Things have been a bit hectic since I last posted …

The run of Once Upon a Mattress has come and gone. Overall, the production turned out much better than I had feared it might 2 weeks before we opened. Some long rehearsals in the final week and extra efforts by the entire cast and crew really helped us pull it off well in the end. Once again, I feel lucky to have been involved in a show with (mostly) good people and made more friends in the Salem theater world.

Shortly before the show closed, my dog Keiko was diagnosed with terminal cancer. So, dealing with that has taken a lot of time and energy. Fortunately, the vet prescribed some medication that seems to be helping with her inflamation and pain, and she continues to enjoy an active and seemingly happy life. We’re taking this opportunity to spoil her with special food treats and privileges we had revoked earlier in her life to deal with behavioral issues (e.g. sitting on the sofa, sleeping in the people’s bed, etc.), which is a lot of fun. I know that the less fun time is coming soon, so I’m just trying to enjoy the good times we have left as much as possible now. I really appreciate the support we’ve gotten from our friends and family recently.