The Haasienda on Shroyer…

After a 3:50 AM bathroom break, I was stuck in awake mode until shortly before my alarm sounded at 6:15 AM. I didn’t take to the excitement the FabFive showed as they eagerly and energetically greeted me. I’m still sluggish and a bit on the grumpy side.

Sunday was mostly about relaxing and napping, but I was not able to fully press the button to eliminate the body’s fatigue or aching.

At 1 PM, Mama Kay, Laura, and I sat down to a fine meal at China Cottage to celebrate Laura’s birthday. It was a nice part of the afternoon.

Back at The Haasienda, I began seeing social media reports from family and friends regarding the fierce thunderstorms and tornadoes crossing through Central Indiana. The radar on my weather app showed they were heading our direction. As the weather threat intensified, several students who live 45+ minutes away, cancelled their lessons. I decided to Zoom my remaining in person lessons after 7 PM so that no one would be out in the weather.

I began my 7 PM lesson and noticed a bright light coming through the closed curtains. Upon closer inspection, I saw a glorious sun filled sky! Somewhere in its travel, the storm front took a different route or dissipated. In the end, I’m glad I bowed to caution.

This week is a tad busier but still not as taxing as previous weeks. I am so buried with my personal emails that I dear friends shall write me off. I force myself to make at least one blog entry per day and sometimes, I am just out of steam to write further.

On with the day which I shall endeavor to make it a great one.

Excellent!

Inspiring. Motivating. Fascinating. Heartwarming. It’s a home run helluva movie.

IT AIN’T OVER is a documentary on baseball legend Yogi Berra that ranks up there with RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsberg) and WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (Mister Rogers).

From the trailer: “Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra is one of baseball’s greatest. He amassed ten World Series rings, 3 MVP awards, and 18 All-Star Game appearances. He caught the only perfect game in World Series history. Yet for many his deserved stature was overshadowed by his simply being himself and being recognized more for his unique personality, TV commercial appearances, and unforgettable “Yogi-isms,” initially head-scratching philosophical nuggets that make a lot more sense the more you think about them. In telling the whole story, IT AIN’T OVER gives Berra his due in following the life of a savvy, commanding, bad-ball hitting catcher with a squat frame but also a D-Day veteran, loving husband and father, and, yes, product endorser and originator (mostly) of his own brand of proverbs now ingrained into everyday life. Granddaughter Lindsay Berra tells his story along with his sons, former Yankee teammates, players he managed, writers, broadcasters, and admirers (such as Billy Crystal), plus photos and footage on and off the diamond. Berra famously said, “I’d be pretty dumb if I started being something I’m not,” and IT AIN’T OVER lovingly makes clear he stayed who he was for the benefit of baseball and everyone else.”

For those in The Miami Valley, it is playing at Neon Movies in downtown Dayton.

I wanna take another swing at seeing this movie because it’s just damned delightful.

Go see it.

There is nothing to report from yesterday. It was a beautiful day and ended with dinner at Applebee’s where I dined with Mama Kay, Janice, and Sue. After we dropped Janice off at her home, we went to visit Patricia Nagle who lives in the old Stroop Mansion on Tait Road. I love being in that historic place.

Other than that, it is an ordinary day with rain coming at Noon and students at 4 PM.

Make it a great day!

There’s not much to report this fine morning, beginning in the mid-50s and climbing to the low 80s within a few hours. We had a heat wave rush through last week, but the temperatures of the past few days have been mildly comfortable. Rain is not expected until Sunday.

Last night, I was in bed at 9:30 PM and was promptly asleep with few interruptions.

On this date in 1934 Disney’s Donald Duck appeared for the first time in THE WISE LITTLE HEN. In 1958 London Gatwick Airport opened after redevelopment and in 1973 Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

The Triumph of June

June is a month of triumph and pride,
A time when students’ achievements collide.
It’s a month of celebrations and graduations,
A time of joy and great elations.

The air is filled with a sense of excitement,
As families gather for the moment of enlightenment.
The graduates walk down the aisle,
With their heads held high and a great big smile.

It’s a time to look back on the journey,
To the days of hard work and dedication,
To the moments of joy and the moments of strife,
To the times when giving up was not an option in life.

For June is a month of celebration,
A time when dreams turn to realization.
It’s a time when we honor the students’ achievement,
And celebrate their success, with great sentiment.

The caps fly high, and the music fills the air,
As the graduates embrace their moment with care.
It’s a moment of triumph, a moment of pride,
A moment that they will cherish all their life.

For in the triumph of June,
We find a moment that’s evergreen.
A moment of achievement, a moment of pride,
A moment that will forever reside.

So let us honor the triumph of June,
And celebrate the graduates’ success with a tune.
For in the triumph of June,
We find a moment that’s a boon.

And with that, my day begins. Make it a great day!

For some reason, I keep thinking the date of June 4^th has some significance to me from my family’s history, or something familiar to me in US history. I continue to draw a blank.

Yesterday was just an odd day of little accomplishment. The research was a struggle, as I could not locate the information I desired, and I allowed myself to fall into a grumpy mood. At 3:45 PM, I stepped onto the bus, heading just east of the Oregon District for a Chinese meal, and was returned home by 6 PM. I laid down on the bed and fell into a fast deep sleep that lasted an hour.

The remainder of the evening was uneventful save two vacuums that decided to clog to the point I could not fix them. My Dyson is twelve years old and for a year I have contemplated getting a new vacuum. I had purchased a cheap vacuum sweeper to use upstairs so I would not need to cart the Dyson up and down the stairs. The one sweeper, as I worked on it, got the start pedal pushed and blew out the dust and dog hair all over me and my study before I could get it turned off.

I finally gave up and ordered a new vacuum sweeper from Walmart which should arrive by 1 PM. I will retain my Dyson and try to work on it some more so that I can keep it as a backup sweeper.

Today will be continued research and I am hoping for better results.  At 4 PM, I will begin teaching private lessons until 11 PM.

Yesterday’s high of 91 degrees did not seem hideous. There was a breeze that generated some comfort, and the humidity seemed to hold off. Today is only expected to hit 86 degrees. I have still not gotten to mowing the yard and hopefully, that will hold off until Tuesday morning or Wednesday. Rain is not expected until a week from today.

Make it a great day!

I thought my Walmart delivery, which included a new vacuum sweeper, would be on my porch by 2 PM. Instead, it was delayed by over an hour and there was no vacuum. They reported it would be shipped from another store and arrive by 10 PM. When I prepared for bed at 11:15 PM, there was still no sweeper, and I was too tired to investigate the matter. At 6:30 AM, there was still no sweeper and after searching for what should have been readily available information, I discovered the sweeper shipment is delayed. I am not pleased.

Last evening’s crew of students was on the mark with their preparedness and a lot of headway was made with each session. It was invigorating.

Sleep came easy and with only two interruptions for bathroom breaks. Waking was more manageable this morning than the past several mornings, but I was still inclined to wish for a few more hours of rest.

Tuesday night, I will be house managing at The Schuster Center for the Miami Valley High School Theatre (MVHSTA) awards. One student, Patrick Comunale, a recent Centerville High School graduate and off to study acting at The Cincinnati Conservatory of the Music, will perform as one of the two winners of the Jimmy Awards. Several others from Centerville, Springboro, and Fairmont will solo in their school’s musical theatre presentation. I am proud of these young adults for all they have accomplished and what they continue to offer the world of performing arts.

It’s time to get my day moving so I can make it a great day!

It’s a cool, comfortable night at the bus terminal. A gentle breeze whips around the pillars, continually refreshening the air after a recent rain. 

It’s been an emotionally eventful day, and I am glad it has come to an end. The shock and heartbreak of learning of a former student’s sudden passing from a brief bout of cancer started my day. However, tonight, as I sat on the middle balcony level of The Schuster Center, watching a dozen-plus students performing throughout the Miami Valley High School Theater Awards production, I had much reason to celebrate. The sadness did not dissolve completely, but my pride in my students, and even the non-students, reminded me of the importance, value, and great need for fine and performing arts in our schools.

I stood in the loge gallery to watch my student, Patrick Comunale, one of the two Jimmy Award recipients, sing “Where I Want To Be” from the musical, CHESS. The young man knocked it out of the ballpark with his interpretation and outstanding diction: he molded the words beautifully and thoughtfully. Patrick was introduced by my student, Isabel Rawlings, the 2022 Jimmy Award recipient and I must say that I did enjoy that proud papa moment. 

Tomorrow is mostly a free day save a meeting I must attend. I have some household items that require my attention and I am certain The FabFive will love having my attention, too. 

I’m ready to be home and in my bed.

Yesterday was bright and very warm. I spent a good deal of time resting on the deck as The FabFive scattered themselves between my bedroom and the deck for their naps.

I had planned to mow the yard and tend to some household items but my body was in revolt and accomplished nothing other than showering and dressing for a Schuster event where I was needed at 4:30 PM. In hindsight, I probably should have called off as I felt miserable. However, it was a sold-out double event with one show at 7 PM and the next at 9:30 PM which did not get underway until 9:45 PM. The entire team of volunteers and house managers moved 2500+ patrons out of the facility and 2500+ patrons into the theatre in thirty minutes thanks to terrific planning and cooperative weather.

I am indebted to a thoughtful coworker who lives within a mile of The Haasienda that offered me a ride home. I was home by 10:30 PM and in bed by 11:15 PM with two dogs in bed with me and three surrounding the bed. This morning’s climb from the bed was not without grumbling.

I shall be occupied from 8 AM – 2 PM with research and layouts, preparing to return home just as the thermometer hits 90 degrees. I hope that the evening cools off for comfortable sleeping.

In history, The Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII who abdicated the British throne, married the Baltimore born, Wallace Warfield Simpson, in 1937.

Make it a great day!

I am certain that Mr. Joshua Logan’s granddaughter, Kate Harrigan, will also post a video clip of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” from their classic, CAROUSEL. It seems to be our annual tradition before posting “September Song” on September 1.

Some parts of this week have seemed to rush by while others have dragged on. The next several days are filled and I have no break until Wednesday, followed by another string of full days.

Yesterday, I had planned to mow the yard, but instead, I trimmed the front and back, and then took after the front hedges that have not been touched with the electric hedge trimmer in three years. The front yard can wait a day or two for its mowing.

Mama Kay, Laura, and I went to El Toro for dinner, and Mama Kay and I ventured over to Lincoln Park for the kick-off to summer block party to listen to The Kettering Civic Band. They always do a terrific job, but they had some standouts with sets by Leroy Anderson, Frank Ticheli, W. H. Boorn, Warren Barker, and John Phillip Sousa. I especially enjoyed “The Queen City March” by W. H. Boorn, written to honor Cincinnati, Ohio in 1969,

Upon returning home at 8:30 PM, I had a Zoom session with some Mary Lincoln friends and went to bed by 10 PM. It was a restful night, but I still was not fond of the early rise. I woke fifteen minutes before the alarm was to sound.

The baby Joshua and David were to adopt has been born. Although the young mother changed her mind about keeping the child, the plans changed again but The Boys were not interested in going another round. However, the infant has been adopted and he is already in his home. I hope he will have a happy life.

It is time to start my day as the research will not complete itself.

Make it a great day!

Leroy D. Barmes: 8 Nov 1921 – 3 Jun 2004

Remembering my grandfather, Leroy Delmar Barmes, who passed away nineteen years ago, today.

Grandpa Leroy was the son of Virgil B. Barmes and Thelma E. Daugherty Barmes and was born in Elwood, Indiana.

Today is the 148th anniversary of Anna Greenlee Jones’ birth. Anna Jones, my great-great grandmother, was born on this date in 1875 in Boone Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Anna was the daughter of Andrew Taylor Greenlee, and Prudence Anna Ball Greenlee, both from pioneer families of Boone Township.

She married Joel Monroe Jones, from Monroe Township, Madison County, just north of Alexandria, Indiana. Their children were Henry Jones, Mary Belle Jones Clary, Alpha “Alphie” Jones (who died on this date in 1973), and Harrison “Harry” Jones. The entire Jones family is buried in Forrestville Cemetery in the same township.

The morning is starting off on the chillier side, but we are promised temperatures in the mid-70s, by early afternoon. I will welcome this with time on the deck by evening’s end.

I was in bed by 10:30 PM and even with a healthy amount of sleep, I did not delight in rising at 6:10 AM, despite being greeted by five of the happiest dogs in the world. Every morning, they kickstart me into my day and I appreciate their efforts. Last night, Col. Deeds opted to sleep on the floor, snuggled next to Chief, but when I stirred, giving the suspicion of rising for the day, Deeds was pushed beside me, his neck across mine.

This afternoon, there are seven graduate parties of my eleven graduating seniors, all occurring within the same time-frame. I tried every conceivable way to make it work but my lack of magic prevents me from attending. I finish my work by 2 PM as most of the parties are beginning or approaching their end. I have five students I have been teaching since they were five years old – that’s twelve to thirteen years of being with these wonderful young adults.

Today would have been the 71st birthday of my mother’s younger brother, Ronald Dean Barmes. Uncle Ron was named in honor of my grandmother’s older brother, Ronald Monroe Clary, who died from injuries sustained in a horse riding accident when he was fifteen years old. Both Ronalds died in the month of June, fifty years apart. something that was not lost on John William Garrett Clary, the father and grandfather of both Ronalds.

It’s time o begin my day. I’d love to start it a bit later, but there’s much to be done.

Make it a great day!

To Give up on a Dream

By Charles E. Wellington

To give up on a dream is thought to be cowardly
But is it not courageous to dismiss one’s hopes in order to dream of something new
Is it not bolder to go where no one has been
Is it not more glorious to achieve that which would otherwise remain unaccomplished
Are not dreams nothing more than opportunity
With new decisions facing us every moment
As simple as a choice or as complicated as conviction
Then would it not be remarkable to go against one’s beliefs in order to reach the greatness waiting to be conceived
In a world forever changing, forever adapting
With days eternally numbered and opportunities nearly infinite
it would be easier to stick to the familiar
But life is like a simple child’s game
If you have nothing to challenge you
What you are, what you’re made of, and what you believe
Then it would be lacking of fun with no sense of victory
To choose the difficult path is to choose to live
To live a life of fulfillment, a life of glory
If your dreams ever seem too easy or too simple
Then I implore you, dream again

Sunday evening was my last night of teaching for this week. The month of May had five Mondays and Tuesdays and I only teach four weeks of any given month. I do like these little breaks, and it also gives students and families a little break. It also assists my studio manager and the students’ parents because the monthly invoices are always the same.

Yesterday afternoon, I finally got a chance to chat with my son and son-in-law in London after two weeks of not having coordinating schedules. We again discussed the possibility of me visiting London, but at this time in my life, the physical demands seem too great, as well as the physical, mental, and emotional preparations. This trip might be possible later. It would be great to see all the sites in and around London.

Just as teaching began Sunday afternoon, I learned from my sister that she and her children were in a car wreck. As she later described on her Facebook account: “After finishing a softball tournament in Greenwood, we were on our way to Community Hospital in Anderson to have Kaytlinn’s ankle looked at. 10 minutes later, a truck pulled out in front of us. The [Dena’s] truck is totaled, but my children were safe! The kids didn’t get hurt, but I have a lot of swelling, bruising and soreness! But I’m here and get to enjoy life and my children! My travel ball family stepped up and took great care of us!” I have included a photo of her truck.

Whew!

Col. Deeds is adorable but a handful. We still have some hits and misses with potty training. The puppyhood era cannot end soon enough to ease my stress.

The schedule is full today with research, writing, more research, and planning which means I will have twelve hours away from home. I appreciate Daniel being the Canine Crew Captain during my absence.

Make it a great day!

Shortly after 1:30 AM, I woke in the middle of a cute dream and I realized that after about 15 minutes of being awake, I was still smiling from the dream.

Judy Huffman and her husband, Ron, lived east of us on Main Street in Elwood, Indiana, with their three daughters, Rhonda, Lynn, and Rae. Judy was a longtime bus driver for Elwood schools and I got to spend many hours with her going to and from the high school, to student teach, and to band and other music events. She was also the school bus driver for my younger siblings.

When I was a small boy, Judy was the police department’s meter maid, dressed in an imposing navy blue uniform. By the time I was in junior high school, she was driving the yellow school bus. It wasn’t until high school that I would see her daily. My last two years of high school, I assisted my band director with the elementary band programs, and I got to spend an additional daily 20 minutes with Judy as she drove the bus to Oakland Elementary School on the south side of Elwood. We always had the best conversations, punctuated with much laughter.

Judy’s smile and laughter could have set off the Richter Scale. I loved hearing her laugh. Judy also ran a tight ship on the bus and she was demanding that the etiquette be followed for our safety, riding comfort, and simply because she loved all her kids.

Last night, I dreamt I was hurrying to a bus lineup but cannot recall to where I was headed. I found the row of Dayton RTA buses all parked with their fronts to the curb where I easily spied No. 17. As I rounded the front end and prepared to step onto the bus, I heard a familiar, cheery voice shout, “Hello, Stranger!” I looked up and there sat Judy Wright Huffman in the driver’s seat.

I tried to move quicker but suddenly, an inflatable raft, which I didn’t realize I was carrying, decided to inflate.

“Now, you can’t get on the bus with that raft!” she laughed.

I promptly and nervously pressed the raft to my chest to push out the air. As it was nearly empty, Judy reached and pulled a chord which ignited another round of inflating as I struggled to deflate it, worrying about any passengers behind me which I could not see.

For some reason, Judy’s husband was seated behind her in the first passenger seat and said, “Judy, stop inflating his raft,” to which Judy laughed, “if you can’t joke with Darin the world’s gotta be ending.”

I have no idea what sparked the silly dream but it was appreciated and it was delightful. And, I’m glad there was a connection with a wonderful neighbor and bus driver, who like so many in my hometown, had a tremendous impact on me. We had many wonderful bus drivers when I was in school, many of whom were band parents, but Judy Huffman was MY bus driver.

Judy passed away in April 2020, just after the world had shut down due to Covid. The city promoted a mini parade in her honor since her funeral had to be a private family service. But the community turned out to see a procession of family cars, a school bus, and a police cruiser to honor Judy’s dedication to our community.

It’s been approximately six hours since I had the dream, and I am still smiling.

Keep driving the bus, Judy! I’m sure you’re such a blast on heaven’s streets!

Make it a great day!

Tomorrow is the final day of May 2023. For some reason, it seemed to crawl at a much slower pace than January and February. it was a good month but one that was tightly packed with events at The Schuster Center and other opportunities.

I was away from The Haasienda for thirteen hours on Monday and accomplished much in the way of research, plotting, planning, and some actual writing. Sometimes, being away from regular distractions is beneficial. My distractions are five wonderful pooches who pull my attention away as they shower me with their devotion and affection. Daniel Breslin, now a senior at Fairmont HS, did a marvelous job attending to the pups throughout my absence. I’m glad he got to spend some time with The FanFive as the Breslin family bid farewell to their long loved Maggie a few days ago.

I have an event this after and evening, and then more for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday afternoon, teaching resumes.

My Walmart grocery delivery arrived at 8 AM. The FanFive is scattered about the deck and yard. Col. Deeds has been exercising Bailey and Harrigan, chasing them all over the backyard. I’m feeling some sinus pressure at them moment so I’m going to rest a bit before I need to get ready and head out.

Make it a great day!

The morning is introducing what is predicted to be another beautiful day and for that, I am very grateful. It was a comfortable night for sleeping with only Harrigan joining me in bed; Bailey slept in my study and Col. Deeds was beneath the bed but within a paw’s reach of Chief who was directly below me.

At 1:15 PM, Saturday, I was contacted by another leader that they had been in a car wreck. Canine coverage was worked out and I remained through the event until 8 PM. Tomorrow, I will be gone all day to assist in that coverage, as well as Tuesday afternoon and evening. I appreciate the team effort and love being with such a group of supportive folks.

It’s Memorial Day, and I recall this holiday from childhood where we’d listen to the 500 race on the black, paint-splattered, staticky radio in the garage while Grandpa Leroy cooked over the grill. Once the singing of “Back Home, Again, In Indiana” and The National Anthem were completed, our family did not budge from the radio until we heard, “Gentlemen, start your engines!”  I remember the family cheering to the newly adapted phrase, “Lady and Gentlemen, start your engines” as Janet Guthrie joined the lineup as the first female racer on the Brickyard.

On with the day, which is to be another long day.

Make it a great day!

Garlands

by Amos Russel Wells

Memorial Day, 1911

What are the garlands we lay on the graves?
Heapings of blossoms that loveliest are?
Beauty supreme for the bravest of braves?
Yes, and an offering holier far.

Here are the garlands of memories clear,
Thoughts of the partings the desperate frays,
Marches and prisons and hospitals drear,
Triumphs and woes of those terrible days.

Garlands of gratitude fadeless and fair
Lie on the graves of our glorious dead,—
Grateful for freedom that breathes in the air,
Grateful for union that floats overhead.

Garlands of love from the children and wives,
Garlands of hope for the nation to day,
Garlands of offered and consecrate lives,
These on the graves of our heroes we lay.

Roses and lilies and violets blue,
Daffodils, tulips, and all of the rest,—
Ah, dear departed, brave patriots true,
We know what garlands will please you the best!

“Shut up!”

At 5:45 AM, I roared those words out the window beside my bed that looks out toward the high school’s parking lot. The two females, talking loudly to one another as they jogged or walked, did shut up. I am all for maintaining physical healthiness, but I also applaud a healthy sense of being aware of one’s surroundings and courtesy.

I am sure this morning’s opening paragraph makes folks wonder if I am in a grumpy mood. No, not yet anyway. LOL.

Yesterday afternoon, I began feeling my body grind. I was physically tired, and something didn’t feel right. My studio manager asked if she could try to reduce the end of Sunday’s schedule since Monday and Tuesday have openings due to concerts, school trips to Washington, DC, and school awards nights. Rita got to work, and I finished teaching by 8:15 PM. I ate my Chinese meal that my student, Patrick, picked up from Young Chow en route to his lesson, and by 8:45 PM, I was climbing into bed. I figured I would need to rise at 11 PM to let the dogs out one last time, but I slept through the night, and none of FabFive alerted me that they needed to potty. Only at 5:45 AM did I wake to the sound of those dratted women talking loudly.

Today, I am refreshed but due to a band of rain traveling through the Miami Valley, I am feeling achy.

When the doctor first put me on Lisinopril in 2008, I began experiencing coughing. They were dry coughs and I learned it was a side affect. However, when I stopped taking the medication in 2018, the dry cough continued. Last night, I learned that coughing, and additional sinus drainage with post nasal drip are also strongly connected with MS. More pieces of the puzzle coming together to make sense of my medical history.

We are now halfway through May. While April seemed to drag, May is rushing by.

It is time to get ready for my day and I am excited to get it moving.

Make it a great day!

It’s Tuesday, and it feels like it’s last Tuesday. I thought I was getting a tremendous night-filled rest but I am sluggish this morning. A weather front is moving into the area as my muscles are aching. I still intend to make the day a great one.

I found this poem by Emily Dickinson and was surprised by its lighter tone and that it’s not as seemingly dreary or forlorn.

A LIGHT EXISTS IN SPRING

By Emily Dickinson

“A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

It waits upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you.

Then as Horizons step
Or Noons report away
Without the Formula of sound
It passes and we stay –

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.”

Make it a great day!

The grumpy old man who wrote a less-than-positive blog post on Saturday is not the same man who is writing this post, this morning. For the first five to six hours of Saturday, I could not find the button to turn off the tiredness, achiness, and grumpiness. However, given my record of always being a positive force, I am allowed a day, or two, of the schlumps.

Yesterday morning, while managing one of my areas, I watched bits and pieces of Centerville High School’s graduation ceremony at The Nutter Center. Two of my students, Sam McLain, student body president and Northwestern bound, and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (theatre) bound, Patrick Comunale, were featured. What a proud moment that only highlighted the pride in these two young men who continually climbed and achieved rises in their high school careers.

A brief return home to tend to the pooches, grab a nap, eat some soup, and dress for the Schuster Center refreshed me. By 10 AM, the dreary, wet skies had transferred to clear, sunny skies and it made some of the walking more pleasurable and reenergizing.

It was another fantastic presentation by The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. I got to meet Carol, a house manager with whom I had never worked, and we split the loge balcony with our usher teams. Carol lives in Oakwood and is such a lovely lady. There were some terrific patrons that I met, too, and they added some extra bounce to my spirit.

I returned home to find some delicious containers of food delivered by Mama Kay from Laura who hosted a dinner to celebrate May birthdays and Mother’s Day. Sadly, I could not attend the event with my bonus family, but I did enjoy a terrific late supper.

Col. Deeds, who now stands as tall as Erma, Bailey, and Harrigan, and is nudging Chief in the height competition, was so delighted to see me. He crawled next to me in bed and kept hugging and kissing me before he snuggled into the crook of my arm to sleep the remainder of the night.

It is time to start my day.

Make it a great day!

It’s been a relaxing, educational day, thus far, with reading and documentaries. I’ve spent most of the day on the deck despite the morning offering a breezy coolness. At 1 PM it’s still breezy but the deck remains cool due to the enormous shade provided by the tree that grows through the deck’s rail on the southwestern corner.

The FabFive have enjoyed their deck time, today. They’ve mostly lounged about the deck but Col. Deeds has led the three girls in lots of yard-play. They chase one another, hide behind bushes, and roll in the grass. Chief, no longer able to join in the romping about, lays at the top of the deck’s steps watching the fun.

Deeds is especially loving the large backyard for racing and flying over the two-feet high sidewalk border fence. He’s enjoyed trying to capture the playful Robin redbreast that will land and wait until The Colonel gets near before flying off, and Deeds has discovered his shadow and seems to have great fun on his attempt to catch it.

Thursday, I joined the family of Bob Green who hosted a memorial gathering luncheon at The Meadowlark Restaurant. Bob’s wife, my dear friend, Betty, was the maternal aunt of my best friend, Susan Cook, who passed away in September 2012. In 1991, I got to know Betty & Bob Green, their daughters, Kim and Jill, Susan’s maternal grandparents, and her dad, Woody.

Susan and I thought it was ironic that we each had uncles named Bob, and aunts named Betty Green (mine is Betty Green Barmes) and both of our Aunt Bettys were terrific artists. We also had Kims and Jills as cousins. Susan was also close to my own Hoosier family. We spent a good deal of our meals at La Piñata in Centerville after we finished teaching lessons at McCutcheon Music, often joined by Debbie McCutcheon.

I immediately felt like a part of Susan’s family when I first met them 32 years ago and have loved them ever since. It was great to see Betty, Kim, Jill, Jeff (Jill’s husband), and Jill’s son Steven who I’ve not seen since he was about ten years old.

While I was away from home for the luncheon, i decided to recreate several previous attempts of allowing Deeds to remain out of his crate with the others. So far, it’s been a success with no potty breaks inside the house or anything destroyed. I returned home to find the end of a cord chewed off a heater, a dog bed unstuffed, and the loose-weaved lining from beneath my box springs all ripped out. Later, I went to a dinner up north of Dayton and returned home to nothing destroyed.

Progress.

Maybe.

Make it a great day!

PHOTO: a photo with Betty Green; photos of the pooches relaxing.

It’s a beautiful morning and I’m spending it out on the deck with The Fab Five. it’s a day for relaxing and replenishing before teaching commences at 4:30 PM. Bailey, Chief, and Erma are lounging near me on the deck while The Colonel and Harrigan explore the yard.

When Chief was six months old, I captured a photo of him hiding in the grass while my sons, Jose and Quintin, and I took Flyer, Navi, and Chief to play in the backfield of the high school. Chief was playing and thought he was hiding from us in the tall grass.

This morning, twelve years later, I captured a photo of another six month old pup laying in the backyard. I’ve never seen Col. Deeds just lounging like this in the grass and it seemed appropriate for the anniversary of Chief’s photo at the same age.

Make it a great day!

While watching eleven of my private students going through commencement exercises, it was not lost on me that forty years ago this afternoon, my Elwood Community High School classmates and I changed our tassels to the other side of our mortarboards and graduated.

There were twenty-two of us fellow graduates that had been together since our kindergarten year began at Washington Elementary School in September 1970. Many of us are still in contact via social media or in person.

I will always believe that I had the best education backed by the best teachers, supplementary staff, and administrators. Forty years after leaving the hallways of Elwood’s school system, I am still grateful and indebted to everyone that played a role in my educational development.

.Happy 40th anniversary to all my fellow classmates from the Class of 1983, and THANK YOU to all my wonderful teachers!

Make it a great day!

PHOTOS:

1. Myself with band director, Paula Simmons, and the best co-drum major, Sandy Wilburn.

2. Conducting the Marching Panther Band, 1982.

3. Senior night with Mother.

4. Graduation with my great-grandfather, John William Garrett Clary, and his daughter, my grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes.

5. Graduation with my great-great uncle and aunt, Raymond and Betty Daugherty. Raymond was the younger brother of my great grandmother, Thelma Daugherty Barmes and the three-month-older uncle to my grandfather, Leroy Barmes. Aunt Betty was best friends with my grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes. Raymond and Betty had one son, Steve, who became a special cousin and friend.

Last night, I was a house manager for The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Beethoven’s Second Symphony. The original times indicated we’d be wrapping up shortly after 9 PM. I was elated because I knew I could make the 9:55 PM No. 17 and be home by 10:20 PM and not closer to midnight. However, due to us not knowing there would be an encore from the guest cellist, additional dialogue, and a post-show talk, it was 10:15 PM. I was exhausted, and in pain from the approaching rain, and I just wanted to get home. I splurged, contacted an Uber, and was home by 10:45 PM.

Sleep came easy and I was only awakened once when the rain finally arrived. It is still raining and I need to be out the door, again, by 7:40 AM to manage before rushing home to feed the dogs, change back into my Schuster attire, and be returned downtown by 5:15 PM. Since I am in the loge, I won’t need to stay for the post-show chat, but I still doubt I can make the 9:55 PM No. 17.

This morning I am feeling sluggish, with the grumpiness exacerbated by the MS aches, and a sinus headache that has gone from a mindful tapping to throbbing. Still, somehow, I shall manage to figure out how to forge ahead with a cheerful disposition while making it a great day with the heavily clouded skies,

Emillee Goodwin – Apr 2016

I AM STRONG

I am Strong

Darkness can consume me
Life can be overwhelming
The mind can feel suffocating

I am strong

I crawl out of bed
I shower and dress
I eat my breakfast
I sit on the couch

I am strong

The day progresses
Tiredness overcomes
Exercise clears the mind
Study occupies my thoughts

I am strong

I go home
I cook
I listen and talk  
I get ready for bed

I am strong

Another day has finished
I got up
I accomplished
I am strong

Make it a great day!

It’s not an actual “fun day” with adventures with my camera, but I stepped onto No. 17 at 7:23 AM to grab some breakfast at a buffet and then I will hopefully grab a few things at Walmart.

Thursday, I had completed walking to Speedway to fill the gas canister, mowing the front and back yards, trimming both yards, tidied up the kitchen, and completed a load of laundry.

I laid down at 2:30 PM with the intention of napping until 3:15 PM so I could feed the dogs and get ready for house management duties at The Victoria Theatre for an Irish dance troupe from Oklahoma. I was awakes by the doorbell and knocking. I got to the door to find a high school student holding Harrigan. He said Bailey was down at the other end of the school’s north parking lot entrance. Ugh. The school buses were pulling out as I walked to the west. The traffic guard said Bailey was being held at the Delaine Drive entrance and radioed the person holding her. Thanks to Mr. White, Bailey was safe and eager to see me.

After locating where The Sisters had escaped, I repaired it the best I could with my skills.

I got to The Victoria Theatre and had a lot of fun with the fellow head managers. It was quite an event-filled evening and managed quite easily.

This morning, after feeding the dogs, I propped the back door open. At 7 AM, four of the five dogs were in my bedroom. Harrigan was missing! I searched for her and then dressed to head out with the leash. I scoured the area along Rockhill Avenue and the high school’s parking lot and there was no sign of her. Back at home, I went on a more thorough s check and Harrigan under my bed!

So, here it is, Friday morning. I’m a bit stiff from the yard work but intend to have a relaxing breakfast. I may even hop off the bus on Main Street near Miami Valley Hospital to take a shirt still through Woodland Cemetery.

Make it a great day!

PHOTOS: Irises from my Pati Rogers Collection.