The Haasienda on Shroyer…

As fortune would have it this evening, the attendance at the Victoria Theatre was quite low, and there was an open house manager spot on balcony, house left. I was pretty excited that I would get to see FROZEN one more time. There were at least a half dozen moments that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout this run. 

I had another amazing team of ushers with me, tonight, and the fellow house managers are always a hoot to work with. 

It’s 10:55 PM. I have 40 minutes until No. 17 drops me off at The Haasienda. I am really missing my pooches at the moment. I cannot wait to crawl into bed with Harrigan and Col. Deeds who are my constant snuggle buddies. The past week, Bailey has been sleeping on the dog mattress in my study. 

The night is pleasant and while I can hear pockets of conversations, it’s a fairly quiet setting at the terminal. A young mother of color is walking her baby in a stroller and singing to the child. She has a gorgeous voice and I am enjoying the serenade. 

Tomorrow will be another long day and I’m hoping tonight’s sleep will restore energy and strength.

As fortune would have it this evening, the attendance at the Victoria Theatre was quite low, and there was an open house manager spot on balcony, house left. I was pretty excited that I would get to see FROZEN one more time. There were at least a half dozen moments that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout this run. 

I had another amazing team of ushers with me, tonight, and the fellow house managers are always a hoot to work with. 

It’s 10:55 PM. I have 40 minutes until No. 17 drops me off at The Haasienda. I am really missing my pooches at the moment. I cannot wait to crawl into bed with Harrigan and Col. Deeds who are my constant snuggle buddies. The past week, Bailey has been sleeping on the dog mattress in my study. 

The night is pleasant and while I can hear pockets of conversations, it’s a fairly quiet setting at the terminal. A young mother of color is walking her baby in a stroller and singing to the child. She has a gorgeous voice and I am enjoying the serenade. 

Tomorrow will be another long day and I’m hoping tonight’s sleep will restore energy and strength.

The last time I knew how awake I was upon hitting my bed, last night, was 12:25 AM. I anticipated six hours of sleep; however, due to two men shouting their conversation to one another as they ran through the high school parking lot, alongside The Haasienda at 5 AM, I was wide awake with only four and one-half hours of sleep to claim. My five “alarm clocks” responded to the inconsiderate fellows and returning to sleep for one more hour was not to be. I cannot understand why runners or walkers are so boorish at such an early time of the day.

Talk, but don’t shout while others might be sleeping!

Today is busy and I am only afforded two hours before needing to be at The Victoria to serve as a house manager. I need to sweep, get dishes into the dishwasher, and tidy up as I will only have forty-five minutes before teaching begins, Sunday. I will hopefully be able to catch my breath on Wednesday, when I will have time to catch up on household items and have some time to myself. I would love to make a round through Woodland Cemetery, but it seems unlikely.

It’s time to prep my day so I can hopefully accomplish some things to ready the house back into teaching mode for Sunday.

Make it a great day!

The seasonal allergies and sinusitis have formed into a huge bass drum that has a consistent solo inside my head. But, I’m loving the weather and the smell of spring flowers.

We’re taking a slight dip in temperature, today, sandwiched between the 70s of Monday and Wednesday. Still, the weather is nice.

Monday night, my 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 local in-person lessons were involved in band or choir concerts. Instead of asking if any of my 9:15 – 11:30 PM Zoom lessons between Missouri and California if they wanted earlier times, I took advantage of the opening to go watch a former student and Canine Crew member play lacrosse at Fairmont High School next door. Beck Melin is outstanding and of the 10 points scored, 8 were his. Impressive. I’ve really grown to love the game and I’m so impressed with the agility, ease of catching the ball, and physical aggressiveness.

It was a beautiful night and with the exception of a strong ten minute rain storm that passed over, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It’s time to move on with my day.

Make it a great day!

I went to bed by 10 PM after a very long, tiring day and Col. Deeds immediately snuggled against my chest. Generally, he will spend a few hours against my neck and chest before moving down to be near Harrigan who lies at my knees or feet. However, from 10 PM until 6:05 AM, Deeds nestled into my chest the entire time.

At 2:30 AM, I woke with my mind on a former student who is experiencing a slight life detour. The remainder of the night I touched upon the deep sleep a few times but relented to a restless mind. Having The Colonel next to me was comforting.

I wanted ten more minutes to just stay in bed but Bailey, my Miss Wigglesbottom, came into the bedroom with a ferocity of enthusiasm, disrupting the entire room.

Tonight is my last night to work FROZEN at The Schuster Center. I think… I really do think I am going to miss it. Saturday night, I will house manage THE SECRET GARDEN by a local community ensemble across the street at The Victoria Theatre.

Yesterday was beautiful, albeit a tad warm and humid. But, I was inside with air conditioning at my desk, so I did not fully experience the weather. Today is to be less hot but there are chances of rain.

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

I’ve twenty minutes before No. 17 hauls me southward into Kettering. I’m beat and eager to see the FanFive before crawling into bed for six hours of sleep before repeating today’s schedule on Saturday.

FROZEN… ahhhh… the music grew on me and I hated to see my final night of it. Tomorrow, I’m house manager for THE SECRET GARDEN over at The Victoria Theatre.

One thing I love about working DaytonLive is seeing so many folks I know. Tonight, one of the ushers was Angela Lin. In the lobby I got to see Cody Butts, Bob & Karen Henry, and Sam Knopp.

My usher team was super and a number of patrons expressed their gratitude. There were so many little peeps seeing their first show and that kept a smile firmly planted on my face.

I’m going to relax a bit before the bump-bump-bumpity ride home.

My day began with waking at 6:10 AM when Col. Deeds, who’d been sleeping beneath the bed so he was close to Chief, bounded excitedly onto the bed to snuggle next to me, offering a few kisses to my neck.

After feeding the dogs and hooking the storm door open so they could come and go, I retreated back to my bed. It felt good to grab a few more hours of sleep. Harrigan, Bailey, and The Colonel traded off snuggling next to me. The weather was beautiful and the FabFive took advantage of the sunshine.

I mowed the backyard and trimmed the front sidewalks and other areas in the front yard. It was a relaxing two hours before needing to get ready for my first non-shadow night at DaytonLive.

My first official night as a house manager, on my own, with an incredible team of ushers, was unique. There were several unusual items that occurred that had my fellow house managers applauding and chuckling. Everything was easily handled and I’m glad for the many years of experience behind me. Fortunately, I had my Loge Bud, Danielle, a fellow house manager, on the opposite side of the life balcony for support and encouragement.

Tomorrow is a light day with another evening shift. FROZEN is really growing on me and I hope folks take advantage of grabbing some tickets to see the production before it finishes its Dayton run this Sunday.

I have thirty-four minutes before No. 17 arrives at the bus terminal to take me to the southern suburbs. I think I will listen to a presidential podcast.

5:50 AM, twenty-five minutes before the first alarm was to sound, the thunder and lightning began.

Erma is the only pooch of the five that seems terrified of storms. We have had several storms since Col. Deeds arrived last February and he seems unaffected by them. As the storms moved in quickly, and more loudly, Erma was standing on her hind legs to stretch as much as she could into the bed where I could hold her. Since her arrival, she has never been on the bed or furniture except for a few nasty storms. While I held her at the side of the bed, Deeds have her comforting kisses.

I lingered in bed a bit longer to comfort her before rising to get their breakfast bowls ready. I did get the crew out to potty, but they promptly returned to the deck’s door. The heavy rains and storms will be moving through most of the morning. This storm front has also ignited my sinus pressure and MS. Argh…

FROZEN is beginning to grow on me. The tour is well done and is receiving rave reviews from patrons of all ages. My colleagues and friends who know theatre are quite impressed. I stepped into the hall to watch the costume change toward the end of “Let It Go,” and it deserved the thunderous applause it gathered.

I seldom watch television, but when I do, it is almost always a documentary on history, or “Aerial America,” or classic television on Pluto. There are several shows I will leave on because the host’s voice is interesting or calming. Martha Stewart is always one of my favorites. However, I have become a fan of Rick Steve’s European travel shows. As I prep for the day, I am listening to one of his episodes. It’s making me miss Europe a bit; however, those travel days are behind me, now.

The popular thought is “April’s showers bring May’s flowers.” Well, April is still lingering.

“The Rainy Day”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make it a great day!

I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day, especially one such as this to remember my grandmother on her birthday as well as President Harry Truman. 

I rose at 6:45 AM, fed the dogs, opened the deck door for them to come and go, and went right back to bed until 8:30 AM. Those few extra hours of sleep felt great. 

Grandma Donna’s birthday often fell on Mother’s Day, giving our family two reasons to celebrate. My grandparents lived around the corner from where I grew up and I spent a majority of my time with them and my two uncles who were born ten and twelve years before me. I had my parents, and my grandparents and uncles were much like having an older set of parents (they were 40 and 42 when I was born) and older brothers. 

I spent most mornings with my grandparents and while working in the kitchen, Grandma Donna would tell me about our family’s history, her experiences growing up during The Great Depression, and other countless stories that have remained with me.  When discussing The Great Depression, her comments were always positive, the fun they had, and about what she learned; she never made it sound negative. But, that was her nature: always positive. She battled chronic lymphatic leukemia for fifteen years, but dying from colon cancer in the end. I don’t ever recall her complaining, even when it was obvious she was in discomfort or pain. 

Grandma left us in June 1992, thirty-one years ago, but her love and terrific sense of humor have remained in full force. 

I’m on the bus heading to one of my favorite haunts, and will return home so I can head next door to purchase my impatiens for my yard as I have done every year for twenty years. The proceeds are for a terrific cause that benefits Fairmont HS students with special needs. 

Make it a great day!

My day began at 6:15 AM as King Charles III was moments away from being crowned. My official day ended with Elsa being crowned in FROZEN.

It was a long, busy, productive day filled with business and creative moments.

Before FROZEN began, I bumped into the conductor for FROZEN, Angela Jamieson, as she passed through the orchestra house right lobby where I was positioned. Angela has also conducted national tours for THE LION KING and CATS she finishes tomorrow’s shows before returning to NYC for another assignment.

It’s 11:15 PM and I’ve another twenty five minutes until the No. 17 departs for the South Dayton area toward the Dayton Mall via way of the University of Dayton’s campus (the night before graduation), Oakwood, Kettering, Miami Township, and Centerville. I will be glad to crawl into my bed with Bailey, Harrigan, and Col. Deeds, and Chief and Erma close by on the floor pallets.

What a fun day this has been.

My day began at 6:15 AM as King Charles III was moments away from being crowned. My official day ended with Elsa being crowned in FROZEN.

It was a long, busy, productive day filled with business and creative moments.

Before FROZEN began, I bumped into the conductor for FROZEN, Angela Jamieson, as she passed through the orchestra house right lobby where I was positioned. Angela has also conducted national tours for THE LION KING and CATS she finishes tomorrow’s shows before returning to NYC for another assignment.

It’s 11:15 PM and I’ve another twenty five minutes until the No. 17 departs for the South Dayton area toward the Dayton Mall via way of the University of Dayton’s campus (the night before graduation), Oakwood, Kettering, Miami Township, and Centerville. I will be glad to crawl into my bed with Bailey, Harrigan, and Col. Deeds, and Chief and Erma close by on the floor pallets.

What a fun day this has been.

It’s May 6^th and the ceremonious sounds in Westminster Abby are sounding throughout The Haasienda as I prepare for my marathon day that will end when I return at 11:55 PM, tonight.

A student asked if I had seen Queen Elizabeth’s coronation… umm, that was in 1953 and I was born in 1964. I mentioned that this would be my first and only coronation to observe. However, as Laura and I were discussing it the other evening, it is possible that we might be around for William’s coronation since Charles will turn 75 this November.

When Queen Victoria died in 1901, King Edward VII was fifty-nine and reigned for nine years, dying at age sixty-eight. The British monarchy has repeated history with the long life and reign of another queen to be followed by an aged son.

It will be interesting to see how this chapter of Britain’s history will play out.

I am eager to charge into the day, but I am aware that I need to greatly pace myself. These longer days increase my daily steps from an average of 6,000-7,000 to between 10,000 and 12,000. I like that I am getting so many steps in each day.

It’s moving in at 6:40 AM and I want to enjoy a bit of the coronation while relaxing a bit.

Make it a great day!

I am not a fan of FROZEN, but seeing all the children arrive at The Schuster Performing Arts Center, last night, made me a fan of the magnetism the musical holds. As I crossed Second Street, patrons were pouring out the doors following the matinée, and Anas and Elsas could be seen in the span between Ludlow and Main streets.

It was adorable!

Inside the lobby, there were even more adorables at the souvenir stands, the photography booth, and posing everywhere throughout the entrance area for photos with their stuffed snowmen and other purchases. The Disney magic, or money machine, was on full display. Still, it was heartwarming for me to see the magic of the performing arts, regardless of the vehicle, pulling in so many young folks.

For the 7:30 PM, many patrons joined us on the fourth-level balcony for the pre-show discussion which I got to hear. It was quite interesting. Once again, miniature off-stage Anas and Elsas eagerly arrived with their parents. Many adults were also adorned in FROZEN attire. One family boasted a papa wearing lederhosen. Although he looked as though he would be much happier watching a football game while holding a beer, I applauded the gentleman for making a splendid contribution to his children’s memories.

Intermission begins right after the show’s signature number, “Let It Go,” and seeing the wide eyes, astonished looks, and smiles was worth my long day that began at 6 AM with me getting out of bed and walking back through the door at 11:53 PM.

By 12:15 AM, I was sliding beneath the covers with Harrigan, Bailey, and Col. Deeds snuggled tightly next to me. I only recall waking once, fearing the clock would read 5 AM, but it was only 2:30 AM.

A true Spring morning has greeted my little corner of the world and at 6:45 AM, it is currently 43 degrees, and by 2 PM we shall hopefully see 72 degrees. I am hoping to purchase and install my flowers this coming Monday from Fairmont Industries, next door, an educational program that supports camps and other great activities for those in Special Needs classes.

And with that, it is time to begin my day on Cinco de Mayo, so ¡Que sea un gran día! (Make it a great day!)

I will have six hours to work before needing to get ready to head downtown to The Schuster for an evening of FROZEN. I have a number of shifts with this particular musical which is not one of my favorites, but as Laura pointed out at dinner last night, “Think of all the little kids who will be coming to the show, excited and dressed up as characters.”

Yes!

Sometime in the wee hours of Wednesday, I could feel the easing tension in my entire body as the rainy cold front moved away from The Miami Valley, releasing the painful grip it had on my body for nearly a week. Since childhood, I’ve dealt more with sinus issues as weather fronts approached but the sinuses, while still a matter with which I deal, have taken second place to the MS.

Wednesday morning, at 10 AM, I knew it was my one and only chance to mow the yard after a week of rain. The backyard was such a challenge since it grows so quickly. It was a strenuous 20 minutes of mowing before moving to the front yard which was slightly easier.

I showered and easily made it to my Noon meeting which was quite productive. Back at home, I napped for an hour before Laura arrived for an impromptu dinner at Cheddars. I had never been to Cheddars until last night and I quite enjoyed it.  At 6:30 PM, I began two make-up lessons for seniors who had prom and a family event during their scheduled lesson times, and those two made a great close to a busy day.

In 1865, after a twelve-day journey from Washington, DC, the final funeral for President Abraham Lincoln was held in Springfield, Illinois with a temporary entombment following at Oakridge Cemetery just north of the city.

It’s nearing time to start prepping for my day. At 6:45 AM, it is currently 36 degrees, and by mid-afternoon, we are promised a high of 65 degrees. The world is already lighter outside and I am hoping the sunshine will restore some warmth and cheer.

Make it a great day!

Today is a double anniversary for Col. Deeds of The Haasienda.

November 3, 2022, Col. Deeds was born. Today he is six months old.

February 3, 2023, at age three months, my former student, now a new mommy, Rebecca Hoskins Grubbs, delivered Col. Deeds to The Haasienda. Rebecca saved Deeds and his brother, Bronx, from abuse and neglect, nurturing them back to health.

The Colonel has been a fine fit with The Quartet, The Studio, and all those associated with The Haasienda, especially, me. He is an affectionate, devoted, and intelligent little pal like his four older siblings, Chief, Erma, Bailey, and Harrigan.

Happy six months birthday, and happy three month Gotcha Day, Col. Deeds.

Make it a great day!

Round One of an incredibly busy, hectic several days has finally shifted to less compact for a few days until Friday returns with Round Two. Although I was teaching on Sunday from 3 PM – 11 PM, the pooches were content that I was home for more than feeding, petting them, and out the door.

And the weather… sigh. “Isn’t it beautiful weather we’re not having?” It’s 37 degrees, now at 6:30 AM and it shall only climb another ten degrees by late afternoon. The next week is filled with much rain and temperatures in the fifties and low sixties. May 6^th, we may finally see temperatures in the low seventies.

“In cold spring air”

Reginald Gibbons

In cold
spring air the
white wisp-
visible
breath of
a blackbird
singing—
we don’t know
to un-
wrap these blind-
folds we
keep thinking
we are
seeing through

A beautiful, historic home in West Dayton, The Traxler Mansion, burned yesterday. I had passed it several times throughout my thirty-two years living here in Dayton, and always thought it an exquisite piece of architecture.

The day is nudging me to move on to prepping for my morning.

Make it a great day!

The weather could have been a little warmer, but Monday evening was splendid.

I had a sixty-minute turnaround after arriving home by 2:30 PM and needing to be on the bus downtown. I had a meeting at 6:30 PM at The Schuster Performing Arts Center and decided to leave early so that I could enjoy a Chinese buffet beforehand.  I had a great walk from The Oregon District to The Schuster Center, capturing several scenes with my phone’s camera.

My 10:30 PM arrival home was greeted by barking cheers from The FabFive.

At 6:30 AM, it’s 38 degrees and we will only rise another twenty degrees by the day’s end. My lilac bush has bloomed, and I haven’t the time to clip them.

It is time to prep my day and get on with it.

Make it a great day!

Wednesday was a good, restful, yet still productive day.

I accomplished a good deal of tasks around the house, mostly finishing up laundry and putting it away.

By 3 PM, I was on No. 17 and heading to downtown Dayton for an event at The Schuster Performing Arts Center where several House Managers were to be on duty to escort a backstage tour of the facility. The Ohio County Treasurer’s Association is a grouping of all the county treasurers in the state and they were in town for a conference. Their Wednesday was topped off with a tour of The Schuster and a social hour and dinner to exhibit Dayton’s history and culture.

I was stationed at the loading dock which might not seem exciting, but that’s where all the magic begins when a musical tour is coming to Dayton. FROZEN will be arriving with their twenty-four-plus semis to unload and set up production, which will take at least five days. It is unbelievable what it takes to get a touring production on its feet. It’s exciting, actually!

One visiting gentleman was on the board of directors for the Omaha Community Playhouse, the oldest running playhouse in the nation. I spent a good deal of time with him as he asked questions regarding the super health of Dayton and the performing arts, especially where our theatre is concerned. For our city’s size, along with all the suburbs, our number of strong performing arts organizations is impressive.

Now, it is 40 degrees this Thursday morning and we are expecting a high of 26 degrees. The sun will climb above the trees, shortly, and a beautiful spring morning shall fully commence.

It’s moving in at 7 AM and time to move on with this day.

Make it a great day!

When the calendar’s page turns to May, my mind expects Springtime. However, this recent turn of the page has yielded anything but Spring weather with cold rain and temperatures in the forties. Next Monday, I shall hopefully buy my flowers from Fairmont High School as I have done for the past nineteen years.

Upon returning home last night, I watched several videos by Alize Carrere, a most fascinating explorer and speaker. Her presentation at Dayton’s Victoria Theatre was riveting.

I am presently obsessed with how I will get my yard mowed with the non-stopping rain and my schedule, neither of which is cooperating with the other. Everything will work out, so on with my day!

“The Merry Month of May“

Thomas Dekker (c. 1572–1632)

O the month of May, the merry month of May,
    So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!
O, and then did I unto my true love say:
    “Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my summer’s queen!

    Now the nightingale, the pretty nightingale,
    The sweetest singer in all the forest’s choir,
Entreats thee, sweet Peggy, to hear thy true love’s tale;
    Lo, yonder she sitteth, her breast against a brier.

    But O, I spy the cuckoo, the cuckoo, the cuckoo;
    See where she sitteth: come away, my joy;
Come away, I prithee: I do not like the cuckoo
    Should sing where my Peggy and I kiss and toy.”

O the month of May, the merry month of May,
    So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!
And then did I unto my true love say:
    “Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my summer’s queen!”

Make it a great day!

Ahead of Charles III’s ceremony, here’s what you need to know about the origins and evolution of the centuries-old tradition
— Read on www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-not-so-brief-history-of-british-coronations-180982088/

My typical evening for teaching 14 students was whittled down to two students due to dress and technical rehearsals, and end of the year school concerts. Dayton Live offered comp tickets to house managers for a presentation by Alize Carrere, and with my studio manager’s help rescheduling my two remaining students who were spread out with a four hour gap between, I took advantage of the ticket offer.

After a relaxed dinner at my favorite, secluded Chinese buffet haunt, I moved h to The Victoria Theatre to watch my first National Geographic LIVE presentation.

U. N. B. E. L. I. E. V. A. B. L. E.

Just unbelievable.

I’m the 70 minutes I attended, I was spellbound by the information shared about Global Warming and the new term of “Adaptation.” I applaud the folks around the world who are addressing and combating the effects of Global Warming. I’m in awe of these heroes.

VIDEO: Alize Carrere & National Geographic

I doubt that my deep thirst for research and learning will take me further into this study, but I shall be following Ms. Carrere.

“It’s May! It’s May, That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray.”

Well, today is not how Lerner & Lowe would have imagined and I don’t think Oscar Hammerstein II’s lyrics could bring on better weather.

Rainy. Chilly. Monday.

At 6:30 AM it is 41 degrees and wet, and it is to only climb two more degrees to top this Monday and wetness is to remain in today’s forecast, and tomorrow’s prospect, as well. My hope of mowing the lawn this Wednesday is diminishing rapidly.

It is May 1^st and every year I post the video and lyrics to Lerner & Lowe’s, “The Lusty Month of May!” sung by Guenevere in their classic, CAMELOT.

My favorite verse: 

“The time for every frivolous whim, proper or im-
It’s wild, it’s gay, a blot in every way,
The birds and bees with all of their vast amorous past,
Gaze at the human race aghast.”

https://youtu.be/t–e0S5kelhttps://youtu.be/t–e0S5kelY

THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY

Tra la, it’s May, the lusty month of May

That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray

Tra la, it’s here, that shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear

It’s May, it’s May, that gorgeous holiday

When every maiden prays that her lad will be a cad

It’s mad, it’s gay, a libelous display

Those dreary vows that everyone takes

Everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes

The lusty month of May

Whence this fragrance wafting through the air?

What sweet feelings does its scent transmute?

Whence this perfume floating everywhere?

Don’t you know it’s that dear forbidden fruit

Tra la la la la, that dear forbidden fruit, tra la la la la

Tra la la la la, tra la, tra la, tra la la la la la la la la la

It’s May, the lusty month of May

That darling month when everyone throws self-control away

It’s time to do a wretched thing or two

And try to make each precious day, one you’ll always rue

It’s May, it’s May, the month of yes you may

The time for every frivolous whim, proper or im-

It’s wild, it’s gay, a blot in every way

The birds and bees with all of their vast amorous past

Gaze at the human race aghast

The lusty month of May

Tra la, it’s May, the lusty month of May

That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray

Tra la, it’s here, that shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear

It’s May, it’s May, the month of great dismay

When all the world is brimming with fun, wholesome or un-

It’s mad, it’s gay, a libelous display

Those dreary vows that everyone takes

Everyone breaks

Everyone makes divine mistakes

The lusty month of May!

I always love to see the photo Kate Harrigan posts from her moment during this song in the movie version of CAMELOT, directed by her grandfather, Joshua Logan. In this scene, Kate received her first-ever kiss – on screen and in real life.

May-ke it a great day!

Colonel Deeds arrived Friday, 3 February 2023 and he was twelve weeks old to the day.

May 3rd, the Colonel will turn six months old.

Here are some photos of Deeds’ arrival when he met Chief for the first time, the past several months, and today.

This day was hit-and-miss with the weather – sometimes bright and shining, while bouncing back to overcast skies with higher chances of rain.

Saturday was spent with the dogs who have missed having me at home for long stretches of time. I managed to accomplish some laundry, and a few other things around the house while also napping and watching documentaries.

After a delicious Mexican dinner at La Pinta, Laura and I moved on to Centerville High School to watch my students in lead roles for the musical, CURTAINS, with a book by Rupert Holmes, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. I had never seen the musical before Saturday evening, and I thought it was adorable.

While we were eating, I checked the weather because I could feel my weather-related MS symptoms creeping up on me. The radar, however, changed as the show got underway. Halfway through Act One, I sensed the huge shift in the barometric pressure that forced every muscle to tighten its grip and cause severe pain to shoot throughout my entire system. I managed to stay present in the moment and enjoy the production, but I was forced to leave immediately after the curtain fell and didn’t get to see my kiddos.

The show was hilarious, and I enjoyed it!

I was home and in bed by 10:30 PM where I stayed all of Sunday except to feed and/or let the dogs. All the lessons were conducted via Zoom, and I appreciate all the students accommodating me in this manner.

Monday kicks off another terribly busy week, finding the latter part to be hectic as FROZEN opens this week at The Schuster Performing Arts Center.

I have a terrific Canine Crew that assists me with the pooches when I am away from the house. I love these young folks who give The FanFive some incredible attention.

Today, before leaving home, the pooches were lounging in my study.

Do not miss Col. Deeds holding Chief’s paw.