• I won’t be mowing today as it’s raining. I somehow missed the fact that rain was in the forecast but then again, I don’t remember checking it at all yesterday. Lots of rain today and some rain tomorrow, as well.
• It was so cold and gray yesterday. Once again, Don and I found ourselves feeling a bit blue. I miss summer. The zinnias are blooming which gives us a little splash of color. Some of the phlox is still blooming, as well as the butterfly bush, and of course, lots of autumn wildflowers.
• I know I’ve mentioned this before but I was a camp counselor for two summers when I was in college. It was a camp in northern Michigan affiliated with the Lutheran church – Michi-lu-ca. Sadly, it was sold a few years ago, which made all of us very, very sad. I had always wanted to show it to Don as it meant so much to me. I recently connected (via Facebook) to a fellow counselor from my second summer there. I suddenly wondered if there was a group of former counselors/staff on Facebook as there seems to be a group for everything under the sun. Sure enough, there is. It looks like it’s predominately more recent employees, but I found – or they found me – 5 or 6 fellow staff members from 1973. It’s been fun chatting with them SO many years later. Those two summers were extraordinary experiences for me and I remember them fondly. In those days, there were no cell phones or computers, so we really were cut off for the summer and it was quite magical.
• A coat arrived for the girls yesterday. A Blythe friend has been making lovely coats from felt – they remind me of swing coats. (I had two of them myself and loved them.) Since I only had one coat for the girls, I ordered one in red.
Red is notoriously difficult to photograph and can change dramatically depending on the light. Case in point:
Madeleine, photographed in the late afternoon light shining on the porch. The coat looks much brighter than it actually is. It’s a deep red.
Zoe, photographed in the darkish house. This is much closer to the real color (though a bit too dark) and of course, Zoe always looks great in red. Isn’t the coat adorable? Melissa calls them ‘adventuring coats.’
I also received a little hand knit beret from another artist in Ukraine. I’ll try to get a photo of it today.
• I’m working on a new puzzle and spent a nice chunk of time on that yesterday. I’ve also been reading The Ink Black Heart for long periods of time.
I’m grateful to be home with my husband and feeling rather cozy.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
I remember when the younger people who were the first FB users started leaving because it was getting to be too much for old people! I think that’s great because we of a certain age, perhaps less able to connect in ways that we would have twenty years younger, can skip online, find a group and reconnect with old friends, share old stories and memories. I’m so glad you have found your “people” from back in the day. That’s delightful.
I always have trouble photographing red, too. And lighting, of course, is the bugaboo. Too bright or dim or shadowed. That’s one adorable coat.
I’m inching back to better health and today is supposed to be 70. I was able to paint yesterday and think I can today. I wish the colors were a little brighter here but in time. I suppose it’s still early. Have a cozy, lovely day.
So happy to hear you’re beginning to feel better, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I love that coat! Would love to have it in my size!
That’s so nice you were able to connect with other counselors from when you worked at the Michigan camp…fun to reminisce about good memories! And nice to reminisce about a more simple time…
Oh, your rain sounds so nice! But sorry you couldn’t do your mowing… Sometimes it’s nice to have that downtime to relax and read or do other enjoyments…
Too much rain at the moment, but…it’s filling our well, so that’s good.
Stay safe, Barrie.
I never went to camp, and the only thing I know about it is from teen horror movies. I’m glad to hear about good experiences. :-) It does feel gloomy and it’s only 50° today. I fear it’s going to be a cold winter. I wish my fireplace worked and that I had someone to take care of it for me. I think your Blythes are extraordinarily beautiful I bet you have some one for them. The coat It’s lovely and I can see that not only are you and Don cozy, but so are your girls. I’ve been spending the last four or five days attempting to sew for my dolls but my sewing machine needs repair and my fingers are a little arthritic for the nice small hand sewing. I thought a book of patterns from Amazon and some inexpensive cottons and even though my results are far from satisfying, it’s a fun activity, kind of like solving a puzzle.
Over the years you have inspired me to try so many new and different things. I’m really glad that you have a good company with your girls.
I wish we had a fireplace!
I’m going to try to make a dress for my girls from a pattern I purchased online.
Gulp.
Thank you for your kind words, Nora.
Stay safe.
how wonderful that you and other former camp counselors could reconnect with each other and catch up!
also that you’re enjoying more time reading and working on another puzzle.
and that you’re getting some rain … though i cannot say that about the blues. hope you and don feel better soon.
love the new coat (reminds me that i need a new one for winter). red may be a hard color to photograph, but i think it’s a color that looks good on everyone and it’s one of my favorites.
not much getting done again here today (still have what feels like a cold), but there’s lots to do. best i get to some of it.
happy tuesday to all. stay safe.
kathy
Red is my favorite color, Kathy.
I hope you feel better soon. With my allergies, I feel like I have a cold most of the time, so I’m used to that feeling.
Stay safe.
Is there anything cuter than Madeleine and Zoe in their new red coat? That shade of red goes so well with that pretty mustard yellow colour. Wouldn’t it be fun to have fashion shows featuring Blythe dolls? It must have been exciting for you to reconnect with your camp friends. Glad you and Don have had a cozy day in. We miss summer, too, but fall has its charms especially on a crisp, sunny day. Enjoy your evening. Hugs, Elaine
I love fall, but not when it’s gloomy for four days in a row!
Thanks, Elaine.
Stay safe.
It sounds as though you are getting weather similar to what we’ve been having here. It has been rainy, windy and gloomy for four days straight and is supposed to continue for one more day. What is left of Ian has been stalled off the coast due to a low pressure system. As a result it is just sitting there churning out a lot of rain. It’s been so dreary and chilly. I know we need the rain, but I will be glad to see the sun again!
Yes, it’s still raining today, but the rain is supposed to move out later. Very dreary and chilly, Denise!
Stay safe.
I love a pretty red coat!!
Oh, so do I!
Stay safe, Linda.
A red swing coat might just be a good thing to have heading into another long winter. ugh. But that coat would surely be a fun one to wear out in the snow!
We have had several lovely days in a row. Got a lot done in the yard today. All of my spikes and geraniums (cut back) are in the basement with the grow-lights on daily for the next several months. Most of the planters are cleaned out and put away. We have a chance of a freeze on Friday night. Just seemed like a good day to get it done. Going into a couple of days of rain here, also. The wee-one was sent home from DC today with a temp, so we will have her tomorrow again. I am thinking it is 3 year molars coming in. Been thinking of some fun things to do on a “bonus day” with her. Take care.
Poor baby! Nice that you get a bonus day, though!
Stay safe, Chris.
I’ve been reading your blog ever since seeing your husband in MARGARITAVILLE in Chicago. Thoroughly enjoyed it and then found you through a mutual friend, Kathy. It was at the same time as your visit to Chicago. Any ways, I love your writing, especially during these last years of Covid. I do have a question about your work, which I find fascinating. After meeting with the actors, and then seeing rehearsals, what more do you add when you say you had notes to forward to the actors. Just curious at this stage of rehearsals. Stay well!
I take notes at run-throughs and sometimes during preview performances. It’s one thing to teach the dialect, it’s another to see how it’s executed during the run of the play. I note places where the dialect was missing, or wrong, places where the articulation is sloppy or unclear, I also note when there are problems with vocal energy and clarity.
Thanks, Leslie.
Stay safe.