Quiet time and my "gratitude year"

I’ve been enjoying some down time – it’s been heavenly, truth be told – but I know that the engine is revving back up, so I’ve been sure to treasure the quiet time, hoping it will serve me well as my schedule takes off again. So much to catch up on, and since my time is a bit limited, it will be easier, perhaps through (a lot of) photos!!!

I had a ball during Beatrice and Benedict in Houston. Is it my favorite role ever? Well, no – but it was fun and fresh and a joy to play with a really wonderful cast.

Norman Reinhardt was a dashing and charming “Benedict”, awfully fun to spar with on stage, and actually went along with dressing up for Halloween with me!

Ailish Tynan was a beautiful “Hero”, and in addition to her stunning voice kept me laughing nearly the whole time!

I caught up with good friends, met some new ones, enjoyed feeling so “at home”, and ate some fabulous meals. It’s always hard to say goodbye to a wonderful experience, but knowing I’ll be back is always comforting.

I’m currently in Madison, WI, for my husband’s official American Debut, as he conducts “Madame Butterfly”. It has been a total joy to watch the final week of rehearsals and to just be a wife! The production is STUNNING, and I predict will be a huge success. I was allowed to photograph some of the rehearsals which was a blast (and incredibly informative!), and if you like, you can see the photos here. If you’re anywhere near the neighborhood, check it out – it will be a very special show.

Finally, it dawned on me that as of November 11, I have finished my unofficial “Year of Gratitude”. My goal was to take a photograph every day of something I was grateful for. I managed, in truth, only 169 days, but considering my schedule, etc, I’ll take it! It was a wonderful exercise, and even on the days I couldn’t grab a photo, my awareness of the beauty around me grew by leaps and bounds. It was a kind of training in what I choose to see and focus on, and I anticipate that experience to stay with me every day.

So before the next round starts up (the FURORE tour, the NY concerts, etc, etc) I will finish up my Gratitude Journal with one of the first items I chronicled: my husband. I’m just grateful beyond words for him.

Cheers!