Illustration Friday - Electricity

Do you sometimes feel like lightening will find you no matter where you try to  hide? 

Perfect Pitch

I'm getting better at knowing this computer, but still not perfect yet.  I wanted to download a video here, but just can't get it to work.  It is a video of a perfect Tuesday night in New Hampshire, at a high school band concert.  The music was loud, and fairly uncoordinated, the gym was decorated with American flags and we all sat on folding chairs watching the kids perform.  The very loud "WAAHHH" of the various wind instruments when they start playing, the loud drums, the serious faces - there is nothing like it - I smiled till I laughed and cried. 

But something occurred to me as I listened to the music, without even thinking about it, I know exactly which notes are slightly flat, or sharp - when the tempo is slightly off, and when the drums don't come in at exactly the right time.  It's something that I take for granted, this perfect pitch - and I began to wonder if, like learning to see colors, this is something that one can enhance and teach your brain to learn.  Has anyone out there ever tried?  I'd be interested in your opinions. 

It's interesting to me that I yearn to see colors like others who can see red, green, yellow, blue, pink in what I consider to be a grey tree.  Yes, I am slowly teaching my brain that there are other colors in that grey - but I never had to teach my ears to hear.  Is it genetic?  Was I so exposed to music at a young age that my brain "learned" pitch and tone so perfectly? 

I never thought twice about this gift - because it was always there.  I'm planning to enjoy it a bit more now. 

(That ear looks like a cup handle!!)

Happy Animal Wednesday - May 8th

Inspired by an Andrew (or Jamie) Wyeth piece of a painting I saw in some airline magazine.    

I love when seagulls get blown (or fly) inland, and I get to hear them calling here, 30 miles inland.  I don't think they are noble birds, rather more like flying rats - but I love their noises and the association with the sea.  Recently we were on the beach after a large storm, and there were packs of the beasts - but all different sizes and shapes, and they all clumped together  by looks.  Some had plumes on their heads, some had black and red beaks.  Some were huge and others were fairly little.  All had the basic seagull noise and the propensity to beg. 

Have a Happy Animal Wednesday friends! 

Men- go figure!

I talked to my Mom last night, who is starting to settle down with people coming and going.  She sounds a little bit calmer this week. Also, she says that Dad is sparkling with all the attention he is getting, raconteur that he is!  He's telling stories, and getting out of the wheelchair, and talking to these people about football, and books etc.  I didn't ask her if he is eating more, but something is going right! 

Go figure! 

Not my favorite quilt but...

Recently I sold a quilt to someone at work for his new nephew - it was one that I had made on my own, showed it to him and he bought it.  But then he and his wife felt that if they went over with a present for the new baby, the 4 year old would feel bad and blah, blah, blah.   I don't  agree with this approach, but then he specifically asked me if I could make a quilt for the little girl and asked for one with "Disney Princesses" on it.  I was VERY tempted to say that "I don't do Disney", and " go buy something at Walmart" and other rather cutting remarks.  But he is a good friend, a real solid person and I couldn't let him down. So I went to Walmart...got Disney Princess fabric, and then got some NICE fabric and tried to do that best that I could.  Actually it turned out rather pretty and I took a bit of artistic license with the quilting, so I am giving it to him with a clear conscience.  Plus hemming it took me straight thru Masterpiece theater, and "Cranford" which was lovely. 

My artistic sensitivities are calmed down now, but I am swearing weakly that I won't do this again! 

Brings tears to a proud auntie's eyes

I have the boys here this weekend, and yesterday we went to a friends house for a "Kentucky Derby" party.  These friends are from Kentucky and do this every year, with mint julips and pulled pork barbeque.  Anyway, the kids really didn't know anyone but were troopers and played pool with the other kids and were generally fairly interative for 15 year olds. 

When we got ready to leave, I went and found Joan to say good by, the kids came with me and unprompted - shook hands with their host and hostess, thanked them for a good time, and then we left. Now I know that they've been brought up well - I helped bring 'em up - but this was a special moment for me - and I swear I had tiny tears of joy, (and sadness at how grown up they are) in my eyes.  

Worth all the work.  

Update on Dad

Probably about 10 years ago one of my cousins got married in St. Louis and my sister came in from Rome for the wedding.  I love this picture of us around Dad - he is cuddling with my sister in law and sister (SIL is blond with white teeth and about a size 0) - Stef is on the other side of Dad.  My mom, brother and I are in the back, but see the affectionate hand I have on DH?    It was a great, very elegant wedding, and a wonderful weekend.  

So here we are, 10 years later - still a loving family but everyone has alot more to deal with these days.  Dad and Mom have had a week of getting used to having someone in the house all the time, and Mom is getting a little bit less frantic.  Practically every day this week they've had someone new come in, and she has to show them where things are, and what he likes to eat etc, etc.  I've never heard her so frantic!  Dad seemed to take it more in stride, letting people help him with showering and all of the other little things that a 94 year old can use help with.   I'm hoping that this week sees some more consistency with the help in the house, and that mom can finally start to relax...and that they get back into their little groove. 

God love 'em both, they're still keeping going, and finally are starting to listen to our suggestions (which makes it easier for us kids).    I hope we all have a chance to be together again, with additional grandchildren and great grandchildren!  

Oy vey - it's all I can really say after this week!