Author: aljaslow

Childhood Favorite Books

It dawned on me the other night, that I have yet to write anything about books, and yet, that is part of my tagline here. At the moment, I am not doing nearly as much reading as I’d like. I put that down to life getting in the way, as it so often does. However, I don’t want to be accused of false advertising, so here are a few words about some of my favorite books as a child. In no particular order:

Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott – a classic and one I clearly remember reading the summer between 3^rd and 4^th grade. We had to renew it three times so that I could finish it. This was the first long book, with basically no pictures, that I ever read. It took me nearly all summer, but I loved it. I would climb the tree in our backyard with the book and continue where I had left off. Or I’d sit on a lawn chair outside reading. After Little Women, I then read the others over the following years – Little Men and Jo’s Boys. I have since reread these every 10 or so years. And I’m looking forward to seeing the latest movie version of Little Women, which has gotten rave reviews.
The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, by Margaret Sidney – I’m not sure how many people are aware of this book. My mother introduced me to it as one of her favorites. My mother and I have always, and still do, share and recommend books to each other. The book portrayed a family setting unknown to me at that point in my life. I don’t clearly remember when I first read the book, but likely not long after Little Women.
Laura Ingalls Wilder – the entire series. These would have been my first serialized books where the family adventures continued from book to book. About 10 years ago, I had the opportunity, while on vacation in Wisconsin, to visit the replica of the cabin from Little House in the Big Woods located on land that had been owned by the Ingalls family, and see the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Pepin. I have to admit that I was quite giddy about seeing the actual places that she wrote about. Reading the letters that she wrote that are displayed in the museum, really brought to home that her books were real (with some fictionalizing for plot purposes). A very fun adventure.

Two Theatre Reviews

Dear Jack, Dear Louise – a world premiere at Arena Stage

Last month, I saw the world premiere of Dear Jack, Dear Louise by Ken Ludwig (best known for Find Me a Tenor, among other plays). The play was about his parents and their correspondence and resulting romance during WWII. It was absolutely delightful! I can say that this is my favorite of his plays that I have seen. The two actors did a wonderful job portraying his parents and the way things were delivered made it very believable that you were watching two people reading each other’s letters. It is rather same that letter writing has gone out of style. Email correspondence is not the same thing at all.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Roundhouse Theatre, Bethesda, MD

I discovered that Roundhouse Theatre and Olney Theatre cover each other when it comes to ushering and house management when things get tight. Which is why I received an email last month that was forwarded by the Olney management from Roundhouse management looking for ushers for specific performances. I jumped at the chance to see this show as an usher (added bonus – Roundhouse just reopened after a major renovation).

I had read the book several years ago and loved it. I was intrigued as to how certain aspects of the book, and specifically the main character, would be portrayed on the stage. All I can say is WOW! They did a phenomenal job and were extremely loyal to the book. This was a wonderful case of utilizing technology and projections tied seamlessly with the actors on stage. I strongly suggest getting a seat in the balcony. While I nearly always want to sit in orchestra, this time the balcony gives you a better perspective of everything. And the theatre is intimate, so distance is not an issue at all.

One final word – don’t be one of those who bolt as soon as the actors take their bows. Otherwise, you’ll miss a great post-curtain scene! (This would be the equivalent to staying for all the credits once the movie is over. Sometimes the best stuff happens then.)

Rescued Kittens for Adoption

Back in July, I literally grabbed up three kittens who were living under my back deck. They were five weeks old. I also trapped their feral mother, so that she could continue to nurse them and I wouldn’t have to worry about bottle feeding them every few hours.

The two orange tabbies are boys and the gray dilute tortie is a girl. Their genders fell in line with their coloring (more on that in another posting). I named them Phineas, Phillip, and Tori. As expected, they came with some extra, unwanted guests. Specifically, hookworms and ear mites. Amazingly, no fleas. The ear mites were harder to treat simply because it required three weeks of twice a day ear drops (last week was just once a day). The kittens hated the drops and I totally empathized, having suffered many an ear infection as a child. But we got through it.

Orange boys tend to be very friendly, and Phineas and Phillip are no exception. Torties can be a tad feisty, and Tori fits that bill quite well. Phineas is the explorer, eager to check things out. Phillip is a quiet giant (well not quite a giant yet, but he has a gentle soul and is the biggest of the three).

Watching them grow from clumsy, eager kittens to expert jumpers and knowing the best way from A to B was super enjoyable, if a tad destructive. The time came for them to find their furever homes when they were nearly 5 months old. I initially advertised on my synagogue listserv and got several bites. After one failed visit (the person’s cat allergies kicked in majorly), the boys found their home with another cat-savvy couple! They have a big, feline sister. I’m not sure if they have met yet. As of last week, they had not. But the boys are adjusting wonderfully.

Tori and Lark are still with me. Tori is getting friendlier and Lark still won’t let me touch her. Lark still needs to get to the vet for her shots and spay surgery. We’ve gone through one heat (fortunately relatively short). I’m hoping to convince her to get into the carrier in the next week or two and then whisk her off to the clinic. After her recovery, we can start working on integrating her with my other cats.

I intend to advertise Tori on Facebook and a few other places so that she find her furever home. I’ll keep everyone posted on how that all goes.

A Chorus Line – Restaged

Yesterday, I saw A Chorus Line at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia. Signature is known for its musicals (and offer some great non-musicals, too). They reinterpret musicals, as well as stage world premieres. They are especially known for Sondheim musicals. They do one each season. This season’s Sondheim show was Assassins, which was excellent.

Back to A Chorus Line. For this production, Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director and co-founder, received special permission from Michael Bennet ‘s estate to change up the choreography. When I first heard that they were going to be doing new choreography, I was rather concerned since that is really the core of the show. I am happy to report that while there are some significant changes, they are still true to the original. For those who love the show and have their favorite moments, they are all there. They just might have a slightly different twist. The elements that one simply can’t imagine the show without, those are there, untouched and still pure.

For me, the two lines that always come to mind first are:
“A five, six, seven, eight!” and ” Step, kick, kick leap, kick, touch.” They are still intact, along with some of my favorite theatre songs of all time.

The show is currently scheduled to run through Jan. 5. If you are in the area, try to get a ticket and see the refreshed A Chorus Line.

A Couple of DC Area Theatre Reviews

Time for me to get to some theatre entries and take a short break from the lovely felines. : ) I live in Maryland, in the vicinity of Washington, D.C., which provides me with wonderful theatre opportunities. I currently usher at two theatres – Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland and Arena Stage in DC.

Last weekend I saw The Royale at Olney and the week before that was Right to Be Forgotten at Arena. The Royale was an excellent production loosely based on the boxer Jack Johnson (he was the basis for that wonderful play, The Great White Hope which got both James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander started as actors – and had its start at Arena Stage several decades ago). The difference this time, is that the story was fictionalized and primarily focused on Joe “The Sport” Jackson’s overwhelming desire to fight the retired white champion and the growing realization that if he won, there would be trouble for African Americans all over the country (which there was). The performances were excellent, and I especially loved the fight scenes which were choreographed without a punch landing on anyone, but you knew who was getting hit and how badly. If you missed this wonderful performance at Olney (it closed last week), mark your calendars for Jan. 30 – Feb. 23. It will be playing at 1^st Stage in Tysons Corner, VA.

Right to Be Forgotten, at the intimate Kogod Cradle theatre space at Arena Stage, is a world premiere. The subject matter is quite relevant for our times. How do you get to be forgotten on the web when something was posted about you years ago and has taken on a life of its own? Because of our First Amendment, Freedom of Speech, the US has not passed any right to be forgotten law as currently exist in Europe. Initially, I felt that the answer was pretty black and white. But like all good plays, it raises various viewpoints and shows that there is no definitive answer, it is all gray. If you are in the DC area, you have until November 10 to see it. I would suggest not sitting any closer than the 5^th row, otherwise you’ll find yourself having to look up for some scenes.

In Memoriam – A Year Has Passed

This week is the 1^st anniversary of having to say good-bye to two wonderful cats, Gracie and LeeCee. Gracie died on Oct. 20, 2018 at the age of 11, and LeeCee died on Oct. 23, 2018 at the age of 16. Both deaths were expected, but I did not expect them to be so close together. Gracie, we never figured out what was wrong with her. LeeCee was diagnosed with lymphoma less than two weeks before she died.

Gracie and her surviving four kittens were my first attempt at TNR (trap, neuter, and release). In my naiveté, I ended up bringing the four kittens inside to tame and get adopted. They did, eventually, but that is when I learned what hard work that is, especially since I brought them inside at 4 months old, which is really too old to start with most ferals. Once they were finally out of the house, Gracie came in. She had been trying to come in for ages. She happily walked into the carrier to be brought inside (last time she ever did that!). One of my favorite pictures of Gracie is on my home page. Check it out!

LeeCee was a feral rescue brought into the shelter where I volunteered at the time. I was the first volunteer she came out of hiding for and the first one to hold her. Needless to say, she totally picked me! While I love all my cats, there are a few who have that extra special bond with you. LeeCee was one of those cats. She was super affectionate (even more remarkable since she started life as a true feral), and always slept with me at night. Her favorite thing was to cuddle on my chest when I took a nap on the couch. She was small enough to fit comfortably and we both napped very peacefully.

LeeCee continued to be her loving self, right up to the end. In what turned out to be her final hours, she struggled to get to me for some cuddling, even though that was not what she really wanted as she was obviously in discomfort. Unfortunately, I had a PT appt. to get to. I hugged her as best as she would let me. I told her I’d be back in 90 minutes and we’d figure out what needed to be done (thinking it would be the final car ride to the vet). When I returned, I immediately went looking for her and found her in the basement, where I had left her. I knew, at the first look, that she was gone. While I’m glad that she went on her own terms, I will always regret not being there with her. I miss her terribly. Here is one of my favorite pictures of her:

In a matter of a few days, I went from 6 cats to 4. While four cats is an ideal number for me, it will not last. It never does.

How to Grow Kitties

Ingredients:

1 large flowerpot filled with solid, comfy dirt
1 plant that is willing to grow around any potted kitties
Feral kitty or two

Directions:

Fill pot with dirt
Plant the plant and water as needed until plant is well-seated
Continue providing food and a feeling of safety for local ferals (whom have been TNR’d*)
Sit back and wait for kittens to discover potted plant
Check daily – amount of time of kitties to start growing in pots depends on weather and felines
Eventually discover that besides having plant flourishing, you also have one-two kitties growing in the pot as well.

Notes:

I planted a small blueberry bush, which happily grows around any resident feral cat who planted themselves there. Even provided me with a nice harvest of blueberries this past spring.
I currently have two sibling kittens, approximately 6-7 months old, growing themselves in the pot.
TNR = Trap, Neuter, and Release. This is a successful way to control the feral cat population. These two kittens are the last ones that I need to trap and TNR. I’m hoping to accomplish this in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to read about my progress with them.

What will this blog cover?

As my blog title pages states, it is all about cats, books, and theatre – three things that are dear to me. And in the course of my writing, I am sure to touch on other topics as well.

Let’s start with cats for this first posting.

It all started when I was eleven and my best friend’s mother rescued cats. At the time, they had less than a dozen cats. I fell in love with Orphan Annie or Annie, as she was better known. She was a gorgeous calico and friendly. I vaguely remember her kittens, but I do recall that they were adorable as well. A few years later, our neighbor’s cat, Wally or Wals (he answered to either name), adopted me. He was an indoor/outdoor cat, with the emphasis on outdoor. We became close and he always sought me out when I was outside. He also showed his love for me by occasionally leaving me “presents” on the front door step in the early morning. Fortunately, my father was usually the first to exit the door in the mornings and he took care of the presents.

We were not allowed to have any pets. My mother said five kids were enough in the house! We did have our share of goldfish, turtles, and seahorses – none of which lived that long. So when I moved out of the house, I figured my time for having my own cats had finally come. It took a few more years, but I was finally truly owned by my first official cat – Coco, a Siamese mix rescue.

I currently have four rescued cats and am fostering a mom and her three kittens. Over the years, I have been owned by eight other cats and several fosters. And I’m not even counting the many ferals (wild cats) that have found their way to my small backyard. But more on the years from Coco to now in future posts.

Comments, feedback, thoughts are always welcome!