July, 2021

July 2021 had its ups and downs, that's life. However, there is much to be thankful and lots of things to do.

                   Thank you neighbors for the bulbs. I was thrilled to see them blooming so beautifully. 

July 2nd - Our new string group, the Solterra String Quartet, got together with three of us having met at June's UNC Chamber Music workshop. Our first violin is the teacher of the second violin, so we have great coaching as well. We rehearse on Fridays and are all so pleased to play together, especially  without masks. We may be giving a performance in September. 

July 3rd. Another regular group, MATA, this one for walkers. It's been going for years. I belonged in the early 2000s, dropped out for several years when I was travelling. I'm glad to be back again. We get together on Saturday mornings - hiking trails around the Triangle area.  We're starting earlier now, as the heat can be ferocious by noon. 

This is the Hollow Rock trail only a 7- minute drive away from my house. This park
belongs to Chapel Hill and Durham to preserve the New Hope River. Within just a few minutes from bustling towns here is peace and the wonder of the magnificent trees and nature, 

July 4th. Coventry celebration America's Independence Day. We had a small gathering on the island in the middle of our upper parking lot. It was good to meet our neighbors to celebrate and chat. No fireworks though. Plenty of watermelon. Even the cars like it!

July 7. Meeting my new dentist in the UNC School of Dentistry. Ellyn is a very nice young woman, and seems to be very competent. No work done that day, as there would be several issues that needed to be taken care first by the Faculty. #1 -  in the Orofacial Pain Clinic, was for checking my jaws to see how they aligned after the molar extraction in June. All OK and no pain. Maybe I'll get an implant where the molar was, but it's not urgent. 

July 17 and more. I was riveted by Maggie's travel adventure to Zimbabwe and Zambia as an outside Agent for Ntaba African Safaris. What a wonderful ability to be able to tell prospective tourists from the horse's (elephant's) mouth. The photos of the Victoria Falls were stupendous as were the elephant safaris. Lucky for those who can have the opportunity to see a unique part of the planet. As a 19 year-old, my brother John (Maggie's Dad) took me in his little Cessna 150 flying over the Victoria Falls. I'll remember forever that amazing trip being there and walking across the bridge to Zambia. 

 

July 21. Dan's 50th birthday! I can't believe I have a 50 year-old son! How fast the time has gone. Sadly their plans for this special birthday, a trip to friends in France, did not go through. Hopefully it will happen next year. Instead, they are planning to come down to NC for a week at the beach like last year, so we will have a good time together, and to celebrate their 22nd anniversary on September 4th.  Ben, are you going to the beach again, so we can meet up? I hope so, it's been too long. We are sweltering here in Chapel Hill. It will be good to get some sea breeze. 

A yummy birthday brunch for Dan!

July 27 - We had a lovely birthday afternoon tea for James' upcoming 16th birthday which was on the next day. He had so many parties that spread out for several days! Betsy flew down from New Hampshire, it was several years since she had seen her nieces and nephew. She also has a July birthday on the 16th. It was so good to have the family for this special occasion, sadly though, missing Dan, Elisa and Zoe. 

                    Happy 16th birthday James!

July 28. With all the dentistry done, the issue of all the noise in my ears was still not solved. (I didn't have any problem hearing them at the birthday party, thank goodness!)  I went for my annual hearing check which was good, the same as last year, except for a slight lower level in a specific area. The rest was fine. On to the Otolaryngologist (ENT), to find out why there's so much noise and pressure in my head which makes it hard for me to hear in certain environments. I also get very tired after working/practicing more than 2 hours at a time. (Nap time to calm the pressure!) Unfortunately, as this has been going on for sometime, its not possible to have whatever surgery there is now. Although I don't need to have aids for my hearing, (minus from the head noise) there are some aids that can cut down the head noise. If anyone has gone through this, I would be interested to know your story. 

I don't want to end on a downer, so here is an exciting project that I'm planning to be part in - the Global Cello Project. #15 is "Pirates of the Caribbean" for 500 cellists or so. The deadline to send in the video is next week, so I am thinking about a costume that is piratical. Watch out for photos next month!