I am not unique; everyone has priority issues to deal with every day - and most of those involve family.
This week, R.J. had successful cataract surgery, and is recovering nicely. However, this has required me to be his nurse, in a way, and spend lot of time taking care of his needs, and assisting him more than usual with work and household duties.
It is a temporary thing, and by next week at this time, I may go into further detail in my blog about just what is involved. For now, I need to focus on him, and the rest of my family responsibilities as well.
Thanks for your understanding, and I'll be back here next Friday.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Putting It Together
Combining all the elements involved to present live theatre to an audience is never easy, but always rewarding. Since mid-February, when my son Sean and I held auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing", a large portion of my time - especially evenings - has been focused on that goal.
When we formed this thespian endeavor a couple of years ago, we knew we wanted to bring to the stage new, edited versions of Shakespeare's works, to rival the notion that his plays are long and difficult to understand. For example, our script of this play is one hour and forty minutes, has no intermission, and we delight in watching the audience happily involved in the characters and plot. We have been successful in changing minds about the Bard, winning new audience members to classic theatre.
We've also been lucky to welcome many actors who are eager to be in Shakespeare plays, and love our unique way of presenting them. Our budget is small, our space to perform is an open black box style theatre, and we design sets and costumes that offer the audiences imaginative backdrops for the story that unfolds.
As co-director with my son on this production, and three others prior, I have delighted in being his second. He and I each have individual strengths when it comes to knowing how to motivate and instruct. His creativity as well as his definitive knowledge of Shakespeare, coupled with his mantra to the cast and crew that "we're all here to play and enjoy" make for a happy atmosphere where everyone works at bringing their best.
Going from first rehearsal to opening night takes hours and hours of concentrated honing of ideas and technique, of changes and growth that eventually bring us to that first night before an audience. I can never say enough about the work our actors never cease to give us.
Presenting quality theatre is a collaborative effort, from auditions to final bows, and it is a passion that gives me never-ending joy.
When we formed this thespian endeavor a couple of years ago, we knew we wanted to bring to the stage new, edited versions of Shakespeare's works, to rival the notion that his plays are long and difficult to understand. For example, our script of this play is one hour and forty minutes, has no intermission, and we delight in watching the audience happily involved in the characters and plot. We have been successful in changing minds about the Bard, winning new audience members to classic theatre.
We've also been lucky to welcome many actors who are eager to be in Shakespeare plays, and love our unique way of presenting them. Our budget is small, our space to perform is an open black box style theatre, and we design sets and costumes that offer the audiences imaginative backdrops for the story that unfolds.
As co-director with my son on this production, and three others prior, I have delighted in being his second. He and I each have individual strengths when it comes to knowing how to motivate and instruct. His creativity as well as his definitive knowledge of Shakespeare, coupled with his mantra to the cast and crew that "we're all here to play and enjoy" make for a happy atmosphere where everyone works at bringing their best.
Going from first rehearsal to opening night takes hours and hours of concentrated honing of ideas and technique, of changes and growth that eventually bring us to that first night before an audience. I can never say enough about the work our actors never cease to give us.
Presenting quality theatre is a collaborative effort, from auditions to final bows, and it is a passion that gives me never-ending joy.
Friday, May 4, 2018
"Another Opening - Another Show"
No real blog today, because the production of "Much Ado About Nothing", (which I have co-driected with our son, Sean) is opening this evening.
I have spent the afternoon writing personal notes to all the cast and crew members of the show, and now I'm dealing with last-minute emergencies that always arrive on opening nights.
Next week, I'll tell you all just what details are involved in getting to a first night performance. Have a great weekend!
I have spent the afternoon writing personal notes to all the cast and crew members of the show, and now I'm dealing with last-minute emergencies that always arrive on opening nights.
Next week, I'll tell you all just what details are involved in getting to a first night performance. Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 27, 2018
My Best Post About Birthdays - "A Special Birthday Cake"
We celebrate three birthdays in our family in the last week of April and the second week in May. Birthdays are always special for us, but even more so this year.
On April 24th, our son, Sean, turned 44; a unique birthday since he was born in April (the fourth month), on the 24th day, in the year 1974. He marked his celebration with a clever costume party. On April 30th, our middle grandson, Christopher, will celebrate his 21st birthday. Then, on May 12th, my beloved R.J. will once again be older than me by 7 months. That's a distinction I love reminding him of until I become the same age next January!
To help explain our family's reverence for birthdays, I wanted to refer you to a post I did nine years ago, on January 7, 2009. Sadly, however, I have realized that it doesn't appear in my list of past posts.
The next best thing, then, is to recreate it here. I'd love to receive your comments about it, including your own memories of birthday moments.
He climbed the dark stairwell slowly, his back and arms weary from a hard day's work, a day that marked his 26th birthday, but that fact did not enter his mind. He thought only of his new bride, waiting for him on the other side of the apartment door. She had greeted him every night these past two months since their wedding, with a smile and a hug, and always neatly groomed and dressed.
His key clicked in the lock, and her voice called to him, "I'm in the kitchen!" His coat and keys found their way to the living room chair as he closed the door, then followed her voice. He certainly didn't expect the scene he found before him.
On the tiny kitchen table was a birthday cake, candles lit, and his wife behind the table, beaming at him, as she exclaimed, "Happy Birthday honey!" He didn't move or speak for several long seconds. His wife's expression changed to one of puzzlement. "It's coconut - your favorite," she explained in a quiet tone. Her words elicited no response. He continued to stare at the cake. Did you forget it was your birthday?" she asked, walking over and giving him an extra long hug. His arms wrapped tightly around her, he pressed his face next to hers, and she was aware of his cold skin against her warm cheek. And then, she felt his tears. His body trembled as he confessed, "This is the first birthday cake I've ever had."
That is a true story I think of ever time a member of our family has a birthday. The man was my father who grew up in a most dysfunctional household. He told me often that he never knew familial love or affection until he married my mother.
He would tell the story about that birthday cake over and over to anyone who would listen. It never failed to make me cry. I believe that is why birthdays in our family, as long as I can remember, have always been marked with special dinners, gifts, congratulatory songs, hugs, cards, and always, always a cake.
Mine, this year was lemon with lemon icing - at my request. When I was growing up, my mom would always bake me a three-layer cake: pink, white and blue with white boiled icing (a confection rarely seen on cakes anymore). I remember my ninth birthday when my dad decorated my cake with a beautiful carousel he had made out of paper and cardboard.
My husband bakes my cakes for me now, and delights in decorating them with special sayings or pictures. He would take his decorating skills to new heights every year with our children's cakes, usually fashioned in the shape of a favorite Disney character. We have pictures of all of them, and our now grown children remember them with fondness. It's our grandsons who are the recipients of his special cakes now, the most recent being a purple dinosaur.
The year my mother passed away, I attempted to make my dad's favorite coconut cake on his first birthday without her. I cooked the icing, made the lemon pudding filling, and baked and frosted the cake with care. He was touched by my efforts, but we both knew it wasn't as good as hers. I made the attempt, though, and that's what counted.
Some people might think it's silly to make such a big deal about a sweet reminder that you're one year older. But, to me, it is also a reminder of how much we are loved in our family because, whenever I blow out my candles, I'm reminded of that story my dad used to tell about how much it meant to him to have that cake.
On April 24th, our son, Sean, turned 44; a unique birthday since he was born in April (the fourth month), on the 24th day, in the year 1974. He marked his celebration with a clever costume party. On April 30th, our middle grandson, Christopher, will celebrate his 21st birthday. Then, on May 12th, my beloved R.J. will once again be older than me by 7 months. That's a distinction I love reminding him of until I become the same age next January!
To help explain our family's reverence for birthdays, I wanted to refer you to a post I did nine years ago, on January 7, 2009. Sadly, however, I have realized that it doesn't appear in my list of past posts.
The next best thing, then, is to recreate it here. I'd love to receive your comments about it, including your own memories of birthday moments.
He climbed the dark stairwell slowly, his back and arms weary from a hard day's work, a day that marked his 26th birthday, but that fact did not enter his mind. He thought only of his new bride, waiting for him on the other side of the apartment door. She had greeted him every night these past two months since their wedding, with a smile and a hug, and always neatly groomed and dressed.
His key clicked in the lock, and her voice called to him, "I'm in the kitchen!" His coat and keys found their way to the living room chair as he closed the door, then followed her voice. He certainly didn't expect the scene he found before him.
On the tiny kitchen table was a birthday cake, candles lit, and his wife behind the table, beaming at him, as she exclaimed, "Happy Birthday honey!" He didn't move or speak for several long seconds. His wife's expression changed to one of puzzlement. "It's coconut - your favorite," she explained in a quiet tone. Her words elicited no response. He continued to stare at the cake. Did you forget it was your birthday?" she asked, walking over and giving him an extra long hug. His arms wrapped tightly around her, he pressed his face next to hers, and she was aware of his cold skin against her warm cheek. And then, she felt his tears. His body trembled as he confessed, "This is the first birthday cake I've ever had."
That is a true story I think of ever time a member of our family has a birthday. The man was my father who grew up in a most dysfunctional household. He told me often that he never knew familial love or affection until he married my mother.
He would tell the story about that birthday cake over and over to anyone who would listen. It never failed to make me cry. I believe that is why birthdays in our family, as long as I can remember, have always been marked with special dinners, gifts, congratulatory songs, hugs, cards, and always, always a cake.
Mine, this year was lemon with lemon icing - at my request. When I was growing up, my mom would always bake me a three-layer cake: pink, white and blue with white boiled icing (a confection rarely seen on cakes anymore). I remember my ninth birthday when my dad decorated my cake with a beautiful carousel he had made out of paper and cardboard.
My husband bakes my cakes for me now, and delights in decorating them with special sayings or pictures. He would take his decorating skills to new heights every year with our children's cakes, usually fashioned in the shape of a favorite Disney character. We have pictures of all of them, and our now grown children remember them with fondness. It's our grandsons who are the recipients of his special cakes now, the most recent being a purple dinosaur.
The year my mother passed away, I attempted to make my dad's favorite coconut cake on his first birthday without her. I cooked the icing, made the lemon pudding filling, and baked and frosted the cake with care. He was touched by my efforts, but we both knew it wasn't as good as hers. I made the attempt, though, and that's what counted.
Some people might think it's silly to make such a big deal about a sweet reminder that you're one year older. But, to me, it is also a reminder of how much we are loved in our family because, whenever I blow out my candles, I'm reminded of that story my dad used to tell about how much it meant to him to have that cake.
Friday, April 20, 2018
One of Those "Never A Dull Moment" Times
I will begin today's blog asking you to re-read my post of March 9th, titled "Never A Dull Moment". By doing so, you will understand why I've gone two weeks without a post, and the reasons that such a vacuum will happen from time to time.
R.J. and I were out of town last week, attending a family wedding. It was a break from our work that was welcomed, and we were so happy to be a part of this once in a lifetime moment for a truly special couple.
The week before had us involved with a plethora (love that word!) of things, which don't need to be detailed. Suffice it to say, we were happily working on quite a few creative projects. On a serious note, that was also the week that our son had outpatient surgery, so our focus was again on family. He is recovering nicely, I'm happy to say.
R.J. is doing a video log today, and, I think showing off his latest commission painting; one that is visible in black light as well as regular light. It's definitely one to view, AND he is doing it at his new time on Fridays - 5 p.m. Central Time. The change came about due to a survey he did with his current followers, asking what day and time worked best for them.
So, today's post is really just to let you know that I haven't ceased writing - and I do not anticipate any upcoming conflicts that will prevent my composing. Still deciding what I'll write about next week. Hope you'll check back to find out. Have a great week!
R.J. and I were out of town last week, attending a family wedding. It was a break from our work that was welcomed, and we were so happy to be a part of this once in a lifetime moment for a truly special couple.
The week before had us involved with a plethora (love that word!) of things, which don't need to be detailed. Suffice it to say, we were happily working on quite a few creative projects. On a serious note, that was also the week that our son had outpatient surgery, so our focus was again on family. He is recovering nicely, I'm happy to say.
R.J. is doing a video log today, and, I think showing off his latest commission painting; one that is visible in black light as well as regular light. It's definitely one to view, AND he is doing it at his new time on Fridays - 5 p.m. Central Time. The change came about due to a survey he did with his current followers, asking what day and time worked best for them.
So, today's post is really just to let you know that I haven't ceased writing - and I do not anticipate any upcoming conflicts that will prevent my composing. Still deciding what I'll write about next week. Hope you'll check back to find out. Have a great week!
Friday, March 23, 2018
Another Look Back
If you read my post from last week, you already know that the new book R.J. and I are working on (which will be published late this year) focuses on relating Walt Disney's legacy and how it is reflected in Walt Disney World.
We are finalizing our chapters and an outline for our publisher, and for those who have read our earlier books about WDW, R.J. and I will alternate chapters, with new personal stories about our years working there, as we've done before.
In addition, we will begin each chapter with a quote by Walt that relates to the content of that particular chapter. That is an important part of this work because we think it will introduce the genius of the man. Although his name is a household word, many people do not know about his visions, his love of nostalgia and his life.
Choosing a title for a book is always difficult, and more so when the book is still being written. In our minds, we know what we want to convey with the title, but for now, not even a working title has been agreed upon. I'll let you know when we have it. Keep in mind that our other "final titles" went through several changes before publication.
We're delighted that readers are asking for more of our remembrances about the past at Walt Disney World, and each week, I'll give you a small peek at our progress.
A program note: R.J. will not be doing a vlog today, as he is working to finish a painting that requires all his attention. Look for him next Friday.
We are finalizing our chapters and an outline for our publisher, and for those who have read our earlier books about WDW, R.J. and I will alternate chapters, with new personal stories about our years working there, as we've done before.
In addition, we will begin each chapter with a quote by Walt that relates to the content of that particular chapter. That is an important part of this work because we think it will introduce the genius of the man. Although his name is a household word, many people do not know about his visions, his love of nostalgia and his life.
Choosing a title for a book is always difficult, and more so when the book is still being written. In our minds, we know what we want to convey with the title, but for now, not even a working title has been agreed upon. I'll let you know when we have it. Keep in mind that our other "final titles" went through several changes before publication.
We're delighted that readers are asking for more of our remembrances about the past at Walt Disney World, and each week, I'll give you a small peek at our progress.
A program note: R.J. will not be doing a vlog today, as he is working to finish a painting that requires all his attention. Look for him next Friday.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Loving the Nostalgic
The title of my post today refers to two things: my own reflective self, and a quote by a man I am still learning from - Walt Disney: "I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things of the past."
I've been researching and gathering many Walt quotes for our new book, because the theme of that book, as with our first two, is recreating for our readers what Walt Disney World was like in it first few decades. Since my husband, R.J. and I are aware that many who are now followers of all things Disney were not even alive when Walt was, we've decided to begin each chapter with a quote by the man whose legacy still lives on.
I'll be sharing more about our in-progress writing next week, but, for now, I just wanted to explain how important we feel it is to not only learn from the present, but revere what came before us, and never lose sight of our sentimental remembrances. Walt never did, and we don't plan to, either.
Nostalgia, sentimentality, wistfulness are all words that express a longing to remember our past, and, by doing that and sharing our memories and stories, we have been buoyed by the responses of our readers who want to hear more. It is what spurs us to keep writing, knowing others want to experience those times with us.
We really can't imagine doing this newest book without making Walt the center of it all. Check back next week for a more complete description of our newest draft.
I've been researching and gathering many Walt quotes for our new book, because the theme of that book, as with our first two, is recreating for our readers what Walt Disney World was like in it first few decades. Since my husband, R.J. and I are aware that many who are now followers of all things Disney were not even alive when Walt was, we've decided to begin each chapter with a quote by the man whose legacy still lives on.
I'll be sharing more about our in-progress writing next week, but, for now, I just wanted to explain how important we feel it is to not only learn from the present, but revere what came before us, and never lose sight of our sentimental remembrances. Walt never did, and we don't plan to, either.
Nostalgia, sentimentality, wistfulness are all words that express a longing to remember our past, and, by doing that and sharing our memories and stories, we have been buoyed by the responses of our readers who want to hear more. It is what spurs us to keep writing, knowing others want to experience those times with us.
We really can't imagine doing this newest book without making Walt the center of it all. Check back next week for a more complete description of our newest draft.
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