The Haasienda on Shroyer…

I honestly do not know how this day could have gone any better. Monday is winding down and the sun has set, but the incredible energy lingers as I relax on the deck with the pooches scattered about.

For over three weeks, just as THE LION KING was getting underway at Schuster Center with Dayton Live, my 25+ year old refrigerator died. The freezer still worked but the lower end was just barely keeping things cool. I kept a large cooler in the kitchen and replaced ice packs three times a day.

This morning, my studio manager, Rita Bomholt, appeared on my deck at 7 AM to let me know I needed to get things ready. Someone from Debris Dispatch would be arriving at 9 AM to haul away my refrigerator and she gave me a number I was to text to let them know Debris Dispatch had arrived. I busied myself moving things around in the kitchen to allow for moving space.

At 9 AM sharp, Phil from Debris Dispatch backed his van and trailer into my driveway. I texted the telephone number as instructed and learned Phil & Lisa Kloos, the parents of a former piano student, Devin, were giving me a refrigerator that Phil had obtained at an estate sale.

As Phil from Debris Dispatch was navigating the refrigerator through the awkward turns of the small entryway, Phil Kloos appeared in the doorway. The two men collaborated on the removal of the old appliance and teamed up to bring in the very nice new one.

Phil and Lisa…. Thank you!

By 9:45 AM, I was putting the kitchen back together, permanently removing items and rearranging other areas. At 10:15 AM, I decided to take advantage of still cooler temperatures to mow the yard. When 11 AM rolled around, I had finished mowing and blowing and returned to the kitchen. Amazon delivered a deer fence, 8 feet high and 100 feet long to drape the rotting fence to keep Hoskins from escaping into the fenced-in easement between my yard and the high school parking lot. I should have named her Houdini as she is the master of finding the smallest opening. I used my staple gun to attach the deer fence which is entirely in the shade of the south side of the yard.

While working on the fence along the kitchen sidewalk, I lost my balance, took a spill, and landed on the walk. I praise my theatre training as I went down in what seemed like slow-motion, landing on my left, wallet-padded hip and right arm. No injuries or scrapes. I hopped (for what “hop” means to me, now), checked for any injuries, and resumed attaching the fence.

At 3 PM, the kitchen was put back together, and I loved the larger amount of space after rearranging some items. The pooches seemed to like the addition of a walk-through gate which had been at the other entrance where I keep a bookcase for pet food storage and treats. I figured I needed the gate at the entrance rather than the wooden, folding baby gate which I loathe.

Once the dogs were fed at 3:30 PM, I hopped in the shower and was ready by the time my grocery delivery arrived at 4 PM, just in time for the start of my teaching day.

My present days are far from being as busy and activity-filled as they once were, but today was a day much like those days with which I was so familiar and truly enjoyed.

At 6:40 AM, it is 59 degrees, and the final tally should be 80 degrees by midafternoon. I am ready to spend time on the deck.

Sunday had some THE LION KING withdrawal, and I often checked the clock throughout the afternoon and evening, knowing what my fellow house managers were most likely doing during their shifts of this fine production. I love reading and hearing the comments from those who attended. The next musical, the final for the 2023-2024 Broadway season, will be MAMMA MIA! and I have little enthusiasm. I love ABBA but I am just not a fan of jukebox musicals. I know I will still have a good deal of fun listening to the musical and seeing the delighted audiences. The bar captains and attendants will keep me amused as they often dance to the music while preparing for intermission.

I had fantastic lessons last night and I am expecting another round this afternoon and evening. I think I will be able to squeeze in a nap between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM since my 3:30 PM lesson is out, today. I just need to make it through Tuesday evening so I can fully rest. Some household tasks will just wait; I am not going to push myself.

I am closing with one of my favorite THE LION KING SONGS, “Endless Night,” sung by Simba and with music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice.

Where has the starlight gone?
Dark is the day.
How can I find my way home?

Home is an empty dream,
Lost to the night.
Father, I feel so alone.

You promised you’d be there,
Whenever I needed you.
Whenever I call your name,
You’re not anywhere.

I’m trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice.
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare.

When will the dawning break?
Oh, endless night.
Sleepless, I dream of the day

When you were by my side,
Guiding my path.
Father, I can’t find the way.

You promised you’d be there,
Whenever I needed you.
Whenever I call your name
You’re not anywhere.

I’m trying to hold on,
Just waiting to hear your voice.
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare.

I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise,
And that the sun will rise.

I know that the clouds must clear,
And that the sun will shine,
And that the sun will shine.

The sun will rise.

https://youtu.be/pLaChLkIY_g?si=geUMtR6vW6VmqzfW

Make it a great day!

April 15, 1865, at 7:22 AM, while the rain continued outside the Peterson House in Washington, DC, President Abraham Lincoln exhaled breath for the final time.  It is reported that Secretary of War Edwin B. Stanton uttered the famous words, “Now, he belongs to the ages,” but it is believed that he actually said, “Now, he belongs to the angels.” Either phrase is appropriate.

Forty-seven years later, Titanic slipped through the icy waters to rest on the bottom of the ocean. 

This is a week of musicals and opera. The Sunday lineup of students was a round of excellent work, It is refreshing to work with students who are consistently committed to work, hungry for improvement, and always prepared with their material.

The baby bunnies that are nesting beneath the shed are out and about. Yesterday afternoon, Colonel Deeds and Hoskins spied one rabbit and joined in the frantic pursuit. I feared I would be cleaning up the bunny carcass, but the little fellow escaped them.

The weather turned gorgeous Sunday afternoon, and the evening was splendid. Today through Thursday will be repeated with temperatures holding at 80 and in the 70s.

Chief vacillates between slight energy and complete lethargy. He does not appear to be in discomfort, and is by my side as he has been for the past thirteen years.

There are things I wish to accomplish this morning and it is time to get busy.

Make it a great day!

The Miami Valley of Ohio can be quite beautiful in the spring and today was no exception as the day’s stunning glory unfolded. It’s during this time of year that the anticipation for the end of the school year increases, despite the barrage of music and athletic activities, coupled with prom and endless end-of-the-year awards programs.

I took full advantage of Monday’s weather to slice the blades of grass that had quickly extended, succeeding the incessant rains of previous days. I am glad it is out of the way for the remainder of this week; however, I am itching to trim the sidewalk and walkway edges throughout the property.

Hoskins and Colonel Deeds offer great amusement as I observe them chasing one another around the entire backyard. They love their playtime and I love the exhaustion of their energy.

My family has never shied away from frank conversations regarding death, funeral planning, and other interrelated subjects. For several years, I’ve contemplated submitting my lifeless remains to Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine’s anatomical donation program. Sunday, I completed the research and began filling out the form. The process required two points of contact, and my sister, Dena, and my friend and bonus sister, Laura, each agreed to serve that purpose.

This afternoon, I discovered a back page that focused on the disposal of cremains; the university can bury them at an established cemetery for such purposes, or a selected individual could accept them. I asked Dena her thoughts, and she promptly offered to retrieve them. I proposed having my cremains scattered throughout Forrestville Cemetery in Boone Township, Madison County, Indiana which is the hub of my maternal ancestry’s pioneering days with vast properties formerly farmed by the Greenlees, Clarys, Joneses, Balls, Vinsons, and Nobles. Dena suggested my cremains be mixed with Mother’s before dispersing them amongst eight generations of our lineage in the almost 200-year-old graveyard. What a perfect idea! Of course, Dena and I inherently dove into the humorous deep end of the pool which, I am certain, would have had Mother and her parents howling.

It is almost time for my next lesson. I had an opening due to students in technical and dress rehearsals for their upcoming weekend productions.

My Thursday commenced at 3:50 AM with a trip to the bathroom, followed by the inability to return to sleep. Despite my day being filled with idle productiveness, it was “off.“ There were times it felt like the chain had loosened on the bicycle, but I was still moving without needing the aid of pedals.

I squeezed in a 90-minute nap before getting ready to head to Centerville High School to see their dress rehearsal for MAMMA MIA. I was supposed to be at Fairmont High School’s THE SECRET GARDEN, on Thursday, but due to a slight mix-up, I was graciously permitted to see MAMMA MIA Thursday night. Saturday will find me house managing the Dayton Opera’s production, TOSCA by Puccini. I’m not familiar with TOSCA and am looking forward to learning this music.

By 9:30 PM, Thursday night, I had tackled over 13,000 steps due to taking different bus routes. On my way to Centerville High School, the southbound No. 6 was running 21 minutes late, but I still had time to eat and chat for fifteen minutes with director Jason Hamen – a rarity. I also got to spend some time with Mike Cordonnier, another rarity.

After the show, I returned to the Centerville corners of Franklin Street and Main Street to be greeted by the same driver, this time heading northbound, and running 11 minutes late. The tardiness of this driver helped me miss my connection to No. 17 at Stroop and Shroyer which would’ve dropped me off in front of my house. Therefore, I added another 3000 steps to my day, totaling 15, 999! It’s still a win even though I opted not to make that additional step to roll over those numbers.

I love that I am still capable of exercising my limbs, but this morning’s early incoming rain depleted the heroic effort for my body felt as though it had lost a battle with a steamroller.

The next few days shall hover in the mid-50s and I wish I could have my deck time to work and to enjoy the pooches playing in the backyard. Well, at least Colonel Deeds and Hoskins would play while the three older dogs and I lounge on the deck.

Make it a great day!

The weekend blew by.

The past few days’ recap:

THURSDAY: I attended the dress rehearsal for Centerville High School’s MAMMA MIA!.

FRIDAY: I spent the majority of the day in bed; got ready and went to dinner with Laura before attending Fairmont High School’s production, THE SECRET GARDEN.

SATURDAY: Remained in bed until time to get ready to head downtown to Schuster for Dayton Opera’s production, TOSCA.

SUNDAY: The gut issues increased with more intensity from the previous few days, and I spent more time in bed before teaching. I did go to Bright Moon Asian buffet, located near the intersection of Dorothy Lane and Wilmington Pike. Bright Moon is delicious but double the price of what I pay at China Buffet on 5^th Street. I had lessons from 4 PM through 11:30 PM the remainder of my day.

MONDAY: A return to bed for several hours seemed to take the edge off the gut irritation, and I took No. 28 to Elsa’s on Stroop Road for lunch and wrapped up some minimal shopping needs at Dollar General and Kroger. Upon my return home, I was greeted with some delicious homemade banana muffins from Emily Webb. I had a break in teaching and tended to a few front lawn items and got to chat with Marlyn and Mariah Strickland who were walking their darling pooch, Duncan. I resumed teaching with a few breaks due to students being involved with their school musicals.

I will be at Schuster Center or Victoria Theatre every night between Tuesday and Saturday for different events. Saturday will be another shot of ABBA with what is billed as the best ABBA tribute band on the planet. I will need to mow the yard by week’s end but that may need to wait a day or two into the next week.

PHOTOS: Schuster Center last Saturday

I could feel the impending weather changes smacking my body around, so it was a short morning after waking and returning to bed after the pooches were attended to. At 10 AM, after calculating the weather and my Dayton Live schedule for the remainder of the week, I was mowing the entire yard. At 10:28 AM, I had completed the task, much to my amazement. I just blew away the grass remnants. The trash is set out for tomorrow, and a load of laundry is in the washer.

Tonight is a night of additional house management training, coupled with the plan for the incoming national tour of THE LION KING which will be with us for two full weeks.

I am off with Mama Kay for our near-weekly Taco Tuesday. We’re going early since she has a 1:30 PM doctor’s appointment. That will allow me some additional time to rest before heading downtown for tonight’s training.

Make it a great day!

We’re finally approaching a warm spell that I hope will continue for a while. After today’s high hanging in the low 60s, we will be greeting warmer days in the 70s and 80s over the next two weeks. Now, I must keep in mind that Ohio doesn’t necessarily operate by meteorological norms as we could wake to a blizzard, have a tsunami of rainstorms an hour later, sunny weather by afternoon, and so on.

The special needs classes at next door’s Fairmont High School will have their Fairmont Industries’ flower and plant sale Monday, May 6^th through Thursday, May 9^th. I am hoping to support this wonderful program with some plant purchases this year. I generally purchase several plats of impatiens and a hanging basket. I miss, and do not miss all the hours and effort of previous years, adorning the front and back yard with post-Mother’s Day planting.

Last night, I spent the late afternoon and evening at Schuster for the concert by Casting Crowns. I will be at Victoria Theatre by 3 PM, today, for Theresa Caputo LIVE!, followed by “Ghosts: Do You Believe?” on Friday, and the music of ABBA with the Dayton Philharmonic on Saturday. Next week begins a two-week run in the jungles of Africa with THE LION KING. Those will be busy, tiring, but invigorating nights.

In the midst of all this, I will busy myself with locating a new refrigerator. The unit is almost thirty years old and has been faithful all this time. I have two large coolers for the items that need refrigerated and so far, the freezer is hanging in there.

Five months from today, my body’s odometer with reset to sixty.

On with the day. Make it a great day!

Friday afternoon and throughout the evening, I was at Victoria Theatre for the program, “Ghosts: Do you believe?” Dustin Pari held the stage for nearly two hours, sharing his experiences from the television’s “Ghost Hunters,” “Ghost Hunters International,” and appearances on “Destination Truth” and “Ghost Nation.”

When I left the theatre, heading toward the bus terminal, the warm summer-like breezes were so refreshing. At home, the air was moving through the house and made falling to sleep so easy. Plus, I had three of the five snuggled close to me. This morning, the breezes continue wafting through the house while keeping the wind chimes busy with their dance.

Tonight, after another several hours away from home until 2 PM, I will return to Schuster Center for the music at ABBA with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. My students at Centerville High School will be wrapping up MAMMA MIA, tonight, as well, so it will be a lot of ABBA’s wonderful music sounding across the Miami Valley.

Wednesday will usher in THE LION KING national Broadway tour and a lot of nights at Schuster Center, a total of ten shifts.

My anatomical donation acceptance letter arrived and I now have my donor card in my wallet.

Make it a great day!

The Miami Valley was filled with the sounds of ABBA’s music, last night. Private voice students were performing in Centerville High School’s MAMMA MIA while I was house managing at Schuster Center with the sounds of ABBA guest performers and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

I enjoyed spending time with a number of my fellow house managers, and as always, I had a great team of dedicated volunteer ushers. It was fun to sit in the loge lobby listening to the familiar sounds of my youth that have remained with me. I stepped inside for the final encore of “Dancing Queen” and loved seeing the entire1300+ members, of the audience on its feet singing and motioning in place. There were teenagers and octogenarians enjoying the moment together. It was cool.

I have some items to attend to today before teaching from 4 PM to 11:15 PM. On Monday morning I will be away from the house before another set of teaching from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Tuesday will find me trying my best to keep up with completing laundry to prepare for the long haul of THE LION KING tour arriving at Schuster this Wednesday.

THE LION KING is a huge production. Their seventeen semi-trucks will arrive today to begin preparing and setting up for the start of Wednesday’s run. When THE SOUND OF MUSIC tour came through, they arrived early on the day of the first performance to begin setting up. This is an entirely different ballgame, much like FROZEN which was here one year ago.

A week from tomorrow will begin the Fairmont Industries plant and flower sale. Please support our high school students.

On with the day. I will probably be humming ABBA tunes throughout the day.

Make it a great day!

It’s 11:30 PM, Saturday night, and I am at the downtown Dayton bus terminal. It’s been 12 hours since I boarded northbound No. 17 in front of my house en route for Schuster Center. 

THE LION KING is a sensational product. I do not tire from listening to the music, tonight being my fifth performance. I am looking forward to returning on Tuesday for six more performances.

Each time, one of my sons’ adoptions was finalized, we attended a professional production of a musical. For the finalization of my fourth son’s adoption, we attended the first touring production of THE LION KING at Schuster Center. it has been rather nice to revisit this production.

I can relax a little bit on Sunday, but I would like to mow the yard before I begin teaching. I’m sure the pooches will love having dad at home for the next two days without interruption. 

THE LION KING brought nearly three thousand audience members to their feet, once again. I was located in the loge and lower balcony and had much less participation in keeping the area in a hold pattern as actors moved through the circulation halls for non-stage entrances and exits. I will see that action again tomorrow when I am managing the orchestra/lower level.

Last night, the character Zazu held in the loge lobby for an entrance and had the bar volunteers agog. I enjoy watching some of the behind-the-scenes preparations with the actors and I cannot help but recall my days of touring and performing.

Tonight is another show and Saturday will be a doubleheader as I work the matinee and evening performances. I did not intend to sign up for both shifts as my body is usually “done on” after one shift. Tomorrow will require a good deal of pacing and resting between shows.

I went to bed after midnight, woke at 4 AM for a bathroom break, and did not return to sleep. The alarm clock’s nudge at 6 AM was a most unwelcome sound and I will have no opportunity for naps until my return home at midnight.

Rain is preparing to move through the Miami Valley and my body is reminding me that inclement weather is approaching. Rain is reported to be with us through NEXT Friday. Ugh… body and grass…

On with my day.

Make it a great day!

I didn’t watch the entire show, but what I did see and heard was spectacular. THE LION KING is already a hit with Schuster audiences.

Our opening night house manager meeting was daunting as we received new marching orders from the production company. I was managing the orchestra right (lower floor) which seemed to hold many of the adjustments with some entrances and exits from the cast members. It was exciting to see Antelope and other animals of the jungle dressing and preparing in the house right circulation hall between the auditorium and the lobby. My ushers at the three separate entrances to orchestra right were on top of their game and made the opening night a success with all the new adjustments.

There is one point in the production when Young Simba runs off the stage and down through the audience and out the rear set of doors that lead down to the circulation hall and onto the rear set of access stairs. Since I had several patrons in the lobby for the “hold” of that number, I cracked open the door so I could see when Young Simba had cleared before allowing the handful of audience members back to their seats. The young lad bounded down the Door 6 steps, saw the thin streak of light cutting across the very dim hall, and turned to give me a huge smile and wave. It was so adorable.

Later, as I was retrieving more program boxes to restock my program cabinet, I opened the door to the location where we normally keep our supply of program boxes. To my surprise, there sat Young Simba and Young Nala with their tutor who explained the location was their classroom. Young Simba looked up, smiled, waved, and said, “Hey! How’s it going?”

We have beautiful weather in the Miami Valley, and I took advantage of it yesterday to mow the backyard and grab a few things from Kroger. My refrigerator is down, but the freezer is working. I never have much in the refrigerator as I have minimal needs, so for the time being, I have a large cooler keeping milk, eggs, and sour cream cooled. The process of obtaining a new appliance is slightly overwhelming.

On with the day. Tonight, I will return to the jungle to hold down the loge left and lower balcony areas, learning the production assignments for this area. I only recall hearing the mention of birds being dangled from the galleries over the audience.

Make it a great day!

Sunday was beautiful. The sky was blue and clear, the sunshine refreshing. The pooches loved all their yard time.

Many students were coming off their Spring musicals, so we dealt with delving into “post mortem,” a follow-up to their experiences with the production. They answer four questions: “List three things you enjoyed the most throughout the entire production,” “List three things that were not so positive throughout the entire production,” “What did you learn the most about theatre or performing from this experience?” and “What did you learn the most about yourself from this experience?”

I have used “post-mortem” for thirty-five years and it is a great tool to recap and identify areas of growth. Many former students continue to share their “post-mortem” experiences with me and I love it.

I woke at 4 AM and could not return to sleep. With the late nights at Dayton Live events, I fall asleep quickly and sleep through the night with little interruption; however, this morning… Most nights, I may or may not require a bathroom break, but other times when I wake it is often the need to remove Hoskins from my face so I can breathe. The little ounce of sweetness snuggles extremely close to me and often rolls around to the point she ends up on my chest, my neck, or on my face. Colonel Deeds is a good 60 pounds and tends to flop down on various parts of my body causing me great discomfort or raising me from a baritone to a soprano.

I am gearing up for THE LION KING by prepping everything ahead of time, so I am not running against the clock with all that needs to be completed. The biggest thing will be keeping up with the laundry. We wear white shirts, black slacks, and our Dayton Live house manager jacket. I have two white shirts and two/three sets of black slacks for my uniform. I can easily go through two shows for each set, and I will be washing them at least two to three times for the entire duration of the show. I am revved up for this tour and I am prepping my body for the late nights with this long haul. To say the least, I am eager and excited for this production tour.

Make it a great day!

It’s Friday, but since I am at Victoria, Schuster, and teaching on Sunday, the weekend means very little to me. However, that’s the way it’s always been as a musician and music educator. Our weekends are often the busiest times.

I spent over seven hours at Victoria Theatre, starting with the meet and greet/photo op with medium Theresa Caputo. It was completely sold out. I don’t believe I had ever heard of her and caught a few minutes, here and there, of the event. It was interesting.

Tonight, I return to Victoria Theatre for “Ghosts: Do you believe?” Here is the description:

“Prepare for an extraordinary live show hosted by paranormal expert Dustin Pari of “Ghost Hunters,” where the boundaries of reality and the supernatural blur. We’ll dive deep into the world’s most riveting paranormal evidence and share perplexing ghost stories that defy explanation. Brace yourself for an interactive journey through haunted encounters, mind-boggling phenomena, and first-hand accounts that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. This spine-tingling adventure is not to be missed. Join us as we unlock the mysteries that haunt us all.

With 30 years of experience researching the unknown, Dustin Pari brings exciting and positive lectures about the paranormal all across the country. As a part of television’s “Ghost Hunters,” “Ghost Hunters International,” and appearances on “Destination Truth” and “Ghost Nation,” Dustin has traveled the world over, looking for answers and expanding his understanding of the unseen realm. Dustin is known for his strange and slightly offbeat sense of humor, which helps to balance the light and dark material that can make up the paranormal world. He focuses his research on the connections between the spiritual world and our mortal realm.”

We finally have agreeable weather joining us for a predicted long spell. I hope to enjoy some deck time in the near future.

Make it a great day!

It’s another day, and another Sunday, but tt’s the first April Sunday for 2024!

Saturday evening was another glorious concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Total Eclipse: The Sun and The Planets,” led by guest conductor Keitara Harada. The ecstatic intermission-audience, and later as they were departing, was vocalizing their hearty applause. Despite hearing the music from the loge lobby, I could go on and on for hours about this concert, and especially the conductor. I have not heard the orchestra with this particular brand of sparkle in a long while.

Again, I do hope Keitara Harada is on the list as the next conductor for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He would be magnificent!

We’re moving in on the twenty-four hours stretch before Eclipse2024. The anticipation is mounting, it seems, yet I am still fairly nonchalant. I am excited for those who are thrilled by the event.

Today is the 75^th anniversary of SOUTH PACIFIC’s premiere at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre in 1949. I loved listening to Mr. Joshua Logan’s retellings of co-writing the script with his dear friend, Oscar Hammerstein, II, and all the highs and lows that accompanied the creation of this majestic production.

The only thing on my docket for the day is teaching from 4 PM – 11:30 PM. I have a new student this evening and I am looking forward to working with him as he explores the world of musical theatre. I may attempt to mow the yard and dabble with some needed household tasks so I can remain free and out of the way for Monday’s eclipse adventures. It seems as though there is a strong anticipation of The Miami Valley becoming a madhouse.

Make it a great day!

Tomorrow is the big day of the eclipse and I’ve still no major plans to observe it in a collection of others, or otherwise.

This Sunday morning, I held tight to my bed as long as I possibly could, hoping to hold off mowing the yard to later in the week. However, rain is expected Tuesday through Friday, and I will be away from the house between 4 PM – 11 PM Tuesday through Saturday due to the national tour, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Dayton Live this week. So, at :12:15 PM I commenced with the mowing and blowing and completed the task by 1 PM. The ibuprofen bottle will be at my side for several days.

I sat at my study desk a while with the deck door open so the pooches could come and go. Hoskins and Colonel Deeds raced and chased throughout the backyard for over an hour, much to the amusement (or envy) of the three older dogs who lounged on the deck, watching the two younger ones madly dash over grass, stone walkways, and the deck. Hoskins would periodically come in to nudge my leg, smile, wag her tail, grab a drink of water, and zoom back outside. Now, she never touches the deck’s steps – she smoothly flies over the steps, coming and going. She is clearly loving this exercise and play time.

Chief appears to be a little stronger and is loving the warmer temperatures so he can relax on the deck by himself. Harrigan seems to have turned a major corner in her depression and is given to romping with Colonel Deeds and Hoskins. The very serious Harrigan has never been much for playtime, and I enjoy observing this side of her sprout.

On with my day. I need to shower, eat a late lunch, tidy up the house, and begin teaching at 4 PM.

It is finished. The great anticipation of the 2024 solar eclipse has ended. I first heard of the forthcoming eclipse in January, and it seemed far off. As we grew closer to this event, I still held little interest; however, Mama Kay brought over a pair of glasses, and I watched the eclipse with great interest and fascination. As we hit the moment of full cover, I could hear a roar of cheering from the surrounding neighborhood, but mostly from those gathered in Fairmont High School’s backfield.

I took advantage of the early morning’s agreeable weather to complete some outside chores. The fence is fortified with more chicken wire to keep Hoskins from playing in the easement. I trimmed some overhanging branches of the Judas bush, so I don’t need to duck on the stone walkway. Finally, I cleared some items out of the shed that is no longer needed. I hauled them to the driveway at the side of the house and thought I would wait until the evening to set them out for tomorrow’s trash collection. During a break in teaching, I went to take items to the curb and noticed none of my neighbors had anything set out. Derp! It was Monday night and trash-prep is Tuesday night for Wednesday morning’s collection.

It sounds like I did a lot but it was only about 45 minutes of work, and exactly what my body could tolerate.

Today is the 159^th anniversary of the Civil War’s end, otherwise known as Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical was on Dayton Live’s season before the artist passed away. TINA begins tonight and I will house manage through Saturday evening. I am not a Turner fan, but I am interested in learning more about her through this tour stop.

I allowed myself some additional sleep and it is now 7:11 AM. Breakfast is finished, The pooches are fed and pottied, and now lounging about the study as I listen to the audiobook, AMERICA IN THE GILDED AGE & PROGRESSIVE ERA by Professor Edward T. O’Donnell. It’s been informative and not as dull as I predicted. However, the reader does not know how to pronounce Wabash, a city in Indiana.

Make it a great day!

For 60 years, Ball State University’s preeminent ensemble, the Ball State University Singers has thrilled audiences, young and old, with their dynamic repertoire through their songs of faith, hope, laughter, and love. 

The Ball State University Singers, thrice named Indiana’s Goodwill Ambassadors, and I were born the fall of 1964.

In September 1983, I joined the 20^th anniversary season as a baritone singer and dancer. This eventually led to many performances in Emens Auditorium on Ball State University’s campus, as well as a 1984 European tour of Greece, Cyprus, and Crete. I also contributed vocal and band arrangements.

This past weekend, The Ball State University Singers celebrated it’s sixtieth anniversary, and  I will do the same in a few months.

My parents took me to Spectacular, the Singers’ annual spring production, beginning in 1973. Those following ten years I set the goal of performing with this exciting ensemble, supported by my Ball State University Music Camp counselors and directors. I took my piano and saxophone lessons at Ball State University, and while waiting for or between lessons, I’d sit in the music building’s Coke Lobby, chatting with music majors, and whenever I could, members of The Ball State University Singers.

My friend, Jeffrey Carter, now a professor of music at Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, began his tenure as BSU Singers’ director in 2000 and remained through June 2008. Jeff could not attend this weekend’s celebration but shared his virtual greeting via his daily blog.

I was blessed to meet many wonderful individuals associated with The Ball State University Singers, Jeff Carter being one. I learned so much from my directors, Larry Boye, a director for Walt Disney World’s Kids of the Kingdom, and Fritz Mountford, a protégé of master showman Fred Waring, and the original director of EPCOT’s Voices of Liberty.

However, it was on the plane to Greece that I sat behind and met charter member, Jan Richard and her husband, Rod. There have been years of memorable moments of great conversation, heightened with fantastic funny stories, especially during our two-week tour of Greece, Cyprus, and Crete. On that trip at our first “ancient” hotel, Jan educated me about the “little sink in the bathroom floor” – it was a bidet and not the place to keep our sodas iced.

There are many fond memories associated with The Ball State University Singers, as an audience member, a singer/dancer, and arranger, and I cherish all the fine experiences.

Here’s to 60 years, celebrated alongside The Ball State University Singers.

It’s Sunday. April 14^th, is a big day in the United States’ history.

Friday, April 14^th, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth while attending the Fords Theatre play, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. The president would survive until 7:22 AM the following morning.

April 14^th, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and within a few hours, sank, taking the lives of approximately 1500 individuals.

Last night, I worked an early release at Schuster for TINA: The Tina Turner Musical. The audience poured in, many gussied up in shiny gold materials and sparkling from head to toe. They were eager and excited to see this music icon’s story on stage. And a good show they got.

The weather seems to be returning to a more comfortable stand of the 70s this week. Today, we shall be at 79 degrees but will have another dip to the upper 50s by Friday. The seasonal allergies have not been too great a nuisance, but my sinuses have been triggered by the lengthy spell of rain this past week.

Make it a great day!

April 13^th is one of my favorite days for United States history and personal remembrances.

On this date, our third president and author of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was born. In 1943, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in East Potomac Park on the south bank of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Handel’s MESSIAH premiered in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. As for family, my first cousin, Virginia-born, Alicia, was born on this date, as was my cat, Logan (named for director Joshua Logan) was born in 1994 (April 13, 1994 – October 13, 2011).

The 14^th and 15^th of April will recognize the assassination and death of President Abraham Lincoln, as well as the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking.

Friday, I spent the majority of the day in bed, comforting my body aches due to the rain. Mama Kay and I drove south to Centerville so we could partake in our usual order of “John’s Special.” I returned home to feed the dogs and nap a little more before getting ready to bus downtown to Schuster Center where I house managed from the Ludlow Street ramp, overseeing the volunteer ushers scanning tickets. I will repeat the same duties tonight. The nice thing about working the ramps is that it’s an “early release” where we can leave earlier than the others.

I got to see my former student, Marlyn Strickland, and his wife, Mariah, who lives around the corner from me. And I got to spend a few minutes with Angela Bane, and her daughter, my former piano student, Ellie, who will graduate from The University of Dayton in a few weeks. Ellie, and her brother, Jacob, were students for many years and it was wonderful to see two of the five Bane family members.

I am not too keen to charge into this day, but I must. I would prefer to relax in bed with some documentaries and pooch snuggles.

Make it a great day!

This morning’s rain is steady, shrouding the Miami Valley in a dull grey bubble. Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the afternoon, just when I will be heading downtown to Schuster Center.

Tina Turner was in the Schuster’s house last night and she owned it. I can only name a handful of Tina Turner’s songs and mostly recall her later material. The actress portraying Miss Turner, to me, sounded remarkably like her. The audience was exuberant, especially following intermission and until the curtain call. Counting tonight, I have three more evenings of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical.

Chief appears to be a bit stronger this morning. He seems genuinely happy.

I have loved Eleanor Roosevelt since I first saw the made-for-television movies, BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE and FRANKLIN & ELEANOR (and the sequel). Through the years, I have read many biographies on the First Lady, as well as her own published books. The lady still holds me captive, and a large, framed poster hangs on the wall of my bedroom, featuring the quote, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

In college, I began collecting famous or inspiring quotes of all kinds, writing them by hand in a spiral notebook. I still have the notebook and found the following Eleanor Roosevelt quotes

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

“Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”

“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.”

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

This morning, a meme crossed my social media path that highlighted the last quote. I learned this practice early on in my young adulthood and it was emphasized by my mother, and her parents. In fact, Mother placed two plaques in my bedroom that read, “In order to do the highest good of true man or womanhood, simply do your honest best and God with joy will do the rest.” The second one read, “It doesn’t matter how many storms you weathered; did you bring in the ship?”

As I venture onto the other side of life, with the bulk of existence having already been experienced, I find Mrs. Roosevelt’s quote more secure in my routine. Too often, folks who do the most criticizing have no idea why we make the choices or final decisions that we do. For me, unless they are directly related to the situation, it shouldn’t be a matter of concern. If folks do make it their concern, investing in the drama or items that do not directly concern them, I think it speaks highly of their own character and intent. Move on and mind your own business.

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my heroes and as I advance in years, the more significant her words become. 

The rain continues. Make it a great day!

We’re nearing the halfway point for April.

U.S. author, F. Scott Fitzgerald published THE GREAT GATSBY in 1925 and it went on to become a literary classic, a twice-made movie, a stage play, and a musical. In 1912, the Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage.

It’s been thirty-four years since Rick’s tragic accident on his way back to Chicago where he was finishing up his graduate degree at The University of Chicago. It’s strange how, one moment, it can seem like yesterday, while another moment it can feel like a century ago. I have enjoyed many great moments these past thirty-four years, but occasionally I do wonder what life would have been like had we shared the past three score and four.

Today is also the heavenly birthday of my dear friend, Susan Cook, one of the finest clarinetists and clarinet teachers. We shared many fun adventures and I still miss her companionship.

I am eager for the remainder of the week and weekend with TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, but I am also reluctant as I know when I enter my first free day on Tuesday, my body may be fatigued by the long days and late nights. This, too, shall pass.

My email and text message boxes are overflowing with personal messages. I have always found it difficult to maintain personal communication and when the boxes begin to fill up, I find myself a bit stressed. I will try to thin it out today, but it won’t be easy.

We will have rain with us for several days. We had rain overnight and more is expected throughout the day. I don’t mind the rain but am not looking forward to the depressing gray skies.

On with the day… Make it a great day!

PHOTOS: Titanic: Rick and me, 1979; Susan Cook, the Van Horn siblings, and me; Susan’s beautiful headstone.

It’s April 8th – it’s the big day for the total eclipse (which may be obscured by clouds), and Hoskins is seven months old.

I am glad the yard is mowed, and things tidied up around the house. My grocery delivery was scheduled to arrive between 3 PM -4 PM. I really had no idea about the timing of the eclipse and when I discovered it would be happening around 3 PM, I immediately changed my delivery to 11 AM and 12 PM.

After more play time in the yard, by the time we were heading to bed, Hoskins and Colonel Deeds were dragging. Well, Hoskins was dragging. The Colonel? He never drags. The young fellow is always up to have a good time and he wants you to have one with him. As I settled in, Hoskins and Colonel Deeds wedged in next to me on each side. I was locked in beneath the cover with two medium size dogs, somewhat sturdy, and neither interested in budging when I had to rise for a nature break. Upon my return to bed, as always, The Colonel was curled up on my pillow.

The next week is filled with memorable anniversaries in United States’ history: the end of the Civil War, the start of the Civil War, the death of Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln’s assassination and death, the sinking of the Titanic, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, and the beginning of the American Revolution. April certainly captures my history-loving heart!

It’s time to research and prep for putting away groceries. I also need to figure out what is happening with my stovetop. A white crusty film keeps covering the stovetop. I will clean it, then return later to find the film has returned. It’s like a naughty elf is playing games in my kitchen.

Make it a great day!

Today is the 79^th anniversary of my mother’s birth. Diana Kay Barmes, born in 1945, entered this world at a historically significant time. Six days following her birth, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died, and was succeeded by Harry Truman who would celebrate his  birthday, the same day as my grandmother’s, on May 8^th along with the celebration of Victory In Europe Day. When Mother was born in 1945, the Titanic’s maiden voyage had only occurred thirty-three years before, and the ending of the United States Civil War would celebrate its 80^th anniversary on April 9^th.

Amazing!

I have one more Dayton Live event tonight, and I am even more excited for tonight’s concert. Last night’s the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra concert, “Total Eclipse: The Sun and The Planets,” was outstanding. Guest conductor Keitara Harada, originally from Tokyo, Japan, was a true master on the podium. The program began with Carl Neilsen’s “Helios Overture, Opus 17,” and concluded the first half with Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K 451.” It’s been nearly twenty years since I last heard Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” and that was performed by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Last night, while sitting on duty in the loge lobby, I was emotionally and spiritually transported throughout “The Planets.” Naturally, “Jupiter” gave me all “the feels” and I am eager to be moved one more time, this evening.

I do hope Keitara Harada is on the list as the next conductor for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He would be magnificent!

I am bad about not frequently giving the dogs treats. I do offer them lots of carrots and celery, but not the purchased dog treats. I finally realized that Hoskins has somehow learned to catch on her own. I generally toss out a handful items and the dogs scramble to grab up what they can. As I tossed out the carrots, Hoskins is very acrobatic about catching her treats. I don’t know how she picked this talent up, but she’s the best of all the dogs. Harrigan, Hoskins, and Colonel Deeds never miss a toss!

I had two connections to St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday evening. I caught some of the philharmonic’s pre-concert chat with Maestro Harada, and he mentioned he had gone to St. Petersburg, Russia for his undergraduate degree in conducting. I opted to take an Uber home since I was caught between the final two No. 17 departures. The driver was exceptionally friendly and asked if I was native to Dayton. When I asked him the return question, he said, “No, I grew up in St. Petersburg that is in Russia.”

Well, it is time to shower, dress, and prepare for tonight’s final offering from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s salute to the impending eclipse.

Make it a great day!