September, 2021

 Wow, this month has been on a roller coaster and gone by so quickly! That's why the blog is late this month. With all the business, I have not been able to add photos. I think there has been some changeover, and must have missed it. I have lovely photos on my iPhone, but can't get them onto the computer. The folders stopped at the end of August.  I'll send them out when I (or James?) can sort it out. 

Starting with September 1st,  after my two classes at Trinity (7:30am and 12:20pm), I picked Maggie up from RDU where she had flown from Milwaukee. From there we drove down to Atlantic Beach.  So exciting that she was able to join us for a few days at the beach. Dan and Elisa had rented a 3-level town house, so we each had space and bathrooms! 

We got up the next day early enough to walk along the beach as the sun rose.  Spectacular!                      Elisa planned to cook fish, so we went early to get to the best market in Morehead City for the freshest catch of the day. A delicious dinner that night! 

The next day was a visit to the NC Aquarium. In an outstanding location with fascinating exhibits with a myriad of habitats for tiny fish to large alligators, snakes, sharks, sea turtles, including otters having fun in the river.  Included is a habitat featuring a replica of U-352 German submarine that was sunk off the coast of North Carolina in 1942.  Resting in 115 feet of water, the debris attracts swarms of of fish seeking food and shelter.  

Our last day ended in historic Beaufort. We walked around houses c1700 and lots of small shops and antique stores, until we boarded a Sunset Sail cruise in a catamaran that meanders around the peaceful waters of the Outer Banks. The red and yellow North Carolina sunsets are some of the most beautiful in the world. That and a glass of wine, was a wonderful way to gather memories. 

Sept. 4th was Dan and Elisa's 22nd wedding anniversary! We left the beach and drove to Wilmington,  where they were married in a townhouse on the beach. We were thrilled to see our favorite restaurant, the Oceanic, was open after having hit by a hurricane a year ago. Their historic Crystal Pier was rebuilt this year and all is well at the restaurant. It was a lovely anniversary lunch all together, which included Cynthia, Elisa's step-mother, who lives in a retirement community. Sadly, Maggie and I had to leave later in the afternoon, as we had to get home, stopping on the way to visit Maggie's niece Michelle, who I am her great-aunt! Michelle and her husband JB live north of Wilmington and only an hour and a half to Chapel Hill. It's been very enjoyable having more family in North Carolina. Maggie was able to stay a couple of days before going to Florida. We had lovely weather, very hot! and did quite a lot of walking to catch up with our Land's End to John O'Groats challenge, 1,089 miles. As of today,  we have just  got a postcard that we have crossed over to Scotland! On Labor Day, we had a picnic lunch in the Duke Gardens, then drove to Hillsborough to walk around Ayr Mount, a beautiful estate open to the public for walking around the grounds. Soon there will be a connection bridge (we hope) so walkers can go down to the river and walk back into Hillsborough. 

Sept. 7, Back to school for my 7:30am Lower class lesson, then on to the airport for Maggie's flight to Florida. I'm so pleased that Maggie was able to be with us. I miss her.                                                  

My schedule now is set up with school classes, a few private students, string quartet and orchestra rehearsals. It feels so good to be doing all the things I like to do at work!



Sept. 9.  Halleluiah - The string section of the Chapel Hill Philharmonic came together at UNC for a rehearsal since March 5, 2020! Vaccinations, masks, one person to a music stand, sitting several feet apart. Mozart's Eine Kleine and Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings. Bliss!

Sept. 18, was a special day at Trinity, for the dedication of the new Arts and Technology building. I was asked to arrange a music group to play for the 8:30 am Breakfast for the donors, and two fine violinists from the Upper School volunteered, so we had a nice trio in the entrance. It was fun and gave an upbeat feel at that hour! I felt honored as a substitute to be the first string class teacher in the new building. My classroom is large, light and airy. When an orchestra is set up, the side of a wall opens up to a large room, used mostly for drama, so there's plenty of space for strings, winds, brass and percussion.              One of the extra treats at school is bumping into Kate every so often. As we all have masks, I have yet to see James, there are so many tall young men!

I hope all of you are keeping well and dealing with this ongoing disaster. 3rd booster is on the way. I have to ask my doctor. I've already had two vaccinations. Moderna. 

Love to all

Jane 






 

 

       

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