The Splutterbucket

The Splutterbucket is way cute. He is the older brother to the baby. At 20 months he has alot to say and some is intelligible.

He tolerated this photo shoot because he was sitting behind his wheels. We went on a walk alone today and played on the swing. 

I am so grateful to my daughter and my three daughters-in-law who are mothers in the trenches. It is exhausting to be a young mother. Each of these women in my life, mother in a different way, but each of them love their children intensely. I have been in their homes and feel the spirit that resides there because of their love.
I had some opportunity to visit post in the last two days. On one day we went to a company picnic and yesterday we went to the commissary. I had to have a pass to set foot on post and my passport was required. The army has been in this town since WWII. It is what keeps the town afloat financially. If and when they pull out, the town will have no industry or income. So the Germans have a love, hate relationship with the soldiers. Army barracks surround the hill above town.
The Daddy is enroute for two weeks of R and R. He will get to see his new baby and be with all his children during that time. We here at home are excited and pray for him fervently.
My trip is half over and my jet lag is finally worn off. I wake up excited to see the sun come over the hills knowing that at home you are all just going to sleep. Goodnight!

Sock It To You, Knitting Queen

Scarves, gloves and now our Knitting Queen is making socks

Handmade socks are a luxury item, but in times past they were a necessity. I remember darning socks to stretch the budget.

Nice ribbing and the yarn is so soft.

There is a finesse to forming the heel and getting the right length for the feet.

"Don't stop now or you'll be a heel."

How about stripes for the next pair?

I'm On My Way To Germany

So exciting! I am almost there.

I will be flying into this city, Frankfurt.

So, I am heading to the Rheinland Province. If you look above that, you can see Nordrhein- Westfalen where I was born. I won't be going there but I did visit in 1998. I will try to do a few posts on my trip. Aufwiedersehen.

Happy Mother's Day, Dear Mother

My mother has been gone for almost ten years. I think of her all the time and she still teaches me by the example I remember. I would love to talk with her about grandmothering. She went through many stages of being a grandmother. The first time she was young, in her fifties like me but my children came along in her sixties and seventies.

I found this picture of The Piano Man's blessing day. My mother had sewed matching outfits for the grandchildren. She was brilliant at using every scrap of fabric.

I owe her such a debt for sticking with me during years of piano practice. I sorely pushed her with my up and down feelings about practice. She deserves the credit for any success I have as a musician.
And I think of my mother-in-law often, as well. She passed away the same year as my mother. Elizabeth Burgess was a great comfort to me.

She was a cheerleader for our family. It seemed everything we did was wonderful in her eyes. Even when we chose to homeschool a few children she showed concern, but cheered me on in my desires. I know she watches over us and is especially aware of the new great-grandbabies coming to earth. I felt her presence most strongly when Ollie was fighting for her life at 2 lbs.
Happy Mother's Day to these my mothers. I love you!

Remembering the Recital

Families pile out of their cars and head for the front door of the church. It's recital day and time to begin. I greet them at the door and look into their eyes to see if they are nervous or just hyped up. A few complain they feel sick, most are ready to get it over with. I always start on time and say a few words of thanks to parents and friends who render aid and support to the beginning pianist. Then they come up one at a time and I am always surprised by their poise under pressure. I appreciate all the wonderful families I serve and come to know. Please don't be offended if I did not get your picture. I just got sidetracked. I still remember you and include you here.

Support from best friends

Reminded us to turn cell phones off

Chopin was on the program

Sang and played her own composition

Beatles fan

On the pew waiting

The sisters warm-up

Sonatina with two movements

First Recital

The Dancing Queen

She played it just "The Way It" was

Tiger comes along to watch

She's a charmer of snakes

N. and I. are prepared and ready

A. remembers to share goodies

He is our jazz player

Three through the Door

Pink Panther Rocked

Alla Turca makes it's debut

Happy Anniversary To Me

Thirty seven years ago I married the man I felt God had sent to me.

Our relationship grew while I was dating his roommate. His roommate was trying to get over an ex-fiance, so I discussed my frustrations often with, well, I'll call him my Piano Guy. (more about that title later). Our friendship was spiritually based and I flourished under our many lengthy talks. Soon I felt I knew his very soul and I felt myself attach to this long, tall Texan. It took him much longer to come around, in fact it took divine revelation to get him to commit because he was just lilly-livered about marriage. We were just kids but I felt we were both learning to submit to God and marrying each other was the by-product of becoming fully commited our Father.

So after five children and only five moves we are still talking up a storm and most of the time doing that quite calmly. I admire his intelligence, his tenacity, and his faithfulness which I am grateful for every night when I hear his little snores. I'd rather be with him than anyone else.

He and I complement each other very well. I teach piano, he tunes pianos. I like to learn new things, he likes to tell me what he has learned. I love food and he loves to be fed. He loves giving his grandchildren anything they ask for, I like holding back a little for a later surprise. He does the laundry and takes out the trash, I pay the bills and decide how to spend his money. He likes listening to music and I like to make music. He named himself the Piano Guy so that he could easily introduce himself to his clients.
I love you, Piano Guy!!!!

Happy Birthday Mama Daughter

My first born is turning 36. It does not seem so long ago that I was anxiously awaiting her arrival. She was a week late and I was ready to give her life. I remember we didn't have a working car so our neighbor took us to the hospital. After she was born my husband would bicycle over to see me. She was the most beautiful baby. Everyone had to comment on her cuteness.

She was born with incredible self-will and insatiable curiosity.

 Those two personality traits have not been dimmed. And those traits were combined together with musical talent. Her voice and honest delivery have inspired countless people. She would deny her talent but nevertheless it is hers to use for the benefit of others..
She has been known to be a stinker. You know, the mischievous imp looking to make trouble. It was evident from day one and can on any given day rise to the occasion. However, there are achievements which have inspired me and continue to amaze me. She served a mission to southern Germany and when I traveled back to her field of service with her, I met so many people who were overjoyed to have her back.

I admired her desire to learn to snowboard. She went to the mountains by herself when no one could go with her. It tested her physical as well as emotional skill.
Thanks to my MamaDaughter I do yoga. She introduced me to this practice I love.
Now she lives in Germany and holds her family together while the Dad is deployed to a different foreign land. She has almost seven childre, four of them step-children. I am the old mother who is sure she is way to overwhelmed, but she constantly amazes me with stamina and that self-will she came with.

Last week in the last days of her pregnancy she took M. to Paris for his birthday. Not a shabby trip for your 15th birthday!
I wish the best to her as she brings little Ian, no.7, to this world and look forward to giving everyone a big hug when I get there.