The Haasienda on Shroyer…

MIAGD: Make it a great day

At Noon it is only 58F with a predicted 63F and we have an hour so more of steady rain according to the forecast;  finally, since Friday afternoon, we will be without constant steady rain.

The Quartet waiting to be called downstairs 

I was up by 7:30 PM having slept straight through the night since 10:00 PM.  I fed the dogs, ate breakfast, and returned to my bed until 11:30 PM.

Teaching begins, shortly, and I will wrap up around 10:30 PM.

Other than this report, it’s on to make it a great day.

I spent a majority of the day in the guest bedroom propped up on pillows, reading, talking to the dogs, watching many different You Tube videos of varied interests, and listening to the constant patter of rain.

The stomach cramps of the past several days alternated from mild to uncomfortable, and the sinus pressure was only semi-relieved with sinus flushes, some inhaled steam, and guaifenesin.

I decided I needed to flee my two day enclosure, aka ”cabin fever,” for some Mexican food. It was an easy transit and I was only gone from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, even with a connection each way and on a reduced weekend schedule.

The remainder of today was spent in either the guest bedroom or my study next door, trying to complete research while working through less than perfect comfort.

The rain has been steady and nonstop since yesterday afternoon and is expected to continue through Monday.

I did not get my adventure-fix which is disappointing.

Alas, it’s 10:40 PM Saturday evening and I’m snuggled under a blanket with Chief and Bailey snuggling on one side of the enormous bed and Harrigan buried under the covers right next to me. Erma is on Chief’s doggie bed, her preferred slumber location.

Tomorrow is back to my four day teaching schedule.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s the one Saturday, here in The Miami Valley, with the most number of festivals and it appears the rain and muggy temperatures are here to stay.

I’ve a historical walking event in downtown Dayton at 1:00 PM and I suspect it will be cancelled or miserable.

Yesterday (Friday), shortly after the noon hour began I was taken down by sinus and some type of stomach ailment. My temperature was at 98.9 for most of the afternoon. Waves of discomfort swept over me throughout the day and evening while I lounged in the guest bedroom, hoping to return to the deck to continue writing.

Erma was my only taker for posing, last night.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The morning is overcast and cool at 70F, and the temperature isn’t expected to move much higher throughout the day.

Last night was one of the most beautiful nights with perfect temperatures for a late summer evening.

I spent Thursday evening on University of Dayton’s campus experiencing a new work combining newly composed music, visuals and technology with the poetry and love letters of Dayton’s esteemed writer, Paul Lawrence Dunbar. It was a very nice program. However, while the female soloist has an exquisite voice her excessively poor singing diction destroyed the telling of the story. I wish they would have projected the lyrics. Still, I appreciate the entire package.

I walked through the campus, marveling at the chapel tower illuminated at night. The students relaxingly sauntered through campus and the Brown Street eateries were calm with diners outside enjoying conversation or the big screens. I sat at the corner of Brown and Irving streets enjoying two scoops of raspberry frozen yogurt from Ben & Jerry’s.

A lovely evening.

My Friday writing schedule commences in 10 minutes and I’ve a number of things to attend to before digging into my chapters.

Tonight is Fairmont football.

In the meantime, make it a great day.

117 years ago at 3:30 PM, President William McKinley of Ohio, climbed the Temple if Music steps at the Pan-America man Exposition in Buffalo NY.

Around 4:07 PM, while standing in a receiving line, 28-year-old Leon Czolgosz stepped up to the President. Czolgosz’s hand, wrapped in a handkerchief as though bandaged, thrust forward, firing two shots into McKinkey’s sternum and abdomen.

McKinley stood still for a few seconds, stunned, before stepping back and collapsing. He struggled to tell his personal secretary, George Cortelyou, “my wife, be careful how you tell her – oh, be careful.”

President McKinley was taken to the exposition’s hospital where he was operated on without success in locating the bullet that passed through his abdomen.

With his wife, Ida, at his side, the president succumbed at 2:17 AM, September 14.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Muggy… muggy… muggy and at 73F with 73% humidity, it doesn’t look to improve throughout the day.

We had some pop up thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon followed by long, steady, much needed showers.

It appeared to be an ordinary Thursday at the start but a surprise lunch invitation from a dear friend has already scored a bonus.

Afterwards, the goal is to accomplish much writing in the afternoon before attending a university concert.

My body seems to be settling into this heavy new schedule of Sunday through Wednesday with

• 57 private students in these four days
• two 90-minute classroom days of teaching music theory
• teaching two long distance classes
• participating in two FaceTime writing sessions

• three hours of concentrated research each Tuesday morning
• squeezing in household chores and laundry so I have three solid days of writing and exploring.

On with my day. Make it a great day!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s a balmy Wednesday morning and at 7:00 AM there’s already a sense of this day’s progress with a high 83% humidity which is to increase later in the morning.

I roughed it out in the semi-comfortable bedroom with the fans running but feel absolutely drained this morning. My student load is filled with great and talented workers and they succeed at treating me like a sponge by absorbing all they can during lessons. It’s draining but so fulfilling.

In twenty days I will turn 54, thus entering my 55th year.

On with my day, charging through the humidity and lengthy hours while making it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Today would have been my darling Flyer’s birthday.

She’s been gone five years and the heartache of her departure has not ceased.

And that’s okay.

It’s nice to have these four wonderful pooches, Chief, Bailey, Harrigan, and Erma to share life, not as replacements but a continuation of love. They give me magnificent joy.

Be sure to make it a great day.

Things Your Deceased Pet Would Want You To Know

The day began bright and early with all the neighborhood abuzz with readiness for the Holiday At Home Parade and other festivities.

At 9:00 AM, Tony, Angela, and Noah Bane arrived for our eleventh parade, together. Their older children, former students and my young actors as Emile DeBeque’s children in SOUTH PACIFIC were busy with work and the parade: Jacob, 18, is a lifeguard and Ellie, 17, was with the Fairmont cheerleaders in the parade.

Noah Bane, 8

I love my time with the Bane family.

Ian Melin in parade

At the parade I also got to spend time with another student’s family, the Stampers and Schroeders.

The Stampers

The parade was hot, humid, and unlike previous years, a bit on the less exciting.

I returned home to teach from 1:30-9:30 PM, had supper and am currently on the floor in my study with four dogs surrounding me.

Chief

Chief & Erma

Erma posing for our selfie

Erma

This is my kind of night.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s Labor Day: a day, created in the late 19th century, becoming a federal holiday in 1894, to celebrate the contributions and achievements of United States workers.

That’s it.

I do find myself miffed when folks begin making this day out to be a celebration of the military, veterans or deceased. Memorial Day is a federal holiday to remember the fallen military members, and Veterans Day is a day to celebrate all those who have served our country.

Today is something different.

It does seem Labor Day has become less a day to celebrate its original purpose, the US worker. It does seem to be a day to pull out our Fourth of July regalia that was still put away in the hall closet rather than the attic or basement so we can celebrate the end of summer.

Regardless, I still love this holiday since I live in the heart of a huge festival, Kettering’s Holiday At Home Festival.

Shroyer Road is busy with auto and foot traffic. The marathon is off and running. Vendors in Lincoln Park are preparing for their biggest day. Buses for the marching bands are beginning to pull into the parking lot next door. And the Fairmont drummers are serenading at 8:30 AM – the best serenade!

In an hour, the BaneMobile will pull into my drive and we will, for the 11th time, walk the high school’s backfield to Far Hills Avenue to watch the parade. Jacob and Ellie Bane no longer sit with us because they are now seniors and juniors in high school and involved in the festivities. Angela, Noah, 8, and I are the only ones who comprise the Bane-Haas trio for this event. And I cherish this annual reunion.

The parade will finish and I will return for teaching from 1:30 PM until 10:15 PM.

On with my day! Make it a great one.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The “no parking” signs are popping up all around the neighborhood this past Thursday like dandelions each spring.

The Holiday At Home Festival is ready to begin, today.

The two day event includes a festival filled with food and collectibles/wares, a pancake breakfast, a mini-marathon, and a fantastic parade. I’m sure there are more events. Today and tomorrow, my neighborhood, which sits smack dab in the middle of the festivities, will be inundated with many visitors and lines of traffic.

Yesterday was busy with a number of items completed.

This Sunday morning finds me in my familiar spot on the deck enjoying my cereal, coffee, and four wonderful furry pals.

Today, I’ll lunch next door with my neighbor lady, Kay, and her family and friends I’ve come to know and love over these past 15 years of neighboring. Then, on to 9 hours of teaching.

Tomorrow morning, The Bane family, probably just Angela and Noah, will join me for our traditional trek to Far Hills Avenue for the parade. This is our 10th year of celebrating this event. Tony, and the two older children, Jacob, a senior at Fairmont, and Ellie, a junior, will be involved with their events.

And I need to be moving along with my day since kitchens do not clean themselves, the floors need vacuumed, vegetables cut and dip made, and some business items attended to.

Make it a great day.

O, what a cathedral!

I first stepped into Washington DC’s National Cathedral forty-one years ago with my fellow junior high friends.  I was mesmerized by the sheer beauty and magnificent height.  I thought Ford Street United Methodist Church’s high-ceilinged sanctuary was terribly high, but National Cathedral appeared to be three of my home church’s sanctuary stacked on top of one another.

As a chaperone and guide with my brother’s students, I loved exploring the cathedral.  As a dad, I made sure we worshipped at the cathedral at least once during our annual Washington DC visits, or perhaps catch a concert.

One summer, Matthew, Josuha, and I left our Outer Banks vacation, returning to Ohio via Washington DC and Gettysburg.  Sunday morning, in our dress clothes brought specifically for this event, I guided the boys into a specific row off of the South Nave aisle facing the Choir.

Before sitting, I had Matthew go up to pat the stone wall.  As he patted the chilly stone, he turned and asked, “Why am I patting this?  For good luck or something?”

“No.  That’s where President Woodrow Wilson is buried.”  With that, Matthew went white and sat down.

I’ve returned often since that 2003 summer day, as have all the sons at one time or another.  One son was thoughtful by bringing back a National Cathedral Christmas tree ornament as a gift for me.

Over the years I’ve watched on television the countless ceremonies, mostly funerals, and this morning I am working while half-watching the funeral services of Senator John McCain.  The sea of faces, legendary and current political leaders, is heart-warming, even reassuring.

I’ve always liked Sen. McCain and considered voting for him during his first campaign for president.  I became especially interested in John McCain when I discovered he, too, was an adoptive father and had served in the US Navy. One son got to experience the senator’s legendary verbal tirade during a meeting in the Russell Senate Office Building only to receive an apologetic hug when it was discovered my son was adopted and had gone through our country’s severely broken foster care system.

This morning, while working at my laptop on the deck, I am listening to and half-watching the funeral service for John McCain at Washington’s National Cathedral.  I think this funeral has been more moving to me than those of Senator Ted Kennedy and Washington Post editor, Ben Bradlee.

Thank you, John and Cindy McCain, for believing in adoption and showing us how to be fighters in the ring for those who need fighting for.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Taken Thursday in downtown Dayton

It’s a beautiful, cool, and calm Friday morning on the deck and the only sounds are a cicada who is a bit annoying, the construction next door on the school’s auditorium, and traffic on the Shroyer side of the house.

I’ve no huge plans but I am definitely looking through some of my options for today.

August 31, 1898, my great-grandfather, John William “Garrett” Clary was born to John William Clary and Mary Frances Noble Clary in Elwood, Indiana. Grandpa Garrett was such a fantastic great-grandfather!

As I type, The Sisters (Bailey and Harrigan) are in the guest bedroom, napping on the bed, and the two older pups, Chief and Erma, are in their usual spots, always close to me.

This is all I have to report.  Time to accomplish a bit of writing, then a shower before kicking off this day!

Make it a great day, Folks!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I found this fantastic quote:

“Life is about moments; don’t wait for them… CREATE THEM.”

I was raised in a family that created so many moments, colors of all shades. There were issues of concern as with any family, but there were so many brilliant moments we created.

My mother, and her parents, Grandpa Leroy and Grandma Donna, were specialists in laughter and turning the dreariest day’s into our own personal magic kingdoms.

We were spontaneous, too, with activities and trips. A midnight run, thirty miles away, to the nearest Steak ‘N Shake for a shake was not out of the norm.

One of the rules in the house that I decreed as a dad with broken children who’d been through horrors with birth families and who’d gone through the foster care system was to keep laughter as a foundation. Due to their previous circumstances they were accustomed to spontaneity which was seldom positive. However, spontaneity soon came to mean fun adventures.

So today is Thursday, also known as my Friday. Spontaneity is bustling within me and I’m debating just what to do.

Regardless my choice, I’m making it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s Wednesday before Labor Day and you can feel the excitement for Kettering’s Holiday At Home Festival and Parade kicking in.

My neighbor, Kay, is busy prepping for her annual shindig for family and friends. I always love the hustle and bustle from next door before events.

Since I was finished teaching early I decided to get a start on obligatory chores for the holiday and mow the yard early. Just as I stepped onto the deck a heavy rain shower came out from nowhere. It lasted less than 15 minutes so I waited until 10:45 AM to mow and was done by 11:30 AM.

Last afternoon and throughout most of Tuesday evening, Chief had some kind of spell. He was lethargic and couldn’t be coaxed even to eat or to take a treat. This morning he seems to be back to his old self.

Now, it’s a quick shower and prep for teaching, 1:30 PM – 9:45 PM.

Here’s to a fantastic day. Make it great!

MRS. DOUBTFIRE and EVER AFTER are two movies making their way to the musical stage.

FLASHDANCE and PRETTY WOMAN are already on their feet and moving along, as are a number of other movies-to-musicals.

Often, musicals evolve from a book, or even a fresh new idea. Some work. Some don’t. Some make me go, “Yay?” while some have me laughing or asking, “WTF?”

I wonder: Have we gotten to a point where we are out of fresh ideas for the stage?

Don’t get me wrong, there are several movie-to-musical products I love. I can remember sitting in the movie theater with a colleague and before the opening number was to the halfway point we were whispering, “this is stage musical theatre!”

The movie was Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

In 1997, a producer for whom I was directing a show sent me to see the Broadway production and according to my friends, my shirt never touched the back of my seat once the overture ended. I am in that seated position for many good productions.

Right now there eight movies-to-musicals on Broadway, four revivals, and three pop-icon revues.

It will be interesting to see transitions and transformations on the musical stage in the next decade.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The deck is much cooler and less balmier than in previous days where by 7:00 AM it was already in the 80s with humidity above 90%.

I finished teaching Monday evening and immediately took to my bed. I was exhausted. Finding this stride through the long days has been a struggle. The warmer nights have aided in peaceful sleeps, either.

Nothing of significance to report. Labor Day is approaching and the momentum in my neighborhood will be propelled in a few days as Kettering hosts its annual Holiday @ Home Festival & Parade. The Haasienda is located right in the heart of it all.

Make it a great day, Folks!

A mother has lost her son.

Roberta McCain is “is 106, but she’s spunky,” said a close family friend. “She knows he is ill.”

I believe it’s always sad for a parent to experience the death of a child; however, the other side I see is, how proud she must be to have lived so long to see all her son’s accomplishments.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s already 86-degrees at 9:00 AM and even with air conditioning in the place it’s still muggy feeling and uncomfortable.

Sunday was busy and lessons were exceptionally productive, especially with Centerville High School’s dual production auditions of OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS and INTO THE WOODS. Also, Muse Machine’s auditions for MAMA MIA are looming this next month.

I slept like a baby but am drained by the humidity which seems to be my kryptonite.

Nicole Melin brought some fresh vegetables and two zucchini chocolate chip muffins which became my breakfast. A nice, delicious way to kick off this day!

Despite the humidity I intend on making it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s a comfortably breezy morning on the deck with the nylon top of the pergola snapping and wind chimes dancing.

A minimal percent of rain is forecast for the later afternoon but from my seat on the deck I can see a neighbor’s silver maple ‘s leaves have turned. I’d like to attend the Levitt Pavilion concert this evening, as well as Riverscape, so those plans could be altered.

Erma is desperately trying to get the others to play with her but they’ve been accustomed to a calmer routine of investigating the yard, lounging near me as I work, and sliding into their morning routine. Erma is definitely bumping things up a bit in such a wonderful, loving way. Even the not so energetic Chief is beginning to show interest in playing.

Last evening I spent the most wonderful time with the Dallis family, supping and laughing while sharing our so many mutual interests before heading to The Victoria Theatre to watch ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. At supper I had related Mr. Logan’s story of how the major theme song, “There’s No Business Like Show Business” was nearly lost to Composer Irving Berlin’s trash bin. Last night, I fell asleep to a television program playing on one of my laptops and woke to THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW with Danny Thomas singing, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Too funny!

And I’m off to make it a great day!

Chief

Harrigan

Erma is not camera shy.

Bailey was not up for close-ups this morning

This was what I would call a perfect day.

I accomplished precious little with writing, but I’m so grateful for how this entire day turned out.

At 5:30 I joined the Dallis family, Tom, Amy, and their beautiful daughter, Carissa for dinner at Uno’s Pizzeria before heading over to the last movie in the Victoria Theater Association summer movie festival.

I met this beautiful trio when I took my students to see the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s live accompaniment for SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. It was one of those chance meetings – if there is such a thing – that blossomed.

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was the featured movie. I’ve only seen this movie once before and never felt compelled to see it again. However, a family friend offered me a book of tickets for the film series and I would be seeing the movie with the Dallis family.

I am rather lukewarm when it comes to movie musicals. Some I absolutely love while others I detest. While I love the musical, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN because Joshua Logan directed the original stage production, I do wish he would have had the opportunity to direct the movie, as well. I do believe he would have made some incredible choices.

Still, it was my company that made the experience enjoyable.

The one addition to this evening’s presentation, however, was the Victoria Theatre’s resident bat making several several swoops across the screen!

Following the movie, I spent a few minutes with Tom and Mary Hutcheson before bidding a goodnight to the Dallis trio.

I had exactly twenty minutes at Riverscape. The sun had already ducked beneath the horizon but as I approached the top of the levee, the couple in my favorite swing suddenly vacated! Woo hoo! Great timing.

Perfect. Day.

received my three Netflix DVDs earlier this week but for some reason Netflix thought I needed a fourth DVD.

What arrived was CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA, out of sequence in my queue. This DVD jumped over two others.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA (1936) starred Warner Oland, Boris Karloff, Keye Luke, Charlotte Henry, William Demarest (Uncle Charlie on MY THREE SONS), and a young stage and screen beauty named Nedda Harrigan who was married to screen comedian Walter Connolly.

So why am I posting about such an occurrence in my Netflix queue?

Nedda Harrigan would later marry the legendary stage/screen director, Joshua Logan who would become my directing mentor.

Today is Mrs. Logan’s birthday.

I so love these little God winks.

Some would say the DVD arriving on Mrs. Logan’s birthday is ironic or coincidence.

Malarkey!

Happy birthday, Mrs. Logan!

Nedda Harrigan Logan

PARENTS: Annie Braham, Edward Harrigan (famous showman for whom George M. Cohan wrote, “H-A-R-R-I-G-A-N, THat’s Me.”

SPOUSE: Walter Connolly (m. 1923–1940)

SPOUSE: Joshua Logan (m. 1945–1988)

CHILDREN: Ann Connolly, Susan Logan, Tom Logan

GRANDCHILDREN: Sarah Logan McDevitt, Johanna DeMarkey, Kate Lester Harrigan

BORN: August 24, 1899, New York City, New York, United States

DIED: April 1, 1989, New York City, New York, United States

** President Of the Actors’ Fund of America

** Co-founder of the Stage Door Canteen

** Chairwoman and founder of the Actors’ Fund blood bank

** Museum of the City of New York, trustee

** National Corporate Theater Fund, trustee (helped finance regional theaters and neighborhood playhouses)

BROADWAY:

Harrigan N Hart (1985)

In Time To Come (1941)

Charley’s Aunt (1940),

Ceiling Zero 1935)

Field of Ermine (1935)

A Hat, A Coat, A Glove (1934)

Bidding High (1932)

Monkey (1932)

The Great Man (1931)

Becky Sharp (1929)

Merry Andrew (1929)

Dracula (1927)

Treat ‘Em Rough (1926)

The Children’s Tragedy (1921)

At 9:45 (1919)

FILMOGRAPHY:

Castle on the Hudson (1940)

The Honeymoon’s Over (1939)

Scandal Sheet (1939)

On Trial (1939)

Devil’s Island (1939)

Men Are Such Fools (1938)

A Trip to Paris (1938)

Thank You, Mr. Moto (1937)

Give Me Liberty (1936)

Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936)

Fugitive in the Sky (1936)

The Case of the Black Cat (1936)

I’ll Fix It (1934)

The Laughing Lady (1929)

Main Street to Broadway (1953)

The Ed Sullivan Show (1953).

U.S.O. Shows: ”Three’s a Family” and ”Personal Appearance.”

Bailey

Erma is just the sweetest, most loving dog and tomorrow, Saturday, we will celebrate her one week anniversary, or as we say in the adoption world, “gotcha day.”

Chief, Bailey, and Harrigan are all loving, but in a very different way.  Erma just has this fun, loving spirit about her that my original three do not possess as easily.

Last night we seemed to finally get over that bridge of full acceptance.  Instead of Erma being slightly off to the side, the others began going to lay down near her.

Harrigan and Bailey don’t play like most dogs.  They were never interested in playing fetch or some of the typical games enjoyed by most dogs.  But, I don’t believe they think of themselves as dogs; they’re my fur-covered children.

Erma is my fur-covered child but she is very much a playful dog!

Several days ago, Erma began challenging Bailey, the least welcoming, in a game of stand-off and chase.  Bailey warmed up to this challenge and now readily accepts Erma’s invitations to play.

Today, we hit our stride as a fur-family!

Bailey snuggling with Erma

For about forty-five minutes Erma, Bailey, and Harrigan chased one another all over the backyard, up onto the deck, into the house, and back out into the yard, again.  They’d take water breaks and then were back at the chase at full speed.

Finally, they slowed down their pace and settled onto the deck for rest.  Bailey walked over to Erma and laid down, snuggling her head on Erma’s hip.

The Quartet has changed positions several times, always including Erma in the switch.

This is such a joyful, beautiful moment.