Isn't her dress AWESOME?!?! This part was given to me by my good friend and Mentor, Jamie Romine. She received a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council to write a show about the women who were influential and consequential in the settlement of this area. Catherine was an Irish immigrant who married an abusive alcoholic. He brought her west from New York when he received tariffs the build and operate toll roads in Southeast Idaho. He finally beat her so badly one night that he was arrested and taken to trial. While on trial he was waving his gun, hit his attorney on the head with a book and ran from the courtroom. He was told to stop, but didn't and was shot and killed by the Sheriff. Catherine then ran the tolls with the help of a man who her abusive husband had hired to run one of the tolls. This is an amazing feat for any woman, but especially an irish immigrant woman in the late 1800's. She then married the manager and built a ranch, sawmill and boarding house. She was an amazing woman, and I am honored to play her EVERYTIME! I hope to meet her in heaven someday. . . and I hope I do her justice.
I am putting together a script of Anansi tales for the Elementary School kids, but I am at a loss for musical numbers. I am hoping my creative block will soon lift. McCade will be in this show. This is not nepotism - he honestly had an amazing audition. At least I have all of Spring Break to work on it - along with the taxes, and cub scouts with the boys. I guess I won't get much rest. Especially since I am going to make the kids clean their rooms; which are atrocious! I had been enjoying evening walks with the doggie and one of the kids (they unintentionally rotated so I got quality time with each of them), but today it decided to go from a tolerable 60 degrees to SNOWING!!! Ugh - so sick of snow. I dread next winter. I never want to drive in snow - NEVER, EVER again.
I bought my cap, gown, tassle and hood to walk the line the other day. It is a little surreal to finally walk the line the begining of May as I graduated in August and received my diploma in October (via mail). However, ISU only has commencement once a year, so I had to wait until this May to walk the line and get the snazzy diploma holder. I sometimes wonder why I am going through all the hoopla, it seems like unecessary stress and a waste of time. But at the same time, I did work very hard and I am proud of my accomplishments. My Dad is coming out to watch, and I suppose it will be good for the kids to see what I expect from them in the future.
On another random note - the doggie had himself another all night party. He is IMPOSSIBLE to catch when he gets out at night as he is the color of dark. He broke his collar and was gone for 11 hours. I think it is funny he knocks on the door when he decides to come home. He was so tired. I kept him up for another hour just to make him suffer for the all worrying I did and all the tears and fears I had to calm in the kids - not to mention the time chasing him in the dark. Ugh. He didn't like it, but oh well.
I am currently trying to decide if my schedule allows for me to direct a production of 'A Midsummers Night Dream' in Pocatello. If time allows, I think I am going to do a weird concept and pull it out of Shakesperean time and put it in gangster-Chicago. I dunno - it is still just an idea - it hasn't quite solidified yet.
On a somber side note, one of my former students had a baby this week who has some severe problems. If you have an opportunity, please visit grantmeaheart.blogspot.com and learn about Alli and little Grant. I would appreciate it if you would keep their family in your prayers.
Now I have saved you all a rambling phone call from me - instead you got a rambling blog!
Love to you all!
Danielle
