The Haasienda on Shroyer…

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It seems as though this week barely got started and now here we are celebrating Friday’s arrival.

The day has completely gotten away from me and at 9:52 AM I feel way behind in my work. However, after rising at 7:15 AM, following a fun night with students’ parents watching the Fairmont vs Alter game, I’ve managed to:

Let the dogs out to potty

Feed the dogs

Feed myself and take my meds

Respond to nine emails

Adjust three items on my website

Tidy the kitchen

Tidy my study

Write Mother for about 20 minutes on my “continued journal” which began Wednesday and will go into the mail later today

Research five different items for my projects

Toss in a load of laundry to wash

Played with the dogs

And now I’m en route to the vegetable stand near the corner of Stroop and Marshall

The list was productive but my physical writing time has not been. I’m still adjusting, physically and routinely to this new season schedule and keep shriving myself for not being more productive. It will happen

In the meantime I leave you with this bashful photo of Chief while I urge you to make it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Thursday has arrived, and I heartily welcome it as the start of my new three non-teaching day stretch.

I’ve managed to schedule all my teaching into four days, Sunday through Wednesday. Scheduling-wise, it fell into place beautifully.

Physically, this first week has been grueling as I redefine pacing and adjust home and career into a comfortable blend.

Age also proves to be a factor as my energy levels are no longer what they once were and I find this to be the most deplorable factor in the aging process. My entire life I could easily rely on 4-5 hours of sleep each night. I never required more. My mother is similarly wired.

Because of this wiring, I was the only kid in my school who watched Johnny Carson long after my classmates had been asleep.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I still have lots of energy. I no longer have the physical capacity upon which my younger self constantly relied.

This Thursday morning is far too cold to be on the deck. In fact, I’m writing this from the bed in the guest bedroom with Bailey and Harrigan snuggled next to me and Chief and Erma on the floor.

Tonight is the Fairmont vs Alter game. I will watch several students perform in their first official marching band performance while others begin their senior year. Exciting!

Make it a great day!

Erma is the most loving, affectionate little pal. She’s also my shadow.

While the other dogs conduct their morning ritual of scouring the yard for invading creatures, Erma stays by my side.

Harrigan always needs something to bring to others, even items from the trash.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Whew!  Wednesday is here but my impending three days devoted to writing, research, and adventures are still a long way off until I finish teaching tonight at 9:30 PM.

I could only keep myself on the deck for the completion of my breakfast before retreating back into my study where it was warmer than the 66-degrees and ice-stabbing breeze.

Now, before heading off, I am surrounded by four dogs spread throughout my study.

I am fighting for balanced energy.  I know I am still adjusting to the new schedule and the extremely long days of teaching.  I am hoping I find this balance quickly as not to find myself recovering on Thursdays or even Fridays.

That’s all there is to report on this Wednesday morning.  Make it a great day, Folks!

Fred Rogers.

Mister Rogers.

The documentary, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, was undoubtedly a beautiful tribute to Fred Rogers.

Fred’s consistent weight his entire life and a special code for: “I love you” – the numbers of letters in each word, 1 4 3.

Mrs. Rogers interview describing 1 4 3.

Fred Rogers on David Letterman.

Fred Rogers on THE TONIGHT SHOW.

I have always needed to motivate myself and I’ve generally had great success by posting notes or placing a photo or an item near where I work as a code or secret inspiration and encouragement.

Sometimes I make a collage or what I often call, “a treasure map.” These help me to keep the adventure going.

When I began adopting my sons I posted an encouraging quote on the bathroom mirror every morning. By the time Sons No. 4 & 5 arrived I began slacking in this area.

I also posted power words in cabinets, drawers, on the clothes washer and dryer, in the freezer… everywhere. Two still remain in place after 15 years.

In the bathroom we have a lavatory cabinet with three drawers. The very bottom drawer has always been the “additional toilet paper” drawer.

The rule was/is: if you take out a roll you finish up and then grab a replacement roll from the hall closet.

This note is a biggie for me!

“Ugh! I have to refill all my medicine cases.”

That’s really negative and makes the very small task sound like the worst drag.

Instead, with such items I say, “I get to ____” or “I’m so lucky I have ____.”

With my medicine case refills (I have three weekly cases so they’re only refilled every three weeks!) I remind myself I’m lucky to afford my medications since the last adoption screwed up my insurance, and that I’m grateful to have medication to help treat my diabetes and the medications that are preventatives for issues contributed by diabetes.

It’s all in the wording. The words we use can encourage us to always be operating at our best.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

The deck is so comfortable this morning at 7:00 AM and I’m loving the constant flow of air that’s keeping the wind chimes bouncing about.

Last night’s sleep was not as restful as the night before but the mission was accomplished.

A long day awaits. In fact, it is my longest teaching day with no breaks. I keep nutritional snack bars, peanuts, and yogurt on hand to continually give me a boost.

Off and running with every intention of making it a great day.

Ms. Erma

Bailey giving Erma kisses

Mr. Chief

Another energized day of hard working students and fun with The Quartet.

I’ve always thought my Trio was sweet. They’ve had some really bitchy moments with Erma. Actually, maybe 5% of the time. But it’s all a part of the process of integration with pets.

Erma’s sweetness does, however, make my Bailey and Harrigan look like the cast of MEAN GIRLS and snotty, snooty Nellie Olson from LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE.

Erma does love meeting everyone who comes into the house. She’s become quite the enthusiastic ambassador and it is really hard to believe she’s 9 years old as she has more energy than the other three.

I do really love this girl’s spirit, instant affection and devotion, and commitment to being a member of The Haasienda.

It is time to remove myself and The Quartet upstairs for sleeping. Tuesday is my second longest day of teaching (8:10 AM – 12:17 PM; 1:00-9:40 PM). Rest is mandatory.

Bailey

Erma

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Yesterday started the new season’s schedule and the ten hour teaching day actually flew by rather quickly and I actually slept through the entire night with little disturbance and no nature breaks.

At 7:00 AM I’m feeling refreshed, albeit a sinus headache and pressure, and the calm, beautiful morning is allowing me to ease into the day as new adventures begin.  Four dogs guard each side of the square table from which I write, with Harrigan directly beneath my chair.

August 20, 1990, I placed the last load of items in my Ford Escort and closed the hatch.  Everything else had been delivered to Dayton the previous week.  I turned the key in the ignition and the propelling lyrics and music of Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn’s, “This Is The Moment,” from their three-month-old musical on Broadway, JEKYLL AND HYDE, blasted from the speakers.

This is the moment; this is the day 
When I send all my doubts and demons on their way. 
Every endeavor I have made ever 
Is coming into play, is here and now today.

I backed out of the parking lot, leaving my home on Washington Street in Muncie, Indiana, and aimed the Escort toward my new apartment in The McPherson District of downtown Dayton, Ohio.

Twenty-eight years…  It doesn’t seem that long ago.  Most of my sons were not even born.  One would have been almost two and another less than a month old.

Many new adventures. Many farewells. Many adjustments. Many wonderful memories.

But, the adventures continue and I must move on to the next section of my even more compartmentalized day.

Make it a great day, Folks!

Sunday, August 19th was the anniversary of the birth of the youngest two Wright children born to Bishop Milton Wright and Susan Koerner Wright.

Orville Wright, born 1871, and Katharine Wright Haskell, born three years later, were born in the same front bedroom overlooking Hawthorn Street in Dayton, Ohio.

The siblings, along with older brother Wilbur, rest side by side in the family plot at Woodland Cemetery.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s not even 10:30 AM on this beautiful Sunday morning and I am already in need of a major nap.

After waking at 2:30 AM for a nature break I could not get back to sleep until 5:00 AM and allowed myself to remain in bed until 8:30 AM.

The dogs were fed and then it was on to cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, and study. Sweeping carpets will come shortly.

As I worked from my desk The Quartet lounged about my study.

The first night with Erma was nothing outstanding as she acts as though she’s lived here her entire life. The original trio seems fine but a little hesitant at times.

Erma, on the other hand, wants to be a part of them and clearly demonstrates her ready affection. This nine year old gal has the energy and spirit of a three year old dog! It is evident that Erma already trusts me and freely demonstrates her gratitude.

On with my day. The new teaching season will commence at 1:15 PM and run until 11:00 PM. A long day, but I get to spend my teaching week with some of the best kids in town.

Make it a great day.

At around 5:30 PM Erma, still known as precious at the moment, and I entered the front door of The Haasienda to the uproarious greeting from the three established canines.

For the first five minutes, or so, with The Trio on the one side of the gate and Precious on the other side of the gate, was silence, barking, silence, growling, silence, barking, silence, growling, and etc.

I let the The Trio out to potty while I fed Precious. Once The Trio had eaten their dinner The Quartet returned to the gate to repeat silence, barking, silence, growling, silence, barking, silence, growling.

It was not proceeding as I had hoped.

Finally, I tried to squeeze through the gate and Precious slipped through into the hallway with The Trio.

I braced myself for a fight but did not over react.

Nothing.

The Great Haasienda SniffFest of 2018 commenced with silence, wiggling (mostly from Bailey), and exceptional calm.

The Quartet promenaded out to the deck, Precious proceeded to the yard to christen an area in the hosta bed, and they’ve been lounging about the deck as though they’ve always been together. Every once in a while they all gather around me for affection and perhaps, reassurance.

Chief and Erma seem to have hit it off and they are lounging less than two feet apart. She’s even given him a few kisses.

So…

That was that.

At around 3:00 PM I meandered into SICSA (pet adoption center) with just my backpack.

At 5:00 PM I meandered out of SICSA with my backpack and a dog on a hot pink leash.

As word spread that she had been adopted, four staff members came to hug on her and tell her, “goodbye.”  As we left the pen for the front door volunteers surrounded her with their farewells and best wishes.

On the way home, she did not tug at the leash and obeyed commands beautifully.

While strolling down Dorothy Lane there were three shout-outs of, “you’ve got a beautiful dog!”

That was reassuring.

I pondered possible names.

She is 9 years old and her name is Precious.

I know there’s the adage of not being able to teach an old dog new tricks but I don’t buy into “this is the way it’s always been” crap. Plus, while at SICSA, she was already learning commands in German.

Precious?

Ummm… those names just don’t fit for a Haasienda pet. After all, we’ve always had names that are associated with my career or projects, or people who greatly inspire me:

• LOGAN – named for my directing mentor, Joshua Logan
• FLYER – named in honor of The Wright Brothers
• CHIEF – named in honor of my one adopted son who is Navajo (the boys had actually given him an inappropriate name that I didn’t recognize; I changed his name to Chief after 20+ texts and calls when folks read his name on Facebook)
• NAVI – my one son actually wanted to name her Precious; ugh! Get me the ipecac!
• HARRIGAN – named in honor of Nedda Harrigan Logan
• BAILEY – named for George Bailey in the movie, ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE; Joshua Logan and Jimmy Stewart were classmates at Princeton University; Mr. Logan needed an additional actor for a show he was directing and tapped his friend Jimmy, an architect major, to do the job; Mr. Stewart changed his major to acting
• FLANAGAN – named in honor of Father Flanagan of Boys Town fame
• NEKO – was my son’s cat and named by him
• CLYDE – the fat cat came with the name from the Humane Society; ironically he was brought in on May 23 which happens to be the anniversary of Bonnie and Clyde’s death; it was also ironic that he had the name from the musical, BONNIE & CLYDE, and three of my students were playing Clyde, Young Clyde, and Clyde understudy

So now… what shall the name of the new dog be?

My son suggested Hamilton in honor of the musical we both love. Several others on social media offered suggestions which I really liked.

While “Precious” was standing on the end of the deck I began calling her with different names:

• Hamilton
• Ladybird (Johnson)
• Mary Todd
• Katharine (Wright)
• Nedda (Logan)
• Dolley (Madison)
• Mamie (Eisenhower)
• Martha (Washington, Jefferson)
• Abigail (Adams)
• Fanny (Mendelssohn)
• Angelica (Schuyler)
• Eliza (Schuyler Hamilton)
• Eleanor (Roosevelt)
• Oscar or Hammerstein

“Precious” responded to nothing.

Then, I said, “Erma!” and she came strolling over to me, tail wagging, and her mouth in what appeared to be a doggie smile.

Our new girl will be named after my writing inspiration, Dayton native Erma Bombeck.

Welcome, Erma!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It really is a beautiful damp morning with mild temperatures, 97% humidity, and sunshine attempting to establish its long awaited place in the grey skies that have marked The Miami Valley for the past several days; however, I’m running on low energy.

THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, last night at The Victoria Theatre, was great fun. Tonight is TOWERING INFERNO, another terrific disaster movie. I’m still trying to decide if I will attend this.

I need to work but I’m fighting sluggishness and brain fog. While the deck is wonderful, the dampness from several days of rain, is uncomfortable. The birds, however, are chirping while the cicadas provide a steady bass accompaniment. The wind chimes chime in every now and then.

Okay. I need to decide what course my day shall take. Whatever shape it takes I will make it a great day!

Bailey kissing on Chief.

Now this is very rare! Harrigan never kisses on Chief.

Sometimes, riding the bus can be challenging to my privacy.

The bus has become my private work station, a place to relax with fun reading, a chance to play a few games of solitaire, or a moment to simply look out the window at various sites passing by.

The bus driver and fellow passengers are most like the friendly bartenders who listen to all their customers’ woes of the world. I often distance myself from bus chat.

It’s a struggle, some days, as I know there are those who are lonely. I’m a loner by nature and I’m content. But there are some days I do push aside my own personal interests to listen, but there is also the very selfish side that wishes to be left to my private moments.

I do, however, enjoy listening to the conversations of others while riding to my destination.

This morning the bus driver and an elderly lady were engaged in a delightful discussion of old movies with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and another actress I didn’t recognize. I now know my bus driver loves Turner Movie Classic / TMC.

The past two weeks I’ve had my summer break. It’s been gloriously quiet. I’ve loved it but it’s now time to return to what I love doing, teaching music and sharing the joy of music with my students.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Normally it’s Friday Funday for me but the rain from yesterday, last night, and expected today, has just made it a gloomy day and I need to turn it around.

I’ve not decided how, yet.

Last evening I attended a screening of LUST FOR LIFE (1956) at Dayton Metro Library, downtown.

It was a very nice sized crowd for the free showing. Kirk Douglas was magnificent and when paired with Anthony Quinn, I thought the screen would catch fire! However, I found the film a bit tiresome. Composer Miklos Roza’s score was magnificent but seemed to pull the movie along, at times, rather than augment it.

A torrential rain plowed through Dayton during the movie leaving silver mirrored patterns on the sidewalks and streets.

I woke in the middle of the night feeling odd and before long a strong nausea set in. I removed myself to the first floor should I need to be close to the chamber pot. Eventually, the sensation moved on and I returned to some semblance of sleep, allowing myself an 8:00 AM rising time which was more for the dogs’ breakfast than my own need for more sleep.

This morning is damp and everything sticky to the touch. The 92% humidity is just a bit uncomfortable. More rain is expected throughout the day.

Alas, I need to push on with my morning in order to make it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

It’s too chilly and wet to work from the deck so I’ve ensconced at my tall writing desk in my study listening to a Netflix DVD documentary about Hedy Lamarr.

It’s a documentary that’s interesting on many levels. Not only was she an actress but also quite an inventor dealing with radio frequencies. what I found most interesting was that she had worked with Charles Kettering from right here in my neck of the woods. Ms. Lamarr also was quite successful in selling millions of dollars in war bonds, dedicating herself to many other wartime endeavors. She was not yet a US citizen.

There were several evening concerts I was hoping to attend, however, they are all outdoor events and I am afraid of the rain will interfere the rest of the day. I may opt to go see the 1956 movie, LUST FOR LIFE, starring Kurt Douglas, and based on the novel of the same title by Irving stone, at the Dayton Metro Library.

I’ve attended to cleaning and organizing the kitchen and my study, and now it is back to researching and outlining.

Make it a great day!

It ended up being a very productive day despite the results not being readily apparent.

I ended the day at the Neon Theatre downtown Dayton to see an incredibly powerful documentary, THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS.

Unbelievable. Just so damned unbelievable.

A storm is setting in. The temperature dropped from 81° to 71°, and the wind is quite strong at the moment.

I am getting ready to pack up the laptop, my research books and iPad as I’m sure the rain will be coming beneath the Pergola due to the strength of the wind. Plus, the dogs are becoming slightly anxious.

And here comes the rain.

Goodnight, All!

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I’ve been busy all day but feel as though the pages of progress have not been touched; however, some things, when being created, do take time and the immediate results are seldom obvious until later in the process.

Ah! This is called, PATIENCE.

Got it.

I saw this lovely flower in the front yard of my neighbor lady across the street. All the other flowers around it had died, and I kept thinking how sad this single little flower looked.

Then it occurred to me that this flower was a survivor, or one that lingered a little longer. Still, that survival.

It also spoke to me as not giving into conformity. The flower was still being itself.

I absolutely loathe conformity, and fight it when I realize it has entered my closely guarded circle. I have my own mind for making choices and thinking for myself. I prefer to keep it that way.

So far, I’ve made it a great day. Thank heavens, the day is not over, yet.

It’s 8:30 PM and my day is still moving right along.

This morning I made a trip to the produce stand on Stroop Road, bought a few groceries at Kroger, and walked away from 2nd & Charles – secondhand bookstore – with VICTORIA and ANASTASIA from THE ROYAL DIARIES series, as well as a copy of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE as research for a new project.

I returned to the house by 11:15 AM where I worked at my station on the deck from 11:30 AM until 8:15 PM, taking both lunch and supper while working. I even managed to get in 4065 steps, today.

I’m running one more errand and I am eager to return home for more research and outlining.

“Outlining?”

You betcha!

Mother was very encouraging and an excellent role model for organization skills.

When I got to high school, I had some fantastic teachers who stressed the importance of being organized, especially my advanced composition teacher, Darren Paquin.

Mrs. P stressed, insisted, force-fed, placed a strong hold on each of us until we fully grasped the vitalness of outlining before we started drafting and/or writing.

It’s never failed me and I continue to outline every living thing in sight!

Thank you, Mother and Mrs. Paquin!

On with my evening. I can’t wait until I get to start all this over, tomorrow.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

For most of the schools in The Miami Valley school will resume today or tomorrow and the “first day of school” photos have begun making their way across my social feed.

It wasn’t until around 2005 that I discovered there were these obligatory photos. I was still a fairly new dad and it was one of those memos I didn’t receive.

I began taking the photos at the front door, in the front yard, on the side walk, in the parking lot of the high school, or the following week.

One year I discovered other parents had already posted photos. The boys had already left for school and I was heading to teach at the middle school. I simply drew a picture of the boys off on their first day of school. It worked.

Here’s to the beginning of a new year.

Make it a great day, one day at a time and it will turn into a great year, as well.

These are not “first day of school” photos but they’re my babies.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I hit the ground running at 7:00 AM with a number of things on my planner and I’ve completely abandoned the original plan for an excursion to the northeast part of town.

Last night:

Chinese dinner

Found a number of abandoned kittens

Witnessed a wreck

Enjoyed Riverscape

This morning while preparing to leave I caught something out the corner of my eye and heard a sound on the deck.

The resident female cardinal was visiting.

She wandered around the deck, unaffected by my presence. The dogs, who would normally pounce, remained in the guest bedroom watching with calm amusement.

I’ve already started making it a great day and see no reason why I shouldn’t continue.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

Saturday evening was, in many ways, exceptionally calm; however, I was with two wonderful ladies for dinner and a movie and it’s amazing how much energy was drained.

I met Debbie Allen in 2002 as we prepared for April 2003 Fairmont HS production, THE SECRET GARDEN. September 2007, at Fairmont’s open house, I met Jenny Davis, introduced by Debbie. While I’ve a long history with these ladies their history goes back to their children’s elementary school days.

We ate dinner at Taqueria Mexican restaurant on East Third Street and then removes ourselves to The Victoria Theater where we watched DIE HARD on the big screen.

By 9:45 PM I was in bed with my three regular furry companions at my side.

Between comfortable and energized chatter with Jenny and Debbie and the ultra exciting movie, one of my favorite action films, I’ve wrestled with OMPF (old man party fatigue) this morning.

At 7:30 AM I fed the dogs, propped open the storm door to the deck to let them potty, and fell right into the guest bed in the bedroom off the deck, finally rising at 9:30 AM for coffee and cereal, and shriving myself for a few hours lost in my day.

But, it is Sunday. I’d promised myself a relaxing Saturday and that fell by the wayside when my feet touched the floorboards beside my bed.

So, I’m considering making this my down-day. However, I’m already eager to research and write, and my mind is trying to schedule a visit to the last hour of the German Fest at Riverscape and then time on my swing.

So, while I wade through sinus pressure, indecisiveness as to my agenda, and a struggle to completely relax, I intend to make it a great day.

MIAGD: Make it a great day

I only had one item on my schedule for today and I was determined not to add anything more so I could take a leisurely Saturday; however, that ship sailed by 7:30 AM when I hit my summer working studio (the deck) with my laptop and a number of items completed by 8:15 AM.

By 9:30 AM I was mowing the yard.  Usually, I try not to mow, at least the backyard, since my neighbor to the west, Bob, doesn’t work and is often relaxing on his back patio.  I also try not to be a disturbance to my next door neighbor since her TV/sitting room is right across my drive. However, Bob was mowing his yard, and Kay’s next door and Kay was gone!  Woohoo!  And, my resident cardinal spent quite some time in the tree above the deck and even allowed me to record him [at the bottom].

Yardwork completed!

4:30 PM I will be off to dinner with two dear friends, followed by DIE HARD at The Victoria Theatre.  I am so looking forward to this evening.

Last evening I ventured downtown to Riverscape to enjoy GermanFest.  These festivals are so much nicer in the expansive Riverscape park as I don’t feel like a sardine squished into a can and placed in the over with the setting on broil-high!

I spent some time over at Deeds Point which is a footbridge across one branch of the merging rivers to take in the full visual experience of the shooting fountains. Excellent!

This has been a happy week for adoptions!  Jason Slattery and Zachary Gregus were surprised with the birth of their son, Landon, and Andrew Kyprianou and Brian Eliott just met their teenage son, Hugo, an hour or so ago.  Congratulations, Gentlemen and welcome to fatherhood!

I’ve decided to complete some writing before moving on to the evening activities.  Make it a great day!