RIP, Saturn SL-2

Well - it's official. Our 1996 Saturn SL-2 is finally kaput. We bought it new, and it was my car until we started in with the SUV's. Right now I drive a Honda Pilot, and the Saturn has been John's car. We've traded in the Saturn for a "new" used car - a 2002 VW Cabrio GLX convertible that will become my car now. Since I do most of the driving with the kids, I'll be happy to get 35 mpg or better zipping around in this little beauty. The Pilot seats 8, so when I have to go places with the kids AND their friends, I'll have to swap with John - but 75 percent of the time it's me and one or both kids and that's it. (Can you hear the rationalization in my head????) At any rate, it's in terrific shape - low miles - black with black leather interior and a power roof. And it'll be nice to go back to driving a 5 speed instead of an automatic!

LETTERMAN 'TOP TEN GEORGE W. BUSH MOMENTS' CORRESPONDENTS' D

The Flute Is Here

.....and it's FABULOUS. Boris Popovich at Professional Flute Repair in North Carolina did an incredible restoration of the vintage (1950) Armstrong flute I picked up. I used it for tonight's symphony concert - as you can see in the photos from warmup. It has an incredible sound - I'm so lucky to have found it.
Music continues to be an integral part of my life - and it seems, my children's lives as well. They attend every concert without complaint, and have practiced their own instruments daily. Rowan is loving the guitar, and Devon's violin sounds so sweet.....they both attend the Wausau Conservatory of Music for their lessons, where I myself spent years learning the flute. Devon has also decided to pick up the piano and loves to make up his own songs. I'm looking for a good computer program to transcribe as he plays. You never know, perhaps he'll be the next Beethoven - and Rowan the next Eddie Van Halen.....regardless of where it takes them, I'm pleased they have an interest, as music is such a huge force in my own life.

Home Depot

Haven't tried Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs yet? Would you give one a shot if it were free? You'll have your chance this Sunday. Home Depot has earmarked one million CFLs for giveaway in observance of Earth Day. (The offer is open to U.S. customers in the 48 contiguous states.) The company says its promotion will result in a $12 million saving in annual energy costs, reduce almost 200 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, and offset the emissions equivalent of over 70,000 automobiles.

Recycling Unwanted Items

In last week's City Pages, I enjoyed an article about a worldwide organization dedicated to recycling products instead of adding to the landfill. Since one man's trash is another man's treasure, this is a great way to get rid of unwanted items, or pick up gently used items for you and your family. The only catch - it has to be free. You can't ask for anything in return. So this weekend, I posted my kids old Crabby Sandbox and my old washing machine, both in great shape, but just sitting unused in the garage. Within hours I had emails from folks who were thrilled to take them off my hands. The sandbox is now in the yard of a 5 year old boy, new to town - and the washing machine went to a young military couple getting married in June. I felt great about putting these items to use. The site is www.freecycle.org - you can sign up for your locality and browse postings for everything from comic books to ponies - and you can also post the things you want in hopes someone will supply you with it for free.

Arts Alive for Hospice

Tonight I emceed a hospice fundraiser at the Jefferson Street Inn. Arts Alive is in it's second year, and this year was especially important to me - a small way to give back to Hospice for the gifts and help they were able to give our family during my father's illness. I'll have an update on how much money was raised after the tally is in, but I do think it was significant. Good crowd, great artwork up for auction. I didn't have time to take many photos but I did get this photo taken of me with Dana and Julie at the event.

Best DUI Ever

Write A Letter!

Betty Eldridge, of New Port Richey, Florida, mailed her teeth first-class to Tallahassee. That was more than a year ago, and she's seen them only once since. But she doesn't miss them. Edlridge, who's 71, wrote to the dentist who made her teeth, "Without a doubt they are the worst set of dentures I have ever seen, and I've seen lots." After writing the dentist she sent her dentures and a complaint letter to the state Department of Health. That was a year ago. Now, as she waits for some sort of resolution, Eldridge is sticking to meals of mashed potatoes, rice and twice-cooked chicken nuggets.

Flute

At an estate sale recently, I found a vintage Armstrong 80 French style flute with a B foot - solid silver head, silver plated body - for an absolute song and picked it up. I'm excited to report that I've found someone both reasonably priced and well recommended to give it an overhaul. I'm currently playing on a Gemeinhardt that works just fine, but I miss the brilliant sound I have always found on an Armstrong. Many would argue that Kurt Gemeinhardt's flutes are superior - and at one time they were, but that was years ago. I don't think this flute will need too much - in fact, the pads look pretty good, (two keys are sticking) - cosmetically, this instrument is beautiful with no scratches or dings, and a gold mouthpiece (no more flute black on the lip!). I'm hopeful for a good result and expect it back in-house in two weeks tops. Would love to have it back in time for our next symphony concert but I don't think that's going to happen. You never know, though!

Ipod Body Armor

An iPod saved a soldier's life in Iraq. The MP3 player stopped a bullet from an insurgent's AK-47. Kevin Garrad (3rd Infantry Division) was on a street patrol in Iraq and as he rounded the corner of a building an armed insurgent came from the other side. The two of them were within just a few feet of each other when they opened fire. The insurgent was killed and Kevin was hit in the left chest where his iPod was in his jacket pocket. It slowed the bullet down enough that it did not completely penetrate his body armor. Fortunately, Kevin suffered no wound. (Here's a photo of the iPod.) An Apple engineer got wind of what the iPod did for the soldier and plans to help Garrad get a new one.

Lazy Dog Days

Novel

For the past three years, I have been working on a novel. Not just one novel, but I get halfway done, hate it, and start over. I have taken two novel writing classes, both of which have been extremely helpful in figuring out how to flesh out characters and plotlines, but haven't found exactly the right story to tell. When my father became ill, I started fresh and have been working on it ever since. Someone I work with who is a published author gave me advice a few weeks ago that I have adhered to since - write one page a day. Every day. No matter what, one page. Like it or hate it, it's the best way to get your creative juices flowing - and so far I think he's right! I have been writing a page a day, even on the busiest days - and so far the result has been some solid work toward my goal - and I really love the storyline.
Aspiring authors - take the advice of my friend and write a page a day. If you do, you'll have a novel in a year.....and that's a reachable goal.

The Smartest Dog in the World

I love this!

Swimsuit Season

Summer is creeping up and I can't wait. Hands down it's the best time of the year. For the past three years we have had a snapset pool from Intex in the backyard - the White Trash version of a luxury pool. We loved it and used it every day it was warm enough. The tough part is putting it up and taking it down every year - it wasn't one of those inflatable ring pools, it was a PVC frame pool that took hours to set up. So this year I've taken the plunge and have bought a "real" pool from the Pool People. It's all being delivered on Monday, and I've hired our friendly neighborhood handyman, Jason, to come install it for me, which should take him roughly a day or so. My backyard is too small for the 24 footer I wanted, so I bought the 21 foot round Doughboy - that way there'll still be plenty of room for the dogs and kids to play, and to fit the trampoline. After the pool's in, Jason is building me a deck, too - nothing fancy, just a rectangle off the house that I can put some furniture on for cookouts and parties. Right now, thanks to the dog, our backyard looks absolutely terrible, so I'm looking forward to the upgrade - and plenty of lunchtime breaks reading on my lounge chair in the pool!

Happy Easter!

In Vino Veritas

Got my wine from the Wine Club and have totally fallen in love with an Australian called Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red, vintage 2005. Here's what the writeup looks like:

Pillar Box red is an opaque red/black color with a scarlet rim. It displays aromas of sweet, ripe red berries underpinned cinnamon spice and dark chocolate. The palate is rich and fleshy with vibrant raspberry & blackcurrant fruit intertwined with a citrus like cedary oak complexity. The tannins are full yet soft and supple, combined with the gentle acidity to produce a lingering harmonious finish.
This wine scores a 91 and is one of the best values available from the Wine Club.

Buy it here:
http://www.thewineclub.com/187701?id=7cnmwytW

Elks Club Night

John joined the Elks club back in September and has gotten quite active with the organization. Last month he was elected as an officer and last night was installed as the organization's Lecturing Knight for the year. We all dressed up to celebrate and attend the installation and dinner. He's pretty excited about it. I have been all for this Elks thing but after last night it has become clear that they expect spouses to be just as active, attending national conventions and that kind of stuff with the officers. I won't go this year, but I might go next year to Anaheim and the year after to Portland. What the heck - a chance to see places I otherwise would not.