Finished puzzle – the title is something like 50 Plants from Around the World, It’s absolutely gorgeous with incredible detail. This one is by my favorite puzzle manufacturer – Lawrence King. That’s the same company that does all “The World of…” puzzles. They’re beautifully illustrated and the puzzle itself is very high quality.
My next will be “The World of Hercule Poirot.”
On the egg cup cubby.
In front of the putz houses.
I have a coaching job. Well, I’ve had it for a while but it doesn’t begin until tomorrow. Sadly, theaters are struggling, with many canceling seasons, or greatly cutting back, or closing altogether, and I see that in my work as well. So I have one day of Zoom coaching with the 5 actors in this play, one filmed run-through to watch and take notes on, and one visit to the theater to watch and note the first preview performance. That’s it. For the last year or two, I have found myself having to coach actors on-the-fly (that’s really what it is) and it’s very depressing. I can’t coach thoroughly, I can’t even coach somewhat thoroughly. When budgets are slashed, it’s people like me who are the first to go or, at least, the first to have their hours/days cut. I’m grateful for some work, but I never thought that after almost 40 years of coaching professionally, I would have to work this way. Believe me, I am only one of many, many theater professionals that are trying to cope with less work and less time in which to do the quality of work we’re committed to. Anyway, it’s a production of Dial M for Murder, and I’ll have one day this week to meet with all the actors and give them every possible note I can cram into an hour session per actor. Next up will be watching a run-through virtually, and then – in January – I’ll drive to Rochester to watch a preview.
So I’ve been reading the script and prepping for the coaching sessions. And sighing a lot. Today, I chat with the director (who I know from my Hartford Stage days.)
Miranda in front of the tree.
Yesterday, I worked all morning on the script, and then, worried that I would run out of free time in which to dress all the girls in the sweaters, figured that now was the time. So, I redressed all the girls in some form of a Christmas sweater and socks or pants or tights. It took FOREVER. Then I took all sorts of photos and I can only hope one turns out well. And then I shot a little video of them, which I am unable to post here. But if you want to see it, just go to Instagram and search for sophieandherpals which is the name of my Blythe account. The video is there.
Okay. We’re caught up.
I have to mail a package this morning – another Etsy sale.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Yess I am sure it is difficult on the finances at this time in your life.
Thank God that Don has pensions,, because it sounds in your line of work you would not have had a pension.
Many people have never had any extra to put away for retirement. A struggle to just pay the bills. I thank God every day we have lived simply to pay off our house. My splurges are on my grandson. Now that he is in college the splurges are a little more expensive. Glad you have a little work.
I do have a very modest pension as I taught at two universities. And it’s not the pay that bothers me, it’s not being able to do the level of work I’m used to doing.
Stay safe, Linda.
congratulations on that job! should be more, claudia. you deserve it and have earned it. the actors and play/movie/etc. deserve it. and the audiences demand it! :)
in addition to your beautiful tree, i love the sweet little decorations you’ve set around your home (vintage by crystal does great work). i do the same … don’t put away things to make room for holiday pieces, just add small Christmas decorations to my usual stuff.
the puzzle looks hard, but bet it was fun!
big, big shopping to be done today (every day and Christmas groceries, supplies, food for birds and earl, yarn). will be glad when those errands are done.
i want to share something beautiful here. it’s on a painting a friend just made and gave me for Christmas. she knew i was looking for something to pair with photos of my grandparents and she found a perfect quote (by linda hogan):
“walking. i am listening to a deeper way. suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. be still, they say. you are the result of the love of thousands.”
isn’t that beautiful?!? comforting and joyous at the same time. love it! :)
best i get to chores.
hope you, don and everyone else have a nice, easy day. stay safe in every way!
kathy
That is absolutely lovely, Kathy. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Stay safe.
came back to correct that quote. the last sentence is “you are *a* result of the love of thousands” (not “the”).
sorry for the error.
happy, safe friday to everyone!
kathy
Pleased you have some work, Claudia, even if you know you can’t possibly attain your standards. I know you’ll do your best for the actors and the production, but you’ll also lament that you couldn’t do as much as you would want to do.
Puzzle looks like it would be fun. I’m a fan of Christie, so I’m anxiously awaiting a photo of the finished Hercule Poirot puzzle. I haven’t assembled a puzzle in ages, just concentrating on my holiday sewing.
Thank you, Wendy!
Stay safe.
Glad you have coaching work again. The theater is suffering, I think, because the younger generations just don’t go. They prefer concerts and music festivals. I’m basing this on our two Millennials and their friends’ habits. When I was much younger than they are now I had season tickets for the ballet and the opera seasons for years. And we go to the Rep to see plays as often as we can. So it’s not as if we haven’t been role models as far as arts supporters to sons who were both college of the arts majors in college. Oh, well…different times I guess.
Take care,
Kay
Plus, theaters rely on a subscriber base and that isn’t a viable option for many people.
Stay safe, Kay.
Another fabulous puzzle completed, Claudia. I saw the Hercule Poirot jigsaw recently in a local bookshop and might ask my brother to get it for my birthday next month as he is often stuck for gift ideas.
It must be so frustrating for you as a professional to have to work within slashed budgets and limited time schedules
Sounds like a good suggestion for a birthday present, Dee Dee!
Stay safe.
It’s good to have the work, no matter how it has changed. I love that play — it’s tight and well done. But a short period for you and hard to work to the standard you set for yourself and the actors with such a limited schedule. Five days isn’t much. They are lucky to have you.
I haven’t seen the Poirot puzzle but did an Agatha one back a few years ago. It was tremendously fun, one of my favorites to do. Not sure if it is part of the same series.
Just love your Vintage by Crystals! Merry Merry. Off to Livonia tomorrow with the kidlets and not sure how often I’ll be able to check in. I’ll catch up for sure but hope your holiday is lovely.
It’s actually four days, which is more than I contracted for and more than I am getting paid for. The hassles of having no agent or union. It’s not their fault entirely – it ended up being impossible to schedule everyone in one day. So I’m working again today.
Have fun with the kidlets, Jeanie!