Spring Fever

The grocery store had these on display last week which only seemed to fuel everyone's spring fever...including mine. I couldn't help but stop and take a picture. I wanted so much to buy one but I was afraid I'd kill it before I had a chance to get it in the ground. When I stopped in this week I noticed they were all gone. 

We have had unseasonably warm temperatures this year, especially the last couple of weeks. Here's an idea of what I mean:

Our pastor's son trying to clear 3 feet of snow off their porch 3 years ago: 

Downtown last year: 

Downtown yesterday:

Blue skies, bare streets and sidewalks...I'll take it!

Our yard today:

GRASS!!!

I've never seen this in February!!

We've had some beautiful sunrises for this time of year as well:

Temperatures have been in the 40's and last night we had wind and rain which always speeds up the melting process. 

For those of you thinking spring has arrived to the frozen north...no such luck. Winter temperatures and a mix of rain and snow are on tap for the weekend. I am beginning to wonder though if we just might get an early spring. "Early spring" for us means anything before mid April. The snow usually doesn't even consider melting anytime before April 15th. 

The studio has been so quiet the last couple of weeks. The kids in town have all been so sick. There are several bugs moving through, colds, sinus infections and several strains of flu. I have had some of my students out for 2 weeks which means my bank account is getting angry. 

In trying to make lemonade out of the lemons I've been dealt I decided since the students weren't coming it would be a good time to reorganize my craft supplies that live in the studio. 

I made a big mess! 

The upside is things are in better storage solutions but the downside is nothing looks any different. Most of my reorganization was in the closet. It's ok...next time I start a project I should be able to find what I need without too much frustration. 

The spring like weather is making Gibbs extra playful as well. One of my students that actually made it to lessons last week was not giving Gibbs the attention and playtime he thought he should have. Afterall, didn't this young man come to the house specifically to play? 

Yes dear Gibbs...play the piano...not play with you! 😉

"Please, please play with me". Says Gibbs

 Since he didn't get what he wanted, he decided to nap on mom and dad's bed.

One of the books I'm reading talks about being present and in the moment and also to be thankful so I leave you with this today. 

'

Summer

Recently one of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls did a reunion type series in 4 installments labeled Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. I'm going to try and catch you up on the last several months of my life by first bringing you Summer.

Last fall I wanted to brush up some of my piano and music theory skills and was pleased to begin working with one of the best musicians in our area. As it turned out she wanted to learn how to play the organ so we traded services. Susan is a local private music teacher and a talented performer on the piano and flute so of course she is taking to the organ very well.

She and I together with my Hubby on his euphonium gave a recital in August as part of the Organists of the Keweenaw summer recital series. Each summer the local organists put on recitals on local historic pipe organs to raise money for their upkeep. For our recital we used one of the oldest tracker pipe organs in MIchigan. I often wondered if I was crazy for putting myself through the stress of practicing and performing on an unfamiliar instrument, but once the evening was over I was glad we did it. I haven't. decided if I'm ready to do another any time soon though. 

I had great fun taking some inquisitive friends D and J on an organ crawl of some of those historic organs this summer. We had a good time getting to know each other better and formed fast friendships, especially between me and J. They live in FL during the winter and before they left we had established a routine of meeting for breakfast one day a week for breakfast. We have a lot in common, she's a very good listener and she really supports me in my work and ministry on the organ. J told me that after D, who's cancer is in remission, got home he fell fast asleep on the couch and when he woke up he said his dreams were of organ music! Warmed my heart! 

I was proud to see several of my piano students perform publically at Calumet's sesqui-centennial celebration this summer. The plan was to have different performing groups at each intersection downtown but because fo rain they put us under a small tent in the part which was right next to a large tent of vendors and the very loud MTU pep band. We also had to borrow a keyboard that unbeknownst to us arrived with no music rack, bench or power source. My students rallied like professionals and made the most of a difficult situation by helping me find solutions to each problem and then put on excellent performances that made people stop and take notice. It was a learning experience for each one of us and I was so proud of each one of my students!

Unfortunately I took a picture of each student that participated but I can only find few in my files. Where the rest have disappeared to I have no idea. I'm rather upset. 

Well it was quite the summer filled with music. I discovered some of my weaknesses but also some of my strengths and in these few instances I believe I wore my crown well. 

Summer Begins

With the start of summer coming on, I have been keeping quite busy. Memorial Day weekend brought my son and daughter-in-law up for the long weekend...it was nice to have them for longer than usual. Past visits have proved difficult for them and their two large fur-babies...the dogs are quite needy and finding a place for all of them to stay that was both private and quite was a challenge. They decided they wanted to try reclaiming a room from our old apartment which is over Hubby's print shop. Since we bought our house and moved out of the apartment he took it over for added shop space and it's quite full and quite the mess. I helped them clean out a room and make a bathroom look less like something you'd find at a gas station in the middle of nowhere. :P It was exhausting work, but they seem to be comfortable with the result. 

Here I am pictured with one of my piano students. I carried 15 students for most of the season and Saturday the 4th 11 of them participated in our spring recital. We had several with fast fingers...some of that due to nerves. I try to tell them when the adrenaline kicks in things can sometimes get out of control. Even with some mistakes, everyone seemed to handle it well. I took this week off to catch up on some things here at home before I start summer session for those who want it. I think I’m only going to have about 6 and most of those will only be once a month to every other week depending on their needs. I think I’m the most flexible teacher in the area when it comes to scheduling.

I’ve been working on spring cleaning a little at a time and trying to sell some of our extra junk we no longer use or need. It’s quite the job to sort and make decisions, take pictures, write up descriptions and post on websites...time consuming too.

I have been working with a fellow pianist and teacher this winter. We have traded services to better ourselves. She is working with me on the piano to sharpen and enhance my skills as both pianist and teacher and I am teaching her the organ. It’s been a good experience for us both and on August 26th we will be joining together in a recital. We will be using a very historic organ in the area and one of my favorites. Our recital is one of several to showcase the organ and raise funds for it’s upkeep. 

Tomorrow is another ATC trade - this months theme is "Holiday-you pick". I'm trying to use up all my scraps that I won't be needing for scrapbook pages so my holidays were chosen with that in mind. I did four on Easter using the song text from Easter Parade: 

I continued on with New Year's...not the holiday I would normally choose, but again, I had supplies to use up:

The two in the middle are my favorites. Using more supplies I went on to St. Patrick's Day and made two for Christmas. The one in the middle is my favorite of this group:

It seems my to-do list is ever growing. There never seems to be enough time in each day to accomplish all I should do. There has been some curiosity from some of you as to the goals I've been referring to lately. I will be sharing some of those with you in coming blogs so stay tuned. Nothing earth shattering, I assure you. 

I'm off to the church this afternoon for practice time.

Hubby and one of our church members have been making some repairs on our church organ. I am very thankful our friend is good at soldering. We still have some work to do, we did find out a repairman is out of the question due to expense.

Hubby and I thought we were going to be given an organ for me to practice on at home. It would have been very helpful for numerous reasons but the deal fell through. I still hope to obtain one at some point. 

Summer Begins

I'm sorry I've been gone so long - I've been reading, just haven't had the time to respond. Let me see if I can update you without getting too long winded. 

Son and his girlfriend came for Mother's Day - it was such a nice visit, she and I are trying to get to know one another better. 

Son bought girlfriend a ring...hasn't popped the question yet, but has the ring. They just bought a house - it's been stressful as you can imagine, but the house payment will be less than the rent on the apt., so it should be a good move providing Son finds a job soon. He only has another 4 weeks before he loses his unemployment - he's been sending out resume's but no takers. Please pray something turns up soon.

Daughter#2 got an internship at Quicken Loans in Detroit. It's not what she wanted, but it's good, paying work for the summer. She is a tiny, country mouse in the big city and she's not liking it one bit! This is her first time away from home completely alone. Please pray for her safety in the big city.

I'm missing all my "babies" and my mother a lot lately. I'm so lonely, but I'm digging in to some neglected projects around the house. I started work on my studio - the clutter is closing in on me. I've gone through and reorganized all the music by level and now I have to reorganize my scrapbook/card making supplies. It's a mess!! I hope to have gone through everything by the end of the month and be completely done with the house project by the July 4th weekend. My neighbor said if I have anything to sell that I can put it in their sale at the end of the month. That's a motivator right there! 

I just found out this week that the scrapbook store where I go to purchase all my supplies will be closing their doors by the end of the summer. Businesses are dropping like flies around here. I will no longer have a place to get supplies for my scrapbooking and card making. I'm so mad and sad all at the same time. These ladies in the store have become very good friends as well. It's the last place in town where I could go to see people and enjoy conversation. 

Also this summer I'm trying to shed some pounds...I have a good start, but haven't lost anything yet. I'll also be practicing a lot, teaching a few students, gardening, and deep cleaning the entire house. 

Student recital was last week...Thursday night. That's everyone , minus Carol who takes lessons via the internet. It was a big night as we focused on a senior recitalist. Everyone did very well and I was so glad when the evening was over and it was very stressful.  I have leads on three possible new students for next year! I'll lose one (my graduate) but might gain three, that's good!

With all my projects, I've been trying to better discipline myself and make better use of my time which means the computer must come last. I miss being on here, but I must do this for now. Also, the screen on my laptop is still broken and I have to borrow a computer. Please pray I can get the screen fixed soon. 

Hubby planted the garden on Sunday, he also purchased a new machine (on faith). We pray it will be the thing to get our business back on it's feet, making a profit. 

Our weather has been beautiful, coolish but mostly sunny. I'm fine with the temps in the upper 690's and 70's! 

That's about all for now. I hope to be a more regular poster once I have things more in order around here. 

In Between

Summer is over and true fall has not quite arrived, so I feel like things are in an in between stage. My new background, I think, expresses that; it's got some leaves there for fall, but I'm not ready for the fall colors and pumpkins just yet. Perhaps I'm just putting off the inevitable as long as possible.

Fall piano lessons will start next week, but I won't have everyone returning until the following week...again, in between. The good news is, as you know, I added 2 students this summer and now I've added 3 new ones for fall. I will have a total of 16 students this year which is wonderful, the only drawback being, 7 of them are only coming every other week, so a few more to fill in the gaps are still needed.

The church advisory board met this week and will suggest to the congregation that they vote to purchase the organ we have been looking at. You can see it and hear it in the video...this is the actual instrument that I will be playing at church if they vote to purchase! I will know for sure tomorrow night after the business meeting. If they go ahead, and once it arrives, my work will really begin! So as with other things, I'm waiting in an in between stage.

There was a skunk in the yard this morning when we took the dogs out. It was still darkish, so we didn't see it at first. I was able to off Mae, I don't know why she didn't get sprayed unless the skunk could tell she was crippled and not a threat. The vet is coming up this coming Wednesday after lunch sometime to put her to sleep. The geese are flying circles around the lake getting ready to leave. One group flew off and didn't come back...not a good sign. Our days go from nippy ones to ones that feel just like summer and back again. 

I had so many plans for my Saturday, but I somehow wound up talking to my neighbor for most of the morning. I'm hoping in the coming days and weeks to be able to get to know her better. I think she needs a good friend here. Friendly, but not quite friends...in between. 

I have many goals for this winter, here's hoping I can stay focused enough to get them accomplished.  I'm still working toward getting my Etsy store set up. I will share when I get it operational. With the Etsy store, the new organ, new students and my usual cleaning, laundry and cooking, my life will be quite busy, especially until I get into a routine. I am thinking my computer time will have to be put off until evening from now on, which is hard for me as I enjoy doing my emails and blogging along with my morning coffee. 

Until next time my friends, 

Small Town Saturday

Clear

55°F Feels Like: 55°

It's a cool morning and we're only expecting a high of 66. Despite what the picture says, it is mostly cloudy - as a matter of fact, I don't see any sun at the moment at all. We've had a lot of rain, which I am glad for, but at the same time it's been so cool that our garden is way behind schedule. 

Today is Pasty Fest in our little town. The parade start is in the next block and many of the participants are driving past the Little Turquoise House on their way to line up. I get to see horse drawn wagons, old cars and fire trucks...woo-hoo! I used to enjoy parades when we first moved here...I guess I enjoyed them through my children's eyes; now that they are grown I don't walk over to stand on the curb and worry about the children darting into the street for candy...once a mom, always a mom! There will be vendors with food and games in the park, once again, not so much fun without the kids or someone to walk and talk with. I have gone over by myself, but I'm almost always disappointed, so...not this year.

I've been spending my time teaching, practicing and scrapbooking. For the most part it's all good. Wednesday I went into town by myself to run errands and shop. I realized I hadn't been to town by myself since last fall! It was so nice! I did splurge a little on myself...I bought a top at Walmart for $10.00

See how nicely it dresses up? 

and a skirt at Goodwill for $4.00.

I also looked at some shoes that I really want because I like the look of them but also because I think they will be quite practical, but they

didn't have my size so they are bringing it in from another store. I will go back next Wednesday when I take Suki to the vet for her shots and try them on, then decide. Since I have so much trouble with my feet, they are $85.00 shoes so I have to make sure they are a good fit. I didn't much like the attitude of the salesman though. 

Thursday afternoon was my matinee day at the organ in the Heritage Center, then the Anita's and I had our lunch date yesterday. After we ate we took her to the Heritage Center again where some painting needed to be done and Anita suggested I practice the organ so they could enjoy some music while she painted. So I had two practice days in a row...I'm not complaining. I must remember to take business cards when I go from now on as there is almost always someone there asking about lessons or just interested and could maybe pass one on. 

GOOD NEWS! I have TWO...count them...TWO new students!! I blogged about my new neighbors a while back, well, they have a 14 year old daughter that has been trying to teach herself piano and wants to take lessons! She came on Thursday, shaking with nerves, but we made it through the get acquainted session and her books are on order. Then to my surprise I got a hit on an online local music group where I posted an ad. It must have been God's timing, because I just posted it and heard immediately from a mom looking for a teacher for her 11 year old daughter. We emailed back and forth several times...I'm always a bit concerned when doing business over the internet...I wanted to make sure she was legit. Long story short, she has ordered the necessary materials and her daughter is to begin lessons on the 11th! If all my students from last season return in the fall and my new ones continue on, I will have a nice number.

I started a new scrapbook page last night; I'm now working on my grandmother's pages which brings to mind memories of sitting with my mother as I listened to her tell me stories about her since she had died when I was just a baby. I remember a far away look she would get in her eye when she talked of her. I will spend my day working on those today...and remembering... 

The Day After Recital

Last nights recital was a success, even the parent that likes to make trouble was on her good behavior. I wrapped my arm in an ace bandage because I was hauling heavy beverages into the church and moving furniture around and my Dr. saw it and questioned me. He examined it on the spot and says it's not carpel tunnel or tennis elbow (I don't think he ever did say what it was, except inflammation) but that he'd call something in to the pharmacy for me today. I put ice on it last night and it's not quite as bad today as it was yesterday. 

All the students did very well. One young man had a memory lapse but was able to collect himself, pick it up and continue

on. 

Plans for today are cleaning, cleaning, cleaning oh, and laundry, laundry, laundry! Also I have lunch with Anita, the lady with Alzheimer's; my friend, Anita can't make it today so I'll go alone. I'm thinking of riding my bike over, it will take about 15-20 minutes and I'll stop for some sandwiches on the way. 

Some things on my heart this morning are my son who is very discouraged with his life, job etc., healing of my arm, success for the business so we can have a little financial breathing room and I'm having trouble getting my eyes to focus on the computer screen this morning and I just got my prescription changed. Also, we've had someone step up to give the church a free organ, but it's not of the quality that I have prayed for. I knew we couldn't get what I want, but this one is quite old...mid 70's technology...How do you say no to free, even if it's not good enough?

I saw my first Oriole in the yard this morning! Hubby said he didn't know they got this far north. I'm going to make something to hold an orange for him today to see if he'll come back. 

It's partly cloudy this morning, but we've had gray skies for the last few days so I'm excited to have a day with some sun. 

Even though I will not have much in the way of income this summer, I am looking forward to some time to get some other things accomplished and projects finished before winter sets in again. It seems around here the entire summer is spent preparing for another winter. 

I wish for you a day filled with music!