...for that, all of that, I am thankful...

Squirrel acrobats stir nearly bare tree branches in the still, morning light. Frost whiskers etch the to and fro, late-season mowing patterns across the field just beyond the trees outside my window. My mind pauses, I breathe from atmosphere swathed around our planet as do all my species, and uncountable others, awakening in this revolution of our globe. It is our turn to launch our day.

Across the Appalachias, the great rivers, the prairies, the Rockies, great-grandson Dimetrios struggles again to get well. Special nursing, doctoring, medicine, love, and prayers have moved him tentatively past the worst. We all join hearts, keeping him close.

Here, in the apartments, the rooms, the corridors, the dwellings, a school, the grounds, a community lives. Yes, nearly all, save the family portion and staff, see the tail end not too far off, some closer, some more distant; each with their own stories, each breathing from this same atmosphere, each launching the day set before them.

*

My laptop and iPhone are still in disharmony. Managing my frustration takes energy I wish to spend in other ways. John promises to help sort it out when we can get together with these two instruments. In the meantime, only photos or video that arrived on my laptop from email or text and already downloaded are part of this post. I can't budge my photos on my iPhone.

Wendy texted Toby and one of the chickens sharing Toby's breakfast...

*

Aidan has been very active with his cello and played a solo that took place during one of last Sunday's PYO concert pieces. John texted a snap he caught of Aidan's moment at the final bow when the conductor acknowledges solo parts...

You rock, Aidan!
Note the balcony...Bravo Brass, another of Phila Orchestra's youth musicians, was up there adding to the drama of Pines of Rome as was Kimmel Center's magnificent organ.

While Aidan's moment was taking place, his brother Keoni was back playing viola a second weekend with the NY Phil.

*

I am astonished as my children, grand children and great-grand children's lives unfold, and humbled by how the lives and the love of our families and friends touches us in so many ways, their triumphs, their challenges, their joys, their sorrows. All. And that is everything.

As I walked back to the train, it was already night...everything around me seemed so special...

...and for that, all of that, I am thankful.

Music and More

It's Thursday, 10:30 p.m: Around this time tomorrow evening, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's Friday concert in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center will have come to an end and Keoni will take a bow with the other orchestra musicians from his position in the Viola section. He'll repeat that two more times on Saturday and Sunday. We here in Pennsylvania, will be with him in spirit with love and not a little amazement. Certainly with happiness that his fortunes now include a sub position with them as he continues his studies and work at Juilliard. Well done, young man.

A catbird seat view of the hall that Keoni sent a couple days ago.

In Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation has 30 Americans exhibit up. This one is painted by Kehinde Wiley, the same artist who painted Barak Obama's portrait. It was worth the long line on free first Sundays to see it, the rest of the show, and  again take in the wonderful permanent collection.

Sister Sandy texted a snapshot of we five siblings taken at the old Missouri farmhouse we lived in at the time. It was taken with a camera that even then was very old.

Susie, Joe, Jeanenne, Judy, Sandy. Circa 1952 or 53.

Correction: Nuts! I named these "walnuts" a posting or two ago, but they're hickory nuts.

The photo transfer divide continues; my laptop is not speaking to or looking at my iPhone. A solution still eludes me. My work-around is even giving me a hard time. Grrr.

Farm Report: It is Wendy's birthday today and John has taken her away from the farm to celebrate. Aidan is the official farmer until sometime tomorrow. He is in charge of everything and I stay here in my digs on backup in case he runs into a problem and can't make it to the bus on time tomorrow. Picasso Luckibird loves him. He won't sit on my shoulder anymore flapping right back to Aidan.

Weather Report: Preying Mantises can barely move their exoskeletons now. I wonder where this handsome one goes for shelter...and if he made it...