Spring returns

Friday,March 18, 2011.5:00 am. I love to get up early in the Spring. Today will be warm enough that we will take a drive up to Woodstock to look in at the house. We're keeping healthy and playing alot of music. Carol is involved in the Community. Last night she hosted the Hilton Neighborhood Assn. meeting featuring the Board of Ed Candidates forum. She has also put in alot of time and energy into the Maplewood Library where she is Vice President of the Board. I did a recital last Sunday with our Brass Quintet on trombone and tuba. Next weekend I conduct a small Chamber Orchestra on a short Opera based on Green Eggs and Ham. Fun, but a real challenge. Next month Beethoven's 3rd Sym. again. Great opportunity, we haven't done it in 2 years. This Wed. I play a Community Band Concert on Tuba; I no longer conduct there, but I love to play tuba. I continue to play in Big Bands at the Union Hall on Mon (tbone) and Tuesday (Upright Bass). I'm also studying cello and practicing some duos with a violinist. Great fun. Read a recent book about The Bach Cello Suites. It is time to slow down and enjoy the outdoors. We've had our fill of snow and ice and things dangerous. I broke a rib on the ice the day after Thanksgiving. The snow arrived the day after Christmas (our 46th wedding anniversary) and it stayed until last week. I have some ice damage on the house which needs work. Last week we enjoyed a family gathering for a Bat Mitzvah in Nashville area. I had a ball, I was tooling around in a beautiful, hot. red Mustang. So sporty. Loved it. Did 2 museums with Cafes as well. Mom is doing well and may join us on today's field trip. Last night brother Bruce hosted the family for St. Patricks Day. Delicious Corn Beef and Cabbage, his wife's recipe. It was fun to see my cousins and catch up. Mary made fabulous soda bread. We read Elana's blog from Costa Rica, so fine. She can write. Well, time also to go hear music, maybe Jazz tonight; next week Elfin plays all Bach. Soon NY Phil. and others. Heard Israel Phil recently here in NJPAC. Zubin Mehta was brilliant putting the woodwinds in front for the Schubert Great C major. Enjoy the outdoors. Stay healthy. Peace. JIM