Her Final Performance

As parents,  my husband and I have attended many 

performances of our daughter, Annie.

It began with piano recitals.

She took lessons with Mrs. Reitsma for many years.

Mrs. Bigge got her started on the saxophone in 5th and 6th grades.

She had lots of fun in the high school jazz band and concert band.

She marched in many parades.

She performed in a few talent shows in high school.

She also played in the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble 

under Glen Adsit.

Many summers were spent at the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

She had her first solo saxophone recital during the summer 

before college.

Eastman School of Music offered many opportunities 

for Annie to perform.   Her saxophone quartet meant

so much to her, and it was fun to watch them come together

as a group over the years.

This culminated in winning a national chamber music competition 

at MTNA last year!

There were so many other group performances at Eastman too.

So,  after so many years of performances,

Annie gave her final performance of her

school career in January.

We were so proud of Annie as she performed 

her program!  Even though she was extremely

nervous, she appeared poised and confident.

Annie was accompanied on piano by three very

accomplished musicians and friends: Joe, Evan, and Naomi.

When it was over,  her relief revealed itself in her 

bigger-than-usual smile.

And her smile never left her face for the rest of the

evening as she was greeted by her many friends 

from her years in Rochester.  

Dr. Grunow Annie's advisor and professor, 

 has supported Annie through good times and bad.

We are so thankful for him!

Josh, one of Annie's best friends from high school, presented

her with a bouquet after her performance!

Chai has been another very supportive and loving friend.

Khanh, who played with Annie in their quartet,

reenacted their famous pose!

We were happy to see Lauritz from quartet too!

The performance was live-streamed online, 

so even members of the family in New Jersey

we watching and cheering Annie on!

Annie could not help but feel the love all around her!

Annie is student-teaching this semester and will 

graduate in May.   

We are so proud of ALL of Annie's performances,

from that first piano recital until now. 

We are also proud of the woman she has become.

We know she will do amazing things

with all she has learned!

Ode to Winter

I truly, beyond a shadow of a doubt, LOVE winter.

More than that,  I NEED winter.

The cool, crisp air of a winter day energizes me.

Unlike the majority of people in my life (and the world)

the heat and humidity of the summer bring me down.

By the middle to the end of the summer,  

I experience a sort of depression.

Every year in the spring,  I am full of hope and excitement

to work in my garden and reap the benefits of its beauty.

As the heat of the summer builds,  I tell myself this year will be different.

I tell myself that it's mind over matter. 

I get up early to walk the dogs before the sun is beating down,

yet I still come home each morning drenched in sweat

from the humidity in the morning air.

My garden looks lovely until mid-July when I find

it harder and harder to force myself out into the heat,

longing for the change of seasons.

Air conditioning helps me keep my sanity,

but also holds me prisoner.

If you want to make me happy,  send me a snowstorm.

I love to shovel!

I rush outside before my husband has the chance 

to run the snowblower.  

If I don't make it outside before him,

I instruct him to leave me some snow to shovel.

I believe my dogs feel the same as I feel.

They have a spring in their step in the winter

and are able to walk farther and faster.

I also love to run in the winter.  Like the dogs,

I am able to run farther and faster in the cold.

There are so many other gifts the winter sends my way.

Nothing beats soaking in a hot bath,

or a steamy cup of hot cocoa,

or hiking in the woods without worrying about

mosquitos or ticks.

Of course,  I love wearing winter clothing too,

especially bright colors!  

And if you're having a bad hair day,  

just throw on a hat!

Then there are those days when the thermometer 

creeps above 60 degrees

and 

you get to shed your jacket, hat, and gloves!

My husband hates the winter and loves the summer.  

I just don't get it, but I accept it.

I think maybe it's a biological thing. 

He always needs more blankets on the bed than I do.

He can sit on the beach without going in the water to cool down.

As so many of my generation are making plans 

to relocate to warmer climates,

I would not choose to go that route. 

Two years ago,  we were on vacation in Hawaii for two weeks 

at the end of January.  While we were gone, the Northeast 

was hit with one snowstorm after another.  

I remember feeling sad that I was missing out!

We got well over a foot of snow yesterday!  

I'm feeling great!

There's nothing like a good Nor'easter to bring a smile to my face!