Last night I drove down to Naples, NY to see Bristol Valley Theatre’s production of Next Fall that Ted did the media and projection designs for. Everything was so wonderful! The drive down to Naples was stunningly gorgeous. Google Maps took me a route I’d never been before that was amazing! It winded up steep hills and down curvy valleys through sweet tiny towns, serene farmlands dotted with majestic livestock, the mammoth and brilliantly green hills of the Finger lakes, past the sun-lit sparkling lakes themselves, through a quietly beautiful marsh area, and past a lovely surprise waterfall tucked into an alcove after a wooded bend in the county road I was traveling. Every time I come down to the Finger Lakes, I am always in complete awe of its beauty. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places in this world – abandoned centuries-old roadside castles in Hungary, the strawberry fields of Germany, the Chinese countryside, the beaches and forests of Jamaica, and the rocky terrain, waterfalls, and steaming lagoons of Iceland…and many more – but summer in the New York Finger Lakes is stunning.
And, of course, Naples itself is just the best little mountain town in the Finger Lakes. I adore the scenery and the whole “downtown” area – the small professional theatre, the abundance of wineries, the vineyards of concord grapes you can smell coming into town, the sweet local shops and delicious locally sourced restaurants that line Main Street, the fresh mountain and lake air, and the people you pass as you walk or bike (because you can walk or bike anywhere here) who always say hello and stop to chat, and the ability to see blankets upon blankets of stars shining brightly in the night sky without the light pollution of any nearby big cities.
After the gorgeous drive, Ted had a savory pizza waiting for us at Luigi’s Diner (where we ate last Christmas Eve when we stayed at the fantastic Mountain Horse Farm B&B and the only restaurant open was Luigi’s), which we hungrily downed, followed by a leisurely walk around town and back to the host house where he stayed all last week during tech to visit his house dog, Maggie, who is an incredibly loveable lady pup that took quite a liking to Ted and his rubs and scratches and attention!
Next Fall was a great show. I like the show itself because it so remarkably and lovingly tackles some really important issues in a totally humorous, heartfelt, and very real way. And Ted’s projection designs were amazing. He did some really, really cool work that was totally unexpected and exciting and beautiful and impressive. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it, and judging by the approving whispers and vocalizations of the people seated around us, neither could they! So proud of him and all the truly great lighting, media, and sound designs he does! This show is absolutely worth a see if you’re in the area!
And what better way to spend a Friday at work than playing with this utterly handsome little guy, who currently spends his days hanging out in our costume shop? Theatre cats (and their people) are the greatest. I’m in love!
Also, Lollypop Farm (the really awesome Humane Society of Greater Rochester…if you haven’t seen this place, you really should. It’s, by far, the best “shelter” I’ve ever seen) had a “Free Cat Day” adoption event yesterday where they found forever homes for an astounding 160 cats (yes, 160!!)…totally for free so nobody had to pay an adoption fee or for spaying/neutering (and they run extensive background checks on everybody who adopts so they know their animals are going to good homes). As of this morning, only 14 cats were still listed on their website as being available for adoption (and I’m hoping for good homes for them too). That’s so incredible!!! Talk about good news for your Friday morning!
Have a great weekend!
