Rehearsal

It was a good feeling to look out at the small audience for our spring concert and see family there to support me.  I was really surprised to see Alyssa and Michelle, as they hadn't mentioned they'd be able to come by after seeing a movie together.  I still have a hard time believing I am beginning to learn to play this wonderful instrument.  Yesterday on two of our numbers at rehearsal (and we are still mostly sight-reading) I was the only cellist.  Fortunately I had practiced at home so I just dug into it and played.  It was fun to hear how both the solo and accompaniment parts blended in to form the whole of the sound.  Afterwards, they cheered for me!  When she had completed putting her music in her folder, Naomi joined in.  She is more advanced, blessedly.  It's easier to have company.  Love this work/play!

Visit to Millcreek Canyon

My belated Mother's Day gift from Alyssa was a trip to Millcreek Canyon for a picnic.  Cupid and Clayton were great fun.  They had their own bowls of food as we enjoyed take-out salad and "make your own" strawberry shortcakes.We walked around a little, the dogs ate grass (they loved the long strands, as well as so many new things to smell).  Alyssa practiced training "the boys" to respond appropriately to other picnic visitors.  Thanks to the three of them I had a delightful evening.  Special gift, Alyssa!  The little guys slept on the way home after such great excitement.

New Horizons, Continued

It was incredible to get back to orchestra yesterday. I couldn't believe how much fun we had, even though they had us sight-read through all the pieces for the end of July concert.  Pretty intense.  I got to hear a more expensive instrument from the violin shop. Wow! The sound was amazing. I'd have to save a LONG time to purchase a cello of that quality. In the meantime, I am enjoying this experience so much. It was relaxed and mellow. Randon tried to teach me about second position even while we were practicing. It was hard to concentrate, but it was good of him to attempt to help.
I'm going to look up another lesson book a step up from what I have been using and see if it will give me information to help me practice the shift to second position at home. Art suggested looking it up on Google. Good idea. Love his support of this venture! The above photo was taken by Heather at our Spring Concert.

Had to Post One More!

You can hardly tell how pleased I am to put these photos on my blog.  Isn't she a doll?  Now I can see not only Marilee but also Nate in her cute face.  She's also very alert which is a relief, considering what could have gone wrong!  She could be a poster child for IMC NICU.  And for wisdom and consistency in parental care.  Yay for Evy!

Getting Ready to Crawl!

Here she is again, doing her push-ups.  Evy usually doesn't like to be on her tummy, another legacy of prematurity.  On this day, she did it without immediately rolling over!  That's good because she just needs to get a bit more strength in those little arms and hands and she will be off and crawling! Can't wait!

Back to Orchestra--Next Week!

We've had a hiatus from orchestra since having a concert on April 24th but it will soon be time to begin summer semester. We'll just have it once a week on Tuesday but I'm glad we are continuing on. Yesterday I was practicing from an old lesson book. I am doing more with the lower strings now (love that sound, and Heather's little girl leaps around in-utero when she hears it, too!). I spent some time with the song "Simple Gifts" which pleased me. Usually the time goes extremely fast when I am playing my cello. This is a photo of an old one which one member allowed me to borrow. The green metal on the right is a loaner music stand from the violin shop which sponsors us. Now I have my own beautiful instrument (used, but good sound) and a new bow plus a better music stand. I also have a pin stop gadget so the cello doesn't slide around when I play on a smooth surface rather than carpeting. It has been such a good experience and I can hardly wait to see my orchestra friends again.

Marjorie Clements: 1919-2009

You can tell from her face in this photo that Sister Clements was a wonderful woman.  She died at the age of 90.  I worked in the Jordan River Temple with her, a wonderful place to find forever friends. She had her own unique sweetness, smile and way of being in the world.  She published a history of her hometown, Draper Utah, in her eighties.  I will miss her and at the same time this photo from her obituary puts a smile on my face and brings back happy memories.  Till we meet again, Marjorie.