Sympathy please

 I have a cold, or maybe an allergy but I think it's a cold.  I feel stuffy and blah.  So that's it.  No scintillating blog tonight but at least I have an excuse this time.  I am doing my best to keep the Kleenex company in business, so at least I've accomplished that today.

I'm singing!!

 During the play I am in rehearsal for now, I sing three solos.  Actually I sing the same two lines three times.  To appreciate what a joke this is you need to know that when my daughter was one year old she told me to stop singing.  A friend with whom I had been in a church choir (they were desperate) told me, after we moved, that she really missed me because now she was the tallest person in the front row. But now I'm singing this bawdy limerick off tune (the only way I can sing) and everybody in the cast thinks it's very funny.  In fact a few of them have told me that they have caught themselves singing the song as they have been working around their homes and several have been humming it during breaks at rehearsals. I may have created a monster, or a hit song?  

a sign of the times

 Continued from yesterday - I have received responses from several former classmates concerning a 60 year reunion.  Most are very positive.  They do want to get together.  An interesting theme is developing though.  I think we may end up with a reunion brunch or lunch rather than a dinner.  I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't want to drive after dark.  The other big request is for plenty of time to visit before or after the meal.  Sounds good to me.  In past years we would compare notes on who had the most children (15 was the all time winner), who had traveled the farthest to get here, what our current jobs were, etc. This year we might compare hearing aid brands, discuss our cataract surgery experiences, see who has the most joint replacements, give prizes for the best decorated canes, walkers and scooters.   Time has indeed marched on.

every five years

 Every five years my high school class gathers for a reunion.  This is the year for our big 60.  Yes, I know that makes me, gasp, old!  But, on the plus side, I am one of the youngest members of my class, 77 to everyone else's 78.  Also, the tallest woman in the class, which bothered me a lot in high school but not any more.  No matter what else I become, I will never be a little old lady. I'm not quite sure how it happened but over the years I (one of the shyest kids ever back in the day) have become accidental treasurer and perpetual part of the planning committee for these events.  This evening I took the plunge and sent out a first email to my classmates to see what they want to do.  I'm hoping that they all agree to a simple supper like we did five years ago.  Especially if we can hold it at Hall's Gas House like we did the last time.  It was extremely effective price wise and right across the street from where I live.  Hey, there have to be some perks to doing the planning. 

Say What?

 I had a good time hosting one of the organists for the competition this weekend as I have mentioned before.  He was a very pleasant young man as I have mentioned before, with only one small problem.  Mine, not his.  Being from Hong Kong, he spoke British English with a rather heavy Chinese accent.  Generally, I had no trouble understanding him.  Generally.  The night before the contest he had been working in his room and came out and asked me if I had 'a razor.'  I told him no.  I didn't tell him that as a widow who lives alone I never need to shave.  But then I remembered that I might have a razor in my travel kit, and I did.  When I offered it to him, assuming he wouldn't mind using a lady's razor, he looked at me strangely, then laughed, apologized for his pronunciation, and made it clear to me that he was asking for 'an eraser.'  He said that he had never really learned to pronounce 'eraser' well because in Hong Kong (and England for that matter) they call them 'rubbers.'  We both agreed that I might not have understood that request at all.  It's good to be able to laugh with your guest.

Music and Family

 Well, the great organ playing competition is over for another two years, prizes have been awarded and my guest came in third, out of three.  They were all excellent, but in his defense, this was his first competition ever, and each of the other two had competed many times.  The music was interesting, some traditional, Bach, and some contemporary.  My favorite piece, played by the winner, was "Mephisto Waltz" by Franz Liszt; very moody and exciting.  So, in this case, I do agree the best person won.  

On another subject my west coast brother tells me that today is "Brothers and Sisters Day." So all you brothers and sisters out there give your siblings a big hug, actual of virtual.  I'm sure there's an emoji for that.  On the other hand, if you don't happen to have a brother or sister today is also "Make Up Your Own Holiday Day." Some possibilities come to mind, such as "Kissin' Cousins Day," "Spoiled Only Child Day," or "Eat Your Cheese Cake Day."  I added that last one because we were served cheesecake at supper tonight after the competition. I will leave it to you to come up with your own special day.  Feel free to share.  That's how these special days get started.

company

 Tomorrow is the National Organ Playing competition at First Pres here in Fort Wayne.  It takes place every other year and has been going on since 1956.  These days the competitors, all under 30, submit recorded samples of their playing and the very best are invited to come and compete in person.  There are three competing this year out of, I believe, 27 submissions.  It's prestigious and they win some money.  Our current church organist competed here several years ago.  This year I am hosting one of the competitors and so far it has been a very nice visit.  He's a young man from Hong Kong, currently working on his masters at Yale.  He came to Fort Wayne yesterday, spent some hours practicing then came to my apartment where I served him vegetarian bean soup for supper.  He liked it but it turns out that he's not really vegetarian (he told me in a text that he was off meat), was just kind of experimenting with it, as was proven when I took him to Hall's this evening and he had the prime rib.  He is a very easy guest, having spent most of the day at church again practicing.  This evening though I suspect nerves are catching up with him.  He has very politely excused himself to spend the evening in his room, which is fine with me because I want to watch the beginning of the new season of Bridgerton.  I love compatible company.