When you have just one day off a week, it goes by rather quickly. Hello Tuesday.
Yesterday I was a bit blue. I was missing my home and family and all of that. But it was a gorgeous day. Temps in the high seventies, not an ounce of humidity and sunny skies. Around about noon I packed my camera in my bag and visited the park. It’s just across the street from my apartment building. Lots of workers were sitting on park benches, eating their lunches. I’ve been to the park a lot during my stints in Hartford and, while it’s lovely, it wasn’t doing it for me on this particular Monday. It seemed as if I’d already taken all those photos. I wasn’t inspired to take any new ones.
How about a visit to the library? If you remember, I got a library card last time I was here. Hartford’s library is beautiful, filled with light, filled with people, filled with books and computers and art and a section to help those searching for jobs and more, I’m sure. I walked through the doors and saw my favorite thing spread out before me – books. Not eBooks, but three dimensional books where you can turn an actual page, not a virtual one, where you can pick up a book from a shelf, leaf through it, read the dust jacket and think about checking it out. There’s an extensive ‘New’ section for both fiction and non-fiction.
Mindful that I already have some books here in the apartment and that I also have to review a couple of books that I brought with me, I limited my to-be-checked-out pile. But I swear, I’m like a kid in a candy shop there. The little library in my town is charming, but the selection would hardly be called extensive and most of the books I check out from there are ordered from some distant branch through the library system. Here in Hartford at this Main Library, oh my, the selection is pretty gosh-darned mouth watering.
All from the ‘New’ stacks:
1. A new novel from Susan Isaacs, one of my favorite writers. I’ve read every one of her books over the past twenty or so years. She is very funny. She writes great dialogue.
2. A new mystery from English author Simon Brett, part of his theater series featuring actor Charles Paris. I read most of this series years ago with great enjoyment and lots of chuckling. Brett knows the theater world in England very well and he writes a good mystery with tongue firmly in cheek. I was pleasantly surprised to see a new book in the series. In fact, I checked the copyright to make sure it was new.
3. A new book that I was delighted to discover, which focuses on the last interview ever given by the late, great, brilliant Leonard Bernstein. I’ve read most everything I could get my hands on about Bernstein, who is one of my musical heroes, so this little discovery makes me very happy.
On my way back from the library, my cell phone rang. It was the actor who plays Macbeth. (He, Lady Macbeth and I share a car.) They were going to Whole Foods, did I want to come? Since I needed a few things and thought this would be a nice chance to spend some time with them, I said yes. He’s a very talented actor and he’s also very funny. You know I like funny. I’m funny. Don is very funny. Nothing better than a good sense of humor, say I, so we bantered back and forth and had a great time.
Back to the apartment with some time on the computer and a delicious bowl of Cashew Carrot Ginger Bisque. Oh my heavens, this is one of my favorite soups. Love carrots. Love ginger. Love cashews. And before you ask, no, I didn’t make it myself. I did warm it up, however.
Along about 8 pm, after talking to Don more than a few times, I decided to re-join Netflix so that I could join the 21st century and have online access to movies, television shows, etc. The pickings on cable television here are limited. I’m not thrilled with most of the available programming. Don had urged me to join up because several of his fellow actors in Williamstown were doing just that. They would retreat to their bedrooms in the evening and watch something on Netflix or Hulu. It’s especially nice when you’re working out of town.
Since Netflix is having a deal where you get a month’s free trial, I went for it. I watched part one of The Girl Who Played With Fire (the Swedish version.) So well done. And I had the Red Sox game muted on the apartment television so I could keep an eye on the score. (They lost.) I’m liking this – it’s so nice to have options available while I’m on the road.
Long day of rehearsal ahead. Still doing table work for Macbeth. I’m happy to say I became more engaged in the process on Sunday. There will probably be another day of table work and then I’ll be able to start work with the actors one-on-one.
Happy Tuesday.
It sounds like you had a wonderful day off. So glad you ventured into the library and came out with so many good books. The nearest Whole Foods store is 600 miles away from us (Minneapolis). It’s always a treat to spend (too much) time there, wandering down every single aisle.
So happy you’ve joined Netflix. We have discovered many good series on Netflix. Our PBS station must have a low budget because it seems that once we become interested in a new series, they discontinue it! We’ve found Netflix to be our salvation as we can watch earlier seasons of all our favorites. It sounds like you are enjoying your time away…making the most of each day. Cheers to you! (I love your purple post….beautiful quilt work!)
Have a great day!
xo
And now Netflix is actually producing television series – House of Cards, which is theirs, won all sorts of Emmy nominations. I think it’s the wave of the future. xo
I’m funny also, but hubs is serious. We’re actually a very funny family when we’re altogether though. Wet my pants more than one time…or as my great granddaughter, who is 3, said, I waited till the last minute. Hahaha. Even my great granddaughter is funny! But if I didn’t laugh, I’d probably have slit my wrists a loooong time ago. Just kidding. Life is meant to be loved, enjoyed and that includes humor, LOTS of it!
xoxo,
Connie
My sister and I used to laugh so hard when we were together, that we would literally, and I mean literally, fall down laughing. xo
So glad you were able to get out and do some things. The soup looks wonderful and now I want some. LOL I have never read an Ebook, maybe I am old school but I still like checking them out from the library and actually turning a paper page. I love technology but that is something I have never gotten in to.
Me either, Dawn. Some things shouldn’t go the way of high-tech.
I think you had a nice day off. The library always makes me happy…I just love books. Not checking anything out right now as I have a big pile of TBR. the soup looks yummy! I think I’ll go to Trader Joe’s today and get some of their soup…yummy!
Enjoy your soup, Linda!
Sounds like a kind of “down” day turned itself around. I, too, am like a kid in a candy shop in a library and always bite off more than I can chew (or read for that matter). Claudia- you have hit the nail on the head with humor. I don’t know how people get by without a sense of humor. I have a wicked off-kilter sense and my hubby does NOT see funny the way I do. I think that is kind of sad really. I think humor gets you through some really rough times- xo Diana
Oh my gosh, I don’t know what I would have done with all that’s happened in my life without a sense of humor. It’s essential! xo
Libraries. They have to be an expression of one of better ideas ever thought. I loved them when I was little (All right, I’m a tall person; I was never truly “little”), and I love them still. I also have an E-reader, a Kindle in my case, where I’ve collected free, legal copies of classic books by Jane Austen, E. M. Forster, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, L. M. Montgomery and others. It’s the plot, the flow of language, and the ideas expressed by the writers that are important. For me, the “packaging” of those words becomes invisible once I’m engrossed in a novel.
Books in both forms happily coexist in my world, but I can understand how others may see things differently. I’m just grateful to those who helped me appreciate the joy of reading. Perhaps Macbeth needs another look; I don’t recall the act and scene where the protagonist and Lady Macbeth go grocery shopping; I chuckled at the mental image.
Hoping your day goes well, Claudia,
Karen
I’m tall, too, Karen.
I agree about the ideas, the words, etc, and their importance. And I have a Nook. Just can’t get into it. It doesn’t flow as well for me. I like print on paper. What can I say? But I understand the simplicity and ease of ebooks. I just worry that actual books may become a dinosaur. That worries me.
Maybe a post on “Grocery Shopping with the Macbeths?”
I see a series of grocery posts. The three witches had quite a shopping list, although an eye of newt and toe of frog may prove difficult to find. Then comes the cooking post, bubbling cauldron and all.
Time to get back to my desk assembly before silliness completely overcomes me.
-Karen
You guys are HILARIOUS! “Eye of newt is hard to find at Whole Foods!” Made me LOL – thanks!
There’s nothing like a good laugh, Janet.
The witches aren’t invited, Karen. They buy from a farm co-op. By night. Under a full moon.
Of course. That does sound far more reasonable.
Hi Claudia!! It sounds like you had a really nice day yesterday and the weather was perfect to enjoy it!! The library would have been my “go to place” too, and you came out with some great books. Spending time in a library or bookstore is one of my favorite things to do. So glad you mentioned the lack of good programming on television these days – hubby and I search and search for something to watch and don’t have much luck.. we also started enjoying Netflix and I found an old BBC or PBS series (not sure which) which I am really enjoying called “Rosemary and Thyme” – a mystery series with a gardening theme, no longer running on TV, unfortunately.. Glad you are having a nice stay in Hartford. Francine
I’ll look for that series, Francine! Thanks for telling me about it!
I am very impressed how you are handling a not so “up” mood. I need to take a page out of your book! I also love books. My house looks like a library. I saw pictures once of the home that Paul Allen built for his mom. She had been a librarian all her working life. There were so many shelves in this beautiful home I was green with envy! I wish I would have saved the article, or framed it!
Well, I felt sorry for myself for a while there, too, Tana. But then you just have to pick yourself up and move on! I would LOVE to have a home filled with bookshelves.
It sounds like it turned out to be a nice day off, Claudia. While I was reading about your trip to the library, I was thinking how much I love books. The feel of a book in my hands and the scent, wonderful. Just can’t get that same feeling from a Kindle.
Is the soup from Whole Foods? It looks wonderful. We are about an hour from the nearest Whole Foods, so our visits are few and far between. I think it’s time for another trip to the outskirts of the big city.
The soup wasn’t made by Whole Foods. I brought it from home. It’s usually in the Health Food section and it’s made by Pacific. We are very far from a Whole Foods back home, so it’s nice to be near one while I’m in Hartford.
So glad you enjoyed your day off! Good books and pretty flowers…nice combo! ;)
It is a nice combo, Donna.
It all sounds so wonderful.
That soup sounds interesting. The library is a neat place to go on the day off–and I remember you having a card now.
It’s good to have a day to just do things for yourself. Take your mind off work so you can be fresh , come starting time!
Pat
That’s right. And I needed to be fresh because we are going to have some very long days and evenings of rehearsal this week!
Sounds like you had a good day off despite being away from home. I mailed you a surprise today – if you look at my blog, you’ll see what it is. If you want to be surprised, don’t read my blog later today. How’s that for temptation?
Don’t work too hard!
Judy
I’m not going to look, Judy! A surprise will be very nice indeed!
Forgive me if this has been asked a billion times before – but I’m new here [not to mention very unfamiliar with theater production]. What is table work? I’m assuming it’s working with the script only in some way?? Thanks!
Table work is the process where the actors, director and in this case, the voice and text coach (me) and the dramaturg sit around a table and go through the text line by line. We talk about the meaning of the language, clarify passages that are hard to understand, raise questions, talk about what exactly is happening in a scene, sometimes argue a point or two and make sure that everyone is on the same page as to the words and meanings. It’s done most often with elevated and difficult text like Shakespeare. But lots of directors like to sit around for a few hours after the first read through of any play to discuss it with the cast.
Oh good, some new authors to read :)
Go for it, Laura!
The Charles Paris mysteries are serialised on the radio in the UK with Bill Nighy playing Charles brilliantly. I’m not sure if/how you’d be able to get hold of them in the US, but I think you’d like them if you could. Best wishes x
Looks as though you kept yourself busy on your day off..Books,Netflix, computer and pretty flowers too..Things are good??
Hi Claudia,
This post brought back so many wonderful memories of various libraries I have been to and loved. One of my favorites is in the small town in VT where my grandparents lived. The library was the house two doors up from my grandparents’ home…each room was a different genre. Plenty of nooks and crannies to hide away in and spend hours reading and dreaming.
Sorry you are missing home so much, but love your flowers:)
Good books and good soup … surely two of life’s essentials :)
I love books, e readers, libraries, Whole Foods, Netflix and flowers! Whole Foods superfood salad is divine. I got the recipe but it has so many ingredients and for one or two people I think it is cheaper to buy it.
I loved Rosemary and Thyme, all of the Wallendars, in Swedish and the the one in English with Kenneth Branaugh, the Dragon girl movies, great documentaries and so much more! Neflix is my choice when I am doing my scrapbooking and collages. It will be good company for you when you are on the road. And at home.