Nothing Out of the Ordinary

It's been a good Saturday. I spent some time talking with #1 daughter, grilled burgers, and relaxed. And, again with #1 daughter, watched one episode each of Bleach and Princess Tutu. Meanwhile, over in the living room, my wife and #3 daughter were watching - I think it was "Yanni at the Acropolis."

Like I said, it's been a good day.

Another Day, For Which I am Duly Grateful

It's dark out, my wife is watching television with #3 daughter, my son and I have read Garfield and sung, as is our habit, and I'm about to turn in. It's been a good day.

Besides catching up on the weekend's tasks, I saw a doctor - psychiatrist, actually - for a four-month checkup. I'm doing well, so the medications stay the same, and it'll be six months before the next scheduled visit. That 'major depression' diagnosis was, in its own way, the best news I'd had in years. Particularly since there are effective ways of treating it now.

I drove around Sauk Centre, getting a few photos for tomorrow's Sauk Centre Journal, and put gas in the van, on my way back. Getting gas was a little more eventful than usual. The pump I tried to use first kept flashing "47" at me. The folks inside couldn't get it to work, so I circled around and refilled at another pump. Happily, I was in no hurry - so it was a chance to say 'hi' to some of the people there.

My son's getting along with home schooling so far - after two whole days. He practiced his trombone again today. Upstairs, mercifully. He's learning, but it's not exactly a quiet instrument.

A Shaggy Dog and Music

Tonight, just after supper, #2 daughter, my son-in-law-to-be, and his 2 1/2-year-old shaggy dog arrived. They'd already been up to the Red River Valley to see my father.

The dog, Sprocket, is big, shaggy, and very friendly. And, considering how long he'd been cooped up in a relatively small car, very well-behaved.



He greeted each of us enthusiastically. Which was a little overwhelming, since he weighs around 85 pounds. #3 daughter and my son took a little longer that my wife and I did, warming up to and getting friendly with Sprocket: but they came around.

After visiting for a while, I drove my wife and #3 daughter up to Camphill Village, north of town, for a recital. My wife had a solo ("Syncopated Clock"), and the two of them did a duet (something from "The King and I"). About a dozen music students showed what they'd learned on violin or piano. That made this evening a great deal more fun than yesterday's.

Of Garfield, Song, and Teeth

My son and I read Garfield this evening, and sang a particular song, as we usually do. A little later he informed me that he'd gotten three teeth out today: including one that's been loose for well over a year. All he has left are the original molars.

Sunday Afternoon: Sunlight and Music

I'm told that #3 daughter played guitar another time, recently: but this afternoon is the first time I've heard her do so, after the accident. At this moment, she's singing, too.

#1 daughter has left, with her rabbit and my son's probably-defunct laptop. We're hoping to at least get data off its hard drive: the laptop, that is; not the rabbit. She'd have stayed later, but she and my wife thought it would be best for her to go a bit early, then rest, drink tea, and apply warm cloth to her head. She's got a sort of cold in her sinuses. Par for the course, this season.

I did much better than I expected to, in Soo Bahk Do Thursday, and plan to go again this evening.

Last night, watching a Bleach episode on my computer, my daughter wondered why I didn't use the headset outlet on the speakers, instead of switching plugs each time I wanted to go from headset to speakers and back.

It was a 'shazam!' moment for me. I'd never thought of it. I've got the headset plugged into the speakers now, of course: Makes all the sense in the world.

Ever Have One of Those Days?

Several days ago, I heard a recording of ABBA's "Dancing Queen."

Today, a few bars of it have been replaying in my head. Over and over again.

As of 10:00 a.m., there's no sign that the song will go away on its own. I may have to take active countermeasures.

Don't get me wrong: I like the ABBA song. But, after about the hundredth time that "...Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen..." runs through the corridors of your mind like a caffeinated Swede, it's time to act.

As soon as I finish this post, I'm playing some Beethoven.

So Far, a Nice Day

8:35 a.m.

It's been quite a nice day so far.

I ordered a "Nancy Drew" computer game for my son, at his request, using his money, earlier: My wife and #3 daughter have been having a great time, playing another one. This morning, he asked me if I'd check on the order. It'll probably ship today or tomorrow: good news for him.

#3 daughter and I had a chat about the color of her music studio, and how she picks colors (on impulse). That 'studio' was #2 daughter's bedroom, until it was re-assigned.

Now, my wife is practicing violin, two rooms over. Which, for me, is about the right range. The violin is a fine instrument, but rather assertive, acoustically.

And now, back to work.

The top event of the day was my wife and #3 daughter's recital this evening. We set off in plenty of time to get to Camphill Village, about 12 miles north of town, with time left over for the ladies to get their instruments tuned.

As we were driving up Highway 71, #3 daughter asked me if a particular road was the one we were supposed to turn off on. I replied, 'no,' and drove on. A few miles later, my wife observed that we'd gone too far.

They were both right. We'd gone too far, and I should have turned at the road #3 daughter asked about.

We got there in time, though.

And, the recital went well. It was nice, listening to the music, and one of the babies near me decided that I was someone to smile at.

The other major event of the day was my main computer developing some sort of trouble - most likely with its hard drive. The earliest I can bring it in to be fixed is Tuesday, next week. Frustrating, but I'm hopeful that I haven't lost the data.

Meanwhile, my webcam that looks at Ash Street is out of service.

When I told our son that I planned to use my old laptop to stand in for the main computer on the Ash Street webcam, he said he'd thought of the same thing - which I believe - and added, "great minds think alike, hmm?" That's my boy.

Tuesday: Getting Back to Routines

Our son is looking forward to a birthday party later this week: Friday, I think. My wife and #3 daughter went out to get groceries, and the van is unpacked from the weekend's trip.

I went out this afternoon, to exercise at Fitness Guru, and to take photos of the Ash Street Project's progress. Also, to enjoy a beautiful spring/early summer day. The trees in the back yard are leafing out, with a sort of mist of pale yellow-green surrounding the branches.

Apart from that, I've been getting caught up with the weekend's messages, and setting myself up for the rest of the week's work.

This would be a good place to review what happened over the weekend.

Saturday, May 17, 2008.

After bucking a stiff headwind from Sauk Centre to the Red River Valley of the North, I picked up #2 daughter in Moorhead. To save gas, she rode with me the rest of the way. That was not only efficient, it gave me an extra hour to talk with her.

When we got to the farm, I unpacked my case and discovered that I'd brought my laptop, as planned, so that I could get some work done over the weekend. I'd also remembered the laptop's base, with the fans that help cool it.

Just one problem: I'd left the power source back in Sauk Centre. Since the batteries don't work, that left me with a laptop that made a pretty good paperweight - and not much more.

I was peeved. Quite thoroughly peeved.

Then I took a nap. While I was settling in for a few Zs, I heard a rhythmic knocking. When I woke up, #2 daughter told me that she'd cut down some small trees that had started growing near the foundation.

Sunday, May 18, 2008.

#2 daughter and I went to church at St. Rose of Lima. (I checked, and found that St. Rose of Lima is the patron saint of America.)

Later in the morning, I saw my father, and presented #2 daughter's tatting work - a butterfly - and put it on the bulletin board. #2 daughter decided to spend the time picking up groceries, since she's got a cough and sneeze that might not be allergies.

My father and I talked about #2 daughter, her job, and other family stuff: and also how he gets help in organizing his papers there.

I picked up #2 daughter after that, we ate lunch, and I was back to talk with my father. A nurse at the desk mentioned that I'm very much like my father. I've heard that quite a bit over the decades - and still enjoy the experience.

Back at the farm, #2 daughter and I talked about a fan fic of hers - based on "Men in Black" this time - before supper. After the meal, I snorted, an external sign of a thought that had popped into my mind. #2 daughter asked what that was about, so I explained that I'd have to find out when the balloons went up tomorrow: there was to be a sort of memorial service the next day. I thought I'd have to call my wife to get the information. #2 daughter gave me a look and said, "with me around? Please!" She knew what time it was, of course.

After supper, #2 daughter and I watched a "Babylon 5" movie, talked, and #2 daughter packed stuff. I played as much as I could remember of Bach's Prelude in C Major on the piano. #2 daughter finished the piece for me.

Mom had tried to teach me how to play piano on that instrument, back when I was a pre-teen. A surprising amount of her efforts found a home somewhere in my mind, and have stayed with me. Playing on that piano was a very sentimental experience.

#2 daughter told me about technical changes in the harpsichord which had made Bach's work possible to play - the new sort of harpsichord was "well-tempered clavier." That's what I get for having a music major for a daughter. Now I know that a clavier was a particular type of keyboard instrument, but that the name became a generic word for any musical instrument with a keyboard: something like what happened to Kleenex.

Monday, May 19, 2008. I went to town, talked with Dad again, returned to the farm, then went back to town. Talked again, and then went to that memorial: as a sort of representative of the family. It was a nice ceremony. I particularly appreciated the "I come to the garden alone" song.

Then, everyone went outside (about two dozen people attended). A poem was read, then we released the balloons. The release of balloons hadn't taken the day's wind into account. Those white balloons whipped off to the west at a very respectable clip.

Then, it was time to finish packing and return. #2 daughter gave me supper at her place in Moorhead. I picked up coffee at Debbie's Home Style Kitchen in Fergus Falls (a sort of tradition), and arrived back in Sauk Centre around 9:00.

Then, #3 daughter's birthday being nearby, my wife and I, and our son, sang "Happy Birthday to You," and presented her with a cake and presents.

That didn't leave me with much more to do, except read Garfield to our son, and sing what we call "Bee Bye Boh."

Which brings me up to date.

Wednesday: Beautiful Day; and I Got Something Done

#1 daughter came to visit, but mostly to sort and shelve books in the attic. My wife and #3 daughter went to their music lessons this morning and afternoon, and spent some time with the Sauk Centre grandpa.

#2 daughter called, had my wife call her back (on our much less expensive service), and talked for quite a while. Mostly about school and boys, I gather. #3 daughter and #2 daughter had about an hour's talk after that. Thank goodness, my wife found a long-distance plan that's fairly inexpensive - and has a flat rate.

I got to the exercise place again, read Garfield with our son, talked a bit with him, and had a talk with #1 daughter while she was here, too.

And, I got some work done. A good day.

Wednesday: Data Entry, Music Lessons, and a Rabbit

My wife and #3 daughter were off for most of the morning, learning to play violin (my wife), and getting groceries (both of the ladies). They may have visited the Sauk Centre grandpa, too.

Our son stayed home today: fever and a few other symptoms. There's a lot of that going around. I talked with someone who has been feeling okay for a few days, sick for a few days, and so on, for weeks. Most of the people who have it seem to have, ah, intestinal complaints. Unpleasant.

#1 daughter showed up this morning, as expected. She came over to help with data entry for that project I'm doing. She also brought Giol, her pet rabbit. He's a big thing, with the coloration of a wild rabbit and the big floppy ears of one some domesticated breed.

It took him a few hours to get used to the place, and us, but I think he's adjusted.


By late afternoon, he was relaxed enough to stretch out by the back door.

Wednesday: Of Books, Music, and a Rabbit

#1 daughter came to Sauk Centre today, to help organize books in the attic. I haven't been up there since she left, but my educated guess is that she sorted and shelved in the neighborhood of three shelf-feet of books. Maybe more.

Our son is a happy camper. He and a friend of his have been trying to set up a time when the friend can come over here for about a month. Today, they set up a meeting for tomorrow, after school. I'm not entirely clear on why it took so long to do.

#3 daughter and my wife went to my wife's violin lesson this morning, and to the Sauk Centre grandpa's for a visit this morning. #3 daughter's guitar lesson didn't happen, since she's done something to her wrist. We're dealing with it, but it's not in shape for guitar playing. She's not happy about the situation.

#1 daughter called me tonight, after phone calls between #2 daughter and my wife, and #3 daughter and #1 daughter were over. #1 daughter had something to tell me about her rabbit.

The creature is named "Geol," is a domestic/wild mix, and seems to be a very appealing fur ball. Tonight, #1 daughter told me that Geol had moved an inside fence she's been using to contain him: enough for him to get through. She's re-arranged the fence, but is impressed by Geol's presumed intelligence.

Catching Up: Saturday, March 1, 2008

#2 daughter and I visited my father in the morning - some other folks were there before us. He's been getting a lot of visitors lately.

I asked people at the nursing home if I could get Internet access for a few minutes. They're nice folks, there. I made a very brief update on the two blogs I update daily, and then signed off: I'd said 'just a few minutes,' and wanted to have that be accurate.

Around noon, #2 daughter fixed the two of us a good meal. Then she recommended that I take a nap. This, despite a good 9 hours of sleep that I'd gotten. She whistled me awake just after 5:00. Looks like I needed that nap.

#2 daughter had visited my father while I napped: and I gather that the two of them had a good talk. I'm told that they mostly went through bills which had accumulated, and other paperwork.

After supper, #2 daughter and I watched "Federal Marshals." #2 daughter likes Tommy Lee Jones.

Observing clouds and a chance of snow, #2 daughter expressed the remote hope of being snowed in, and so not having to be back to college on Monday. Flattering: She prefers my company to college classes.

My wife called - talked with #2 daughter, although she did ask after me.

After supper, #2 daughter went through more boxes, while we talked. Then, another music lesson. I'm starting to learn chords, major-minor 7ths, and that sort of thing. What's amazing is that I'm actually retaining some of it.

Catching Up: Friday, February 29, 2008

Leap day. We won't see another one for four years.

I set out for the Red River Valley, starting not too long after noon. I drove the family van, daughter #2 followed in her car. Actually, it's my wife's car that #2 daughter has been using while she's at college. We had left the car at college, in Moorhead, and the two of us drove up to Hillsboro.

After touching base at the house, the two of us visited my dad. He seemed better than he had sounded a week ago: hardly a surprise.

There were people there, talking with him, when we arrived. I gather that he's been heavily condolenced.

#2 daughter and I fixed supper, and put gas in the van, respectively. Gasoline is pricey up there: more so than in Sauk Centre. We watched "Men in Black:" That was fun. It was about then that I discovered that we didn't have a working Internet connection.

Later, #2 daughter taught me some chords on the piano, and some music theory. She also told me about the 'voice in the piano.' When you press one of the pedals and speak into the piano, you'll hear a voice inside. My father heard his brother, she told me. She heard #3 daughter, or my wife. The ladies in this family sound very much alike.

#2 daughter also sifted through a closet and some boxes, while we talked. Sitting on the floor, she found a bottle of Bay Rum in the closet. Being curious, she sniffed the Bay Rum: it was the first time she'd encountered the substance. Then she rolled back, making teeth-bared face. I've seen cats react a bit like that.

She tells me that Bay Rum has a very strong, very distinct odor. I'll take her word for that. If I saw as well as I smell, I'd be legally blind.

---

Now, I've got a bulletin to finish before turning in, so I'd better stop.

Thursday: Soo Bahk Do, Feeling Flustered, and Music

The big deal today was that members of the family got their stripes in Soo Bahk Do. My wife is now a green belt with two stripes, #3 daughter is a green belt with one stripe, and our son has his orange belt. He got that last week, I believe. The stripes came this evening, at Soo Bahk Do class.

I'm proud of this family.

#2 daughter went to the class, too. She's been a bit distracted, by going to college, and so has lagged a bit behind.

Seriously, I've been enjoying #2 daughter's decision to spend spring break here. She's spent much of her time with my wife and #3 daughter: showing great good sense. I've had a little time with her, too. Including tonight, when she taught me a little of what she's learned in her years as a music major.

"Taught" might not be the right word. "Introduced" is closer to the truth.

We got about an inch of snow today, I think, putting a fresh cover on the ground. Looks nice, and if it melts slowly enough in the spring, we'll get some good groundwater out of it.

"Feeling flustered?" I've got a bulletin to put together by Monday (about noon would be good), and I'll be fully occupied from about noon tomorrow until late Sunday, with some family business.

It's been less than a week, since my mother died. Funny, it seems as if more time has passed.

Monday: Despite its Reputation, Mine Was Pretty Good

Another Monday is just about over. The blue-ness of the day is somewhat overrated, I think.

My wife is feeling better than she was yesterday, but not quite good enough to get to choir practice. Besides, she had a cinnamon roll to keep an eye on (delicious, by the way - she let me have a small slice).

#2 daughter and I went, and the choir spent most of the session organizing the folders. It's a pretty good idea, actually. She's here on Spring break, and likes to keep in touch with the community, I think. Alas! #2 daughter will be back at college by the time Easter comes.

Friday: #2 Daughter is Home

My wife and #3 daughter looked after the shop at the in-town grandpa's this morning. They got back around noon: much sooner than I expected. He'd returned, though, so my wife decided that she may as well come back here.

Our son devised a rolling carrier for his laptop's power supply. He explained that now he could move it, and the school desk it's on, around, and the power supply would follow.


It'll have to be moved, eventually, since the cord is running right across the living room: but it can stay for a while yet.

This evening, about 8:00, #2 daughter came back from college. For about a week. There's some sort of break on. She brought quite a few instruments with her: a violin, a viola, a saxophone, and an oboe. I've got a feeling I'm missing something.

The idea is that she's going to be practicing while she's here.

I think she'll work in visiting with us, helping with a few projects, and maybe even relaxing, too.

#2 daughter and I had some time this evening to talk, and watch an episode of one of the Batman animated series. It's good to have more of the family here.

Wednesday: The Cold, Hard Facts

The fact is, it's cold today. Beyond brisk, past chilly, not merely nippy: it's cold.

That's part of the reason why I've been spending as much time as I can not outside lately. I even agreed with my wife, yesterday, that grilling a steak outside around sunset wouldn't be the most prudent idea.

And when I let an opportunity to grill pass by, it's serious.

My wife and #3 daughter were off to see the in-town grandpa this morning, off for a music lesson in the afternoon, and practicing with a music group tonight. Wednesday is the family's busiest day, for out-of-the-house activities.

#1 daughter came in from Alexandria, to get some chores done, get some work done on a costume she's making, chat with me, and with my wife.

Our son went back to school today, after that four-day weekend.

And, I got an ad placed in the Sauk Centre Herald, the Shopper, and the Dairyland Peach: all weekly publications. I finally realized that I've got teaching experience in a number of fields: and that people around here probably look for tutors from time to time. We'll see what happens.

Thursday: Getting Close to Christmas

I got a call from #1 daughter this morning. She's got a little month left over at the end of her money. I think I was able to help. For me, it's a 'been there, done that' situation: and one that's a wonderful opportunity for developing negotiation skills.

#2 daughter, #3 daughter, my wife, and the music group they practice with had a gig at a senior citizen's nutrition center today. They had a good time, and I hear the seniors did, too. When #2 daughter started singing "Silent Night" in German, quite a few of the people there sang along. She was impressed. These are people who don't generally sing in church.

I suppose it makes a difference, being in a more informal setting: and hearing the song in a good, old, familiar setting.

It's Soo Bahk Do practice for my wife, at-home daughters, and son tonight. I get to stay home and, possibly, get some work done.

Sunday Noon

We're back from church. I am not going to make a habit of posting every few hours, but it seems to be happening today.

#1 daughter, #2 daughter, and #3 daughter are singing along to a karaoke DVD. They replaced a "Bionicle" DVD that our son had (playfully?) put in the player for them to start.

And now, it's time for me to grill lunch.

There's something I've forgotten to write about this week - got it! Maybe I'll remember in the next post.