February 2022
February 1st - Back to school. Fortunately while on the flight home during the two and a half hours in the completely full plane, I did not succumb to all the coughing and sneezing.
February 3rd. I was glad to know that Maggie had decided to go to Kenya on safari with Aaron which had been arranged before the death of Steve. Giving them a chance to spend some time together in a different environment, was a nurturing time for them both. Maggie being so glad that Aaron could have the opportunity to see a totally different way of life, and Aaron to understand how Maggie feels in Africa. Here are some of the photos Aaron took, outstanding. Here are just a few. I will make a separate album for his photos if he is willing to let me have them.
February 5th. A good way to start the day with my weekly walking buddies. Today it was in Hillsborough along the Eno River. The weather was perfect, which is why I prefer the south! Rush home, quick shower and driving further south to meet up with Michelle and husband JB for a birthday Afternoon Tea at the Fearrington House Inn. Happy birthday Michelle on the 25th!
Fearrington has been a favorite local of mine since Musica started to perform there in the late seventies for weddings, receptions and special events. The owners, RB Fitch and his wife Jenny started planning for their own little oasis, Fearrington Village, on a 640-acre farm. Now it has an hotel, restaurant, specialty shops, beautiful gardens and further out, a development of upscale homes. Here is an impressionistic photograph of our trio of flute, violin and cello on the lawn of the house during an outdoor wedding.
A Belted Galloway goat. The cows are also Belted Galloway.
February 11, A fun evening for the family! Zoe's school produced a Virtual Trivia Night Fundraiser. We went as a team and had some brilliant answers, some not so brilliant, but it got us in the upper middle of the list. Even though we were all on Zoom (minus a technical issue when I missed a few of the questions) we did manage to get everyone participating. Lots of fun together.
February 16, a sad day, the funeral for a dear friend who passed away on February 8th. Bette and I met in 1967 in Israel. I was playing in the Haifa Symphony, and Bette, who was from New Zealand and going around the world, was in a kibbutz. Soon after that, Janet, another friend from England, came over for Easter, and she and Bette hitchhiked through the West Bank to Jerusalem. Janet said it was the most exciting day her life! They met up again when Bette went to England where she had family. After that, Bette went to Canada, and stayed there for the rest of her life as a physical therapist. We kept in touch over the years and I visited Bette in Vancouver several times. She was a very considerate hostess and took me around to some lovely places. Taking a ferry visit to Victoria, British Columbia, Bette took me to the Butchart Gardens. 100 years ago, the Butchart family transformed a barren rocky quarry into gardens covering more than 55 acres of a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths. After a glorious morning, although we could have stayed there all afternoon, we went to Victoria where we had afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel. Very posh!
Bette had the travel bug until she became too ill. I often asked her to visit me in North Carolina, but I think she preferred to go to more exotic places! However, we met up in Kenya one year when I was there with Dan, Elisa and Zoe. Bette was on her way to Ethiopia to see its ancient culture ruins, and asked me to go with her, but it wasn't possible for me at that time.
When Bette moved to Vancouver, she converted to Judaism, and for many years was an active member of the local synagogue, reaching out to make connections from her seat in the back pew. She made beautiful tallitot (prayer shawls) as a work of love for the members.
I was glad to able to see the service on Zoom, in the synagogue and family and friends from all over the world. Bette was a good friend and I will miss our long friendship.
February 20. On a happier day, thankful for cellos! UNC Cello and Viola da Gamba Professor, Brent Wissick promised his annual a "serious but fun" concert and it certainly was. Here is his description of the concert:
"The program will feature the premiere of a cello choir work by UNC faculty composer Allen Anderson titled Memento Mei Deus, as well as the familiar Popper Requiem for 3 cellos, and several solos and duos. We will also host UNC Dental Student Dariel Liatkovetski and his dental student brother in a cover version of a Metallica song in the style of the Finnish cello quartet "Apocalyptica". The Liatkovetski brothers were taught by their Russian cellist grandfather and performed as a teen duo on America's Got Talent.February 24. More music, yaay! Our Chapel Hill Philharmonia is back up and running! Mozart's Overture to the Magic Flute, and Beethoven's 7th Symphony!!!!! So happy. We are keeping our fingers crossed (carefully) that we will be able to have the concert we lost in December. We are still wearing masks, each of us have our own music stand, vaccinations and booster. But we are playing!!!!
February 25. This is Kate's year! Trinity School showing off the Seniors!
Her 18th birthday is on March 25th and she graduates in June! 
Love to all
Jane
Lovely!
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