The Haasienda on Shroyer…

I am ready to charge into my Wednesday having achieved several things on my Tuesday docket.  There is nothing of major importance on Wednesday’s docket, but I shall change that, very shortly.

I dusted my bedroom and the living room after discovering dust strings and other unsightly dust-related items. There are only two operating furnace floor registers in operation as the house is plenty warm with three of the five registers closed. Only my bedroom and study vents remain open, and they have filters inserted in them to tackle dust. I also changed my furnace filter which had quickly greyed in less than a month.

While in semi-Hazel mode, I also tidied up the kitchen, tossed in a load of dishes that are now washed and dried, and completed a load of laundry.

Mama Kay and I lunched at El Toro for our weekly Mexican repast and then I returned home to feed the dogs, and nap for an hour.

I tackled a writing project, late Monday evening, and continued it through Tuesday morning, and again, for six hours Tuesday evening. My intent is to make even more headway today.

The temperatures are rising slightly but I don’t know if I wish to venture outside. I am still recovering from the busy Thursday through Monday schedule and want to maintain my regaining strength and energy.

This weekend, while I was busy at Victoria Theatre, Mama Kay’s youngest son and my bonus kid brother, Michael, and his girlfriend, Jean, were in town and I am so sorry I missed them. Sunday morning, they visited next door with Mama Kay, but my phone’s ringer was turned off while I slept until after the Noon hour. They sent, via way of Mama Kay, a lovely notepad, and a mug to celebrate Bailey. It was a thoughtfulness I greatly appreciate.

5 PM, Wednesday, January 16, 1957, my great-grandmother, Thelma Daugherty Barmes, died from severe internal injuries sustained in a car-train wreck. A sensation of her presence seemed to hover near throughout the day.

On with my day. Make it a great day!

On this date in history:

On this date in history:  (2014) The United States and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations that had been in abeyance for more than 50 years. (2011) North Korean ruler Kim Jong Il died; he was succeeded by his youngest son, Kim Jong-Un. (1992) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed by the leaders of Mexico, Canada, and the United States; it was replaced by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement in 2020. (1989) After appearing as a cartoon short, the animated television series The Simpsons debuted as a Christmas special; it became a weekly series in 1990. (1903) On this day in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful sustained flights in an airplane—Orville first, gliding 120 feet (36.6 metres) through the air in 12 seconds. (1892) The first issue of Vogue was published; initially a weekly high-society journal, it became a hugely influential American fashion and lifestyle magazine. (1760) American Revolutionary soldier Deborah Sampson, who assumed a man’s identity in order to join the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, was born.

It’s a lovely sight to see the newly fallen snow in the backyard. A low breeze blows some of the snow dust about in waves, catching the light above the deck and looking like diamonds blowing out of Aladdin’s cave. Despite it’s beauty, there are numerous school closures and delays. Kettering schools are delayed two hours.

The pooches graciously allowed me to sleep in, and an hour passed beyond my regular waking time of 6 AM. It’s now 7:35 AM and the dogs have eaten and spent time in the backyard, I have breakfasted and am now wading through business email, reading Jeff Carter’s blog, and scanning through social media sites. I spent 90 minutes working on a writing project after private lessons concluded last night, and I am proud of the progress.

Sixty-seven years ago, today, at 5 PM, my great-grandmother, Thelma Daugherty Barmes, a much-beloved piano and voice teacher, and popular vocalist, died from injuries sustained in an automobile-train accident the day before.

Tomorrow will be three weeks since Bailey’s passing. I deeply miss my Miss Wigglesbottom, despite having Hoskins who delightfully wiggles and snuggles.

I intend to work through the morning before preparing to dine with Mama Kay and Mary for Taco Tuesday. I am considering a movie for the evening at The Neon but have not decided much beyond my Mexican lunch. I may consider a walk around the block (it’s a huge block) to enjoy the snow.

Make it a great day!

On this date in history:

(2021) American record producer Phil Spector, who scored a number of hits with his unique take on pop music but who was later convicted of second-degree murder, died at age 80. (2017) American  astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last person to walk on the Moon (1972), died at age 82. (1991) The Persian Gulf War, triggered by Iraq‘s occupation of Kuwait in August 1990, began on this day in 1991 with a U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq that continued until a cease-fire was declared on February 28. (1973) The last episode of Bonanza aired on NBC as the popular western series ended after 14 seasons. (1934) Opera singer Marilyn Horne, an American mezzo-soprano noted for the seamless quality and exceptional range and flexibility of her voice, was born. (1883) The Pendleton Civil Service Act, a bill sponsored by Senator George H. Pendleton of Ohio, established the Civil Service Commission in the United States. (1547) Ivan the Terrible was crowned “tsar and grand prince of all Russia.”

On this date in history:

(2009) US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Captain Chesley (“Sully”) Sullenberger III, landed in the Hudson River after the plane flew into a flock of Canada geese shortly after takeoff, resulting in severe damage to the plane’s engines; there were no fatalities. (2001) Wikipedia, a free  Internet-based encyclopaedia that operates under an open-source management style, debuted; it was founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. (1974) The American television series Happy Days, a nostalgic comedy set during the 1950s and ’60s, premiered on ABC.  (1919) A storage tank collapsed in Boston, sending more than two million gallons (eight million litres) of  molasses flowing through the city’s North End; the Great Molasses Flood, as it became known, caused extensive damage and killed 21 people. (1919) Polish-born German revolutionary and agitator Rosa Luxemburg, cofounder of the German Communist Party, was arrested and murdered in Berlin for fomenting a communist uprising known as the Spartacus Revolt. (1896) American photographer Mathew Brady, known for his portraits of politicians and images of the American Civil War, died alone and virtually forgotten in a hospital charity ward in New York City. (1870) The donkey appeared as a symbol of the U.S. Democratic Party in a Thomas Nast cartoon. (1844) The University of Notre Dame, founded in Indiana by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, was officially chartered. (1759)  Established by an act of Parliament in 1753, the British Museum—which counts among its world-renowned antiquities and archaeological holdings the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone—opened to the public this day in 1759.

It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Kettering Schools are off for the day, and most businesses are closed. I am glad it worked out with a holiday coinciding with low temperatures so there don’t have to be school delays.

Sunday was cold at 5 degrees around 7 PM and shall drop to 1 degree. This Monday morning greeted us with 4 degrees and our high is only expected to be 16 degrees. I ended up Zooming a majority of my local students last night, and of course, my out-of-state lessons were conducted via Zoom. I wish I could spend this day in bed.

Today marks sixty-seven years since the tragic train-automobile accident that involved my maternal great-grandmother, Thelma Daughterty Barmes. The wreck occurred at Noon on January 15, 1957, and she expired the following day at 5 PM.

Make it a great day!

Winter’s Slumber

Regina McIntosh

Winter’s slumber has me in cozy places, warm and comforted

I am grateful for the wood fire that burns, many blankets

I have So many things to help me get through the bitter cold

The wind that howls through the woods and all the piles of snow

It is the season to hunker down, giving time to reflect on past events

To plan positive things for the days ahead, to process methodically

A time to be grateful for new things and old creative talents

Still, the sun shines on many cold days, rising with endurance

As it creates sparkling stars in the pure, white, snow

Showing beauty bypasses the battles of the cold weather

I awaken from slumber on these stark, beautiful, days

Birds come to the feeder, as I watch the show through frosty windows

A colorful picture filled with songs, alert my senses to see and hear

It is a time to cherish the shelter of this safe home

To appreciate all there is when the world is cold outside

A time for rest, a time for relaxation, a time to enhance intuition

It is a contrast of kindness and bitterness, calmness and fierceness

The power of patience, granted by the bulbs, waiting to bloom in spring

12/26/23

For twenty-four hours, we have had winter winds of 20+ mph, and throughout the night they remained at a constant 25+ mph. These strong gusts are to remain for several more hours this Saturday morning.

Last night, I was a house manager at Victoria Theatre for the Muse Machine’s production, 9 TO 5. I got to see a number of folks I knew, some of whom were former students, and I worked with a terrific group of Volunteers who served as Ushers. Due to the thoughtfulness of Debi Gnau and her daughter, I was home an hour earlier than I was expecting.

I will spend the majority of my Saturday at Victoria Theatre for two more performances. I am looking forward to my Sunday before I begin teaching.

Make it a great day!

An Old Man’s Winter Night

Robert Frost   1874 – 1963

All out of doors looked darkly in at him
Through the thin frost, almost in separate stars,
That gathers on the pane in empty rooms.
What kept his eyes from giving back the gaze
Was the lamp tilted near them in his hand.
What kept him from remembering what it was
That brought him to that creaking room was age.
He stood with barrels round him—at a loss.
And having scared the cellar under him
In clomping there, he scared it once again
In clomping off;—and scared the outer night,
Which has its sounds, familiar, like the roar
Of trees and crack of branches, common things,
But nothing so like beating on a box.
A light he was to no one but himself
Where now he sat, concerned with he knew what,
A quiet light, and then not even that.
He consigned to the moon,—such as she was,
So late-arising,—to the broken moon
As better than the sun in any case
For such a charge, his snow upon the roof,
His icicles along the wall to keep;
And slept. The log that shifted with a jolt
Once in the stove, disturbed him and he shifted,
And eased his heavy breathing, but still slept.
One aged man—one man—can’t fill a house,
A farm, a countryside, or if he can,
It’s thus he does it of a winter night.

The deck has a light dusting of snow – so light that it looks like there was an investigation to find paw prints. Success!

Wednesday was productive on a number of fronts, and I am satisfied.

A dear friend and bonus niece, Jozi, brought me the sweetest sun catcher to remember Bailey. It’s included in the photos.

Harrigan seems to be the same but still keeps mostly to herself. She did, however, come to hang with the others in my study last night.

Today begins a three-day stretch of being swamped and I am actually dreading the schedule. Somehow, I must rearrange my thoughts to make certain that I am beginning with the correct footing. I know that once I engage with my schedule that I will be fine.

Make it a great day!

JANUARY

by Ruby Archer

The snow is diamond for a fairy’s feet,
Blithely and bonnily she trips along,
Her lips a-carol with a merry song,
And in her eyes the meaning. “Life is sweet!”
The rhythm of youth is in her pulses’ beat,
The lissome form is beautiful and strong,
The happy heart is innocent of wrong.
Young Hope incarnate seems the earth to greet,
How fair is she—just pinker than the snow.
Behold—a roguish coyness in her face!
Ah see—a spray of saucy mistletoe
Is nestling in her hair. A chase! A chase!
A gleeful laugh,—the vision bright has paled,
Is lost in clouds her laughing breath exhaled.

(Saturday night) It’s moving in at 11:15 PM, Saturday evening, and my 10-hour shift at Victoria Theatre is over. I try not to work too many double shifts, but sometimes it’s necessary, especially when we have two major events running at the same time.

I have about 18 minutes until No. 17 arrives and despite the 25° weather, I am very comfortable. I honestly do not mind colder temperatures. I do, however, loathe humidity. Tomorrow, Sunday, the expected high is 11°, followed by two days of 18° and 17°.

(Sunday afternoon) I arrived home by 12:10 AM and attended to a few items before turning in with Harrigan, Colonel Deeds, and Hoskins gathered upon me.

This morning, I fed the pooches at 6:30 AM, and by 7 AM, I was back in bed and snoozing heavily. At 11 AM, I opened my eyes to see the pooches snoozing soundly and not seeming eager to potty. My eyes reopened at 12:45 PM and I determined they needed to go out and I needed to get up despite not feeling energetic.

Soup is on the stove and should last me for the next two days of this winter weather. My scrambled eggs and Honey Nut Cheerios have been devoured and I am trying to organize my brain.

I have taken a break from biographical audiobooks and am listening to my favorite podcast, AMERICAN PRESIDENTS: TOTALUS RANKIUM. We have now arrived at the second episode of President Bill Clinton. I am always impressed with their steady research, and I love their British humor!

I may return to bed for a short nap to ease some of the gut demolition and muscle aches.

In the meantime, make it a great day!

On this date in history:

(2011) Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali stepped down following mass protests against poverty, unemployment, and political repression; the uprising was known as the Jasmine Revolution. (2005) The Huygens entry probe landed on Saturn‘s largest moon, Titan; it marked the first time a spacecraft landed on a planetary surface in the outer solar system. (1997) Greek archaeologists announced that they had discovered an ancient site in Athens that may have been  Aristotle‘s Lyceum. (1990)  The opera Tosca—a psychological drama of deceit and doubt composed by Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest exponents of operatic realism—made its world premiere in Rome’s Costanzi Theatre on this day in 1900. (1970) Diana Ross and the Supremes staged their final concert, as Ross subsequently embarked on a solo career. (1954) Baseball player Joe DiMaggio and actress Marilyn Monroe married at City Hall in San Francisco. (1941) American actress Faye Dunaway, who was known for her tense, absorbing performances, was born. (1784) The Continental Congress ratified the Peace of Paris (1783) with Great Britain, which recognized the independence of the United States.

On this date….

(2010) On this day in 2010, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti, especially Port-au-Prince, killing more than 200,000 people and leaving more than 1,000,000 homeless and touching off a massive international relief effort. (2005) The U.S. space probe Deep Impact was launched, and in July it shot a 370-kg (810-pound) mass into the nucleus of the comet Tempel 1 in order to study its cometary structure. (1971) The groundbreaking television series All in the Family debuted on CBS; the sitcom became known for its frank and satirical treatment of sensitive or important topics. (1969) American gridiron football quarterback Joe Namath, having “guaranteed” victory, led the New York Jets to a 16–7 win over the favoured Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. (1966) The live-action TV series Batman premiered on ABC; a huge hit, it starred Adam West as the Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as Robin. (1932) Hattie Ophelia Caraway became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate. (1876) American novelist Jack London, author of The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), was born in San Francisco. (1773) The oldest public museum in the United States was established in colonial Charleston, South Carolina.

I have always found a bit of amusement when folks get so excited over the weekend’s approach. I have never really had a true weekend as a musician, an educator, and when the sons were home, a dad. I have always worked or had career-associated events on the weekends.

This weekend is no different and is especially busy. I will be at The Victoria, tonight, and all day tomorrow, with each evening’s events finishing by 11:30 PM. I am already tired and eager for my Sunday morning to sleep some more after feeding and pottying the pooches. I will teach Sunday afternoon and evening, but I am ready for those naps.

Happy weekend to those who need it and celebrate its restfulness.

Make it a great day!

Fatigue

Amy Lowell  1874 – 1925

Stupefy my heart to every day’s monotony,

Seal up my eyes, I would not look so far,

Chasten my steps to peaceful regularity,

Bow down my head lest I behold a star.

Fill my days with work, a thousand calm necessities

Leaving no moment to consecrate to hope,

Girdle my thoughts within the dull circumferences

Of facts which form the actual in one short hour’s scope.

 Give me dreamless sleep, and loose night’s power over me,

 Shut my ears to sounds only tumultuous then,

 Bid Fancy slumber, and steal away its potency,

 Or Nature wakes and strives to live again.

Let each day pass, well ordered in its usefulness,

Unlit by sunshine, unscarred by storm;

Dower me with strength and curb all foolish eagerness —

The law exacts obedience. Instruct, I will conform.

On this date…

(2014) Israeli general and politician Ariel Sharon, who was one of the chief participants in the Arab-Israeli wars and who served as prime minister of Israel (2001–06), died at age 85, eight years after being incapacitated by a stroke. (2008) New Zealand mountain climber and explorer Sir Edmund Hillary—who, with the Tibetan mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, was the first to summit Mount Everest—died at age 88. (2001) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved the merger of America Online and Time Warner, and AOL Time Warner (later shortened to Time Warner) stock began trading the next morning; the joint company suffered large financial losses, and the two entities split in 2009. (1964) U.S. Surgeon General Luther L. Terry announced that cigarette smoking is linked to lung cancer. (1935) On this day in 1935, Amelia Earhart, one of the world’s most celebrated aviators, made the first successful solo flight from Hawaii to California, a distance longer than that from the United States to Europe. (1878) Milk was delivered for the first time in glass bottles in New York City. (1861) Alabama seceded from the Union, the fourth state to do so in the run-up to the American Civil War. (1755/1757) Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury, was born in the British West Indies.

There were initial reports that we’d have a bit of sunshine this morning but that never materialized. The rain possibly stopped but a drizzle or light snow, of which I cannot determine, is in the air. The low 30s are set for the next several days. 

I returned home from Taco Tuesday and relaxed with the pooches. Harrigan was a bit more herself last evening, joining the rest of us in the study, even playing some with Colonel Deeds.  

I reinstalled Netflix because I’d been hearing chatter about Season Six from THE CROWN. I began watching it and finished it this morning. Meh. The first two seasons were solid but I felt the remaining seasons were hit and miss. 

I love the debates from those who believe the series to be true! It’s based on The Royal Family but it is purely fictional at best since the dialogue has been, from most accounts, created. When a suspected work begins adding in dialogue for which there is no basis of truth, it immediately goes into my fiction file. 

Last night, I watched the episode of Princess Diana’s death and I thought it was quite good. Again, we are not privy to the innermost conversations and the speculative dialogue remains fictional. The actress portraying the late Princess Diana did, in my opinion, a masterful job.

I’m on No. 17, heading north to one of my favorite eatery haunts. It must be “Weed Wednesday” as the odor of pot is on a majority of the clothing of my fellow passengers. 

Tomorrow begins my three day marathon which I am actually dreading. I’ve two morning activities until 2 PM on Thursday and Friday. Thursday afternoon and evening, I somehow got on an event at Schuster Center for which I do not recall signing up. I thought, at first, I had agreed to cover for someone but now know it’s not the case. Then, I’ve a shift for Muse Machine on Friday evening until 11:30 PM, followed by a double shift for Saturday from 11 AM to 11:30 PM. Sunday shall be my day of rest until private lesson teaching commences.

Make it a great day!

On this date in history…

(2016) British singer, songwriter, and actor David Bowie—who transformed himself from a traditional pop crooner into a trendsetting international superstar best known for his metamorphic personae (on- and offstage), abrupt shifts in musical genres, and status as a fashion icon—died in New York City. (1999) The first episode of The Sopranos aired on HBO, and the dramatic series, which starred James Gandolfini and Edie Falco, was later widely hailed as a classic. (1984) The United States and the Vatican established diplomatic relations after a 117-year break. (1971) Masterpiece Theatre (later called Masterpiece) debuted on PBS; the first series aired was The First Churchills. (1949) American boxer George Foreman, who became the oldest world heavyweight champion in 1994, was born in Marshall, Texas. (1946) Radar signals bouncing off the Moon were detected for the first time. (1946) The first United Nations General Assembly met in London. (1920) The League of Nations was established in Geneva. (1861) Florida seceded from the Union and in February 1861 joined the Confederacy. (1776) On this day in 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense, a 50-page pamphlet that sold more than 500,000 copies within a few months and called for a war of independence that would become the American Revolution.

Rain. Lots of rain. And it’s cold. It’s only 42°, but feels much, much colder outside. The rain is to stay with us above 75% until 3 AM. It is expected to start turning into snow early Wednesday morning. The grey sky appears vulgar to allowing any cheeriness. There are lots of wet and muddy paw tracks coming into my study from the deck.

I am currently on the No. 17 heading back home. I left the house at 9 AM to return something to Amazon Prime at Whole Foods. I was in and out in less than five minutes with my transaction completed. 

There is only one thing on my official docket for today, and that is going to El Toro Mexican Restaurant with Mama Kay, Mary, and whomever else Mama Kay grabs after Noon mass.

Harrigan continued sulking and staying in my bedroom all throughout lessons, Sunday and Monday. Even the students she’s known for years could not coax her out to get some loving. At one point, I had a break, Monday evening, and blocked the others out of my bedroom so I could spend time with Harrigan. She and Hoskins snuggled on each side of my head, last night, sharing my pillow.

I wrapped up my Monday evening, finally, just short of midnight. I only required one bathroom break and fortunately I returned to sleep, which has not been the case for the past three or four days.  Once upon a time, I easily survived on four hours of sleep each night and maintained a challenging schedule. Those days of having additional hours are no longer a part of my regimen. 

I’ve about 10 minutes remaining before I get home. There are a few things I would like to accomplish before meeting up with Mama Kay for lunch. On with the day and the rainy, cold, and grey.

Make it a great day!

On this date in history:

(2005) Mahmoud Abbas, who was a founder of Fatah in the 1950s and served briefly as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 2003 under Yāsir ʿArafāt, was elected president of the PA on this day in 2005. (2001) Apple introduced iTunes, a digital media player application that, with the year’s later debut of the iPod, revolutionized digital music. (1982) Catherine Middleton, who married (2011) Prince William and became the duchess of Cambridge, was born in Reading, Berkshire, England. (1960) Construction began on the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, and upon completion in 1970 it generated enormous amounts of electric power and allowed for the control of the annual Nile flood. (1941) American folksinger and political activist Joan Baez, who was at the forefront of the 1960s folk music revival, was born in Staten Island, New York. (1908) Simone de Beauvoir, French writer and feminist who gave a literary transcription to the themes of existentialism, was born in Paris. (1861) Mississippi became the second U.S. state (after South Carolina) to secede from the Union in the run-up to the American Civil War. (1839) Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre of France proclaimed his invention of the daguerreotype, the first commercially successful form of photography.

On this date:

(2016) Mexican criminal Joaquín Guzmán (“El Chapo”), head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was captured in Los Mochis after escaping prison some six months earlier; he was later extradited to the United States, where he was convicted of various crimes. (2011) U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords was shot during an assassination attempt; although she survived, six others were killed. (1997) On this day in 1997, the principality of Monaco began a yearlong celebration in honour of the 700th anniversary of the rule of the Grimaldi family, who seized power in 1297 and gained firm possession of Monaco in 1419. (1959) Charles de Gaulle was inaugurated as president of France‘s Fifth Republic. (1942) English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who developed a theory of exploding black holes that drew upon both relativity theory and quantum mechanics, was born. (1918) U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced his Fourteen Points, an outline for peace following World War I. (1862) American publisher Frank Nelson Doubleday, founder of the book-publishing firm Doubleday & Company, Inc., was born. (1812) U.S. General Andrew Jackson defeated Great Britain in the Battle of New Orleans, the final engagement in the War of 1812. (1790) U.S. President George Washington delivered the first State of the Union, the annual address to Congress.

On this date in history…

(2015) Two gunmen connected to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a Yemeni-based militant group, stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people in retribution for the satirical magazine’s portrayals of the Prophet Muhammad; the attackers were later killed by police. (2003) By presidential decree, Christmas—this day on the Coptic Orthodox calendar—was celebrated for the first time as a national holiday in Egypt, an almost ntirely Muslim country. (1979) Vietnamese forces took control of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ousting the Khmer Rouge and its leader, Pol Pot. (1968) Uncrewed U.S. space probe Surveyor 7 was launched and, a few days later, made a soft landing on the Moon. (1957) American broadcast journalist Katie Couric, who was the first solo female anchor of a major network (CBS) evening news program, was born. (1955) American contralto Marian Anderson first performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. (1844) St. Bernadette, the French girl whose visions of the Virgin Mary led to the founding of the shrine of Lourdes, was born in that town. (1800) Millard Fillmore, the 13th U.S. president, was born. (1610) During this month in 1610, Italian astronomer Galileo made the earthshaking discoveries that four moons revolve around Jupiter and that the telescope reveals many more stars than are visible to the naked eye.

On this date in history:

Epiphany: Celebrated annually this day, Epiphany is a major feast that commemorates, for Western Christians, the coming of the Magi and, for Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jesus‘ birth, baptism by John, and first miracle. (2021) Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, where Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden‘s win in the 2020 election; Trump and his backers alleged widespread voter fraud, though there was no evidence for the claims. (2001) The U.S. Congress certified George W. Bush as the winner of the 2000 presidential election following a legal battle. (1974) American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Dizzy Gillespie, one of the seminal figures of the bebop movement, died at age 75. (1974) In an effort to conserve energy during an oil crisis, Daylight Saving Time began several months early in the United States and was slated to remain in place for more than a year; the move, however, proved hugely unpopular, and its duration was later amended. (1941( U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined his Four Freedoms in his State of the Union message to Congress. (1878) American poet, historian, and folklorist Carl Sandburg, whose Abraham Lincoln: The War Years won the Pulitzer Prize for history in 1940, was born. (1811) American Civil War statesman Charles Sumner was born in Boston. (1759) George Washington, the future first president of the United States, married Martha Dandridge in Virginia. (1540) Henry VIII of England married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

It’s 27 degrees on this still-dark Monday morning. By Noon time, tomorrow, we shall enjoy 50 degrees but with lots of rain.

I feel as though the new year is finally getting underway with my private teaching resuming, schools starting back up, musical rehearsals kicking in, and that initial push to get the upcoming Spring activities into view.

After two days of my grocery “delivery delays” from Walmart, I switched Walmart stores and amazingly, all the items were available and arrived within a few hours. Someone at the Sugarcreek Walmart in nearby Bellbrook must have some organizational and leadership skills! Bravo!  And thank you to everyone who offered to assist in shopping or picking up groceries – you are appreciated.

My friend, Jenny Davis, bid farewell to her mother, Carol, who passed from a brief but overwhelming battle with lung cancer. Carol was a kindred spirit when it came to dogs, and fortunately, her beloved pooch, Lucy, has been adopted by some kind-hearted folks who also have two labs at home.

Harrigan is still very down in spirit. She continues to be clingy, sleeping on my pillow, but the spark in her spirit is greatly diminished. When I first got The Sisters on Christmas night, 2013, the vet warned me that the two puppies were very close and due to their mixed breeds, would probably live long lives until 15-17 years. However, since they were already so close, I was cautioned that when one of the sisters passed, the other might follow soon after from grief. Harrigan is certainly grieving, and I am keeping a close eye on her and giving her lots of additional attention, hugs, and love.

It is time to move on with my day. I am still struggling with the lack of sleep from Friday and Saturday nights, and again this past night.  I was in bed by midnight last night and wide awake at 4:15 AM without regaining further sleep. I hope to regain that sleep loss on Tuesday and Wednesday when I finish teaching this evening at 10:30 PM.

Make it a great day!

After seven hours away from home, feeding and pottying the pups, a speedy change of clothes, and a brief thirty-minute nap, I was on the 3:45 PM No. 17, heading to the Schuster Center. I was not scheduled until 5 PM but since I was responsible for getting our Volunteers signed in, beginning at 5:30-5:45 PM, I wanted to be sure my paperwork and their assignment slips were in order. I had ordered a hamburger and sweet potato fries from Uno’s Pizzeria across the street from Schuster Center.

We had two house managers who could not join us so after some scurrying around to make certain areas were covered, we were off and running. I took both sides of the upper balconies and had no qualms when I saw the wonderful crew of Volunteer ushers assigned me. They were superb and made the evening enjoyable. I did manage to accumulate over 3,000 additional steps during this shift.

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presented “Huddle Up: Music of Sports” which was outstanding and so much fun! The Oakwood High School marching band presented a stadium concert on the stage in the Winter Garden (main lobby) prior to the show and offered “The National Anthem” at the start of the concert. After putting away their instruments, they came up to the balcony lobby before entering to watch the remainder of the concert. The music students were so polite, and when it was time to enter between numbers, they were quick and quiet. Outstanding.

The evening’s repertoire included: John William’s “Olympic Fanfare & Theme” (1984 Olympics), “Home Stretch,” “Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, 1,” “Look Sharp,” “P.D.Q. Bach/Peter Schickele’s Beethoven Symphony No. 5,” “The Skater’s Waltz,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Big Band Baseball Hits,” “Casey at the Bat,” and “Highlights from ROCKY.” Now, this was a terrifically fun concert!

However, the downside to the evening was receiving a notification that, for the second evening in a row, my Walmart grocery delivery was “delayed,” again. It is 6:40 AM and there is still no delivery on my porch, despite the fact they promised to “keep you notified of its progress.” The Moraine Walmart is the closest Walmart but I believe I need to use the Kingsridge Drive Walmart near the Dayton Mall.

A number of friends have offered to pick up my groceries and I appreciate their assistance; however, there is nothing critical that I need from this particular order, and it is now more a matter of service principle. I also need to search for a new option or simply ditch the inept facility of the Moraine Walmart.

It is also a matter of being as physically independent as I can. I believe there will soon be a day where I will require assistance, but until then, I really need to keep moving forward with life, adjusting as I go.

I woke at 2:30 AM, after finally making it to bed at midnight, and sleep did not return. I teach my private lessons until 11:15 PM, so with being away for seven hours and rushing home to take care of the dogs and begin teaching at 3 PM, it will be a long day and one that requires pacing, a positive attitude, and dangling the carrot before me with an attached note, “Make it a great day!”

PHOTOS: Oakwood HS Marching Band’s pre show concert in The Schuster Center’s Winter Garden and a view from the upper balcony.

When I went to Friday night at 11 PM, the prediction had the snow entering the Miami Valley by 3 AM. It is going on 6 AM and still no snow or precipitation has arrived. From what my radar indicates, we shall be mostly bypassed by the bulk of the heavier snow.

I set my Walmart grocery delivery for 8 PM – 9 PM, Friday evening. At 8:45 PM, I received a text that the delivery was delayed by 2 hours. Before settling into bed, I checked the front porch and no groceries had been delivered. When I awoke, there was a text at 1:40 AM saying there were substitutions. When I checked the system, they were planning to deliver my order by 11 AM when I will be away from home. I rescheduled it for later tonight between 9 PM and 10 PM.

I am quickly tiring of this poor service which seems to be running rampant in all areas where services are offered.

I finished listening to Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton which immediately followed Chernow’s biography on George Washington. The books were exciting, compelling, and offered terrific story-telling that captivated me. I have read a good deal on our country’s birth, but not so much between the 1790s and 1812. I cannot believe how much we struggled to gain our footing in those early years of the republic, and how shaky we were for quite some time. I found this fascinating and awe-inspiring.

I woke at 4:30 AM to crawl from beneath a pile of dogs for a bathroom break and could not find the button to return to sleep. My MS and gut have been dueling for my attention, the sinuses have joined in for a familiar trio.

It is time to move on with my day. Make it a great day!

Despite the typical winter cold, today’s brilliant sunshine made it appear to be an altogether beautiful day.  I have not paid much attention to Saturday’s forecast but I understand snow is predicted.

I’ve deeply appreciated the number of text messages, emails, notes and/or posts on social media and cards from so many. Several of my students have noted that when private lessons resume this Sunday, this will be their first time to enter the house without Bailey being present. I only have three students who are old enough to remember when Bailey and Harrigan arrived in December 2013.

I do look forward to the return of students which will most likely encourage a brighter side to life. All the high school students will be working on one, several, or all of the following: solo and ensemble contests at the end of the month, musical rehearsals getting underway for the spring, preparations for next year’s school ensembles, and future auditions for summer musicals. I love this kind of work and the spirit that often accompanies it.

All of Friday kept me busy with one thing, or another, and I still have some things to prepare for tomorrow until it is time to head to the Schuster Center.

I have this photograph of Bailey on my phone’s wallpaper. I love the photo but she looks sad in this photo. While she romps at Rainbow Bridge, I hope she knows how deeply she is missed and loved.

Here we are, already on our fourth day of the new year. 

The sky is a tug-of-war between steel formidable grey clouds and cheery bursts of sunshine. It was a fairly even draw between the two. The wind made the cold feel snippy.

Unlike yesterday, today had fine elements of committing to household tasks: cleaning the kitchen and completing two loads of laundry that were each washed, dried, and put away on the same day and not weeks apart.

I decided to wash and put away Bailey’s food dish. It was washed after she refused to eat what would have been her final meal but the dish remained on the kitchen floor in the same spot Bailey had taken her meals these past ten years. It has now been one week and one day since my baby girl passed away. I am still not resigned to the large empty spot she left.

Wednesday was pretty much a washout for accomplishing anything worthwhile.  In fact, I kept myself in bed until 2:30 PM, rising only to feed the pooches or let them outside to potty. I wrestled the entire day, well into the night, with both MS and gut discomfort, the latter being the worst issue. Despite not feeling even half my best, I elected to head to my Chinese buffet and take in the movie, POOR THINGS. Neither was satisfying to me, and I do not believe it was due to not feeling up to 40%.

This morning, I challenged myself to move forward, and move forward, I did.

The Greater Dayton RTA added Route 28 on December 31, 2023, and it takes care of Kettering from west to east and east to west. The elongated loop sandwiches the better part of the city between Stroop Road and Dorothy Lane and from the west side with Kettering Hospital on Southern Blvd. to The Greene on the easternmost side of the city. Two buses are making this loop and it is wonderful.

I was eager to try this new route and set out this morning at 9 AM. Unfortunately, the phone app was not spot on and as I was approaching Dorothy Lane along Shroyer Road, the bus beat me to the stop. Seven minutes later I was on northbound No. 17 to grab a southeastern bound No. 12, which was the former procedure I used before No. 28. I completed my shopping and easily picked up west-bound No. 28 heading west on Dorothy Lane and it let me off just before reaching Shroyer Road. I am quite pleased with this new, very necessary route.

Back at home, I learned a colleague needed coverage for this evening, and I accepted their call. I will repeat it tomorrow evening with full days at Dayton Live through the weekend. I also resume private studio lessons on Sunday.

I am eager to return home to the pooches. Some were sniffing pooch noses around the area where Bailey’s food dish once occupied. The post-it note on the lower cabinet door, to aid Canine Crew where each dog’s food dish goes, remains.

It’s 7:30 PM but I think it is acceptable to encourage us all to make it a great day!