Actor! Actor!

Enjoying my summer and doing OK.
For quite a few years, my husband and I visited a dear friend who lives in the bucolic Hudson Valley of New York. It is about an hour and a half outside the city, but the differences can be measured in light years. While everything about NY is large, noisy and with high energy, the countryside outside the city is quaint and serene, and people enjoy the slower pace of life.  This is the home to many celebrities, ordinary people and a few left-over hippies.  It is also home to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival that runs from June 12th to September 2nd and is held on the grounds of  the Boscobel mansion in Garrison, New York. 



http://hvshakespeare.org
The site is situated on a cliff above the Hudson River and people are encouraged to picnic before the show. The scenery is breathtaking. Those times that we were there were some of the loveliest I have had on a vacation, enhanced more so by the old friends with whom we shared the evenings.



We have been unable to attend this festival for the past two years and I have missed these trips.  However, we looked around and have found alternatives.  We realized that towns all over have events like this planned, you just have to let yourself be open to the experiences.  Just because actors do not work in New York, London, or LA does not mean they are any less talented.  As a matter of fact, many of your hometown neighbors may have more talent in their little finger than Angelina Jolie, they just don't have her lips.

Two weeks ago I noticed that the Summer Arts Series in our area was presenting an Evening of Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost.  I checked out the specifics, asked hubby if he was interested (not so much) and invited some friends along (no takers).  Not discouraged, because I knew in the end that hubby would go (just needed some encouragement), I packed a picnic basket of shrimp, cheese, strawberries and freshly baked cookies along with a bottle of fine wine (encouragement for hubby), and with some folding chairs in hand, off we went.  Even though it was only 10 minutes away, we had a little trouble finding the location but after asking around, we were directed to a park located behind the Whole Foods store.  It was not exactly Boscobel.   We were one of the first to arrive but many people had chosen the option of a before-hand dinner held at a restaurant up the street from the event.  Some of the actors were rehearsing so we had a preview of what was to come.  The backdrop was a grove of bushes and it seemed to work very well, although again, not exactly Boscobel.  Behind us sat the matriarch and patriarch of the village and while we dined, they chewed our ears off about the history and politics of the area.  Then our local state senator came and sat with them and like all politicians, soon had his hand in my basket of cookies.  He was a very nice fellow though and I enjoyed getting to know him.  Then the show began.



It got better.


As we drank our fine wine, it got even better.







And after 2 glasses of wine, it got even better.



The event cost us $10.00, the after-show party was $15.00 each and included a beverage, some light fare and a chance to hob-nob with the cast.  A jazz group entertained us as we enjoyed our refreshments in the outside gardens of a 250 year old inn.  The acting troupe was local and will probably never get a chance to play at Boscobel  There were no interesting sets or props, and no jet set people in the audience, but the evening was just fine.  So my advice is to look around your small villages or towns, enjoy what have in your area, meet some new neighbors, and encourage the arts.  You might be surprised at what you find. 

Just in case it does not turn out well though, it might be wise to pack some spirits to get you through the evening.   It can't hurt.

Flying Fish

We are having some beautiful days around here and I am doing OK.

It is time to plan my 4th of July extravaganza, although in recent years the ganza in me has slowed down a bit.  However,  I will do my best for my guests and try to make it a fun day. All the ingredients that are really needed though are good friends and family to just get together and enjoy the time we have in each other's company.  Of course, a sunny, not so hot day would certainly add to our comfort and mood.

I plan on having some good food.



Some summer cocktails for the adults



and something for the kids




We will sit under my willow tree, talk about old times and new, laugh, overeat and watch the younger generation play some yard games.  The older generation will only get out of their chairs to replenish. This is as it should be.



And then right before the fireworks display, I will bring out my special surprise.

The children will love it, some who have enjoyed the cocktails a little too much might not notice and others will think I have gone completely bonkers.  What the heck, it looks like fun.  Now to decide which creature to rent, shark or angel fish.  

The Way We Go

Almost done with my gardening and besides having a bad back, I am doing OK.


Admit it, one of the first three things you read in the newspaper is the obituaries.  We look to see who younger than us has died, what they died of (wondering if we have any of the symptoms of that disease), and possibly in these days of high unemployment, a new job opening. 


Some obits are just the bare facts, some are lovingly written, and others detail all the wonderful things the deceased has experienced in their lives.  Then there is this trend of showing a picture of the dearly departed that was taken decades before.  I like that and am thinking I would want to have a head shot of myself when I was 21 photo-shopped on the bikini clad body of Marilyn Monroe for my memorial.  I think that might generate more interest in reading about my rather ordinary life.  This would be my last hurrah and why not go out leaving that memory behind. 


Last week our local newspaper printed a rather long obituary about a man who lived to be 80, had contributed much to society, and was quite an interesting character.  However, it was the first paragraph that got me.

 "Joe Smith (not real name) departed this earthly cathedral for his last trip on June 6, 2012.  The mode of transportation was unannounced by the Lord, but it is hoped it was by air to meet St Peter, though it may have been a short cruise across the River Styx to meet the horned fellow." 

I wonder if his ex-wife had anything to do with this.  My feeling though is that this was the work of the late gentleman who had a sense of humor.

It is always good to leave them laughing.







 

PhotoPrompt, Monday, June 11, 2012

Top of the world, Mom, top of the world.



Ok, go for it!

The adventurer, someone's daughter, my daughter.  She has her fears, she has her misgivings, yet she takes on life and finds her own way.


Mondays PhotoPrompt is a laid back project wherein anyone at anytime can join in..post a picture on a Monday, write something generated by the prompt (prose/poetry/long/short/fiction/nonfiction), read, critique...whatever stirs your pot. You have all week to think about what you want to write (or not).   

If you are going to post a PhotoPrompt or are going to write about a PhotoPrompt or are planning to do some reading and may enjo critiquing please leave a note in comments so everyone can follow
over to your place and see what's happening.

Participating bloggers include
http://mybabyjohn.blogspot.com/
http://emptynestinsider.blogspot.com/
http://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/
http://randomreasoning.net/
http://sweetteareads.blogspot.com/
http://thatamysaia.blogspot.com/
http://thecontemplativecat.blogspot.com/
http://austanspace.blogspot.com/
http://acceptingchanges-maybe.blogspot.com/
http://randominterruptions.blogspot.com/

A Day in Hades

Winter is almost gone, although it never really arrived, and I am doing OK


I do not usually do the food shopping.  When we were first married, we used to do this outing together, but then I kept having babies, so hubby took over that chore.  He loves doing it, I hate it and so this worked out perfectly for both of us.  Now and then I will run to the store to get a limited number of items that I have written on a list and only enjoy it if the store is small and  running the aisles does not take up a great deal of time.  Hubby can be gone for up to three hours and will go from store to store looking for simple items.  He looks over each purchase, checking dates, prices and flaws.  He does all the right things; I don't.  I want to get in and get out.  However, when I shop, we actually have the makings for a meal; when hubby shops, we have cartons of paper towels, plastic bags, and the latest new blue food.  "New, blue, and improved" is his mantra.  This is one of the reasons we eat out quite a bit.

Last week we couple-shopped at one of the largest grocery stores known to man.  It is called Wegman's and is a heaven for foodies with time on their hands. These stores can have 140,000 square feet with aisles going here, there and everywhere.  The store is packed with over 70,000 food and non-food products, large masses of people with giant grocery carts and what seems like more employees than the federal government.  Many of the departments were giving out samples that day  and hubby was on a master-quest not to miss any of them.  We must have sampled 4 or 5 soups, tasted all types of imported and local cheese, had my arm twisted to try a decadent dessert, and finished up with some beer. During all of this, I managed to pick out some things to buy, but hubby took each item out of the basket to check over and give his seal of approval. Consequently, most of what I had put in the basket went back on the shelf.  I was getting heartburn from not only the food that I had consumed on the run, but from the anxiety of shopping together in a store that was out of my element.   It is not that I did not appreciate all the variety, but the crowds, the expanse of the store, the time wasted looking for items that always seemed to be on the other side (which was like a mile down the road), but mostly it was the shopping-togetherness that was causing heart palpitations - big time.  After two and a half hours we made it outside with our four or five little bags of cheese and ingredients to make tomato-basil soup. Before we left, hubby did suggest that we stop at Wegman's restaurant for more to eat and maybe a glass of fine wine.  He had no idea that I was not having fun.  How could he have missed my crazed eyes, my quivering chin and my body language of angst, pure angst.  A glass of wine, no way, I needed the whole bottle after a trip like that. 

I had to get a physical checkup a few weeks ago before I underwent a small procedure last week. My sweet old doctor asked me how I was doing in my retirement.  After I told him that things were improving, he left me with some sage advice for long-term couples.  He reminded me of the marriage vow, "in sickness and in health", then he added the line, "but never lunch."  To expand upon that, I would include "and never shop together at Wegman's unless you want till death do you part to come sooner.

I think next time we should try four-aisle Trader Joe's. It's all about baby steps.  Maybe then we can work our way up to a 6 aisle Whole Foods in a year or so.

Yes, baby steps, that's the ticket!

Festivus For the Rest of Us

Celebrating life and doing OK

Bringing us together.

Wife Carrying in Maine.

This is a great time of the year for festivals.  If we aren't busy with family, hubby and I like to visit the towns nearby that are having celebrations, with the criteria being that some sort of refreshments will be served.  Our area has some nice events and most of the ones we have gone to this year had the words "food, wine, and music" in their title.   It all rather tame when you compare it to all the Celebrations of Craziness that are held throughout the world. I am sure most of us have seen pictures of the Wife Carrying Contest Finals that are held in Finland and is covered by the media every year.  However, you may not know that there are regional contests for this that are held all over.  There is one that takes place in the very respectable state of Maine.  People come from all over to see men drag their wives though dirt and mud to gain the glory and win a prize of their wife's weight in beer.  Now I ask myself, what is in this for the wives.  What does she get after being hauled around in unnatural positions and hanging on for dear life as he crosses streams and shoots through trees.  My thought is that she she will be blessed with listening to his moaning about his back pain for the next few months.  If that happens, she should eat all the strawberry shortcake and pizza she can get her hands on till the next event he plans like that.

Splish, splash, I'm taking a bath.

If listening to grunting is not your cup of tea, you might want to attend the La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain.  Bring some pasta and bread and maybe a bottle of vino. Sauce is on the house.

Meet the neighbors

One festival I would love to attend would be the one in New Mexico.  No, not the beautiful Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but rather the Alien Festival in Roswell.  This is, (yes, I am going to say it) out of this world.  So if you are interested in flying saucers or maybe have one of your own,  put on your Spock ears, ask Scottie to beam you up and head for Roswell.  I hear they serve a mean alien pate. 


Local events bring back the old community spirit that was so central to the quality of life when I was growing up.  Even in New York, we knew everybody on our block, children played together, and people always dropped by.  Today we are supposedly so connected technically, but disconnected socially.  People don't even talk on phones anymore, but rather text.  There is too much unimportant information freely put out there, but little personal interaction.  Sad, but this is the way it is today, however, we don't have to accept it.  When we have those opportunities to meet with our neighbors and celebrate something that could brings us together, we should go, participate, and enjoy.

P.S. Leave your IPhone or Blackberry at home and instead "link" to the people around you.  You might meet a new "real" friend.
 .
Me, I am planning on jumping on hubby's back and heading for the next fall harvest festival.  He'll be glad I got on this diet. Giddy up, big guy.









 

Late for the Willow Manor Ball

(This post is in answer to an invitation to a vitual ball where we are asked to bring a famous person and dress as if we were visiting royalty.  It is total fantasy.  Doesn't everybody need that every now and then)


All dressed up for the Willow Manor Ball and doing OK

My day has been chaotic.  First Truman (Capote) called and told me that he was running a tad behind schedule and would I mind meeting him at the Rainbow Room. Of course I obliged, even though I thought it was a bit churlish of him.  Truman was not my first choice for the date but when he found out where I was going, he begged and begged.  How could I turn this little man down (even though he can be such a boor at times).  Now though, I would have to be ready earlier and I had not planned for this.  My vintage Ginger Rogers dress had not arrived yet, and where oh where was my hairdresser.  I was in such a tizzy, I finished the bottle of champagne that was sent along with the invitation.  I wonder if everybody got that, or was it just the "special" guests.  Finally at 5 PM, my gown arrived.
It had been too big for me when I first tried it on and it needed some alterations to fit me properly.
At 5:30 pm Harry Winston came by with my jewelry.  I decided on just some small diamond earrings  and a jeweled purse.  As you can see by my dress, I love simplicity.

The limo came for me at 7 and I was pleased to see a bottle of Dom Perignon waiting for me.  Oh, that Truman, he is so thoughtful.  It took forever to get to the Rainbow Room, as we seemed to stop at every light.  However, the champagne made the trip so much more pleasant and I was able put a nice little dent in the bottle.  Finally, I arrived at 7:30 and my date was no where to be found.  I sent the driver in to find him.  I was in a panic, so I had a little more champagne.  About 15 minutes later, out he comes with some wretched little excuse that he was interviewing some serial killer for a new book.  I thought, really, not another blood bath novel, but I kept my tongue, because time was slipping by and we were already dreadfully late for the ball. 

We did not get there till 9 pm and there was such merriment about at the bar. My throat was a little dry, so I had a delightful Cosmo or two.  Some early goers had already left, but the fun people were still there.  I saw Tommy and Dick Smothers arguing over who Delores Feathernest liked best.  She just smiled and smiled.  That lady was dressed to the nines and oh, those diamonds she wore were fabulous!  I looked around for some other familiar faces and we found John Grey (sans beard) of Going Gentley over in the corner petting the hostess' pet Bull Mastiff.  They both looked so content.   And at the bar was Molly from Some Other Mountain.  My, my, Brad Pitt is all over her. I waved to Cro from Magnon Meanderings as he waltzed by with his arm around Maureen O'Hara, but he didn't notice.  Perhaps though he did, but did not want to acknowledge us. I had heard that he and Tom Stephenson had quite a tiff with Truman.  I think it had more to do with Tom than Cro, and the rumor is that it was about candlesticks.

It is 10 pm now and I am finding it a bit difficult to maneuver around.  Maybe a glass of wine will steady my nerves.  The music is wonderful and oh, how I would love to do the Argentine Tango, but for some reason, I am a little woozy.  I think  it is time to go home and write my blog. 

It was a very lovely evening and the hostess was marvelous.  I hope to be invited  next year but I won't bring Truman again,; I think he drank way too much.