Gorgeous Autumn Day

As we often do on weekends, we went for a ramble this afternoon.  The weather was fine - sunny, and very warm for October. We wandered through the colour changing trees, and investigated the pond. We found several frogs, and at least two gorgeous garter snakes. We climbed the hill and talked to bird watchers, and were gifted with the sight of a golden eagle being chased by a sharp shinned hawk as they circled above our heads.  Truly magnificent against the clear blue sky.  We took some photos and ran the dog, and we all came home happy. 

Trying for a  group photo - we found a place with better lighting later. 

One of the best things about being a six year old boy is searching for frogs.

One of the best things about being a frog is camouflage.

Even Mommy and Daddy get their picture taken, but the perspective makes him look very large and me look very small - neither of which is very true!

The 52 Project

   Recently we were vacuuming up water from our basement (for the umpteenth time since we moved here) and as I shifted the bins full of fabric back and forth to access more of the carpet, I realized, I am a fabric hoarder.  Now for those of you who have helped us move one or more times, this may not be a revelation.  I know some of this fabric has lived in at least two, if not three, houses.  Heck, some is older than my eldest child. I have always known this and in a quiet corner in the back of my mind recognized it - usually as I was hauling a bin in or out of a moving van. However, this is the first time I have admitted it - out loud - to myself.

   All artists have some sort of materials stash: knitters have yarn, spinners and paper artists have fibers,  those who draw and paint - or worse, work in mixed media - have lots of  paints, papers, tidbits, etc.  Mosaic artists have jars, bowls and baggies filled with small sharp glass pieces. Those of us who sew have fabric.  Unfortunately, I have dabbled in everything I just listed, so you can imagine how my house looks.
   In order to alleviate some of the mess, and the stress it is putting on the shelves, attic and closets, I am starting a new project.  What???? ANOTHER PROJECT???  Now wait a second and hear me out.
     I am proposing The 52 Project.  I did not acquire all this fabric and other artistic effluvium overnight, and I know that nothing short of a completely house consuming fire will get rid of it in a day.  So, I am planning on one thing a week.  This may be using one length of fabric to make PJs for the kids (and NOT saving the scraps for quilts I will NEVER make).  It may be  finishing a project already cut out and not sewn.  I will include  finishing a knitting project in this list, or using some of my materials for make a mosaic for a Christmas gift.  using up some of the art papers to re-cover the  lamp shades.  As long as I use up something and do not hoard the remains, it counts.  If, as I suspect may happen, there are weeks when I cannot do this due to time constraints, I am obligated to donate at least one length of fabric to the college costume shop or the Salvation Army.  Every week something must go or be used.  My goal is to empty at least a couple of the storage bins by Spring and keep the trend going.  So piece by piece and bit by bit, i will learn to control this stash  that has practically eaten up a whole room! (Practically?? Who am I kidding? It owns the room!)
   Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.
   

Seeing Stars

   Last night as part of a Girl Scout overnight we had the great privilege of going to the college observatory.  Our sky guides were an astronomy student and a Physics professor.  They were so very  kind to the girls (who ranged in age from 5 - 15), answering all their questions, pointing out constellations with a laser pointer.  The piece de resistance  was getting to look through the telescope and see Jupiter and four of its moons: Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganamede.  We could see some of the striping on the planet - VERY COOL.
    After we had all seen this, and my troop of high schoolers were the only ones left, we had the treat of looking again - this time at the Pleiades.

Our student astronomer shifted the observatory dome and showed us the gorgeous open star cluster.  I have always fancied this constellation above the others - even as a child  I loved it, perhaps because I have so many of my own sisters.  When I saw them through the telescope - first at a wider view, and then with a tighter one, I was thrilled.  I actually tingled.  They are so beautiful and were so bright - it was a real gift to have had this opportunity.

Anne Frank

   We open The Diary of Anne Frank in a week.  It is a beautiful show, but oh, dear Lord, so sad.  I am not looking forward to watching it three nights in a row during dress rehearsals, because it is so exhausting!  A friend of mine is playing Mrs. VanDaan, and we were talking today about how, even though we know the ending, we go watch something like this play praying for the deus ex machina to swoop in and save them.
    I am ready for the fun of She Stoops To Conquer - a nice, old-fashioned comedy of manners.

Web Friends

All summer long I have been keeping track of a couple of  spiders that hang around out patio and back door.  The one by the back door we always name Pete because for some reason it makes the spider seem less intimidating to the children.(We think Pete is really a girl, but she doesn't seem to mind her moniker). Pete  has been known to bluff - you know, race out to the edge of the web as if to attack, then  she chickens out when we blow at her. 

Pete

This is a friend of Pete's.  This spider hangs below the window boxes on the patio, keeping the mosquito population down to a manageable number. This spider fascinates me with its contrasts.  It will hang completely still for hours, then, wham! attack a bug with lightning speed. 

The following are some shots of her attacking, wrapping and taking nourishment from an unfortunate insect which found its way into her web. Some are not very clear as she was moving  too swiftly for my camera to catch it all.

wrapping

more wrapping

eating

finishing the meal

After the meal, she climbed into the well of the window box to rest, leaving only her leg sticking out

It's Good to Leave Your Comfort Zone

    When it comes to theatre, I am a costume and scenic designer , as well as a teacher.  I have acted, but not a lot, since my hubby is an actor and director, and his schedule is pretty well booked most nights of the year.  This summer I realized he was not in a show first thing in the fall, so on a whim, I auditioned for Cabaret at our local community theatre.    I was hoping for Fraulein Schneider, but when the actress who did get that role opened her mouth at auditions, we all knew she was it. (Bless you, Patti, you were "truly magnificent!") I was imagining I might get a part as a member of the ensemble, and if I was lucky, as Fraulein Kost, the hooker in the play.  Imagine my surprise when I got the part of Sally Bowles!
    It was a great rehearsal period. My choreographer worked me hard, and was so patient and supportive.  Michelle never got mad, and took extra time out of her weeks to have solo rehearsal time with me. I loved working with all the dancers, who were so helpful and patient with me as I slogged through dance rehearsals while they glided.  They never made me feel ungraceful, or slow, and they were always ready to show me moves I was not comfortable with.

     Throughout the entire process, I met and made friends with so many actors who kept encouraging me.  It was a wonderful thing as there was quite a bit of self-doubt.  After all, with the exception of a directed reading and one short stint of The Vagina Monologues a few years ago, I had not been on stage as a performer in 20 years, no, more than that!  Our Emcee was a hoot - very funny, very talented and so sweet! My dear "Cliff" was very helpful and kind and always covered if I dropped a line - which I totally did closing night - sorry, Doug! Our Schultz and Schneider were such a wonderful couple - as they danced to "Married" the cast would be swaying along in the wings as we watched them.
     I have to admit to being exhausted on the days of double dance rehearsals.  I am not sure my thighs will ever be the same (and that, my friends, may be a good thing!) and I certainly have a greater appreciation for all the dancers who make everything look so easy!

     For a few days I put on the short wig, the fishnet stockings and the revealing costumes.  I let myself have fun playing Sally, a naive, self-absorbed, yet surprisingly sensitive character. I danced. I discovered that I CAN belt a song.

     So now I am back to being just me - mom, teacher and costume designer. I have homework to check at night instead of mic check, no one is looking critically at my makeup, and I am just singing for me once more.  But what a lovely time it was.
   Thank you to our wonderful cast, crew, and artistic staff.  A special thanks to Sarah Lynn - I love a cabaret!

Hurricane Irene

   Well, we put up several jugs of water, a few buckets of water for flushing toilets, and filled the tub as a back up.  We are NOT in the hurricane zone - really.  We are on the outer edges which are getting "some tropical storm winds and rain."  We have to be prepared this way because of our gorgeous trees. Our yard is full of them, and the day we do not prepare is the day one will crack and part will fall on the roof or the wires and knock out the power.  Living in our town means we are on a well, and the water pump works with electricity, so you can see the potential need for a water stockpile.
   So far, so good.  It is noon-ish and we have power.  We are getting some basement flooding, but that is par for the course around here.
    As I look out the window, I see two bedraggled sparrows hanging out in the bird feeder, trying to get out of the wet.  Many other birds have not been that smart!
   Been looking at photos of coastal areas where we have family and friends, and have been calling and emailing to keep checking.  So far, all who needed to evacuate have done so, and everyone is fine.  I keep thinking how good this rain is for our trees, as we have not had a lot of steady rain this summer - just violent and fast storms that come and go quickly.  Of course, family in Maryland and Delaware may think I am a bit odd saying that, but we are not in a flood here. (Nearby towns are - part of Margaretville is floating!)
   Then, across the country, my sister and brother-in-law are dealing with Yosemite and the environs burning as the fire rages there.  I wish I could send them some of this rain.
   Not a very cohesive post today as my thoughts are in several places at once.  Hoping you are all safe - regardless of where you are.