The Haasienda on Shroyer…

Winter has returned this Spring.

Although we shall only reach 46 degrees today, there will be a steady climb to 74 degrees on Monday when the world is enraptured by the solar eclipse.

I can remember some eclipses when I was a child, and experiencing them with my Grandma Donna; however, this impending solar eclipse, which has reached a feverish pitch, escapes my interest. I am unsure why I am not researching the event and ramping up the enthusiasm. A friend gifted Mama Kay and me appropriate eyewear for the event, but I have not fully committed to participating.

I have read about how this cosmic shift might affect pets, and I am sensing something with my pooches who each seem a bit off. Of course, it is difficult to tell with the agitated three older dogs with Colonel Deeds wanting to play with them all the time.

I have two Dayton Live events this weekend which feature the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra performing Nielsen, Holst, and Mozart in a concert entitled, “Total Eclipse: The Sun and The Planets.” Eclipse… go figure…

It’s time to dig into the day before it is time to escape to Schuster Center. With the short week hiatus of no Dayton Live events, I am eager to see my fellow house managers.

Make it a great day!

A few days after President Franklin Roosevelt requested Congress declare war on Japan, December 1941, my grandfather, Leroy Barmes, enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, later to become the United States Air Force.

For basic training, he was stationed in Miami Beach, Florida, along with Clark Gable, Jimmy, Stewart, and my future theater, directing mentor, Joshua Logan. The celebrity enlistees would eat their meals with everyone else.

Upon completion of basic training, my grandfather was sent to Wisconsin where he was to study radio control operations. However, he came down with rheumatic fever, and received an honorable discharge.

My grandfather was always meticulous for documentation and fortunately, he wrote all the names of the individuals in these photographs, along with where they were from.

About 10 years ago, I researched and located three-fourths of the individuals in these photos and sent emails and letters. Several had already passed away, but I received responses from four of the men, and two of their children responding that their fathers had passed away.

Wednesday afternoon, a cold rain began a little after 5 PM when I rose to let out the dogs. The drops were large globules of water that produced a sting to my bare arms as I held open the door for the troop. This morning is wet and cold, and not much is expected to change throughout the day.

My documentary and audio-book topics and titles are all over the board with my varied interests. I enjoy learning new things, and I have been covering more about the American Revolution. A terrific video was “How King George III Could Have Won the American Revolution,” sponsored by The Society of Cincinnati, which is a lecture/interview between a British author and historian

Andrew Roberts and Gen. David Petraeus (U.S. Army, Ret.). They delivered the 2023 George Rogers Clark Lecture through a conversation surrounding how King George III could have won the American Revolution. Together, they published a new book, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine. General Petraeus is humorous and incredibly knowledgeable.

Wednesday, during my Olympic dash through Kroger in under ten minutes, I grabbed a prepared rotisserie chicken. Since I opted to remain home Wednesday evening, instead of a solo dinner and movie, I pulled the meat from the bird and cooked some of it with two cans of cream of mushroom soup, a can of black beans, and seasoning. I detest cooking. I can cook and the dishes turn out nicely. This was one of those spurs-of-the-moment and throw-it-together meals and I loved it.

Make it a great day!

It’s been the blahest day of days. The chillier weather has returned, the clouds moved in on us and physically held off the sun, and I have no enthusiasm to accomplish anything but documentaries.

Yesterday’s anticipation for incredibly bad weather reached a feverish height of anxiety on social media, and continued, even when it was clearly apparent that the weather was going to pass around us with barely even a wink or a nod. I believe some of the fears were rooted with today being the fiftieth anniversary of the Xenia tornado, and the ones that ravaged Indiana, but there were a few that felt the need to charge the bandwagon of anxiousness.  Although the Miami Valley was spared, other areas in the Midwest were not lucky.

I concluded Monday’s teaching evening with a great deal of satisfaction. Three new students joined The Studio, and I am super excited to work with each of them as they already exhibited a strong work ethic. Again, there was apprehension of impending bad weather, but it remained calm and clear.

Mama Kay, some of the After-Mass Gals, and I made it to Taco Tuesday by 12:45 PM, keeping an eye on the threatening skies. Last evening, I opted to not go to The Neon to see a movie, even when I knew we were not to be blasted by the weather. Instead, I accomplished a good deal of research and am proud to say my typed notes, categorized and single-spaced, climbed from 87 pages to 124 pages. I am hoping to knock out more, this evening.

Around 1:40 PM, I took off for Kroger on No. 17 South to grab some vegetables. I thought I had a full 30-40 minutes, but upon checking, discovered there was a northbound bus arriving in fourteen minutes. Boy, did I ever move through the store, skirting lethargic fellow shoppers, and feeling like a movie stuntman maneuvering around stock-folks with skids and a cart boy pushing a long line of carts from the parking lot. I had three minutes to spare before the bus arrived.

Chief seems to be moving into the late or final stages of degenerative myelopathy, but he is still a full participant in The Haasienda group activities which consist mostly of lounging in my study, lounging in my bedroom, and the backyard activities of pottying and sniffing out the borders. The dear old boy has even joined Colonel Deeds in some mild play, but at some point he recognizes there’s a huge gap in their thirteen years. I know that soon, I will need to make the hideous decision when his mobility begins to fully incapacitate him. It’s heartbreaking. Sometimes I will shut the gate to my study so I can lay down beside him without the others, especially the youngest two, bouncing all over us.

There is still time to make it a great day!

It is April, my favorite month of the year due to all the significant history that hits so many days on the calendar. Another reason I love April is that my Mother’s birthday falls on April 6^th.

It was a Sunday of mixed weather that included a buffet of rain, cloudy skies, some wind, some calmness, sunshine, some chillier temperatures, and some very comfortable weather. All in all, it can be said that Easter Sunday was a lovely day.

I had several teaching gaps due to students who were on Spring break trips and encountered delayed flights, blown tires on their vehicles, and other misadventures. One student had a Zoom lesson in her family’s hotel room in Miami Beach, while another Zoomed from her van in French Lick, Indiana. Students are ramping up for spring musicals, ensemble auditions, and summer musical auditions.

 Saturday and Sunday, I accomplished a good deal of research and although I don’t feel any closer to getting to the writing, I am satisfied with what has been accomplished and how new ideas are swirling throughout my brain.

The threat of rain is with us, but not until the evening. It feels like it could erupt at any moment. Rain is here through Wednesday. My body has not had relief from the intense aching due to the barometric pressure, and it looks like it will be with me a few days. I live with the aching every day, but the weather can make life unbearable, but doable.

On with the day, and on with the week. Make it a great day!

It’s Easter Sunday, 2024.

Saturday morning’s passing thunderstorms and dark skies were later tossed aside by the sunshine that competed in a tug-of-war with the clouds. The afternoon and evening settled into a near-summer-like delight. The high was 75 degrees. Sunday should be nice, except for a long band of rain in the morning, and inviting more rain-showers for the evening that will last through Wednesday, with a drop in temperatures to the 40s.

All in all, it was a pleasant day, and at 3:30 PM, I joined Mama Kay and Mary for dinner at Frische’s in Kettering. By 6 PM, I was settled in my bed with my hospital table loaded with a laptop and research material as I listened to THE TEN COMMANDMENTS on Prime Video, complete with the Overture, Intermission, and Exit Music scores.

Hoskins is growing quickly and assumes the most charming disposition. I have been blessed with affectionate dogs, but there’s something different about her. I firmly believe she is an old soul. She and Colonel Deeds are devoted to one another and continually play for hours on end. They are fun to watch.

Colonel Deeds, a most loving and devoted pal, is sometimes clueless, which gives him a special kind of charm. When he hops into bed, he has no target for landing around me, and when he lies down, it is a flop. At nearly 80 pounds, he is solid muscle and I feel the painful weight of his drops. The Colonel and Hoskins each have tails like tanks and when maneuvering through the throng of wagging tails, my legs feel as though they are being battered by baseball bats.

I took a five-minute break from this writing to sweep up broken glass. Chief, Hoskins, and Colonel Deeds were romping wildly and a framed photo of a former student and myself was knocked from a shelf. I am not pleased with the pooches.

But onward we go. Make it a great day!

April 18, 1965, was Easter Sunday. It was a special day for my great-grandfather, John William Garrett Clary who was the father of my maternal grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes. After a ten year hiatus, Grandpa Garrett was prepared to give a first chocolate Easter bunny to a grandchild, this time, his first great-grandson.

Grandma Donna said that her dad loved nothing more than to watch a grandchild make a chocolatey mess with their first Easter bunny.

Grandpa Garrett was not the hands-off, stereotypical generational grandfather or great-grandfather; he was very devoted in his grandchildren’s lives whether it was getting down on the floor to play with them, go bike riding, have them working alongside him at his Boone Township farm located in Madison County, Indiana, or attending their sports or music events. Grandpa Garrett was also the center of all jokes, mostly as the targeted recipient. The stories of jokes played on him by his daughters, my Grandma Donna and Aunt Joyce, are legendary.

When I was in high school and college, Mother always ordered chocolate Easter bunnies from a police officer’s son who was participating in a school fund-raising event. Police Officer Pat Rice, a family friend and favorite who worked with both my grandfather, Leroy Barmes, and Mother, began a tradition of opening the boxes and cutting off the chocolate bunny ears. This was a fun, special tradition in which I returned the joke by giving Pat chocolate Santa Clauses with the feet cut off.

As an adult, especially when the sons were home, my chocolate Easter bunnies given to me by Mother, were crushed up to be used in pancakes.

PHOTO: This photograph, taken on Easter Sunday, 1965, is a favorite of mine. Grandpa Garrett, 66, is delighted as he watches 6 month old Darin (me) with his first chocolate Easter bunny.

It’s been a peaceful few days of mostly keeping to my bed where I’ve napped, taken notes, snuggled with the pooches while listening to documentaries. I did not accomplish near as much as I hoped.

Some of the peace and quiet was eliminated with a new round of 5:30 AM runners shouting as they jogged through the high school’s parking lot. My bedroom is now on the other side of the house, but they were loud enough to wake me. I applaud those ladies for their determination to keep fit, but find their complete rudeness and utter lack of thoughtfulness and respect for others to be heartless.

Thursday evening, Laura and I tried a new restaurant, El Asadero Mexican Bar and Grill, located in Centerville’s Crosspoint center. It was very good, and while we were there, it quickly filled up with diners.

A friend mentioned that her son asked why Easter falls on different dates each, I knew the answer but could not immediately think of it. So, here is the answer:

The simplest way to explain the date of Easter is that if falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox. Because the actual date of the spring equinox can differ by a day or two, the Catholic Church created a fixed date of March 21 to define it, known as the ecclesiastical equinox.    (Ecclesiastical: relating to the Christian church or its clergy.

While looking up the Easter date information, it occurred to me that I had not seen any social media acknowledgments of Passover from my Jewish friends. I learned something new! Normally, Good Friday follows or is connected to Passover; however, in 2024, Passover is being celebrated between April 22 and April 30 due to 2024 being a Jewish leap year!

Rain is expected at any moment and shall be with us most of the morning, but with warmer temperatures that shall conclude with 70 degrees by 6 PM.

The day already feels as though it will hold little in the way of accomplishments, as the rain continues to agitate my muscles and joints. I do hope to make it to dinner with Mama Kay and Mary this evening before settling in for my annual event of watching Cecil B. DeMille’s THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Film composer, Elmer Bernstein created one of my all-time favorite scores that ranks with Max Steiner’s creation for GONE WITH THE WIND.

Make it a great day!

It’s Thursday, but it feels like it could be Monday or Tuesday. My days have been off, and my body and spirit have been off, as well.

The calendar announced Spring’s arrival last week, but in reality, the weather continues to perform with unpredictability as it always has, much like it’s a young toddler trying to remain upright in a bouncy house while surrounded by hyper, Mountain Dew filled middle schoolers. Just because we’re nearing April doesn’t mean the weather will behave in a springlike fashion, and once again, we’re in a normal state.

My friend, Jeff Carter, posted this interview from NPR regarding children with cell phones. It makes a good deal of sense to me, and it was one with which I struggled when my sons were in middle school.

“Consequences of a Smart Phone Centered Childhood.

We’re sitting at 28 degrees at 6:30 AM and we’re promised a climb to 53 degrees by 5 PM. The sun is projected to play hide-and-seek with us all day.

It is time to move along with my day.

Make it a great day!

“Acquainted with the Night” by Robert Frost, 1964

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. 

I have been one acquainted with the night.

It’s a gloomy and chilly day here in the Miami valley. You would not know it is spring, except for blossoming trees and plants, and ever constant singing of the resident cardinals.

I tried to activate my new scanning pen, spending another frustrating two hours with no success. My fatigued patience urges me to return it. My bullheadedness cheers me to figure it out. I grew up in an era learning to take notes by hand and using card catalog systems in the library. While I have the luxury of having so much information at my fingertips, I no longer need a card catalog and can easily write out my own notes. My process will just be slower.

Colonel Deeds and Hoskins escaped the yard this morning. Deeds was across Rockhill Avenue in the neighbor’s yard. Fortunately, there was no traffic coming in either direction as he crossed Shroyer Road. I limped across the street, carrying a leash, and coaxed him over to me. While completing his capture, I was keeping an eye out for Hoskins, fearful that she might cross the street to join us. Once I had Colonel Deeds inside the house, I spied Hoskins on the other side of Mama Kay’s fence, trying to figure out how to get back to our property. Once they were safe inside the house, I went out back to locate and secure the area from which they escaped.

The remainder of the day has been uneventful and the sun is poking its head out from behind the clouds to whisper a brief greeting before heading in for the night.

I am late in getting this regular morning post out but I’m still championing a great day.

It’s been a day of setbacks, even disappointments, and I struggled to make it a great day. 

Monday evening, my MS began agitating my body and within thirty minutes, my phone’s weather system alerted me that rain would be arriving within the hour. That explained the physical pain. I assumed it would be done by morning, but I wrongly assumed the outcome. 

I had three things on my agenda: 1) my new scanning pen would arrive; 2) Taco Tuesday lunch with Mama Kay and the After-Mass Gals; and 3) a dinner party for Dayton Live staff at 5:30 PM. 

1) My scanning pen arrived before lunch but I could not get it to work. For two hours this evening, I still could not accomplish the set up and the instructions are in a font that would make an ant struggle to read. 

2) I felt miserable all through lunch and wanted to be back in my bed. 

3) By the time I needed to be getting ready to take No. 17 downtown to Schuster Center, I was more miserable than ever. I had even rescheduled a dinner outing with Laura so that I could attend the event. 

The best thing that I can take away from this day is that Hoskins snuggled with me throughout my retreats to my bed. It’s 9:35 PM, and she is draped over my arm and pressed against my chest.

I’m hopeful that Wednesday will have a better mindset and physical reset. 

This morning’s sky has vacillated between sunshine, a beautiful, vibrant, steel-blue, and rain clouds. The trees with white blooms looked spectacular against the sky.

I had a pen – scanner at one time, and it was such a fantastic tool for taking notes from books. It made note taking so much easier. For some reason, it would not work with my other laptops after my one laptop died. 

I searched online and found one that was decently priced. It would be here by Tuesday. Since I have all of my Monday free, I decided to check online to see where I might find one in the Dayton area. It showed it was carried at Walmart near the Dayton mall. I called Sunday evening and they said they had several in stock. 

Perfect. I decided to grab my weekly vegetables in one stop. By 8:05 AM, I was on southbound No. 17, heading to Walmart on Kingsridge Drive.

I got my vegetables and went to electronics where I called for an associate. I searched for the pens while waiting for the associate but could not locate any device.

The associate arrived and I explained what I needed.

The associate in electronics responded, “Pens only leave ink. They do not scan.”

I pulled up the Walmart photo on my phone and showed him what I meant. He said, “I’ve never seen those. No. We do not have them.” 

Can you please check? 

“I don’t know where they would be.”

Can you please check with someone who might know?

“I don’t know who to call that might know.”

Before my frustration got the better of me where I would utter some expletives, I pushed my cart out of the department. 

The only good thing out of this early morning trek to Walmart is that I got my vegetables and I was out of the store in time to catch the returning bus. 

I will either type out my notes or write them by hand until my scanning pen arrives, tomorrow. 

Until then, I shall make it a great day.

Despite the weather being chillier, we’ve had beautiful, blue, sun-filled skies that offered the illusion of our temperatures appearing higher than they were.

Wednesday was a doubleheader for Dayton Live. I spent the morning hours at Schuster Center for the Young People’s Concert hosted by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and then I spent the evening at Victoria Theatre to house manage the Asian percussion ensemble that offered a visually brilliant spectacle.

Thursday, I retreated to my bedroom for most of the day until it was time to have lunch with Mama Kay and Mary at La Pinata in Centerville. By 7 PM, Kellen and I were heading to Wright State University to attend the production, THE 25^th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. It was hilarious! I have three favorite directors: Joe Deer, Greg Hellems, and Megan Wean Sears. I do not make it to nearly as many theatre productions as I desire, but when I know one of these three is involved, I try my best to attend. SPELLING BEE is Joe Deer’s final production at Wright State before his nearing retirement and there was no way I would miss this. Thank you, Joe!

Tonight, I shall serve as house manager for a local production company’s children’s show in the PNC Annex, across the street from Schuster Center on the southeast corner of 2^nd & Ludlow streets. I return to Schuster on Saturday evening for another event with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and The Three Tenors.

March 2024 has five weeks that fall on teaching days, and when this occurs, the studio is closed for one of those five weeks. Therefore, my upcoming Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are free, and I am looking forward to these three days out of the teaching studio. I am, however, pushing myself to research and write. A new book on the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair has arrived, A PRELUDE TO A CENTURY: The 1904 World’s Fair by Patrick Murphy, and I am loving it more with each page turn.

Today, my birth father, Danny Lee Jolliff, would have turned 82.

Make it a great day!

I have shirts hanging on the clothesline that is fastened above the deck. Last week, my bedclothes received a breeze-drying, and they smelled so good when I later climbed into bed. The wind is strong this afternoon, and the shirts should be quickly dried.

Yesterday, I was out and about throughout the day. I returned some Amazon Prime orders via Wholesale Foods, took lunch downtown at my favorite Chinese buffet, and advantage of an opening in my teaching schedule to run to the pet store to purchase a new collar for Hoskins and to grab a few things from Kroger.

Today has been relaxing, almost to the point of laziness, and I am fine with that. The laundry is almost completed; the kitchen is cleaned with a load of dishes in the washer; the pooches have been fed and are now enjoying the beautiful sunshine and blue skies.

This evening will be spent with former student and now dear friend, Alex Loree. We grab some dinner and chat time before taking in a movie. I am looking forward to this evening.

On Wednesday, I will split my day with Dayton Live house managing events. The Young People’s concert with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will be in the morning, and after a quick return home to tend to the dogs, I will return for an evening event at Victoria Theatre. It will be a long day but each of the two performances will be fascinating.

Thursday will probably be much like my Tuesday with downtime and writing during the day, followed by time with my dear friend, Kellen White. Last week, we attended the Schuster Center’s offering, HADESTOWN, the national tour, and on Thursday, we shall see Wright State University’s production, THE 25^th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. This is a fun show and it is the final production directed by one of my all-time favorite individuals and artists, Joe Deer, who will retire from WSU at the end of this Spring.

I will have an event for Dayton Live on Friday, and then another at Schuster the following evening for The Three Tenors. I won’t have any more house managing duties until April commences, and that will be a fury of activity with the Tina Turner musical and THE LION KING. I am eager for each of these productions.

I have built up some energy pockets and I am taking advantage of this burst while keeping some in reserve despite a little more physical discomfort. I am sure the sunshine is boosting my spirits which is always a delightful boost.

Make it a great day!

PHOTOS: from Monday’s adventures

Sunday was uneventful until students arrived in person or via Zoom to ignite my energy. I was barren of most energy throughout the day and welcomed the students, many of whom were completing their school production runs.

I learned back in February that my Ball State University choral conductor, Dr. Douglas Amman, had passed away. It saddened me as the man influenced me musically, educationally, professionally, and personally. His eldest son, Mark, and I were the same age, and like with Larry Boye, another choral director with a son my age, I felt like I had two bonus dads. I was fortunate to know Dr. Amman’s lovely wife, Jean, with whom I remain in touch, and several of his children.

Dr. Douglas Amman’s obituary.

When the Chamber Choir would go on tours, toward the end, Dr. Amman would ask each member, “What were three things you enjoyed most about this tour?” followed by “What were three things about this tour that could have been better?”

When I began teaching, I asked the same of my students following a major concert and musical, but with some additional questions. I called it, “Postmortem.”

“What were three things you enjoyed the most throughout this entire process?”

“What were three things that didn’t feel as positive throughout this entire process?”

“What did you learn the most about musical theatre from this entire process?”

“What did you learn the most about yourself from this entire process?”

I love learning what the students gain from their experience as it often propels them into greater interest and more dedicated participation and practice. Former students, now performing professionally, often let me know their post-mortem experience from various shows or projects and this delights me and makes me proud.

Thank you, Dr. Douglas Amman, for your wisdom, encouragement, and your great love.

I have some Amazon purchases to return via way of Whole Foods near the Dayton Mall, and I need to purchase a new collar for Hoskins because Colonel Deeds ate her newest collar, sans the tags. The Colonel also ate the Chief’s collar several months back.

Make it a great day!

The first half of my Saturday, I was busy and arrived home by 2:30 PM to feed the dogs and take a 45-minute nap. At 4:28 PM, I was stepping onto No. 17, heading to Schuster Center.

I was especially excited about my evening at Schuster because I knew I was going to see a former student whom I had not seen in many years. I met the Merl family in 1992. I could write many blog posts on my experiences with this wonderful family. Dan and Geoff Merl were not much younger than me and over a joke, I was referred to as “big brother.”

I had the Merl children in piano and voice lessons, theatre lessons, and drum major lessons. When the youngest child, Amy, finished studying with me during her college years, I had been teaching the Merl family for 22 years! 

Megan Merl (now Lynn) began piano lessons with me when she was seven or eight years old. There was an immediate bond because we shared the same birthdate, September 25, twenty years apart. However, there was always so much more of a bond that I felt with Megan that went beyond our mutual natal celebration. If I could’ve ever had a daughter, I would’ve wanted one exactly like Megan.

Tonight, Megan, her parents, Stu and Pam, Megan’s husband and two sons came to see a production of HADESTOWN. Although our preshow reunion was brief, I felt so many tugs on my heart.

I was fortunate to observe Pam and Stu as younger parents and they were terrific role models for my parenting years. Before adopting my first son, I sent out a questionnaire to about twenty different parents whose parenting skills I admired. I was always drawn to Pam’s responses because they were simple, practical, and often doused with humor. One question was, “How do you know what to cook for dinner every night?” Pam’s response? “Whatever I feel like eating.” I followed her advice, rarely asking the sons what they wanted, unless it was their night to cook.

So, this has been a wonderful week of reunions, culminating with getting to see my bonus little sister, Megan, on Saturday night. 

Make it a great St. Patrick’s Day!

Friday was grey and damp, but it did not dampen the spirit of Mama Kay, her friends, Jan and Lydia, and I as we took a drive past the daffodil field in neighboring Oakwood. We stopped for a soggy pass through Smith Gardens, and made an attempt to eat at the newly opened Blueberry Café, now in the former Golden Nugget location at Dorothy Lane and South Dixie Boulevard. It was packed so we moved on to Culp’s Café at Carillon Historical Park.

Back at home by 1:30 PM, I took advantage of a two-hour nap before feeding the dogs and heading down to Schuster Center. Tonight, after keeping busy until 2 PM, I will an hour at home before my return to Schuster Center to sign-in the volunteer-ushers for the Broadway tour, HADESTOWN. I am eager to see a much beloved former student who will be in town with her family for this evening’s performance.

March

by William Cullen Bryant

The stormy March is come at last,
With wind, and cloud, and changing skies,
I hear the rushing of the blast,
That through the snowy valley flies.

Ah, passing few are they who speak,
Wild stormy month! in praise of thee;
Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak,
Thou art a welcome month to me.

For thou, to northern lands, again
The glad and glorious sun dost bring,
And thou hast joined the gentle train
And wear’st the gentle name of Spring.

And, in thy reign of blast and storm,
Smiles many a long, bright, sunny day,
When the changed winds are soft and warm,
And heaven puts on the blue of May.

Then sing aloud the gushing rills
And the full springs, from frost set free,
That, brightly leaping down the hills,
Are just set out to meet the sea.

The year’s departing beauty hides
Of wintry storms the sullen threat;
But in thy sternest frown abides
A look of kindly promise yet.

Make it a great day!

PHOTOS FROM FRIDAY:

As the sun begins its ascent, many communities throughout the Midwest will finally get a glimpse of the mass destruction from tornadoes that raged through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio on Thursday evening. The reports of missing individuals and fatalities remain incomplete.

This morning, I will join Mama Kay, and two of her friends in an outing to see the daffodil fields in neighboring Oakwood, Smith Gardens, and then lunch at the newly established Blueberry Café, formally the Golden Nugget. Later this evening, I will be at Schuster Center.

The dogs have been fed, and already returned from pottying. I’ve returned to bed for a few more hours where I’ve been joined by my ever present snugglers, Hoskins, Harrigan, and Colonel Deeds.

Make it a great day!

Wednesday was just the perfect day.

A few minutes past 10 AM, my sister, Dena, and three of her four children, arrived from Indiana to spend the day. She had with her Jonathan, 26, and the twins, Kaytlinn and James, 14. During lunch at El Toro, we got to speak with Andrew, 25. This was the first time I had seen them since March 2022. Later that summer, my sister was hospitalized, and soon learned that she, too, suffered with multiple sclerosis.

We spent a few hours at The National Museum of the United States Air Force and also had a great time with a three hour lunch chat. 

By 6:30 PM, my dear friend, Kellen White and I were heading down to Schuster Center to watch HADESTOWN. Monday, I discovered I had won two complementary corporate tickets to this Broadway powerhouse national tour. It was interesting being on the other side of the fence, going into the building as a patron and not as a house manager.

The music is superb, as is the cast and the lighting design. This lighting designer deserves their own Tony award just for this production.

This morning, we have rain showers which will give way to thunderstorms for the afternoon. I am a little tired, but my mind and soul are greatly refreshed. Having spent the day with my sister, niece, nephews, Kellen, and seeing and chatting with a number of my colleagues from Dayton Live.

Make it a great day!

Since waking, the temperature has already seen a boost of three degrees and is anticipated to climb thirty more degrees to 56 degrees by day’s end. The remainder of this week shall see us hovering in the mid-sixties and a high of 70 degrees on Thursday.

The time change has mingled little adjustments to my body’s rhythm, but I could have enjoyed more sleep this morning. Yesterday, my body was tackled by fatigue which seemed unwarranted as I had enjoyed a relaxing Saturday with an evening at The Loft to house manage a Human Race Theatre Company production, SHIPWRECKED. Once the students arrived, I was fully revived and enjoyed a full night of teaching.

Harrigan seems improved, but still remains mostly to herself, lounging on my bed or by my side in my study. The students, once passing through the gate into the hallway, have been calling out to Harrigan to come see them, and she has. We’re about two weeks shy of the three-month anniversary of Bailey’s passing, and I am sure it is difficult for Harrigan to comprehend.

And immediately after typing the above paragraph, I heard a tumbling commotion in my bedroom. Upon checking, I discovered the noise coming from not just Hoskins and Colonel Deeds, but Harrigan, too! She might growl when the youngsters want to snuggle with her but she’s game for playing hard!

I am hoping to enjoy a visit from family mid-week and am eager to see this through. The weather looks to be cooperative, too.

Make it a great day!

“This is The Boss.”

That is how my Grandpa Leroy would introduce me when I was a little tyke. From the time I was walking until I started first grade, Grandpa would work midnights at the police department. He’d pick me up around 8 AM and we’d have breakfast at our house, around the corner with Grandma Donna, or head to the East Star Inn or Frenchies.

After breakfast, we would run errands in Elwood, or in nearby Alexandria or Anderson. When we’d enter a business, Grandpa would be eagerly greeted, followed by the question, “Who ya got with ya, Red?”

“This is The Boss!” he would proudly announce.

By 11 AM, Mother or Grandma Donna had lunch ready and after eating, Mother would walk me two blocks to Washington Elementary School for Afternoon Kindergarten.

And that’s how it went most weekday mornings. I spent many mornings as my grandmother’s sou chef, helping her with baking in the kitchen. It was in that kitchen on the Southwest corner of 8^th and South A streets where I became the repository of our family’s history and countless stories. Grandma Donna’s parents, Garrett and Belle (Jones) Clary, and Grandpa Leroy’s father, Virgil Barmes, were still living and I got to know them and hear their stories, as well.

Friday passed with little amusement, a predicted snow/sleet mix to last several hours without materializing and doing some laundry.

Each time I head to a Dayton Live house managing event, I leave early enough to stop at Uno’s Pizzeria, next to the Victoria Theatre and across the street from Schuster Center to pick up my preordered dinner. I treat myself to an Uno Burger, sweet potato fries, and a diet beverage. I look forward to my hamburgers from Uno’s.

Friday afternoon, as I prepared for my journey downtown, I got on my phone to order my meal and Google displayed: PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

No! I tried calling their number and there was no answer. I hopped on Facebook and there were several stories regarding Uno’s abrupt closure.

I had noticed, for several months, that it was not staying open until 11 PM or midnight and was closing at 9 PM. Uno’s had often served as a pre-show and post-show gathering spot. As I walked by Uno’s on my way to The Loft Theatre, I saw the notice on the door. Sad.

Friday night, I house-managed SHIPWRECKED in The Loft for The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s premiere professional theatre. Once the show began, I spent my time in the lobby, editing one of my writing projects. From what I observed, the audience loved it!

Make it a great day!

The very fine weather is most agreeable, and I love having screen doors and windows open to allow the spring breezes to shower the house with fresh air. For several days, the cardinals have been bellowing the arrival of spring. The dogs have especially enjoyed coming and going from the yard with the open deck door.

On this date in history, the last presidential inauguration to be held on the traditional March 4 was in 1933 for Franklin Roosevelt’s first swearing-in. The waiting period for extensive travel and preparation was no longer needed and the ceremony was moved from March 4^th to January 20^th.

Harrigan refused her breakfast. I know these things occasionally happen but my worryscope is riding above the water.

There’s not much more to report. My body is tired, and there is cramping, probably from the impending rains expected by tomorrow and Wednesday.

March fourth and make it a great day!

Today, we’re celebrating Hoskins’s six month birthday.

She got an orange big girl collar and all the pooches had some pumpkin added to their breakfast.

With her four strong and loving role models, she’s becoming an incredible little pal at The Haasienda.

Happy 1/2 year birthday, Hoskie!

Sleep came fairly easy and although I was up and down, several times throughout the night, I do feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Harrigan ate her breakfast and bounced out the door to potty with the others.  She seems improved but I am holding my breath. I know, firsthand, how deeply human grief can pry itself into one’s soul; I can only imagine how great it can be for the broken heart of a dog whose love seems far greater.

Folks have said raising puppies can be difficult, but working with older, senior dogs, has many challenges. While I am dealing with their aging issues, I am also preparing myself that our time together is terribly short, and the time diminishes with each day. Erma will be fifteen in a few months, and Chief turns fourteen in November. Chief’s hips cause mobility problems and his face holds the beauty of a venerable elder. Erma has grown plumper and older in the face but has the energy of the younger pair, Colonel Deeds and Hoskins. Harrigan will reach eleven years old in October and since Bailey’s death in December, has drastically altered with maturity.

Erma was a senior dog when I adopted her at the age of nine. The others I’ve raised since they were young puppies. For nearly fourteen years, I have watched Chief from a bouncing, curious twelve-week-old puppy to a slow-moving old boy with arthritic hips. The only time he shows any energy is when I call him to eat or when he sees another dog passing by the chain-linked fence.

On with the day. The morning is filling quickly with light and the resident cardinals are quite loud. Tonight, I am at Schuster for a private event and managing the private Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s open rehearsal as they prepare Brahms’ Requiem.

Make it a great day!