Home...Again

Saturday, it was Aidan at Kimmel Hall for the cello play-in. Yannick (Yah-neek'), Philly Orchestra Conductor, led the last couple of pieces that the 100 or so cellos played. He is wonderful with a clear, buoyant talent; and, oh so buff in his Captain American T-Shirt. Keoni gave me his Yannick 40th birthday T-Shirt for my July birthday present. I wonder if George Clooney will get jealous.

Sadly, I have no Saturday pictures to share due to finding my iPhone wasn't in my pocket and too late to go back and get it as I travelled to Center City with Wendy, John and Aidan. Keoni was returning from Boston to meet us at Kimmel.

Keoni and Caroline on Friday Prom night in Boston.

Shoutout to Aidan: I'll do better next time!

That this youngster is such an apple in this grandmother's eye is, no doubt, obvious to all. Yes, I see the growing pains of pushing at that envelope, and conflicts that are detritus of youthful experimentations, joys, and  sometimes ire. Perhaps, it is the decades that allow me now to watch with a certain peace and, here and there, throw in encouragement on the positives, and the occasional question that might shed some light or bring a broader view of something tougher. Mostly, though I am just an ear with little comment as he figures it out.

Evidence this youngster is growing into the man he will become came to mind when he related that his equally passionate soccer buddy had brought his grades up at school. He told Aidan he brought them up because Aidan had said to him that he'd be in a better position for a soccer scholarship if he had good grades--now the grades are excellent. What a tribute to both of them! 

Aidan brushing up on his soccer moves. No evidence anymore that there was an ice hockey field at the park.

Sunday brought another trip to Center City. This time, I took the train and met the family there at the storied Union League...

This time another apple of my eye, Keoni, was playing here in the PYO Quartet--the flyer I uploaded a post or two ago. Friends and family were invited this time. A side note: John relates that when he picked up Keoni at an earlier one of his gigs there, he wasn't allowed in the front door to wait inside because he was wearing jeans. It was suggested he use the service entrance. So...now you know about this place.

One of the many salons. This looks into the Lincoln Room.

Some rehearsal time.

Cello man and Wendy.

And with his dad. Yes, he really has grown taller.

Aidan was my videographer with my not-forgotten iPhone this time that captured his brother and the quartet...




I think the music they played must have really been written for such settings as we experienced Sunday afternoon. The music was great and Keoni engaged the audience with a little synopsis of the composer and his times at the beginning of each piece. All those gigs and busking he's done are paying off in more ways than the money in the violin case.

Lots of friends showed up...

Plenty more friends were there, too. I was enjoying meeting them, or re-acquainting with those I'd met before. John had invited some of his colleagues and families, too.

I returned by myself on the train which I really enjoy doing. A very, very interesting assortment of riders, always. On my walk to Jefferson Station there was music of another nature...




Last week and while I traveled to and from Philly this weekend, I kept having a "home" feeling that I'd not yet experienced in PA. Philly's evening, sun-glinted skyline with the full moon rising behind; the row houses from the windows of the car or the train; the shuttered, hollowed-out, old factories; the accent of the man who gave me clear directions, his sure male competence; the trees softening the harsh lines of the old, old city; the river; the train agent who waved off my senior citizen dollar for the ride; new friends nearby; and, now the frogs croaking in this evening's dusk.

Toby is having a snack here on the porch and the family is inside having their supper that John brought from SIG's all-day-long, bountiful food tables. There are loved ones and friends that I miss; yet, they are present as they pass in and out of my thoughts.

I am content.