It started snowing in the afternoon here in Hartford and by the time I left rehearsal at 6:00, there were several inches on the ground. It was a bit windy and the falling snow was flying everywhere.
To me, it was magical.
It reminded me of my years living in Philadelphia and Boston – cities where one can get around by walking or by mass transit. I didn’t have or need a car in those days. So when a big snow storm came, I just slogged my way down the street on foot. I didn’t have to worry about driving in it. Life didn’t come to a standstill, it went on.
As I walked through the heavily falling snow, I saw it gleam and twinkle in the streetlights. This time, the snow was the beautiful light and fluffy version and I really loved it.
The entrance to Bushnell Park with the trees wrapped in beautiful Christmas lights – so pretty. The falling snow in a city brought back memories of several of my grad school classmates and me walking through a blizzard trying to make our way to the subway in order to get to a rehearsal. We had to grab onto light poles because it was so windy and we laughed ourselves silly. Or leaving the building I worked in at Boston University in the evening, getting on the T, eventually alighting in Harvard Square where I continued my journey on foot for several blocks until I reached my warm and dry apartment. Snow is beautiful when it swirls and glimmers in the evening lights of a city.
There was a freedom that came with living in a city when winter weather hit. Stores stayed open. Daily life continued. And even though I might have been pelted with flying snow as I made my way around the city, the point is I could do it. Now that I live in the country and have to drive everywhere I am much more hesitant about driving in snow. I no longer have the seeming fearlessness that I had as a young adult, when I thought nothing of driving across the state in a blizzard to attend a friend’s wedding. What was I thinking?
This morning it is very windy and the streets have been cleared. Don asked my neighbor to please clear a bit of our driveway so that I can drive up it – at least a part of it – and park the car when I get home tonight. More shoveling tomorrow. Oh, that’s right – when I lived in an apartment I didn’t have to shovel snow!
Sometimes I miss living in the city. This is one of them. I think I will always have that push-pull feeling. Drawn to the country vs. drawn to the city. I lived in both and each of them has a piece of my heart.
It’s been wonderful being in a rehearsal studio again. I love my work. I feel so at home in rehearsal spaces and theaters – I’m sure if I tallied up the amount of hours I have spent there, the result would be shocking. I know what I’m doing in those spaces. I know how to work there. I know who I am. I’ve been there as an actress and as a coach and teacher. The actors in this show are very talented and very nice. I’ll be back in a little over a week to spend a few more days as they work onstage in front of an audience.
Poor Scout. Boarding again.
And for a little comic relief, I saw this on my walk to rehearsal yesterday:
A pigeon eating take out.
And why not?
Happy Sunday.
Well it seems you are back in your element…….theater. I’m so happy you’ve got something creative to occupy your time, plus getting paid doesn’t hurt. Have fun, but please be careful driving in the snow.
Hugs,
Meri
Getting paid doesn’t hurt at all!
Claudia,
Your snow storm photos are stunning!!! I too love a good blizzard. In North Dakota, we’ve had a bitterly cold and snowy week, simply beautiful!
Have a safe trip home and thanks for sharing a part of your trip with us :)
Lori
You’re welcome, Lori.
I love all your now. We are getting it here in Michigan too. My boys have been out downhill skiing and snowmobiling. Winter is a favorite season of mine, so many hate the snow, but I love it.
I like it when it’s light and fluffy!
Hi Claudia, I can TOTALLY identify with your push-pull between country and city! I have lived in Philly, Boston and NYC, and there is something very magical about the snow–I think it is like a quieting blanket, muffling the sounds and covering the dirt and making everyone a little friendlier. And of course the freedom from cars and shoveling is also appealing, as is the ready access to museums! I used to get off that Harvard Sq. stop and trudge up Mass Ave to our apt. too, to Forest Street, where we lived in a building we jokingly called Forest St. Luxury Apartments. :) I hope Scout makes some friends in boarding. I have a great place in Winsted, CT, to board if you travel through there to get to Hartford. Nellie thinks it is her vacation home and the owners are her grandparents. You sound happier than you have been for awhile–you must love your career! Happy New Year! Linda
I know exactly where Forest St is, Linda. I lived on Harvard Street. I wonder if we were neighbors? When did you live there?
I’ll have to see how Scout is tomorrow. I think she was depressed by the description of the tech. And I have to board her again in 9 days. But I think its a good place for her because they know her and she knows them.
I moved into the Forest Street apartment which my husband (then boyfriend) was renting, passed down from one roommate to the next, which of course preserved the rent-controlled price. I was there from January 1979 through July 1980 when we were married and moved to Philadelphia. We used to stand in line at No Name Seafood, then in line again at Steve’s Ice Cream for mix-ins. I wonder if we ever crossed paths? We loved Boston, and now we are beginning to spend more time there as our daughter has moved to a wonderful pre-war building on Boylston Street. It reminds me so much of our beginnings there.
It looks like we were there at different times – I lived there from 1988 to 1993. I love Boston, too. I really miss it. I was fortunate to get back there a year or so ago on a coaching job and I got to re-visit Cambridge. How nice that your daughter is there now!
Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine a blizzard. I’ve never even seen enough of the white stuff to build a miniature snowman before. Lol!
I would love love LOVE to experience a real snowfall at least once in my life, but I wouldn’t want to drive in it. I’d prefer playing in it in intervals at home.
Kristin
I hope you get to see a snowfall someday, Kristin. It really can be magical.
My Amanda s the same way, Claudia, part Country Mouse, part City Mouse. The city mouse part is winning out. She came home for Christmas and desperately needed to get back to Boston for friday night/saturday day before catching the train back home late yesterday afternoon to spend one more day home. She’s made plans with some friends for New Year’s eve and will be heading back to the city either tonight or during the day tomorrow.
Have a safe trip home. Will you get to pick up Scout today/tonight? There’s no place like home, for people or animals :)
Donna
It’s too late to pick her up tonight – I didn’t get home until 8:30. But first thing tomorrow, I will be driving there to get her. I miss her so much.
It was lovely..I didn’t take my camera with me when I walked Mollie last night..I’m sure there will be more snow to come…Love your pictures…
I quickly pulled out my iPhone and took those pictures.
Claudia – your snow scenes are gorgeous and so serene. Drive carefully on your way home. J
Thanks, Julie.
Dear Claudia, You have just voiced my thoughts, that I have had since the snows came. I know that in town, I could bundle up and walk anywhere. I live too far out now for that. I am getting ,more burned out on living here in the country, each winter that comes. It’s 8 years now. Take care, carry extra socks, gloves and hats with you when out in the snow. xoxo,Susie
I feel the same way. I don’t like being held hostage by the snow. I miss that city freedom.
LOL at the last picture~ I have a love/hate relationship with the snow, Claudia. I love the pictures you showed here- those would be part of my “love” cycle. As far as the reality of traveling around in it- that’s the “hate” part of it for me. Blessings to you- xo Diana
Thank you, Diana.
Your pictures are as beautiful as your memories! Have a wonderful last day and be very careful driving home. Scout is going to be SO happy to see you!
XO,
Jane
I hope she’s not mad at me!
It’s so wonderful that you get to do what you love….that is rather rare, you know! I’m not as adventurous in the snow as I used to be either…let’s not make any age references here, ok? Safe trip back home my friend! ;)
Agreed. No age references!
You have some lovely snow scenes and your memories the snow envoked were wonderful to here about.
Happy New Year.
Denise
Happy New Year to you, Denise.
Claudia – Your snow pics are beautiful but scary!! Do you have to drive far to get home? Be very careful friend.
Happy New Year to you all.
Judy
It’s a 2 1/2 hour drive, Judy, but by the time I left tonight, the roads were pretty clear.
Drive carefully on your way home. Stay safe.
Mere
I’m home safe.
I like your snow pictures, but like you, I don’t like driving in it. I also don’t like shoveling in it. Only two ways I don’t mind it – walking around in it, like you described…or curled up on the sofa, watching the big, fluffy flakes out the window, floating gently to the ground.
You sound happy in what you’re doing right now. But refresh my memory – what is it you do with theater again? Are you a writer?
I’m a voice, speech, dialect and text coach.
Thanks for sharing your snow in the city photos. I love being out in the snow at night. There is nothing more peaceful. I can remember driving in blizzards when I was younger, too. Maybe with age has come some sense.
Hugs,
Laura
I love snow at night, too, Laura. So beautiful and peaceful.
I’ve never had to live in snow. I did spend a month in Chicago in December and had to scrape my car every morning before going to work but never had to shovel my way out. I’m sure Scout is well taken care of while you are away. Be careful and stay safe. Tammy
Thank you, Tammy.
Day before yesterday, Judy was here with me, and it snowed for a bit. Didn’t stick to the ground. We get to that age when we fear the weather. Fear we might not make it there. Fear we might fall and get hurt. Things that as fearless young adults, aren’t on our radar. I know you’re in your element. I hope the road home is a safe one.
Brenda
It was.
Happy New Years Claudia! I have been following your adventures for a few days ( UGH about shoveling the driveway etc ) but am glad to see your spirits are up and revived! :) That comes from being in your element and doing what you were born to do.
‘I love my work. I feel so at home”
I am glad for you! :) This is where you need to be right now / Scout will be fine! :)
It helps to have work, however temporary, in the field I’ve been trained for!
I know what it means to in a place where you are comfortable in your skin. I can sense your glow.
Glad you made it home safely. Your photos of the snow are beautiful. I love snow, but I’d just as soon enjoy it in your photos as opposed to on the grounds here! Stay safe and warm.
/so happy you made it home safely. I’m like you…I think the snow is magical. It’s often very inconvenient, but nevertheless…simply wonderful!
Blessings, Claudia!
Carolynn
Such beautiful pictures, Claudia. I love snow, despite my grumbling about it now and then. I particularly love it when I don’t have to go anywhere! I’m glad you had such a lovely time.