The Haasienda on Shroyer…

Thursday afternoon, after feeding the dogs at 4:00 PM, I laid down on the bed to read and promptly fell asleep, waking at nearly 8:30 PM.

Fortunately, after a dinner of steak and a baked potato, I actually slept quite well through the night.

Friday began with breakfast on the deck with a quite comfortable temperature but immediately returned to bed with a headache and a heavy feeling of brain-fatigue, a fog.

Four hours of uninterrupted sleep still did not ease the weight of leaden eyelids and the foggy brain. I ate the rest of the the previous evening’s steak and a second potato I had baked.

The afternoon was restful and unproductive. Mama Kay delivered my regular Friday order from China Cottage and my friend, Nicole, delivered a bag filled with fresh vegetables from her garden.

This evening has been the ultimate comfort zone on the deck with a consistent cool breeze and the brilliant red cardinal bidding a loud “goodnight.”

Chief and Erma are stretched out near me on the deck while Harrigan and Bailey scour the backyard for whatever grabs their attention.

On to more reading while listening to a a fairly dull YouTube video on Mary Lincoln suggested by a member of the Abraham Lincoln Forum on Facebook.

As I was finishing up breakfast on the deck, the grey hovering clouds began spitting and were kind enough to wait until I had cleared the deck.

The day was wet with intermittent showers, sprinkles, or mist that seemed to flatten the day and evening.

The forecast shows a good deal of rain through Tuesday with much milder temperatures.

Reading.

Presidential podcasts.

Rep. John Lewis’ funeral.

Snuggles with the pooches.

And that is pretty much how my Thursday moved along.

The teaching week is done and I’m relaxing in the chase lounge on the deck with no breeze but a very comfortable night.

This week zoomed by, quickly, with students making remarkable steps in the process. It’s such a damned delight to watch students take the risk of stepping outside their confidence-controlled comfort zones and discovering a touch of freedom and stronger assurance.

No teaching until Sunday afternoon.

I wish I could spend some time at Carillon Park and Woodland Cemetery, but I’m sticking to the doctor’s orders and avoiding the outside world save my walks.

It’s still strange to have such quiet floating throughout the usually very neighborhood.

Shroyer Road is one of the busier roads in Kettering which, within the stretch of my block offers a massive high school campus, a large United Methodist Church with a preschool, an enormous senior living community, the expansive Lincoln Park, the Fraze Pavilion, and Trent Arena.

The Fraze concerts keep the neighborhood energized and full. At least two hours prior to a show/concert and more than an hour after a concert ends, around 11:00 PM, the traffic is thick.

Many neighbors will carry their blankets for the lawn seating and if I’m not in the know as to who is performing, I can usually tell from the concert goers heading home and still singing some of the music.

It’s a delightful, lively place to live.

Flyer, the best dog in the world.

I love and have loved all my dogs, but Flyer was just something beyond special.

Beginning July 21, 2013, 73 folks came to say “goodbye” to Flyer as her departure time became clearer.

Three former students who had never met one another, drove down from Bowling Green State University to spend a few hours hugging Flyer and crying along with the others.

Mother drove over from Indiana to stay with me for four days. Upon leaving, Mother, who was never much a crier, broke down in sobs, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.” She kept petting Flyer and giving her kisses, “Grandma loves you, Flyer.”

The morning of July 29th, around 5:00 AM, Chief, who was sleeping with his head on Flyer’s hip, began making noises to wake me. Flyer’s breathing has become labored.

Chief and I laid next to Flyer, holding her and insisting it was okay to let go, we were all going to be fine, and that she’d done a great job.

Flyer had watched over four sons, ten foster sons, and a ton of students and friends of my sons for twelve years. She was a good mama.

Around 5:30 AM, the breaths became less labored and slowed greatly in tempo.

Then, the next breath for which I was waiting… did not come.

Chief began howling.

Navi, who’d been keeping vigil from one of the guest beds, began crying and cowering by the pillows.

I placed Flyer in a packing bin so I could transport her to The Pines for cremation.

I leashed up Chief and Navi and kept our scheduled morning walk. Just the three of us.

It’s been seven years and I still miss my blue-eyed sweetie.

In so many ways she’s still with me… and still so very loved…

The deck is fairly quiet except for cicadas sawing away at their one tone trill and the tree tops sway to the northerly breeze that caps an element of perfection.

Teaching a full day of 10:00 AM til 10:15 PM is not as tiresome as it may seem. Today, I had a few on vacation, and marching band camps lightened the evening load a bit.

The dogs have been more entertaining and enjoyable throughout the day.

I’m still warmed by the three standout moments of my day that brought wide, appreciative smiles and a few tears. Very touching moments.

The national and local chaos of opening schools continues with little hope of doing what I believe to be the safer route. I’m nervous for my teaching colleagues and staff more than I am the students.

It will be what it will be.

Now, I shall close and do some writing.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

No onions.

No pepper.

No allergies.

Three times this morning, my eyes have watered for some beautiful I looked-for moments that truly filled my heart with joy, peace, and love.

7:00 AM, a text message from someone very dear, just wishing me to have a great day. Thank you for energizing my morning, Mav.

Sniff No. 1.

Between lessons, I checked my texts and there was a message from a studio mom that there was a delivery on my porch.

I’ve two voice students from Colorado, a sister and brother, who are returned to Kettering to visit their grandparents and cousins. They delivered this beautiful arrangement of daisies, Black-eyed Susans, and hydrangea, a lovely card, some fresh cucumbers, and doggie treats. Attached to the card’s envelope was an origami flower made from a napkin from Carillon Park. Those little touches… thank you, Schmidt family!

Sniff No. 2.

My 11:30 AM lesson is a ten year old piano student, Zach, and I decided to move this lesson to the deck enjoy the weather and the music. Last week, Zach’s grandma passed away and it was the first time I’d seen him since the funeral.

As Zach was playing through this week’s music, my resident cardinal swooped across the deck and rested on the deck’s rail not more than 8 feet from where I was seated. All four dogs remained in their lounging positions with no attempts to disturb the special visitor.

When Zach had finished, I told him about the cardinal and explained the Native American legend of a cardinal’s visit. Since his grandma had just died, I suggested this cardinal must have been his grandma coming to listen to his music. Thank you, Grandma Stamper!

Sniff No. 3.

I could never ever say I don’t have a great life. There’s sadness, but it’s also weighed with joy, fun, laughter, beauty, excitement, magic, and tremendous love-filled moments.

Make it a great day!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I love a good breeze and this morning’s deck time feels wonderful as a cool, quick breeze causes a stir with the wind chimes, rustles the leaves, and keeps me wanting more.

Last night’s humidity kept me rollercoasting through sleep, trying to get comfortable the entire night. This morning, everything has a sticky feel.

Fairmont marching band is holding band camp this week and the campus seems a bit more alive with activity this morning. I love the energy.

It’s the second day of this new week and I’m ready to jump into action.

Make it a great day!

The last of the truly great artists from Hollywood’s Golden Era has left the set for her dressing room, the final, “and that’s a wrap” has been called out.

1968, Elwood Theatre on Main Street, Elwood, Indiana.

GONE WITH THE WIND.

Mother and Grandma Donna had planned to see the re-release that began its tour in 1967 and at the last minute had a babysitter cancellation. Mother packed my pillow and a blanket for when I would fall asleep.

Even at age four, I only needed approximately five hours of sleep which Mother did not force, despite the writings of Dr. Spock. I often watched THE TONIGHT SHOW with Johnny Carson; I remember Tiny Tim marrying Miss Vicki.

As the closing credits scrolled down, Mother said I was still sitting up on my knees, long past midnight, conducting Max Steiner’s brilliant score.

When we got home, I went to the piano and played the melodies of two partial motives, “Tara’s Theme” and “Melanie’s Theme.” According to Mother, I referred to it as “that sweet lady’s song.”

In December 1975, I purchased the paperback copy of GWTW that is on the bookshelf next to my bed. I began reading the book on the plane to Florida to visit my Aunt Joyce and cousins, Kim and Debbie.

That following December, I purchased a 1974 LP/album, Charles Gerhardt & The London Symphony Orchestra, GONE WITH THE WIND at Elwood’s T-Way store. I couldn’t stop listening to the music. I taught myself all the character themes beautifully crafted by Austrian born Mr. Steiner, the master composer of many legendary motion pictures.

As the years moved on, only a handful of GWTW’s cast mates were living: Olivia de Havilland (Melanie), Butterfly McQueen (Prissy), Fred Crane (Tarlton twin), Ann Rutherford (Careen O’Hara), Barbara O’Neill (Ellen O’Hara), Evelyn Keyes (Suellen O’Hara), Cammie King (Bonnie Blue Butler), Mickey Kuhn (Beau Wilkes), and a number of extras.

I was overly fascinated with the fact that my directing mentor, Joshua Logan, has been married to Scarlett’s screen mother, actress Barbara O’Neill. I’m Kevin Bacon estimates, I was “that” close.

My love for the book, movie, and movie artifacts continue with me to this day.

As the cast members passed away, I followed Olivia de Havilland, closely, and became more acquainted with her great body of work.

Impressive.

Powerful.

104 years and twenty-two days.

Even more impressive.

Rest in performing peace, Ms. de Havilland.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The morning is light, bright, and breezy with a southernly wind waving its hand to create a comforting start to the day as I complete some items before teaching from 2:00 – 9:15 PM.

Last night, I was craving vegetables.

I split two cucumbers into quarters, spooned out the seeds, filled the boats with all sorts of tasty items and spices before placing them in the broiler for 15 minutes.

Later in the evening, I took a tomato that mysteriously made its way into my Instacart delivery and sliced it into tiny plates, adding spices, bits of ham, and cottage cheese.

I’ve never really been fond of tomatoes, and when you’re born in Elwood, Indiana, once known as the tomato capital of the world, one can be labeled an oddity.

The side meal was quite nice.

This morning’s 7:30 AM Bos-Kett-Lon (we’re still trying to figure out a name for our weekly gathering) Zoom gathering carried on well past its usual 8:15 AM ending time and the dogs finally were fed at 9:00 AM.

The wind chimes are are constantly clanging with cicadas providing a monotone bass line to the loudly belching cardinal and cooing mourning doves. I miss the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the Schuster Center, but nature’s symphony is the best.

Make it a great day!

In July, 2013, I first learned the ancient Native American legend of a cardinal’s visit from a dear friend, Valerie Marsh, following the death of my dog, Flyer.

For the past seven years, cardinals have been a constant addition at The Haasienda.

I grew up with a cardinal in the tree outside my bedroom window. I whistled to him; he whistled right back. He often sat on my window sill but I had to remain still so he wouldn’t startle.

The cardinal was Ball State University’s mascot so my scarlet connection continues.

In 2003, I moved to Shroyer Road in Kettering. For the past seventeen years, cardinals have been consistent residents at The Haasienda.

Since my mother’s passing, August 5, 2019, the cardinals have been even more present. If I’m in the front yard, there’s always one about. On the deck, my red feathered friends are nearby, even on the deck’s rail.

My cardinals usually begin their choruses around 4:00 AM, right outside my guest bedroom window where I’ve taken up camp for the summer nights.

Ironically, Mother was always waking around 4:00 AM, as that was when she would begin reading and commenting on my Facebook posts.

Today, one cardinal has been quite attentive, several times within less than ten feet. His female companion, with the faded, less spectacularly crimson coat, keeps her distance but still not out of my sight.

How I love these visits!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I was prepared to sleep by 1:00 AM, but busied myself with more reading and before I knew it, 2:30 AM was upon me; I posted a note for my son, in London, that I was still awake since it was 7:30 AM when he is usually awake.

He was.

We talked until I saw 3:37 AM come up on my phone.

7:30 AM, the dogs were wanting to go out. Once that was completed, I threw myself back onto the guest bedroom’s twin bed for another hour of sleep.

Well, it was a bonus nap! I woke at 9:30 AM! The dogs were patient and I kept to the schedule by preparing my meal, first, and then they got to eat so I could abandon the kitchen.

There had been more rain overnight and the deck was wet; breakfast inside.

Darin & Aunt Joyce

Today, July 24th is a double family birthday celebration: my great-aunt, Joyce Riser, is 86, today, and my great-grandmother, Thelma Daugherty Barmes, is celebrating her 117th birthday in heaven.

My Facebook remembrance post on Grandma Thelma captured the attention of several cousins. Judy Smith Hallett, my mother’s first cousin and one month apart in age, is one of the last to actually remember Grandma Thelma who was killed at age 53 in an automobile/train collision seven years before my birth. It’s been touching to remember her with a cousin-discussion.

Grandma Thelma with her family

My day has plugged away but with little accomplished. However, the discussion on Grandma Thelma has been a wonderful treat; keeping her memory fresh, sixty-three years later is a blessed accomplishment this day.

Now, on to other items that need my attention.

Make it a great day!

I can definitely say that this has been a productive day despite the morning rain showers and a day that dragged on with high humidity, making everything feel weighted in dampness through this evening.

I got a ton of reading completed on Mary Lincoln, President Truman, Thomas Jefferson’s travels to his other plantation, Poplar Grove, and some Dayton history.

There were also presidential podcasts on Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

I grabbed a few documentaries on Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and the making of the movie, IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD.

As evening moved in, I had a dinner of fried chicken, seasoned boiled potatoes, and corn on the cob. It felt so Hoosier!

A strong rain had drenched everything so that I ate in my study enjoying THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW which included several of my favorite episodes.

I made a big dent purging items from the guest bedroom and despite the second twin bed being free of boxes and stacked items for Goodwill, Bailey’s head is on my pillow, snuggled against my chest, and Harrigan is in a ball, shoved against the back of my knees.

I actually had a productive day without struggling against fatigue. It felt so good.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

My friend, Sue Branson, lived in Lynchburg, Virginia, and had told me about Thomas Jefferson’s other plantation, Poplar Grove, years before it restored.

She shared this article about his typical three day journey to Poplar Grove.

Fascinating!

Route to Poplar Forest | Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
— Read on www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/route-poplar-forest

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The deck is so comfortable despite the humidity beginning to rise for a day with temperatures expected to be in the upper 80s.

The Quartet is lounging about the deck, hoping for some kind of action to prod their eager desire to take charge. Harrigan, as usual, sits tall and controlled at the top of the deck stairs, prepared to jump into action with the first sign of a pesky squirrel.

The marching band has kicked into energetic gear, giving the morning an additional beat. I assume the color guard is the component warming up to some cool recorded music.

The marching band competition season is dwindling each day as more bands make the painful decision to take a safe break. God bless them.

I’ve a full day of teaching, 9:45 AM – 10:15 PM. I’m really one hell of a lucky guy to have such hardworking students who bring something new to each lesson.

The cardinals and yellow finches are busy in the backyard and I hate to move to my study knowing they’re fluttering and singing, adding to the texture from the guard’s warmup music.

Make it a great day.

Photos of Erma.

I can definitely say that this has been a super day, even with a few stumbles due to the wind and the storm.

Thursday through Saturday was the laziest of days. I just could not find the button to switch off the fatigue.  I spent 3/4 in the guest bedroom reading on Mary Lincoln; documentaries on Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother; podcasts on the presidents; and the making of the movie, IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD.  Jonathan Winters and Buddy Hackett are hysterical.

Friday, I tuned in to a live-feed of THE JUNGLE BOOK musical that featured one of my Colorado students as Baloo. He did a super job.

Sunday arrived.

7:30 AM was my weekly coffee with Zoom buddies in Boston and London.  I really do enjoy this weekly alliance.

Breakfast on the deck at 8:45 AM; the wind was already a bit strong, but warm.

Took advantage of a few more hours of sleep.

Into my second lesson, the storm finally introduced itself, preceded by ferocious winds that tugged at the internet’s stability. Then, the lights.  Thank heavens for my Mophie rechargeable cell phone case!

This week is supposed to be in the upper 80s and low 90s.

It’s now 1:00 AM and I am beginning to nod a bit.  Perhaps a bit more reading before allowing sleep to consume me.

This week seems to be somewhat prophetic for marching bands this upcoming season.

Monday, I finished breakfast on the deck and moved inside to write in my study.

Within a few minutes, I heard pounding percussion! I made a second cup of coffee and altered my first 90 minutes of work to research on the deck. The percussion’s battery of snares, quads, and basses were non-melodic entertainment.

When we first moved to Shroyer Road, July 2003, I was in my study one morning, originally on the high school parking lot side, when I thought a semi had blown a tire.

I ran to the front porch, still a bit startled. It was the high school’s marching band percussion warming up, only a few hundred feet away.

One of the best perks living next to the high school is having the marching band in the summer and fall, and often, the winter percussion in the spring.

The metallic beats of the metronome are actually pleasing. I love the marching band energy. It’s exciting.

The next morning, Tuesday, while teaching, I kept an ear to the south for the percussion.

Nothing.

I texted a band mom whose son is in the battery. She said one of the neighbors had complained so the battery was moved to another campus location.

Years ago, the band director often had to visit a retired Air Force VP whose naps were interrupted. There were others.

I’m sorry. If you buy a house next to or near a school, especially a high school, expect noise.

Many band director friends are uneasy about the prospects of a marching band season as the nation moves through this next phase of the pandemic, wondering how or if on-site school will be allowed.

Several Miami Valley school marching bands have started practicing with tentative plans to return to school with numerous alterations and restrictions.

Last night, I learned from a former Indiana student that ISSMA, Indiana State School of Music Association, has cancelled their marching band events and contests for this coming season.

Indianapolis Star: 2020 Marching Band Contest

I fear this is just the beginning.

There are plans for a full season. There are plans for an adjusted season of only performing for football games. And, another option is simply having a large pep band for the football games.

This is not fun.

I’ve grown up with marching band my entire life. Even when my sons were no longer in marching band I was still at most of the area contests.

I feel bad for the students and directors.

I hate this unpleasant scenario for all of us who love marching band.

I understand.

But it still sucks.

Mary Lincoln

Every year in mid-July, a group of historians, researchers, authors/biographers, and Lincoln enthusiasts gather in Springfield, Illinois to celebrate the life of First Lady Mary (Todd) Lincoln.

Mary Lincoln as First Lady

This year, due to current circumstances preventing us from venturing to Springfield, one of the leaders set up a brilliant series of events via Zoom that have been so enjoyable.

On 15 July 1882, Mrs. Lincoln, residing with her eldest sister in Springfield, collapsed and later transitioned into a coma on the eleventh anniversary of her son Tad’s death at the age of 18.

Young Tad Lincoln

Tad Lincoln at 17 or 18

Tad was the third of her four sons she would bury.

Mrs. Lincoln never regained consciousness and expired the next evening, 16 July at 8:45.

Mrs. Lincoln after the death of her son, Willie, 1862

Ironically, Wednesday morning, my last Mary Lincoln day lily bloomed, closing out the deep yellow bed’s 2020 showing.

Today kept this week climbing the charts of some great lessons.

My summer’s three-day weekend has begun. I’ve several live-streamed shows of some Colorado students to “attend” and a final Lincoln event Thursday evening.

I don’t even dare list any “to do” list items as it’s become quite fruitless.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The morning could not be any nicer even though there’s still a sense of dampness still remaining from Sunday’s heavy rain showers.

The last of the Mary Lincoln day lilies are here for the day. I hate to see their run end. They were wonderful this year.

It’s a heavy day of teaching and I’m eager to get busy!

Make it a great day!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

My day is off to a somewhat late start because my morning chat with Joshua centered around the topic of Jacobson vs. Massachusetts (1905) and it seems I’ve done a good job of modeling “sharing one’s passion” as it was sixty minutes of him enthusiastically sharing.

Morning business and some research will capture most of my morning from 10:00 AM to Noon before teaching starts at 1:30 PM until 10:30 PM.

Two Mary Lincoln day lilies have greeted the day and it appears only three more remain. They’ve had a good run this season.

Make it a great day!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s a super boost to the day when you hear the familiar text-tone that always puts a smile on your face before your day even officially begins.

The morning was repetitive as any other morning at The Haasienda. The Mary Lincoln day Lily count is eleven blooms with the hopes of more tomorrow.

I spent a good deal of time on the deck as The Kids explored the yard and lounged about the area, some on the deck, sometimes in the guest bedroom with the opened door to return outside, and even in the yard or on the walkways.

It’s currently 83-degrees but a steady breeze, a continuation from last night’s made-perfect for sleeping breeze, keeps it comfortable under the umbrellas.

Even the humidity is holding off at 44% until it climbs, again, late this evening.

It’s now almost 2:00 PM and I’ve, once again, made it the perfect day of reading, HAMILTON, writing, researching, and enjoying The Quartet.

Make it a great day!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Morning and early afternoon have come and gone, and true to form, I’ve accomplished little this day except reading, listening to documents and presidential podcasts.

The morning began like any other Thursday morning:

• FaceTime with Joshua and Dave
• Prepped my Carnation Instant Breakfast and orange juice to set in the freezer while attending to other things
• Front yard to count the 17 Mary Lincoln daylilies
• A beautiful cardinal sat on the line above, chatting for the longest time
• Fixed my toast
• Fed the dogs
• Ate breakfast on the deck
• Read on the deck
• Came inside when the sudden rain shower began
• And, so on…

It’s a schedule. It’s my Thursday life.

Now, at 3:55 PM, I’m sitting in my rocker, enjoying the heat that is actually pleasant due to a rather nice breeze that mingles both warm and cool air.

My Thursdays are a comfortable existence. After my four days of solid teaching, I welcome my Thursdays to simply relax.

On to more relaxing and laziness, but it’s still a great day.

Unless you can swear “For life, for death!” –
Oh, fear to call it loving!

The teaching week is over and I feel drained from the energy expelled during a tremendous amount of fantastic lessons.

I climbed into the one twin bed in the guest bedroom with Bailey on my pillow, Harrigan at my feet, Erma on the floor beside the bed, and Chief in the octagonal hall. It’s oft a chore to climb over and step around dogs just to move to the bathroom; I’d not have it any other way.

The past two nights I’ve been able to turn off the A/C and use a window fan for sleeping. I prefer moving fresh air for sleeping but we’ve not had many cooler nights this past week.

No solid plans accompany me into my three day weekend. I have a list but it just keeps getting moved to the following week.

Forty-one years ago, July 8, 1979, I met Rick at Smith-Walbridge drum-major camp. It’s hard to believe this many years have passed since that Sunday afternoon while standing in the mess hall line.

Once upon a time…

I been enjoying colorizing old black and white photographs of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt which I’ve added to this evening’s collection.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s been one very busy, long four days of teaching great students who are climbing higher in their skills, each day.

It’s exciting.

Other than that, precious little else has happened around The Haasienda.

Yesterday, there was a record 24 Mary Lincoln Daylilies and today there are seventeen.

My teaching day commenced in thirty minutes and concludes at 10:45 PM, this evening.

Friday, I have two online shows for students out in Colorado and I am eager to see their finished product.

Make it a great day!

The weekend was quiet for this year’s Fourth of July, but in no way was it dull, but rather, relaxing and restful.

HAMILTON dominated Friday and Saturday, as well as reading, napping, dog time, and watching documentaries.

Sunday, teaching resumed. The evening ended with my beautiful friend and colleague, Katie Musick, Zooming with my studio about life as a performing artist. Two solid hours of advice for life/performance skills and interaction about the world of performing.  Excellent.

It’s Monday and I begin teaching in 20 minutes until 10:30 PM.

The dogs made it through fireworks that last from 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM, Saturday evening.  Today, at Noon, Chief briefly howled during the monthly tornado siren test; normally, all four cry and yelp at the top of the precious little lungs!