The little fellow is growing by leaps and bounds. He is now as tall as The Sisters, Bailey and Harrigan.
Colonel Deeds came onto the deck with the other crew-members, but he had a gift for me. He was carrying a small baby possum. I could not tell if it was feigning death or if it was actually dead. He dropped it on the deck, and I grabbed a small spade to carefully remove it from the deck and into the easement, safe from any of the dogs.
This is not me holding the possum, but this was about the size of the little critter.
The past several days have been a whirlwind of busyness and they’re not over yet. I have missed The FabFive, terribly, and they have missed me in the short intervals I have gotten to spend with them. Col. Deeds snuggles even closer to me as we sleep or grab a quick nap, and Erma seldom leaves my side.
The Dayton Ballet and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra had another wonderful performance of PETER PAN with an electric score by Carmon DeLeone and choreography by Septime Webre. Dayton, Ohio is truly capable of maintaining the age-old moniker, “the Gem city of Ohio” when it comes to professional, high-quality performing arts. It was exciting to feel the energy from the crowd before the curtain’s rise, during intermission, and after the show. For two nights there have been tons of children, of all ages, and the exciting reactions have been a thrill to observe, especially from the young boys who were loving ballet.
Ironically, as I began typing the above entry about our ballet’s performance, Scott Alan’s “Never Neverland (Fly Away)” came on my playlist. The lyrics feel appropriate for this morning’s MAKE IT A GREAT DAY post.
She’d tell me about Captain, and all of his men Who followed Peter with a hook, replaced as his hand In those tales bad guys seldom did win So the Captain was eaten, and Wendy had twins That’s the stories I recall But I may have made up the end Don’t remember much At three feet tall Except for when I’d say “Mom Let me go to Never Neverland Let me fly for one day Throw that fairy dust in my hair So I pretend I’m flying away” I’m flying away Well, to my surprise I grew up too fast And that easy life of Tinkerbell, it never did last So I’d silently dream my soul far, far away Where I can be immortalised like Peter one day That’s my childhood as I recall But in some ways it never did end And now I’m standing, well, a little bit taller Except when I’d say “Mom! Let me go to Never Neverland Let me fly for one day Throw that fairy dust in my hair So I pretend I’m flying away” I’m flying away And though life is never easy As we, as children, read in the books Where fairy dust can just fly you so far away And all I ask is that you Leave me my imagination So I can pretend I’m flying away I’m flying away! And that is where I’ll stay Right there in Never Neverland I’ll be flying I’ll be dying For love, appreciation Where mermaids would sing And fairies would ring Right there, there in Never Neverland And it’s second to the left and straight on ’til morning Or is it second to the right and straight on ’til morning? In Never Neverland In my Never Neverland
Last night, I finally made it to the deck by 8:30 PM, collapsing into the plastic Adirondack chair. The FabFive loved playing in the yard and on the deck, each making their way to my chair for some lovin’ from Pops. Forty-five minutes later, I was crawling into bed for some television classics, ALL IN THE FAMILY, MAUDE, and THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
Today is not as warm as yesterday’s splendid weather and we’ve already been visited by a very brief heavy pounding rain. The sky is overcast, and rain is threatening the area throughout the afternoon and evening.
Tonight, I have an event, and tomorrow night is PETER PAN at The Schuster Center of the Performing Arts with our very own Dayton Ballet. I am looking forward to it.
I have a number of things to accomplish before heading out.
My morning walk was a bit further than I was anticipating but I was accompanied by beautiful weather and some gorgeous spring bloomage. I had forgotten to get $5 bills for the Canine Crew members who will be attending the dogs so I decided to reroute my walk to Town & Country shopping center which is 1.2 miles in one direction. I plan to mow the backyard, hopefully, the front as well.
It is nearing the time of getting the back deck ready for my Spring & Summer retreat. I love spending time on the deck with the back door open so the pooches can come and go. They always love the times I spend on the deck with them, even if I am busy writing or researching. Since I don’t go to potty with them in the backyard, perhaps this is their way of feeling connected with me outside.
I need to go put on my yard shoes and get busy. I am feeling a bit of sinus pressure this morning and after checking my weather app, I see rain is moving into the Miami Valley tomorrow afternoon and evening.
It was the craziest night of incredible dreams. I sit here, now, amazed at just how brilliant and inventive the subconscious is as it creates scenarios unfamiliar to me, people I have never met, and powers I didn’t realize I possessed. As I recall some of the dreams, at least four major dreams in all, I cannot find any connectors to anything I may have seen on documentaries, classic television (Pluto), conversations held, or items viewed on social media. These dreams with exhilarating and incredible.
One particular dream was so much fun because it contained elements that have never crossed my life’s threshold. Harrison Ford was the leader for several of us involved in espionage with several narrow escapes through air vents and other unbelievable moments. I wish I could remember all the dreams but how wonderful it would be if we came with record buttons to make certain our dreams did not escape into the void.
I have had two solid days invested in recovering from dual MS and gut flareup that confined me to bed. The MS symptoms began Saturday afternoon as the cold, rainy front began moving into the Miami Valley. Col. Deeds and Harrigan remained with me around the clock, and they were encouraging and comforting. This morning, I feel less achiness and the gut seems to be back to normal.
It hasn’t broken 40 degrees, yet, but we are supposed to see a high of 73 degrees, today. Thursday should be 83 degrees before falling back to the 60s, 50s, and 40s through all next week.
It is time to begin my day with the intention of making it a great day!
PHOTOS: Monday and Tuesday moments with the FabFive.
Yesterday was just a fun day but quite tiring. This morning, I have energy, but it feels like a tug-of-war with the impending rain to move through as my system battles the aches and sluggish movement.
I did manage a ninety-minute nap Saturday afternoon and that took the edge off for a bit. Laura and I had a nice dinner at Archers Tavern in Kettering and then went to Fairmont High School’s production of LEGALLY BLONDE.
This week has a bit less on the agenda but will still be on the heavy side. This week’s weather appears to be on a trampoline, bouncing up and down, adding a few flips as it moves along. Next weekend is expected to have highs in the mid-50s but will be in the low 80s by Monday.
My good friend, Jeff Carter, is in New York City and has been able to see CAMELOT and PARADE. I am a bit envious as those are two shows I would love to see, and I am rarely eager to see shows as I once was. I am hearing mixed things about CAMELOT but I am hopeful for its success.
On this day in history in 1865, many Easter sermons were exchanged for messages to praise Abraham Lincoln who had died the previous morning as the result of an assassination.
Just as it is time to plunge into my day, I am feeling physical withdrawal as sleep wishes to take over. Once I get through this day, I am hopeful to have a small break tomorrow to restore my energy with sleep.
The nice weather we had enjoyed last week has abandoned us, leaving, colder temperatures and rain. According to the forecast, the large amounts of rain have moved out of the Miami Valley.
Last night, at the Schuster Center of the Performing, Arts there was a brilliant, beautiful collaboration between the Dayton Ballet and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The musical, artistic, and technical aspects combined, created a phenomenal production.
I love the patrons who add a little more to their attire or completely dress in costume for such occasions. There were little boys wearing Peter Pan hats, girls, dressed as Tinker Bell, and Minnie adults were wearing costumes. I saw a photograph of my friend, Patti King, and her daughter Dressed as Pirates for the occasion. The King family has always been a step ahead of the rest with their creativity.
It is barely past 7:45 AM, and I can already hear percussion ensemble’s practicing nearby. This is the final weekend of the WGI competition featuring percussion organizations from around the world. This is the first year, in over 40 years, that I have missed a Winter Guard, Indoor Winds, and Indoor Percussion competition season. Kettering Fairmont High School has done an exceptional job this season and perform in the championships this morning at 10:15 AM.
Col. Deeds, as I wrote in an earlier post, is growing into his big boy voice. Within a day or two, his voice has matured more. It’s fun to hear the deeper voice emerge with its transitioning raspiness and to observe him trying to figure out how to use this new voice.
April 15th. In history, it has shared two ominous anniversaries, the death of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
I have a busy day ahead of me and this evening, Laura and I will grab dinner before heading over to see LEGALLY BLONDE next door at Fairmont High School.
Last night, Richard Wagner’s DAS RHEINGOLD was at The Schuster Center for the Performing Arts, a collaboration of the Dayton Opera and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. It was quite good. One group of young, barely-past-college-aged gentlemen were in the lobby wearing red T-shirts with Wagner’s image and sports coats. They were a half dozen men celebrating a bachelor party! The groom loved Wagner and this was the perfect opportunity for a fun bachelor party with commemorative Wagnerian T-shirts. Perfect.
It is time to move my day along. I doubt I will be able to sneak a nap into my schedule, but I may try. The weather is to be in the seventies, and it already feels nice at 57 degrees.
Today, April 13th, is the birthday of President Thomas Jefferson. My cat, Logan (1994-2011) was also born on this date.
I got to enjoy one additional hour of sleep, and while I do not feel any amazing effects from that bonus time, I am glad I had the opportunity, nonetheless.
Yesterday was a free day but all I accomplished was some paperwork, two loads of laundry, and bringing the waste dumpster back up the drive. Mama Kay, Laura, and I had a spontaneous dinner at Sea Jax Tavern on Bigger Road, and my lemon chicken parmesan was delicious.
It is currently 48 degrees and by mid-afternoon, we will have raised that number by thirty. I love this time of the year, perhaps more than any other, however, my allergies have kicked in and I’ve been sneezing and experiencing watery eyes. So be it.
I have a few spare minutes before I need to plunge into my day. Every few minutes, Erma comes to remind me I am loved.
On this date, April 13 in 1994, my cat of seventeen years, Logan, was born to a marching band family in Centerville. I did not get her until June 17th and for the next 17.5 years, I had the best companion.
Since she was born on President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, I almost named her Jefferson. I also thought she was a boy with parts taking longer to develop. Anyway, I ended up naming her in honor of my wonderful stage directing mentor, Joshua Logan.
The stories of Logan are both memorable and entertaining. Like Flyer, the dog, Logan was a great therapeutic animal for the first four sons.
Logan has been gone for nearly twelve years and I still miss her.
I’ve always loved observing each dog’s patterns. Like us humans, they develop patterns, too.
Col. Deeds is now moving his feeding bowl and toys over by the gate. I will move them out of the way so there’s no tripping through the gate but they always return.
Now, I am guessing it is Deeds but I’ve not personally witnessed him placing the items there. For all I know it could be one of the other dogs suggesting he take a long trip.
And, the other latest thing is that in the past several days, the high pitched squeak of his bark is much lower.
I stepped out onto the deck at 4:30 AM after Erma sat staring at me for the longest time. Rarely do my seniors need to go out after their 11 PM potty break until after their breakfast. When Col. Deeds first arrived on February 3rd, Erma began taking advantage of going out for some of his wee-hour potty breaks. For the past several weeks, she’s needed an early morning break.
So, after the 4:30 AM awakening, I could not return to sleep, and I have a long day ahead of me.
The day promises to be quite nice with a high of 71 degrees by afternoon.
April’s list of historical events climbs to a feverish pitch of activity this week with Civil War moments, Lincoln’s assassination, and FDR’s passing. Today is a mild break with President Truman relieving General Douglas MacArthur of his command of the United Nations and US forces during the Korean War being one of the more significant historical moments.
And now, it is time to start my day as 7 AM approaches. The FabFive is already spread about my study, curled up and napping.
At 6:30 AM, it is still dark and the earth is starting the process of warming up from its current 41 degrees to the upper 60s.
My body seems to comply with the day’s demands and not aching from yesterday’s extreme adult sports of deep cleaning the carpet and rugs, and mowing the yard. But, the day is young, and I may begin finding the aching on Tuesday.
I have been doing something for my own amusement: when I return from being out, I step onto the porch and connect to the hallway’s blue tooth speaker. My music automatically starts and this alerts the dogs that I am home. It’s a riot hearing them rev up my barking fanfare!
My dear friend, and partner, Rick, has been gone from this earth for thirty-three years, today. We met at Smith-Wallbridge Drum-Major Camp, Syracuse, Indiana, in July 1979. Some days, it feels like it was only yesterday, while others feel like an eternity.
It’s time to start my day, getting a few things done before showering.
When I was in high school, I remarked to my grandmother that it was the anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt’s death.
Grandma Donna responded, “To me, April 12, 1945 will always be the anniversary for Harry Truman becoming president.”
When Grandma was 8 years old, Roosevelt became president. For twelve years, he was the only president she knew.
On April 6, 1945, my mother was born and in those days, mothers and new born babies remained in the hospital for two weeks following a baby’s delivery.
On April 12, Grandma Donna was walking the hospital corridor after her dinner and happened by the nurses’ station where the Catholic Sisters were gathered around the radio, several dabbing at tears. It was then that Grandma learned President Roosevelt had died at his Warm Springs, Georgia retreat.
One of the nuns asked, “Who is this new president? I’ve never heard of him.”
The next morning, my grandfather brought Grandma the newspaper and there was a brief biography of President Harry Truman. Grandma told me, “I knew I was going to like him because we both shared May 8th as our birthdays.”
And sure enough, Grandma loved Harry Truman. In 1972, she and I sat together watching the former president’s funeral at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. I saw his grandsons, all around my age, sitting with Mrs. Bess Truman (who’d soon become one of my favorite First Ladies), and the Trumans’ daughter, Margaret Truman Daniel, and her husband, Clifton Daniel.
Upon seeing one of the Daniel boys with very blonde hair, Grandma exclaimed, “President and Mrs. Truman have a tow-head grandson, too!”
I do commemorate the passing of FDR, but April 12 is the day Harry Truman of Missouri became President of the United States.
Several weeks before April 11, 1971, Easter Sunday, Mother began making me a new suit. The material was the softest, quietest light blue with small specks of knotted raised threads of varying colors throughout. It was a vest and slacks, and she purchased a long sleeve white shirt with pale stripes of blue, green, red, and yellow.
The fittings were unending. I can recall standing on a dining room chair as she knelt to stab the material with the pins. Her square wicker sewing box, a deep pink with a painted wooden lid was always nearby. The dining room table held her Singer sewing machine she’d had since high school graduation.
Easter Sunday arrived and I was to attend church with my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Brewer Barmes, and his second wife, Ruth. Grandpa Virgil, with assistance from his son, my Grandpa Leroy, had completed building their country house which was thirteen miles south of Elwood and two miles north of Lapel, Indiana. This Easter Sunday would gather all the family at the new house with ample room on the property for all kinds of games.
The four children of Virgil and Thelma Barmes, Leroy, Evelyn, Norma, and Danny, and their families arrived at 1 PM for dinner. It was the first time Mother made her traditional bunny-head cake with shredded coconut serving as the fur.
After dinner, the family games commenced. There were games fitting for all ages, young and older. I was caught in an age gap being too old for the younger games and too young for the older ages games. I split my time in both areas. I remember my older cousins welcoming me to play Bad Minton, croquet, and volleyball. Later, toward evening, we drove to a country location that had a large ball field with a nice wood and wire backstop. It was one of the most incredible softball games in my memory. Grandpa Virgil and Grandpa Leroy had been minor league baseball players, and my uncles were just as talented.
It was to be our last Easter with Grandpa Virgil who died the following September 1st. Aside from his funeral, it was probably the last time the entire family was gathered in one setting.
The sun is belting out an overture that’s making the morning glow with beauty. The birds have been singing loudly since 4 AM.
Yesterday was wonderful but gut attacks began sneaking in throughout the day, and the night was spent mostly awake with continued cramping; the issues continue to chart today’s course. I’m going to try a morning nap prior to cleaning carpets and mowing the yard.
Since April had a fifth Sunday, it worked out to not have lessons today. I rarely have Easter off from teaching as most students have wrapped up family activities by late afternoon and evening for their lesson.
Nap time. Col. Deeds is already laying across my arm as I type this from my phone.
It was a beautiful spring day and my body was quite cooperative to enjoy it.
I needed some carpet cleaner for pets so I grabbed the bus to the Walmart on Kingsridge Road which is only a few blocks from the RTA’s south hub. Amazingly, I was in and out of the store with about five minutes to spare for the bus’s return. I hopped off a few miles later to have an early lunch at Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant before teaching home at 12:40 PM.
By 1:30 PM, I was at Fairmont’s field for track, soccer, and lacrosse to watch former student and canine crew member, Beck Melin, play lacrosse. He played brilliantly, scoring five goals and an assist. His mom’s brother, Wes, and his family was in from Pittsburgh and it was great to see all of them.
By 3:30 PM, the dogs were fed and I fought the urge to mow the yard.
I grabbed No. 17 to head to The Oregon District for supper, and was returned by 8:30 PM.
Last week, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS was on television, but I could not locate it. I’ve watched the movie every year since 1973 when Mother, eight months pregnant with my sister, took Debbie Poynter and I to see it at the Elwood Theater. I bought it for $4.99 on Prime and am now happily watching it in my bed with Col. Deeds snuggled in front of me, Bailey behind me, and Harrigan at my feet. Chief and Erma are snoring from their beds.
It was a great day and I’m still refreshed from the activity.
This evening, I went downtown to watch FINDING KING RICHARD at The Neon Movies and was reminded that it is important for researchers to protect their work so others do not claim victory.
When I was in junior high school, I began practicing for the day I could audition for drum major of the high school’s marching band. My mother cautioned me to not mention my dream to anyone. Mother was fearful that some might deride me, thus forcing me to abandon the goal. The only person who knew was the nationally known twirler and our marching band choreographer, Tudy Smith.
At age three, I suffered rheumatic fever, just as my maternal grandfather had while at the Army-Air-corps camp where he hoped to be a radio operator. Grandpa’s bout with the fever caused him lifelong hearing loss and heart issues. Mine caused me to go completely deaf in my right ear. The school corporation believed I should be entered into special education because I was considered legally deaf. Mother, along with our family physician, Dr. Walter Wirth devised a fake hearing examination so that I would be approved for mainstream education.
As I grew older and it became obvious that I was aiming for a music career, Mother stressed the need to remain silent about my hearing loss. Only my mother, my father, my maternal grandparents, and Dr. Wirth knew of my hearing loss. Finally, in my thirties, I began sharing the story with others.
There were two assignments in high school where, again, Mother stressed the need to not share research information. In my freshman year of high school, a Latin class assignment was to write a celebrity to ask if they had studied Latin and if so, how did it impact them. I selected the newly married Princess Diana and added Johnny Carson as a backup. Both responded positively and shared their appreciation for having studied Latin.
The second assignment was for my senior advanced composition research paper. I elected to research the writing of Margaret Mitchell, the deceased author of GONE WITH THE WIND (1936). Ms. Mitchell’s older brother and executor of her estate agreed to meet me for an interview. Over Christmas break, in 1982, my partner, Rick, and I drove down to Atlanta, Georgia to meet with Mr. Stephens Mitchell. During
Again, Mother wanted to be certain that I would not be dissuaded by others if I shared my project missions. It worked.
With several historical projects that have required substantial research, I have uncovered several mysteries about the Wright Brothers, one on President Lincoln, and a few more on other topics. I have been sitting on some of these finds for twenty-plus years and refuse to divulge my research data until I am assured no other hands will break the lock of secrecy.
Ironically, Bishop Milton Wright, father of Wilbur and Orville, stressed “secrecy” to his children, especially the two aviators who were leading the way in the early 1900s race for the sky. While their secrecy allowed them the leading spot in this race, it also created some barriers to the advancement of aviation in its infancy.
As I watched FINDING KING RICHARD, my heart ached for Philippa Langley, portrayed brilliantly by actress, Sally Hawkins, as she triumphed in locating the mysterious grave of England’s King Richard III only to be shoved aside by those with more prestige and power. They robbed her of her meticulous research, time, and hard work.
The movie served as a reminder that I must maintain my own privacy with my works in progress.
After I finished watching The Neon movie, THE LOST KING, I took a stroll to one of my favorite photography haunts along Fourth Street. It was a beautiful evening with an ever changing sky to produce some terrific results.
Col. Deeds has learned the art of posing whenever I aim phone/camera in his direction or at the other four. Before leaving for The Neon Movies, I tried to take photos of each pooch. Deeds bombed each one. I didn’t include all the blurry photos. Deeds’ photo on the bed alone was due to Harrigan vacating the bed after Deeds hopped up to take over the photo session.
As a child, I always loved celebrating Mother’s birthday as it was quite a special occasion. T
his year is the fourth birthday I’ve not gotten to celebrate with her in person, but I continued to mark the special day with a playlist of her favorite songs or songs I associate with her. I also took the bus to North Dayton to eat at one of our regular haunts. I ended the meal with a slice of Angel food cake with strawberry topping and a slice of jello cake which was the first cake she taught me to make. Jello cake was a frequent dessert while growing up.
I often see memes that say “I’d like to spend one more day with my mother.” Yes, it would be nice but it would also mean saying “goodbye” one more time.
Happy birthday to my wonderful mother. Know you are still missed and loved…
And, thank you for instilling, modeling, and expecting me to “Make it a great day!”
I can deal with the current 43 degrees, knowing it will be 69 degrees by day’s end. The trees have begun to bud, and perennials are trying to figure out if winter has taken wing.
It was a slow, uneventful weekend filled with resting, loving on five wonderful pooches, watching documentaries, and some household attention. Saturday evening, Mama Kay, Laura, and I went to El Toro for dinner, and until it was time to teach on Sunday, that was the only human contact I had since Friday evening.
In 1865, Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the succeeding states, fell on April 2. The next week is filled with incredible historic moments from The Civil War, the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the sinking of the Titanic, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, and Lincoln’s death and funeral.
This week is slightly less busy, and I am okay with that.
I felt like I got a good night’s sleep but as I sit here to write this blog post I am yawning and feeling the desire to return to bed, which, of course, I cannot. Hopefully, the shower will give me some drive.
Even at 6:15 AM, it was nice outside at 59 degrees. By 5 PM we should be seeing 73 degrees and the temperatures hanging out in the 70s throughout the night and into Wednesday.
Today, April 4th, is the anniversary of my parents’ marriage. Danny Lee Jolliff and Diana Kay Barmes were high school sweethearts at Elwood’s Wendell L. Willkie High School. They married at the Trinity United Brethren Church, later the Trinity United Methodist Church by Rev. Joseph P. Rouch. Sandy Gordon Tucker and Judy Smith Hallett were Mother’s attendants, and standing up with my father were Jan Goodwin and another gentleman whose name escapes me now. My father’s aunt, Lois Stack Richardson, was the vocalist.
It is also the birthday of President Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s youngest son, Thomas “Tad” Lincoln, April 4, 1853 – July 15, 1871.
It is time to move my day along. I cursed the sound of the alarm three minutes before it sounded but am now eager to get going now that my breakfast is completed.
While Col. Deeds spends time snuggling or playing with the other dogs, he is glued to my side. Working from bed is no longer easy as The Colonel wants to play or snuggle.
The Haasienda on Shroyer... 