On the Road Again 🎶 : Day One

This is what it looked like most of the Day...

Sometimes the clouds sat on the highway.

Somewhere west of Pittsburgh, the sun broke through for a couple of hours; then, the rain conditions descended again until I pulled in for the day just east of Columbus, Ohio. The spray from cars' and big trucks' tires creates a brilliant, yet opaque mist, that in turn creates intense alertness. Whew!

My pony is resting outside and I am comfortably inside a very decent motel that I didn't mind handing over more dollars than my upbringing usually allows me to enjoy paying. The front desk person did make a very nice dent in the price thanks to AAA or AARP or maybe it was just because I'm old. And they have a full breakfast. Yea.

As soon as I straighten out the date mistake I made on Aidan's cello chair audition with PYAO which is this coming Sunday, not last Sunday as I wrote, I will fold up shop and enjoy the comfort of the bed in the nice room I'm in.

Sadly, I will miss the playoffs for his summer soccer team on Saturday. But here's what the playing field looks like at his school for their soccer games. As you see, they have red uniforms, too. Aidan proudly wears his Number 10 for the school team.

This was yesterday afternoon. They were warning up as I walked from the parking lot with my chair, bug repellent, and water bottle. It rained some during the game.

Of Whirlwinds and Albums

To back up a few days to September 19th, there appeared an article R.E.M.'s Mike Mills Blends Classical and Rock on Upcoming Album in the Wall Street Journal by Mike Ayers. I'm sorry that you'll likely be able to read it only one time, as I did, and then WSJ blocks further reading unless you subscribe. The article goes into the making and background of...

...which releases October 14th.

You, no doubt, already sense this involves Keoni in some way since the Robert McDuffie pictured here on the right is one and the same McDuffie of McDuffie Center for Strings where Keoni is a student and who was, along with some of his classmates, in the string section for this recording which was done in an "amazing recording studio in Atlanta (that has produced albums by Elton John, Beyoncé, and Fergie) and recorded it all in 3 days. One day we were in the studio for 12 whole hours," to quote Keoni. 

Even Keoni describes his first month at McDuffie as a whirlwind that started with learning the whole symphony and concerto. Without pause, back to student life the day after the recording sessions, was the Labor Day concert which the school performed to a packed crowd. Then, off to Reinhardt University for some chamber music performances that included a flat tire while on the way there; lending still more excitement to the mix was arriving at the wrong campus venue and still, somehow, making it to the right one on time. Next, back at McDuffie, he was to be playing first violin in a Haydn quartet which probably at this date has already happened. Then, he'll start a new piece in which his instrument will be the viola which he now includes in his learning.

Somehow, he finds a minute here and there to give his family glimpses into the new life he is leading.  It is wonderful to learn of his life there and enjoy his happy, passionate immersion in music. I'm putting my dibbies on an amazon purchase of the album and looking forward to times when he's back home to hear his violin or viola playing and the spontaneous collaborations that happen with his brother on the cello.

Speaking of Aidan, Celloman has completed his summer soccer league and handily made the middle school soccer team where I saw them win their first game in a one-point game. At least a couple of the summer league players are going to the same school with him and are now on the team. He had a seating audition on Sunday for the PYAO that he is in again this season. I'll learn the results perhaps by this afternoon when I see him and Wendy at the school game.

I will close for now and see if I can stand to look at the results and punditry from the election "debate".

Yoga Injury

oxymoron |ˌäksəˈmôrˌän| nouna figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction
Yep. That's what happened. How does anyone sustain an injury in a gentle yoga class? you ask. Beats me. Before the class, I didn't have two ribs out of position and afterwards, I did. Thank goodness for a little emergency chiropractic care. Pop! Pop! as the ribs returned to position and I'm (almost) good as new with a couple more followups before I enlist the aid of my trusty pony Subaru and take off next week for Missouri. 
Among other events this week, Aidan's team handily won their last official league game and will fight for the championship on a Saturday in early October. 

Six to Seven p.m. The sun is down and the last soccer game has been played. A blaze of glory on-field and celestial  exuberance.

And, Marge's sister Pam visited about a week here with us. One-by-one, I am meeting Marge's family and have nothing but good to report. A lovely close-knit family that is a pleasure to be around.

Marge and Pam.

I have been in and out of groceries and supermarkets all my life like most of us. I don't believe I ever saw a quilt hung as decoration.

Entry to Landis Supermarket, Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

From the News Desk:  It is hard to look back upon the week of election cacophony. Even harder to reflect upon the disastrous legacies of unresolved racial atrocity. Of Syria, Jimmy Carter spoke out saying, "Stop the Killing." Yes. Yes. And, yes. Where better for we Americans to start than right here, right now. Let it spread.
I want this on my tee shirt: LOVE 'EM ALL--LET GOD SORT 'EM OUT!
Thoughts of the goodness that oftentimes happens among family and friends, the moments of connection among fellow humans, when acute awe of our small part of all living and transpiring upon the crust of our planet's molten core, of our place in a vastness so bewilderingly beyond full comprehension brings with it a longing to clutch it and hold it close. Yet, it flits away. Total immersion in those fleet moments, walks with joy and with sadness knowing its lovely transience is not to be held, but to behold.

From the Sports Desk: This morning, Aidan got the news he made his school's soccer team. There are only two more games left in his summer league. There will be a final tournament one Saturday soon. They won the one point game last night with lots of energy and met all the challenges to hold their lead. The game last night ended as the sun set and the full moon came up.

Game over moonrise.

It was the first game time this season that I experienced cold since the hot breath of summer was pushed out to sea a couple days ago. Leaves are falling and trees are beginning to look like the season we are entering.

More eye stuff (left cataract removal) coming up in October/November so I'm getting in a trip over to Missouri to see sisters Susie and Jeanenne, et al, before. Doctor says that besides cataracts, it is the only way I'm going to get rid of the double vision and trouble seeing curbs, steps, and uneven sidewalks.

Jeanenne, Larry, and granddaughter Emmy on Grandparents' Day at the Pre-School. Proud grandparents many times over now.

I'm enjoying thinking about the drawing class I've committed to doing over at the church in January and February. The class filled up right away. Enjoyed talking with Carol about it which brought up lots of great old memories; plus, lots of good thoughts about teaching drawing.

The week was full of deadline-oriented efforts that contribute to the church's newsletter. I'm enjoying using the "loft" (third floor) here at Marge's a lot these last couple of days it has cooled down. It is plenty warm in winter, but the little AC wall unit isn't quite up to the cooling task in summer.

Paula in Tucson has posted some more on her @SonoranSketches that you might enjoy seeing.

Marge is passing her car along in her family and got a new one for her many travels in and out of state. A Honda CRV this time.

Marge's sister Pam is visiting, so they'll take off tomorrow in Marge's new pony Honda to New Jersey for a lunch date planned there.

You, no doubt, heard the tribes are gathering for good cause in North Dakota the past few days taking their families in solidarity to save their river and lands from oil. I wish them success and I wish for more jobs in other energy sources. We all love the energy. Everybody wants good jobs. Source it right here, right now, where we are. We have the sun, the wind--and the stars to guide us. Rock on, American People. We can do this.

That's the printable news tonight. I could do a rant about the election coming up, but I'll spare you and me from those thoughts.

Eat in the Heat

No shortage of outdoor eating took place this week with one more to go tomorrow back at Marge D and Jan's place where Labor Day feasting happened. Hobie and Vince came and were a hit with their CVS drugstore attire...

Vince and Hobie

Amazing car. Amazing hats. I wonder what they'll wear tomorrow.

Aidan's soccer team won on Tuesday evening and for the first time they lost on Thursday in a one-point game. Boy, did they play hard! Soccer trials are taking place at school and the team selection is Friday. The middle school has a new coach. I asked Aidan how he gets it all done with homework and cello and soccer.

"I work in all I can."

This afternoon and evening Wendy and John had people over for a lamb roast. Aidan and I started up some Texas Hold 'Em on the picnic table. Soon, we were joined by another youngster and a couple adults sat in, too. Even Toby sat (laid) in for awhile.

Who's dealing?

I fold.

The chicks aren't chicks any more...

This is as far as the new ones wander from the barn. Of the five old hens, two have died--a brown one and a white one.

Tomorrow, there is one more outdoor picnic. Marge has her potluck dish ready. I'm going to do mine tomorrow. It is still hot, hot, hot outside and there are biting bugs so I'm glad Marge has some spray I can use to discourage the bites which have driven me mad this week from sitting outside to draw and watch soccer. I finished this one indoors...

Pastel of the barn out back.

Tomorrow, at the church Ministries Fair I'll tout the three-part drawing class I'm giving next winter. Never did that before. When the class actually happens next Jan/Feb, I'll be thinking of Carol and Jim and Phil. Their classes, teaching, mentoring and what I learned from them were among the very best things I ever did.

The trees are losing their green, but this oak is still in summer color...

It still amazes me how huge the trees are here. I'm in love with them.

Just like those wonderful friends and art teachers that come to mind over and over, so does the outdoors. I love it in all its phases and all its ways of capturing my attention.

After one of the soccer games, the sky looked like this...

Labor Day Shopping

Remind me the next time I say I'm going to Michael's that I am committing a desperate, neurotic act, flinging myself one more time at the brick wall of double-priced retail; 50% discount, deceptively-dated coupons; picture frames mysteriously matching no canvas or paper size sold; custom-framing of hideous costs even with a 65%-off coupon, and that the one here in town is across the highway from Joanne's where all of the above applies.

Tell me to shop online. That's why we have amazon.

Labor Day Weekend and Bridges

On a walk this evening, I could smell the smells of Labor Day backyard cooking and hear the human chatter in gatherings as I walked through the neighborhood and close-by park.

Smoke from nearby barbequeing hung in the air.

Today, Marge and I drove over to Paxson Farm Art and Craft Show traveling through lots of Bucks County back roads, some that followed the Delaware River, an old canal, a tow path, a coupleof pedestrian-friendly bridges over the river. Signs of fall are apparent in the light the last three days and the green color of the trees is showing transitioning--slight, but beginning.

Lots of blooming yet to come--Chrysanthemums are loaded with buds everywhere. Paxton farm is a nursery, as well, so Marge's gardening nature was drawn to the growth, besides the arts and crafts booths.

Oddly, there were turkeys wandering around near the squawking peacocks that were not in full plumage right now.

One of the turkeys had almost grown his tail feathers back from maybe missing some after a summer molt.

Aidan's red team tied Thursday's soccer game. Some of the team has been missing this last week. Perhaps, the holidays account for that. Made a rough go the last couple games for the reds since they didn't have any subs to provide relief. Still, they've won everything except for two tied games.




The hurricane blew in some pleasant evening weather and there is doubt in the forecasts that it will hit this far north. Not far away, Stone Harbor is evacuating.

The fish sense when I walk near the pond and come right to the opening in the lettuce and hyacinths where Marge tosses them their daily food.

There are five of them--one is black and I can barely make him/her out.

Thinking about our country's current divisions of tolerance and intolerance and of our Labor Day weekend happening right now, I ran across something that Talitha Arnold of UCC, Santa Fe, NM, referenced in a posting. It felt like a bridge.

"O God, I am Mustafah the tailor and I work in the shop of Muhammad Ali. The whole day long I sit and pull the needle and the thread through the cloth. O God, you are the needle and I am the thread. I am attached to you and I follow you. When the thread tries to slip away from the needle, it becomes tangled and must be cut so that it can be put back in the right place. O God, help me to follow you wherever you may lead me. For I am really only Mustafah the tailor and I work at the shop of Muhammad Ali on the great square."

                                                                 --from The Oxford Book of Prayer