aug 22 2023

Todays dd should be called the "clarinet caper." .

When I was in highschool  I was in the band... note I did not say  I played the clarinet because I had found that faking it in music is like faking it in sky diving.---my hand eye coordination was and is dreadful.. however I landed as “second chair” clarinet in the band...Dick-an excellent musician - was first chair and Steve- a very respectable musician -, was third...i was disgracefully second... zero ability.  We had been practicing something for a concert which started with a lovely clarinet solo... which Dick usually played without error...

 Then came the day DICK  was not at practice—which usually meant the second chair would take over---I WAS TERRIFIED TO PUT IT MILDLY- there was no way of hiding the fact that I was a total failure at producing music with a clarinet.   The conductor ?Mr Zahn?  Raised his batton- and there I sat. helpless- about to be discovered as totally useless... when Steve , totally without comment started playing the entire solo .  he saved the day--- for which I have forever  been thankfull—and think about nearly every day since..—you have seen me write here often .. “identify a problem and solve it” – no fuss no bother, just do it !  my daily mantra thanks to Steve.

  I have often wondered if Steve even remembers that incident....

 

So when I got an email saying he would like the picture of the Newburgh-Beacon ferryboat I was delighted to repay a long overdo favor. 

The rest of the story ...... being 86 I wanted to be sure he got that painting—so at 2am. I got up and with some duct tape I put his address on the frame. And texted judy...if I didn’t make it thru the night, to be sure Steve got it.

Steve—may you enjoy it in good health !!—

 

Our visiting  today will be at 73 margain street.. peabody... I think that is the new/huge place with many seniors sitting about in the yard.... must remember to take wanda too....