Two very intense weeks

I am going to get music stuff out of the way right now – As you know, my poor cello – Gertrude – had to have a new bridge fitting.  Then, less than a week later, as I was tightening the end-pin screw at the beginning of a Civic Orchestra rehearsal, the threads completely stripped and I could not keep it tight. Back to Tom Verdot’s it went.  Works like a dream now. 

Civic Orchestra had their first concert of the season last night.  It went very well – we played Schumann’s Fourth Symphony and then a new work that was described by our principal horn player as morse code for orchestra and she pretty much pegged it.  Our final work was the Bartok piano concerto which was 30 minutes of insanity for the pianist and the winds and brass.  I will never purposely listen to that work ever again in my life but last night, I was in awe of the brains and skills involved in playing and conducting that piece.  Ridiculously difficult.  

Back mid-October, I had my fall orchestra concert at Rock Bridge and six students didn’t/couldn't attend for various reasons.  So, their make-up assignment was to perform at Candlelight Lodge this afternoon.  I selected a few simple duets and we entertained the residents for about thirty minutes. 

 

 I had my fall studio recital yesterday afternoon here at the house.  The size of my studio has dwindled this past year and some my students are currently working on their orchestra music rather than solo works so I had only four perform at the recital – short and sweet. 

Finally, last Monday was the all-city instrument extravaganza where all the 5^th graders are bussed to Jesse Auditorium to listen to  the band and orchestra instruments prior to attending the Try-Me-Out nights so they can choose which instrument they want to learn next year in 6^th grade.  Two of the members of Prairie Strings are string teachers so we asked the two who are not to join us and we played Harry Potter excerpts to a VERY appreciative group of 10 year olds.  Let’s hope it boosts the orchestra numbers next year!  Two of my evenings last week were then spent helping an endless line of ten-year olds try out the string bass.  SO EXHAUSTING!  Holding the bass with either my raised right or left hand at all times to make sure it doesn’t fall, asking every parent “do you have a vehicle that can transport a bass?”  “Are you prepared to pay $70 per month to rent a bass?”  Ugh.

 OK, music stuff is now done….

The truck had to get a new starter.  Sarah borrowed it Tuesday to move her old twin bed out  and it died in the driveway at the Lamb’s.  Dad and I went out that dark and rainy night hoping all it needed was a jump start but, alas, it needed a tow truck and $455.00 of repairs. 

Emily and I went to Wisconsin last weekend.  She has two friends in the Milwaukee area – one who just had a baby – and I have a cousin, Charlotte,  whom I had never met, in Portage.  So, we packed up her little Honda  and Quinn and headed on up.  It was a beautiful weekend to travel – the peak of autumn colors for most trees – and we had a great time.   We stayed with Charlotte and her husband, Fred, Friday night and had a great Saturday morning visiting.  

Fred and Charlotte Reckling, me

Quinn on our trip (notice his Linus shirt)

 We got a hotel room for Saturday and visited Samantha that night, went to the Brookfield Ward Sunday morning and then visited Stephanie after that.  We got to St. Louis around 9:00 and I was so tired of driving that I just stayed in St. Louis and got up at 5 a.m. on Monday to get to Columbia in time to pick up my cello from repair and head over to the Instrumental Extravaganza.

 

Finally, the most important news is our dear Alfred.  He really fought a good fight and the veterinarians at Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital were so great – they all loved him and wanted him to get better just as much as we did.  We gave him many chances to heal and he just kept pulling out his catheter.  Who knows if he had kept it in long enough for his urethra to stay opened but on Friday morning, even the vets said that it was time.  Steve and I were able to be with him as he passed.  And we buried him in our back yard yesterday morning.  We still have Littlecat – I am changing her name to LC or Elsie – and I will still try to find a home for her, if I can. 

 

Even though he was not feeling well, he still looked so handsome. I loved that very fine cat!