The above photo struck a tender, familiar chord with me.
My wonderfully talented and personable cat, Logan, 1994-2011, was absolutely hilarious in all her antics that were all too often human-like.
In my townhouse I had two windows in my living room which evenly matched the length of my sofa with each wide arm directly in the center of each window. This was a most excellent perch for Logan I loved to watch all the comings and going’s of neighbors.
As it neared winter I decided to move the large sofa against a central role so guests would not feel the chill coming from the windows.
Later that evening, I returned to find Logan laying on one of the arms, staring directly into the wall.
I knew she was salty.
“Hey, Logan!”
There wasn’t even a twitch as she continued to cement her glare into the wall.
“How are you doing tonight, Logan?”
She gently thrust her nose into the air without looking at me.
“Did you have a good day?”
Very, very slowly, Logan turned her head in my direction with terribly hateful squinted eyes drilling holes through every inch of my body.
“Logan, do you like your new perch?”
With that, Logan squinted her eyes and opened her mouth for the most agitated response I’d ever heard her offer.
And then she returned to glaring at the wall.
Oh, I do miss my furry little friend of 17 years. She was a great companion who offered more amusement than any pet ever should.
If you think the sofa’s rearrangement pissed her off, this seasonal photo-op always agitated her usually sweet nature.
Through the years I’ve read much on Mrs. Nixon’s life and The Watergate and Resignation chapters are so gut-wrenching. It is reported that once the helicopter lifted from the lawn of The White House for the final time of her husband’s tenure, she looked down and said, “It’s so sad. It’s all so sad.”
The case, reinvented for the wonderful Old Montgomery Courthouse setting, was: Ohio vs. Charles Stimmel. Stimmel stood accused of murder and my character, David Giddinger, eager to sit on the jury as he had done for the murder conviction of Albert Frantz in 1896, becomes testy before the court upon his immediate expulsion from the jury, aiming his jeers at defense attorney, John E. Egan, a colorful defense attorney.
The 1903 atmosphere became comfortable and seemingly real as eyewitnesses were grilled on the stand before Judge Alvin Kumler, portrayed by Scott Stoney. The scripted testimonies of eyewitnesses and lines from the prosecution and defense, straight from the very transcripts of the case, were neatly woven into a compact, often humorous yet never wavering from the seriousness of the case, play of nearly three hours.
Our contemporary jury found 
” He [Egan] was not a model of personal or professional ethics, had a nose for a fee, and a slight disregard for the clients who retained him. His retentive mind could recite classics at length. His quick wit, Irish charm, and aggressiveness captured a jury’s attention and seduced or manipulated it for the desired results. Clarence Darrow tried to get Egan to join him in practice in Chicago. But Egan was happy in Dayton from Day One, where to the end of his life, he is reputed to have collected his fee at the start of each trial day, walking away from the client mid-trial is the client didn’t pay.”
Monday evening was spent in the company of three dear friends and several thousand spectators watching amazing youth from all across the United States, and even The Netherlands, treating us to some of the most outstanding, creative, and innovative avenues of music, marching and maneuvering, and entertainment.
Monday morning I received a message from Debbie McCutcheon indicating she and Jim had two additional tickets available for Soaring Sounds, and would I, and a friend, wish to enjoy those tickets. Oooh… well, I had several Monday evening students… let me see if I can work out some rescheduling. Thank you, Monday evening students, for being gracious to accommodate me in this personal reunion. 
PM. I’ve only seen Alex once since his August 2017 departure for Bowling Green State University, and I’ve not been happier for a reunion in so long. Ironically, I’d been thinking about another recent former student, Adam Julian, now a sophomore at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and I was fortunate to see him at Soaring Sounds, too! Score for the old teacher! 
Soaring Sounds… incredible. As in the past 30+ years, the Centerville High School band boosters, and their acquired crews augmented this huge, wonderful event with their warm, considerate hospitality. At the end of the competition, several dads on golf carts were exceptionally generous with their time and assistance getting a friend to the other side of the baseball fields to where we were parked. I know the dads were probably a bit tired from long hours which is so common with these events but you would have thought they were just starting out their day with personable and eager willingness to be of service. Kudos, CHS Band Dads!
I remember my very first DCI competition I attended with my high school band director, Paula Simmons, and her college roommate, Pamela Smith Wishmeyer. I can remember the sensation that rushed through my 15-year-old body upon hearing the first blast of brass that evening.
The Haasienda on Shroyer... 