The sun is pouring through the kitchen windows this morning. I had to get a shot of the Ball jars – so pretty. If you look closely, you can see the reflection of my flannel pajamas. Though it’s sunny and slowly getting warmer, it’s not quite warm enough yet to switch from my flannels.
It’s quite cold in Prague and there was a bit of snow falling yesterday as Don arrived. He is absolutely charmed by that beautiful city. He walked around in his jet-lagged state and took scads on pictures on his iPhone. We’ve Skyped a couple of times and I saw the view from his hotel window. Gorgeous. You can see a castle in the distance. Here’s hoping he got a good night’s sleep last night. Today he has costume fittings and will most likely be getting a hair cut. The man he is portraying had short hair. It’s been a long time since Don had short hair. It will take some getting used to!
Once again, the minute Don leaves, the piles on the coffee table in the den seem to magically increase. Reading material, crochet, the remote, quilting supplies. I spent the evening last night hand quilting. I want to get that done while Don is gone, so that I can maybe bind it before I leave. Maybe. I might be biting off more than I can chew. Because I also have to clean up the garden (too cold right now) and do this:
That’s on the docket for this morning. I have the finished edited version of the text and now I start the slow process of checking pronunciations, meter, stress, and word meanings. It’s a slow process on any Shakespeare text, but because I’ve coached Twelfth Night so many times, I think it will go a bit more quickly.
We’ve been watching episodes of Frazier at night on the Hallmark channel. Such smart, witty writing – the kind you have to keep up with, the kind that makes you laugh out loud. It’s such a contrast to most of the stuff on television these days. Except for maybe Modern Family, I rarely laugh out loud when I’m watching something on the tube. And even that show (written and produced by one of my former students – yay, Abe!) doesn’t make me laugh like Frazier does. When you have a combination of smart writing and wonderful actors, you get that increasingly rare phenomenon: a truly funny and witty show. Don and Kelsey Grammer have worked together a few times – onstage and on Cheers and Frazier. Cheers: that’s another show that I can watch in reruns and laugh out loud. It’s timeless, as is Frazier. Anyway, I don’t want to go on and on. I just don’t like writing that is dumbed down.
Okay. Have to get a move on here at the cottage. There’s work to be done! How are you spending your day?
Happy Tuesday.
Beautiful sun coming in your window, mine too! Speaking of witty and smart TV shows, do you happen to watch Justified? The writing is top notch, especially the character Boyd Crowder’s lines. Have an enjoyable day!
I haven’t see Justified yet, I’ll have to check it out.
Prague is a beautiful city. My hubby has been there many times too. I love the old city charm of Europe. Here we tear down perfectly good buildings just to build another. Enjoy your crafty time and here’s hoping the quilt is bound begore you leave.
Blessings,
Betsy
I hope so, too, Betsy.
Claudia, You will have to post a photo of Don.:):) I must admitt..Frasier is my all time favorite comedy. It’s adult and not nasty. I love all the characters. You’ll have all your projects finished , cause you will be wanting to get outside soon. Take care. xoxo,Susie
That’s true, it isn’t nasty which, to me, is the easy way out when writing.
I enjoy The Neighbors on Wednesday nights in between The Middle and Modern Family. Have you seen it? The show makes me literally laugh out loud!
Miss Bella enjoys it too, as long as I’m petting her!
I only saw it once, Patricia. I’m behind on Modern Family right now, too!
Hey Claudia ~ it’s a beautiful sunny morning here in northern IL, too ~ though quite cold. I’m leaving here in a few minutes to meet a new friend (Jane from Blondie’s Journal) for lunch. We’ve chatted for a long time over emails and today we get to meet in person. Exciting! I’m going to stop at Goodwill on the way.
I hardly ever watch TV, but I do watch Modern Family. Some of it is silly and a little overboard, but all in all, I love it and it makes me laugh. Same with The Middle. Only two sitcoms I ever watch.
BTW, I listened to some of Don’s music and I really like it! He has a very soothing, folk-type singing voice.
I hope you have fun with Jane! She’s one of my favorite bloggers.
So glad Don is enjoying Prague, sounds like a beautiful city. I am so busy now with the yard and trying to clear more junk from my home. I’m really feeling the need to downsize myself some. When are you going to Hartford?
hugs,
Linda
On the 18th of April, Linda.
Claudia, I like it when you open our eyes to something that we [me] have never really thought about before. I love Frasier…and I understand why I love it. But the TV shows that are out there now are mostly drivel…and I never thought about it until now. We do watch Modern Family, it’s a joy…but there is so little of any interest out there now. Dumbed down is a good term.
My Niece went to Prague years ago….she showed me such lovely shots of amazing architecture…Don must must be having a wonderful time.
Jen
He is, Jen. I skyped with him earlier and he had had lunch with the director, and costume fittings and was about to go out and sightsee again.
I agree with you on TV sitcoms. They should make you laugh. Otherwise, what’s the point? My current favorites are Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. If I try a show once and don’t laugh, it’s off my TV watch list. I’m sure I have watched every episode of Frasier and Cheers. I can also watch repeats of Friends and still laugh, even if I know something funny is coming.
Oh, I forgot about Friends. I love that show, too.
Hi Claudia!! Prague sounds like a beautiful city – full of Old World charms… Skyping must be fun – you can get a real time look at the city and still be here in the US. That is so cool!! I just love your blue Mason jars with the sun streaming through – they are so pretty! It looks like your plate is full with work and crafting, but all good stuff and a nice mix!! Enjoy the rest of this cool, sunny day!! Francine
Just finished Act 1 of Twelfth Night!
at the office reading blogs on lunch break ! :)
good for you!
Today is a bit of a surprise with snow covering my iris reticulata. Spring can’t decide to declare herself yet.
So much going on with my two children (41 & 36). One is buying a property “up north” with no power of any sort and big plans for permaculture… The other is embroiled in Haiti and laptop education for little ones in third world countries. I am alternately proud and worried…. For me, today involved a large (to me) MoneyGram to Haiti. This is always emotional, and I spend time growing my tomatoes and other vegetables under lights thinking about the children of the world.
The coffee table piles in our home are always “higher and deeper!”
Bless you for your kind and compassionate heart!
Your photo of the window sill with the jars is so lovely! And your “tablescape” means that you are busy and happy! I love to see a table with projects, books, etc on it as opposed to a clear table. It means real people live in the house and enjoy doing things!
Good luck to Don in Prague. What a beautiful city! And I’ll bet Don is even more handsome with short hair. I am so looking forward to seeing the production when it airs on PBS. We are avid PBS watchers!
I’ve seen his short hair – sort of shocking, but he said it felt a bit ‘liberating.’
It’s wonderful to see the sun shining again, isn’t it? I hope in due time you’ll be able to post some of Don’s pics. I never watched Frazier, sounds isle a good show. I laugh out loud all the time to The Big Bang Theory…ever watch it? Enjoy the sunshine…it’s melting all the snow!! :D
Like, like, darn spell check
Yes, I do. Jim Parsons is my former student (I taught him in grad school) and remains a good friend. I couldn’t be happier for him. I got to see him and visit with him last summer when he was on Broadway in Harvey. There’s a post about it somewhere on this blog.
Oh, I remember that post. TBS often has 4-6 episodes, one right after another…it’s a regular laugh fest. ;)
I watch it on TBS some nights – I think I’ve seen most of the episodes now!
Hi Claudia~~~Looks like a pretty day there so far. Love the blue jars. So glad Don made the trip safely~~~that’s always a good thing! Listened to his music & he is really good! Reminds me of Don Williams the country singer, from awhile ago. Your Don is good lookin’ too! Enjoy all your projects & TV shows. My favorite is Everybody Loves Raymond. I think it’s hysterical & fairly true to life. Always enjoyed Frasier too. I Love Lucy is timeless. Give Scout a kiss on her nose~~~she must be feeling a little down by now.
Have a lovely day!
XO,Linda
She is a little down. She’s following me around all the time. I can tell she misses Don.
Wishes for a great day for you and Don..I shall be cleaning my office which looks like a disaster area as of now!
So does my kitchen – I’m cleaning all the pottery that is on display up high – very, very dusty!
Spring is turning out to be a very exciting time for you two! Can’t wait for more posts, pictures, etc.!
Hopefully, he’ll email me some photos soon and I can share them with you.
Lovely to read that the sun is shining for you. We had sun all weekend and today is cloudy. My tutoring student cancelled this morning’s appointment so I have a few free hours. I’ll be catching up on blogs and doing some hand sewing before heading out for an 11 am appointment.
Enjoy your day, Lorrie!
That’s such a lovely photograph of your window, Claudia. The sun is shining here as well and it’s so welcome! The nights are still quite cold … cold enough to warrant having a fire on the grate a few times last weekend! It’s wonderful that you’re able to stay in touch with Don so easily, despite how far away he is. I adore David Hyde Pierce … the man could read from a phone book and I would be on the floor in hysterics. My favorite role for him was as the Walking Stick insect in ‘A Bug’s Life’. Wishing you a lovely day. x
It’s very sunny today, but also very windy and cold!
I think we are getting similar weather, then. But they’re saying it will be warmer by the weekend. Fingers cross’t!!
Going back to the show, Justified, modern western theme, deep south, I have to agree about the scenes with Boyd Crowder, especially when he takes the floor in a public place, are such good viewing.
This series has not been a hit in New Zealand and we have had to resort to buying it on DVD via Amazon just to keep up with what is happening.
Oh that’s the one with Tim Olyphant! I used to see him in Deadwood and I really like him. I’ll have to tune it.
Yes, Timothy is a lovely piece of eye candy as well as being a good actor.
We are into Series 3 now so you will have a bit of catching up to do.
Cheers is one of my all time favorite shows. That show just makes me laugh.
Judy
Me too, Judy!
I’m glad you’re having some sun. Will you share a photo of Don with his new hairdo? How nice for him to be in that wonderful city. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Whenever I can get one!
I dont comment often, but follow faithfully, Love reading your blog. Your picture of the window sill today is lovely. i have a confession…… I googled Don’s name to see what shows he has been in…haha, not stalking I promise, just curious since you mention him often. You all make a very distinguished looking couple :). Today Im with a group of 21 students at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville at an FCCLA competition and Leadership Conference. Although we are only about 20 min from home, it’s nice to be away and out of school for a few days. Have a great week!
Have fun at the conference Tracy and thanks for commenting. Don’s done a lot if theater over the years and lots of television, too.
I dont comment often, but follow faithfully, Love reading your blog. Your picture of the window sill today is lovely. i have a confession…… I googled Don’s name to see what shows he has been in…haha, not stalking I promise, just curious since you mention him often. You all make a very distinguished looking couple :). Today Im with a group of 21 students at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville at an FCCLA competition and Leadership Conference. Although we are only about 20 min from home, it’s nice to be away and out of school for a few days. Have a great week!
Hi Claudia,
It’s so great to hear an update on Don’s Prague adventures. I’m so excited for him and know that he’ll do a great job.
I haven’t been watching much tv lately… just finished watching the “House of Cards” series (Kevin Spacey) on Netflix. Where do my evenings go?! Seems like there’s not enough time for all the movies and books on “my list” these days. I do love those Frazier re-runs… also a big fan of “The Big Bang Theory” and “Modern Family”. (Your students have done well!!)
Hugs,
Jill
Hugs to you, Jill! There’s not a lot on television that’s all that exciting – which is why I watch Frazier!
There was a show on Prague just recently, either on Hgtv or Travel channel. It did look beautiful with lots of history and lovely scenery! Looks like you are keeping yourself busy. I am the same way when my better half is away for days at a time. I loved Frazier and miss seeing new shows. Great combination of actors on that show that played so well off each other. Witty dialogue, it had it all. Today we are still in the midst of a bathroom redo. The past few days we have been having a new tub and surround installed. They had to do some drywalling and they are getting close to being finished. I am kind of tied to the house at the moment. Also have my almost 4 yr old granddaughter with me for company. She’s being so good with the workers here. Sun is out and it is a beautiful day…hope you are having the same! ~Hugs, Patti