sisters

Today, I was reminded of the power of sisterhood. I went to visit my great aunt - my grandmother's brother's wife. I hadn't seen her in about 15 years. I am in Chicago for work and I drove out to Oakpark to visit her and her sister (they live together). It turns out my aunt has Alzheimer's. Her sister didn't tell me that until I arrived. She did tell me she was confined to a wheelchair before I drove out. She looked good. Her eyes are bright blue and she had make up on (and not too much). They have help. A day person and a night. But Sunday the day help leaves early. My aunt was excited to have a guest. It was nice to see them both. They are only 2 years apart and my aunt's disease began 2 years ago - a bit of a concern. My aunt's sister takes such good care of her and has so much patience, it is amazing. I only hope my sister is so patient and caring with me; or that I can be with her. My aunt's sister, Jo, made the comment that she thinks all girls should have sisters because in some way they need them and I believe they enhance each other. I wish I had taken a picture of them together as they are beautiful and they both glow in their own way. I am thankful for my sister.

Random Thoughts on 4th of July

This 4th of July is my first day off since Memorial Day. Granted, a lot of the days, I don't work the whole day, and some of the days I only had one client, but having a whole day off is nice.
They are shooting off fireworks over Main Street right now. Makes me glad I didn't try to go to bed early.

The 4th of July and fireworks always reminds me of my mom and the fireworks in Foster City. The fireworks in Foster City shoot off right over head (or so they seem), so you watch them while lying on your back in the grass of the park. That is the best way to watch fireworks. Many feel it is better to view fireworks from up high and see many different firework shows. I would much prefer one show and to be directly under them.

My mom loved fireworks. She would oooh and ahhh, rather to my embarrassment, but now I do the same thing and laugh about it.

I skipped the party I was supposed to go to this evening and had dinner at home - quiet and lazy. I wasn't a complete hermit: I watched the parade this morning with friends; introduced Jane (my 22 month old friend) to Doris; stopped by a friends bbq; and went to the movies with another friend (during which we laughed a lot - Hangover is worth seeing); I even went for a walk down to the ocean and put my feet in the water (granted I did that by myself, so maybe that qualifies as hermity).

mmmm....

So, I have had a crush on my ballet teacher for awhile now. Last saturday, he had invited our class to a modern ballet performance that he had had something to do with, and I saw him there. Tonite, one of my classmates from the class I take from him had a "gallery opening" at the panini restaurant down the street from me. Knowing he would be there, I went and hung out. And when he showed up, he hung out with me. He helped the artist too, but he kept coming back. Anyway, he and I went out to grab a bite at the irish pub across the street from the opening and then hung out. I had fun. He is actually older than I thought. He is an odd combination of dorky and cocky that is really intriguing.

Please note that these are the thoughts of a rather inebriated woman (which would be much more apparent if I didn't have some kind eye for typos - I realize that this statement may be completely guffawed at by more sober eyes)

I like him. We'll see how wednesdays class goes...

The Summer of Love

Okay, I am declaring this the Summer of Love. My friend Amy has declared it that for her and her husband, and I am just copying them. I don't know how it will show up, and perhaps it will show up the way I want as me being madly in love at the end of the summer.

Lists

I love lists. I have found 3 lists of music that I want to save and share. Imagine, I clipped these from a magazine before there was Itunes. So much that we take for granted wasn't around 5 -10 years ago. hmmm...

CDs to Quicken the Heartbeat
Starring Fred Astaire (2 cd set)
When I Look In Your Eyes - Diana Krall
Tu, Tu, Amore - the 3 Tenors sing some of opera's most passionate arias
Il Postino
The Brasil Project - Bossa nova with the world's sexiest harmonica
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Beyond the Missouri Sky - Jazz rhapsodies
Paris After Dark - Cabaret songs
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman - Sax & voice

Virtuosos on CD
Vivaldi: the 4 Seasons
Bach: Double Concerto for 2 Violins
Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits
Barber, Meyer: Violin Concertos
Bach: Sonatas and Partitas
The Kreisler Album
Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 5
Great romantic Concertos (Itzhad Perlmans' essential 3-CD set)
Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos

Piano Music
Emil Gilels - Beethoven Sonatas: Pathetique & Moonlight
Wilhelm Kempff - Beethoven: Piano Concertos 4&5
Arthur Rubinstein - the Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 26: Chopin Nocturnes and Scherzos
Krystian Zimerman - Liszt: Sonata in B Minor
Vladimir Horowitz - Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol 47
Murray Perahia - Schumann, Grieg Piano Concertos
Van Cliburn - Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 & Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Vladimir Horowitz - Horowitz Plays Rachmaninoff
Arcadi Volodos - Live at Caregie Hall

Beer Review

I found my notes from beers from a place called BJ's - which may be in Portland, but I don't remember.

I believe it is from my dad & my beer and bookstore tour of the northwest.

• Blonde - kinda tastes like a light beer. Dad - "I sorta like this one."
• Heifeweizen - funky; "another one of those clovy ones."
• Pale Ale - has bite at end, "Shirley would love it."
• *Red - good - kinda like a porter; "has a sweet taste"
• *Porter - same as Red but smoother; "the flavor isn't overpowering"
• Stout - like the porter but stronger (I like porter better)
• *Nutty Brewnette - flavorful yet mellow; "not bad"

(note Dad's comments are in quotes)

slighly perverse

Okay, there is part of me that on eharmony, when asked the 3 best traits I have to offer a partner, I really want to just say, I own a pole, I just finished studying massage, and I make a mean 3 berry pie.