John's Confirmation

Today John was confirmed at the 10 AM service at our church. Here he as his sponsor introduces him

While grace through faith is free, John worked hard at his confirmation lessons. He wrote a concise but complete statement of faith that really impressed me. Clearly he has learned the precepts of the Christian faith and can apply them. I am so proud and happy.

Fiber Arts Show

Last Friday night we went to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside for a fiber arts gallery opening. It was a juried exhibition with over 80 entries but only 29 on exhibit. Our friend Susan created the hand-dyed, individually stitched piece seen her with John and Janine. (We took this photo while no one was looking because while not prohibited, photos were frowned upon.)

It was an interesting show and very crowded. While most of the fiber arts pieces were abstract like this one, a few depicted actual scenes. One of my favorites was the interpretation of Gramps on Vacation. This piece was inspired by a photo of a man in his early '60 standing next to a 1963 Ford Galaxie on the edge of Monument Valley. I liked it because it reminded me of vacationing with my family in Colorado and Wyoming in the 1960s. So much for my artistic taste. After 30 minutes or more, we finally found Susan and showed our support. She was a good teacher about the tools and techniques required to make such pieces.

New American Girl

Here's Janine earlier this week opening her new American Girl doll, Elizabeth. Janine worked hard for this moment. She earned the doll by performing odd jobs around the house.

Young Lizzie is Felicity's friend in Colonial Williamsburg. While Felicity's family are Patriots, Elizabeth's are Loyalists. I am not exactly sure how the story ends, but Janine and her friend Abagail have great fun playing with these dolls.

The American Girl series has been changing lately however. The company's view of history is now foreshortened as Felicity of Colonial Williamsburg are replaced by dolls like Moonbeam of Marin County in the 1960s.

The company was acquired by Mattel recently, who has every right to do what they see as best. However these decisions seem to be eroding the long-term educational value of the brand. There also seems to be some political correctness creeping in as well.

Contrary to some thinking, history did not begin when we Baby Boomers were born. (Pardon my crankiness.)

Nana's Birthday

Last Friday was Nana's birthday, so we went over to celebrate with her and her friends.

It's funny how people treat you so nicely when you arrive with a sheet cake. Someone held the door. Everyone got out of the way. I am lucky no one followed me from the bakery.

It was a grand celebration. We sang Happy Birthday, and everyone had a piece of cake for dessert after lunch. Then, one by one they all went back to their rooms for a nap.

Now, while Nana does not hold the current record for the facility, we know she is close. What record you say? Let's just say the magic number is 96. (and still looking good!)

We few...we happy few...

...we band of brothers."

We had so many things going on in February, we have yet to post about the Shakespeare Competition at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre.

Yes, here's John as Good King Hal reciting the St. Crispin's Day speech. Eat your heart out Kenneth Brannagh! John did a good job. We could hear him in the back and he was appropriately animated using the bench to address his men at one point. Although I am not sure if King Hal wore Chuck Taylors.

Either way it was great to see and hear John giving the mother of all pep talks. So here's King Harry and friends just about to slaughter the French at the Battle of Agincourt. Something about horses, heavy armor, mud and longbowmen on a hill.

Alice in Wonderland - 2

Did I say that Sarah played the Red Queen? Here she is with AJ as the king about to start the croquet match with Alice and the White Rabbit. The poor flamingos were the mallets.

Her performance was almost frightening, but thankfully Alice did not loose her head in the end.

Alice in Wonderland - 1

Here's Janine and John from last night's performance of Alice in Wonderland. Janine played the duck and John the Gryphon. Sarah was the Red Queen.

This was one Saltworks production that happened quickly. Rehearsals started in late January, performances this past weekend. Like last year's The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, the performance was in the undercroft of Church of the Ascension. The creative geniuses at Saltworks transform a plain fellowship hall into a true performance space with a stage, lighting and sound.

Today is the day after so everyone is suffering from post production let down. As Janine said, "what will we do now for three days a week?" Well I can think of many things, thank you very much!

12th Night - Malvolio

Sarah had a great time playing Malvolio in her friend Mathilda's production of 12th Night as a school project. Like most of Shakespeare's plays it featured cross-dressing, mistaken identity, and saucy humor. Who needs a car chase when you can laugh while an arrogant charter gets cut down to size.

The cast and crew included many Saltworks friends and regulars. Rehearsals started in the fall and the production fell in-between the Kennedy Center ballet performance, the Pittsburgh Public Theatre's Shakespeare Competition, and Saltworks' Alice in Wonderland. But these kids pulled it off with aplomb.

That's a ukulele?

JS Bach on Guitar and Ukulele by Daniel Estrem

Listen to at least the first track to the melody played on the ukulele. It's where Bach meets Elvis and Blue Hawaii!

This is one of my favorite music download sites. It's called Magnatune. I like it because one can get higher quality music files. On most conventional MP3s much of the richness of the performance has been squeezed out of the digital file.

Les Sylphides

Here's the cast of our performance last week at the Kennedy Center. We weren't allowed to take photos, but one of the girls took this with her mobile phone. Shhhh!

Everyone Loves Elise!

Here's Sarah and Janine with Elise after last Sunday's performance at the Kennedy Center. Elise is my cousin Laura's youngest daughter. We had dinner together the night before. Elise was shy at first, but after a few minutes she was everyone's best friend.

White board message

Here is Janine's Christmas white board message to me. She likes to leave these every so often on the edges of the white board in my office.

What a great day brightener!

For young eyes only

This is one of the cutest decks of cards I have ever seen. What they lack in size, they make up in convenience. Note the pen to compare relative size.

Janine set up this game of solitaire on the living room floor next to her homework last week. Now if she only had a black nine...

She's acting

Last week Sarah was in a production called 13 at her evening musical theater academy. Given the fact that the entire class were Senior Highs, it was 17 year olds playing 13 year olds.

Singing! Dancing! Life Lessons! Fun!

Here's Sarah in her role as one of the cheerleaders. Her ballet training served her well for the kicks and jumps. I teased her saying I now know she is a good actress because a cheerleader is an unlikely role for her. But she played it very well.

However I am most proud of two things. First, she went on despite having a sore throat and cold. Then after the show, she worked the hardest of the entire cast striking the set and putting away the chairs.

Bravo!

Felicity's Christmas

Felicity is dressed in her Christmas outfit today for the feast.

This is a new outfit Janine bought with her birthday gift certificates. These outfits are quite impressive, very well made and nicely styled.

Our Christmas has been blessed in so many ways. We are working through the transition from the crack of dawn Christmases of young children and teenagers who will sleep as late as you let them.

That means our traditions are in transition. In the past we got up early to open gifts. But opening them later this morning changed the meal schedule. So we adjust accordingly.

The biggest difference this year however is that Nana is not with us. But we made up for that by dropping in on her during lunch. The facility is nicely decorated and we are so thankful for such a nice staff. But the most impressive thing were the cards from the kids in the CCD classes at the Catholic church she attended for so long. What a blessing to open a manila envelope with six nicely drawn construction paper Christmas cards. We lined them up all across the top of her dresser. Now there is the spirit of Christmas.