Launching Keoni

As a runner up to leaving for the next month, on Sunday evening there was a little fireworks sampling to be done since Keoni's missed the Fourth of July with his family for a couple of years now, and will again miss it and the yearly family ritual of turning last Christmas' tree into a conflagration.

Wish I had the video that Keoni did on his new iPhone 6 that was his graduation present from his mom and dad. It's way better than this one.





Still...as satisfying a this bit of arsonist voyeurism was, Toby says let's turn Keoni's missing the Fourth on its head...he will have his 2015 Fourth of July in Washington, D.C!!! We are the ones missing out on spectacular displays.

Steph was with us most of the day. Her warmth and friendship toward all the family members is memorable. We're glad she's in our world here in PA.

Monday morning came and Keoni's mom and I hid some tears watching him load up his dad's car to get to the train and begin his journey that will start with a month at Kennedy Center for orchestra and ensemble. Afterward, a brief three weeks back home, two of which will be music day camp with Aidan; then, it's off to Georgia as he begins his music studies there at McDuffie.

The morning wasn't over before we got texts from Keoni that he'd arrived and shared one of his favorite famous person's memento which I guess is in the sidewalk somewhere along his way in DC...

...and, certainly not least, his taxi ride included...

I hope Keoni waved at Michelle and Barak.

Wendy texted back: Are you staying in the Lincoln bedroom?

Keoni: The Lincoln Room actually.

Wendy: Steal the ashtrays, they don't make them anymore.

It is Sunday again and soon I'll head off to church where last evening Keoni played in the trio of musicians mentioned earlier; Seth, Peter and Keoni. Despite the pouring rain all afternoon and evening, parishioners and many others filled the church at 7:00 p.m. The hour and fifteen minutes of music was beautiful and everyone was on their feet at the end. Each musician engaged everyone before each piece when one or another of them gave a short, sometimes little-known snippet about its composer or its history. It is amazing how the church supports music, not only as a part of worship services, but other musicians and artists, young and old.

This morning Keoni is up early already working on putting together some future music event at the church; specifically, looking for the organ music that goes with Vitale Chaconne.

Aidan has his eye on the possibilities at this venue, and, no doubt, will play a part in the church's music future from time to time, too. His recent audition for the next level of the Phila youth orchestras was accepted. Next season he'll play with them--PYAO, Philadelphia Young Artists' Orchestra.

Sunday afternoon after food and the nap...

A morning or two ago Toby climbed, just like his kitten days, onto my shoulder to perch his current 15 1/2 pounds while I had my first slurp of coffee. This morning he was wet and muddy. That and the 50 degree breeze drove me indoors so he had to settle for his saucer of goat milk and live with the dogs.

Toby and shoulder selfie.

A sunset before our day and night of heavy rains looked like this...

Aidan steadily keeps up his soccer practice, as well as, his cello. A couple afternoons ago we went over to the park again...

The goatlets are teenagers now, except for Jazzie's newest one. They're enjoying the objects Wendy set out for them...




I'm enjoying some looks at the bears and fish at Katmai National Park in Alaska. Thanks, Carol, for this live video feed. Bears and Salmon Live The three youngsters--Aidan, Keoni and Steph--just came to my room and laptop for an amazing look at a young bear snatching a salmon out of the river.

I was mistaken that Keoni is off to Kennedy Center today. It is tomorrow. Steph is here and the boys and she are having a happy visit while at the same time Keoni readies much of what is traveling with him tomorrow. His grandmother is contributing how to sew on a button. (Maybe.)

Steph will be going to Germany about September where she will practice her language skills for a month or two before her university life and German language studies begin there. We hope to hear how her life develops in Europe.

Joe's barn next door.

Only a twist of his cat neck and Toby easily turns his world on its head. I do Tai Chi just to keep my feet on the ground; nevermind, that rubberband spine stuff.

The porch screen door is in John's fix-it shop, so Toby has been cleaning up on insects flitting around. This one got out of his reach.

     Aidan complains to his mom, "I ache all over".

     Wendy says, "Well, what were you doing today?"

     Aidan answers, "Soccer bicycles, but I'm used to them."

     Well," she asks, "how many today?"

     "Fourteen or fifteen."

In case you forgot what a soccer bicycle looks like...

Aidan is a great coach and has taught me many moves and strategies. I remain unteachable on this soccer move since all you'd hear is splat and the ambulance bringing the gurney.

Cello is getting better and better for Aidan. He has just begun working on the first few measures of this Saint-Saens Cello Concerto. He plans to have it completed in 2 1/2 years for his repertoire. He says it's OK to share this beginning.

The last goat birthing of this spring took place three days ago. Jasmine gave birth to her little kidlet...

Meet "Nightengale".
That means there has been a baby goat now A-N in the alphabet. I wanted to name her "Netflix" but nobody else did.

Aidan plays among the goats. This one loves him...




Keoni has only the rest of this week until he is off to Kennedy Center for a month of orchestra and ensemble. He has friends from other summers and Tucson going there, too. In the meantime, he and Peter a neighbor who's home from DePauw where he pursues cello, got together with Seth who is a pianist playing at church and also accompanies Keoni. Seth is promoting some music youth artists to do some summer events on Saturday evenings at the church.

Peter, Keoni, Seth at Sunday's service.

The grass is growing like mad. The family takes turns on the John Deere as do hundreds all around us.

Wendy's turn.

Various walks around the property yield ever-interesting, ever-changing minutiae and a slice of wonderment...

Checking out the wood for new bows and arrows.

Keoni snaps the pasture grasses and the day.

Aidan examines a grasshopper.

The boys pointed out poison ivy vining up a tree. Whew! 

I don't know what these are. Aidan said he ate one and they taste terrible.

Our friend, the onion, going to seed was among countless others in the fields this spring.

This morning is as beautiful as any morning can be. An eagle flew over twice.

Fear and Hope

The events of last week in Charleston cannot go unnoticed nor unremarked. It is murder no matter by what hideous scales it is measured and added to the heap of our violence. The stunning frequency of violence among ourselves invokes fear in me that harm, at any moment, will take away or ruin a life or lives of those I cherish. Will some inebriate on a colossal high of bigotry kill or maim my African-American granddaughter or great-grandsons, kill or maim my Caucasian grandsons--just because they happen to be there that day, that minute, that second? Will my African-American son-in-law be dragged behind some Confederate flagged pickup truck just because he was in his car with his Caucasian wife--my daughter?

I am fearful.

The hope I hold out is that the hideous aberrations in so many terrible, recent events are the darkness before a dawn when America has grown up enough to see to it that there is justice and support and succor for all who live among us: black, white, red, yellow without regard for gender, age, status or spiritual pursuits.

It can be said that the more the murderous events, dreadful injustices and wanton insanity have appeared, the more they are in our consciousness. Is there some tipping moment ahead when we all, collectively scream stop! enough! Then, make that happen...?

If there is anything I'm able to drag out of this mountain of death, it is to see that every living day I have a responsibility for what goes on in my head, what words I use, what attitudes I strike, how I treat others, what spiritual, cultural or political platforms I support. And if at bedtime I can see that these intangibles and activities of my day are on the positive side of the ledger, I'll have moved one day's step ahead for my brothers and sisters with whom I share this planet.

My hand is open. Let me take yours and we'll walk together.

What's it all about?

Many thoughts have come to mind since Springtime's trip. In all, my pony and I covered about 6,200 miles for me to re-acquaint with portions of family and many friends. Memorable, too: meeting new and new-to-me additions to that circle.

Time slipped by like the miles, and I wondered what the trip really was about. A desire to see the circle of family and friends in their settings with their spouses or new members was nearly tangible. Longing, too, for a break from winter's short, often grey days; the ice that made a walk, sometimes even to the car, treacherous. Winter had not quite finished. Leaving open a possibility to turn back if age made physical driving too difficult or a complete change of mind took place was, in its way, freeing. And so, the trip began.

During long drives on our nation's highways within the solitude of a vehicle, reflections take place that belabor description. If you've been there, you might already know. If not: it's just you, the road ahead, the landscapes, possibilities, sometimes perplexities. It's a trust that with a few sensible measures, you'll be okay even if it doesn't go well, or as intended. That trust opens sensibilities to a larger framework at play. Awareness, in some traditions. God's presence, in others.

Famously said, “You can't go home again,” came true a little past the middle of the trip where my journey paused at the southwestern town that I left behind two years ago. It remains a beautiful place with the dearest of friends, but I found my reference points of place had shifted. A desire to live there was absent. What remained was a desire to see as many friends as I was able in the few days there.

Afterward, I set out on the road again in the sunshine of southwestern skies and friends; this time in the direction of Pennsylvania with more visits in mind along the return road. As my pony Subaru and I left the desert southwest, my past receded in the rear-view mirror.

Back in Pennsylvania a couple of weeks or so went by and I began to see a new intangible; a sense of being. A gold-edged, sunset cityscape with a full moon rising behind it; the commuter train into Philly; expert, friendly directions from passersby; family and friends' greetings; swirls of possibilities that hold more than a lifetime of discovery to be explored were all around me just waiting for me to look.

Then two dear friends from that distant home I've left behind made a special stop in Philly to see me on their way to Boston. Greeting them as we met in Philadelphia felt like all the world was new again.

I am home...and that is what the trip was about.

So, I am “growing where I am”, as a friend here has said. I'm aware that you who have followed this during, or joined in along the way these two years have created in me a love of connection. It is a wealth that weaves through everything. In that way, you have helped me as I undertook this adventure to new beginnings.

With thanks and warm thoughts from me, Toby and my pony Subaru...

...a mis familiares y amigos, nuevosy viejos

Graduation and The Beat Goes On

Last Monday was Keoni's graduation held indoors because of the torrential rain which blew in mightily while all gathered in the auditorium.

Wendy and Keoni. John was still on the turnpike making his way from work.

It's grand be a grandma. Wind blew my hair though.

The venue.

John made it in plenty of time.

Keoni takes his place second row fourth from left.

Assembled.

There were approximately 500 graduating. A snippet of Keoni receiving his diploma.

It took awhile to exit.

We managed to find Keoni celebrating with Steph and others.

Following, we went to supper in Skippack in the still pouring rain and ate at a sushi place Keoni chose. I found fare that got me around the sushi just fine. Alas, it's the kelp.

There have been so many last things going on, it wasn't until after Keoni's last recital of the season that the mileposts really caught up with him.

Last two minutes...

Didn't capture the quintet's piece and wish I had. They were exceptional.

With Mr. de Pasquale.

And with Seth who has been Keoni's accompanist for the past two years.

The quintet and Mr. D. They were all wonderful and it is remarkable that they pulled it off since they were only able to play together twice before performing Saturday.

Sunday morning Seth was back at church; this time one the organ.

During the week Aidan developed both his soccer skills and video skills making a number of "selfies" to critique his own moves. Here are some snippets...the last one Keoni videoed. Remarkable work Aidan's iPad does.














In the meantime, the four-leggeds and the winged domestics carry on. Wendy began milking the mama goats on Friday.

The first quart filters into its container.

The baby goats adventured onto the screen porch...

John is working on screen door repairs.

Hanging out in the last of morning shade.

Fancy's heat-dissipation pose.

Acrylics.

Mid-afternoon this is where you find the hens.

Blurred

The rapidity of passing events blur the edges of the days and nights. A week has gone by and end-of-school/music years captured the household. Hot weather traded for very chilly happened over and over. Keoni added to the prom picture posted last time...

Wendy and Aidan took Keoni over to pick up his date.

With friend Steph who went with her friend from Germany.

Prom friends in front of Pennsylvania woods.

Next was the final PYO concert at Kimmel Center. I haven't mastered tying together video, but you'll get the idea. Keoni walks on as Concert Master...




The second half after Intermission was Gustav Mahler Symphony Number Five in C-Sharp Minor. Here is the beginning...




And, by some miracle I captured the end. Maybe came to me when the tuba player picked up his instrument again during a massive crescendo. Mahler is a trip, and the orchestra did a great job.

Friend Steph and her friend from Germany. She will take up German language studies in Germany later in the fall.

Keoni shows John the Concert Master award he received at the concert.

I made a huge mistake on a pair of shoes I got for summer. Felt good walking around in the store, but terrible for walking along on pavement. I was one ouchy oldster between the train and Kimmel. I don't want shoes to tell me my age every step. Out they are going.

Other moments were the high school awards that gave Keoni more to put into his college fund. Really memorable was a letter he received from his high school music director. 

Saturday, the boys played again at Pretzel Park. This time the crowds were sparse. I couldn't resist trying a video of...

...their rendition of "The Good the Bad and the Ugly".

It was a great outing with good weather and a family late lunch at Lucky's, a Manayunk local restaurant where the hamburgers exceeded all expectations and are at the top of my hamburger life list. Manayunk is a great place to walk around--this time without crazy bad shoes.

Manayunk mural.

Sandwiched in have been afternoons of John's invitees to see the goats and visit. The group I see on Wednesdays is winding down for the summer, and Keoni's graduation is this evening. The past week saw a completion of an acrylic painting I did to get more familiar with the medium. Think small though. It's taking place in my 88 square feet.

I finished the second book in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King. Messed up the third and sent it from the library to my computer instead of the Kindle so now it's stuck. Rats. I  really liked the first two books.

Binge watching. it's funny there is a word now for watching televised series that are available for streaming or DVD rental from Netflix or Amazon. It's a powerful draw. I'm into year two of Mad Men--amazing seeing that world again where women have such a crappy place in the world of men. The scripts, sets, clothing, smoking, drinking, womanizing, attitudes are crazy spot-on. Watching is like driving by a car wreck.

Netflix and some others are busy making their own series, too, so Grace and Frankie captured me, lately. Funny there are so many successful productions and movies that we of the comfortable shoes can enjoy.

Goat fist-bumping.

First Aidan...

...then Keoni.