be interested in having my “beautiful” dollhouse featured in an upcoming issue. What??? I was stunned. When I picked myself up off the ground, I wrote back and said, “Are you kidding me? Yes!”
So I’ve spent the last 3 weeks taking photos of the dollhouse and writing a little article and it looks like My Little Dollhouse That Could will be featured in the August issue. I’m thrilled and honored, of course. I don’t know how many photos there will be or how much of my written text will be in the article. I have no control over that. It will be a surprise.
This magazine isn’t found on newsstands anymore but it sometimes can be found in dollhouse/miniature shops. I’m going to order my copies directly from them. Hopefully, at the end of July, I’ll have them in my hands and I can share the article with you.
Hurrah!
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia, How exciting that the dollhouse will be in a magazine! I’m sure Caroline is thrilled as well.
I watched the pilot for Mr. Robot on YouTube last week. I loved it and now I can’t wait for it to be on!
I haven’t watched the pilot yet, Kim. But it sounds like it’s going to be a good show!
I’m fairly new to your blog, so I clicked on the DOLLHOUSE heading up above to see what your dollhouse looks like.
Wow! I’ve always loved dollhouses (including the miniatures at the Art Institue in Chicago and the dollhouse that belonged to Colleen Moore). I love just staring at the little rooms and imagining that I actually lived there. Yours is fantastic. How appropriate that it’s going to be featured in American Miniaturist.
Thank you, Jo(e)! I saw the Thorne Miniatures many, many years ago. Hope to see them again someday!
First off…thanks for the pic of lamium…I have that plant growing profusely in my patio garden, I didn’t plant it, and I couldn’t seem to find it on my searches! But, it always blooms for me…and is quite pretty. Secondly, I’m thrilled about your dollhouse…has Caroline said anything about it yet? I found your Tony rant interesting. Their seems to be more emphasis put on entertaining, than actual awards…I didn’t watch it. And that is sad. Hope you enjoy your day! ;)
Caroline doesn’t know yet. Sssh! Don’t tell her.
Much more emphasis on entertainment and trying to get high ratings than the actual awards. The Tony’s are never going to get high ratings, so they should just accept that fact!
Congratulations, Claudia! How awesome for you. I often wonder how editors and their staff find magazine-worthy material. I would imagine searching blogs etc. is a great way to find interesting features. I’m betting your text will be included. You are a wonderful writer!
I think they probably do searches on the internet for dollhouses and blogs about miniatures.
I’m glad I wasn’t able to watch the Tony Awards. I would have become irritated. Don’s suggestion would be a wonderful. I’ll write the producers, seriously. I have no problem voicing an opinion.
I am so excited to see the dollhouse article! You do have the best adventures :)
Safe travel prayers for Don.
Hugs to all of you,
Deb
I’m very flattered that the dollhouse is magazine-worthy!
Congratulations about Caroline’s house (I hope that I remembered her name correctly!) that really is great isn’t it!!! xx
You did. It’s Caroline’s house (decorated, of course, by me!)
I’m sure Caroline is thrilled!
She doesn’t know yet, Shari! Shhh!
Wow, wow, wow!!!
Can you tell how thrilled I am for you?
I can’t wait to see your lovely dollhouse photos in print.
I hope they look okay, Barbara. It is so darned hard to get a good picture of a dollhouse room, especially rooms like the bathroom and kitchen, which are like long tunnels. Wish me luck!
Caroline had better give you all the credit! What exciting news! I used to subscribe to American Miniaturist and was always gobsmacked by the vision, talent and skills of its contributors; you’ll be in good company.
I’m very honored, Margaret. Can’t quite believe it!
Oh, how exciting! Will Caroline be unveiling the garden space?? I bet she is in a bit of a tizz just floofing and fluffing for such an important event! What fun!
Are you ready for the prospect that the “Littles” may decide that MHC is a great place to live,,,, and just might stay? Has sweet Scout noticed them yet? A few years ago we had a large batch of gophers and they all decided it was a grand place to stay. We got the live trap out and trapped them, one by one, and then drove each of them just out of town by the banks of the Wisconsin River and let them go. I know they are much happier in that environment than in our yard. (Well, I know that I am!!) :-)
The garden space has yet to be realized, Chris. Caroline is dithering about some decisions that have to be made. I’ll have to pressure her about it, but the roof garden will not be part of the feature, unfortunately!
Well, there have been groundhogs around here since we moved in 10 years ago, so I think they like it here. Ah, well.
Cudos on the dollhouse gig! What fun…☺.
Thank you, Lynn Marie!
I agree with you on the Tony awards show. One number with Alan Cummings etc would be fine. Why do they have to have 4 or 5? Too much vamping, I lost interest and went to clean the kitchen.
I should have done the same thing!
Can hardly wait to see article about your doll house. What fun! Your grounds are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I don’t have cable but, will visit one of my children to watch Mr. Robot.
Aw, that’s sweet of you, Rose. I’ll let you know when his episodes air.
Congratulations on the dollhouse – that’s great news! Looking forward to seeing more about it. And the Tonys? Loved your rant – 100% right. The network should realize that they’re never going to get massive ratings for the Tonys and just film the show as is. But to be honest, I’d like to see the whole celebrity-worship culture toned down quite a bit, and not airing all these award shows with hours of “red carpet” broadcasting beforehand would help I think. Either that or start airing award shows for other professions and industries – plumbers, teachers, farmers, lab scientists who’re trying to cure cancer, poor schlubby lab scientists who’re trying to cure cancer etc. My own rant, I guess. The lamium is so pretty – I’ve never heard of it before. Glad it’s something that can survive Winters like we just had too! Very dark here, thunder rumbling overhead, probably going to get a downpour. Enjoy the rest of your day..
I agree with you. Too much over-the-top adoration of celebrities. I know my share of them and most of them are just like you and me. And plumbers, and teachers, etc. Your point is right on the money, Janet.
Awards in and of themselves are troubling, anyway. How do we decide who is better? Who is best? It’s all terribly subjective.
“Thank you” for your thoughts on the Tony Awards! You are 100% correct on every point!
Congratulations on the dollhouse article! Can’t wait to see it!
You’re very welcome! I figured I had too much to say to address it in the Comments! It needed a space in the Post. Thank you to you for asking. It forced me to put my feelings into coherent words that made sense. xo
How exciting for you and Caroline! Your sweet little doll house in a magazine! I didn’t watch the Tony Awards this year because of a family event, but I have noticed the changes in the past and it seems like its a big promotion of the shows (which is good) but its an ‘award’ show so darn it, show the awards!
hugs,
Linda
Exactly! I hope you had a fabulous birthday, Linda! You are a girl after my own heart, you love to celebrate your birthday. And you should! Love to you.
congrats to you! I’d love to see the published article… you’ve done awesome work there, glad it will be recognized :-)
Thanks so much, Karen!
I finally got to yesterday’s post, having been out ALL day and into the night yesterday. Didn’t have the energy to go thru my blogs… Anyway, congrats on the doll house article. Looking forward to seeing the article via your blog?
I didn’t have time to watch the Tonys this year, but I agree with all your points. The Tonys used to be the one award show that was classy and did things its own way. I’m sorry to read your comments and to feel that the Tonys are going the way of the other banal awards shows, which just seem to be gigantic commercials in themselves. On the other hand, I can understand it is a horrendously expensive show to produce and stuffing commercials into it is one of the ways to finance the costs. So, cut the cute banter and fluff so we can see the entire presentation of awards, appreciate the heart-felt well-deserved thank you’s, and be entertained by the musical numbers.
I, too, realize it is expensive to produce and your suggestion is the right one. Cut the extra crap and let us see all the awards! You’re also right that it used to be the classiest of the award shows. It isn’t now, unfortunately!
Sorry I missed this yesterday Claudia..I am so excited for you to be in American Miniaturist..I hope I can manage to get my hands on a copy..Have fun with this!
I almost forgot to tell you..I was in a local Giant grocery store yesterday..walking down the soda isle I look over and what did I see but Vernor’s soda on the shelf..well I almost fell over..I have never ever seen it in our area before..I have never seen it anywhere in Pennsylvania and I have been quite a few places..Anyhow..I thought if it is now this close to New York state maybe Claudia has hope that it will be in her area in the near future..just had to tell you..It was $3.26 for six cans..
I’ll keep my eye out – how I would LOVE some Vernor’s!!
Thank you, Nancy!
Wow. What an honor. I’m so pleased for you.