April, 2022

 April has flown like Concord. My laziness during the pandemic is making life difficulty now there are a myriad of things to do.  Masks were taken off at school, we could not recognize the students and vice versa. Students grow a lot during two years! I can't complain, as I have a new job. I was asked to teach cello at the Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts and am giving trial lessons just now.  It will fit in my schedule of Trinity's teaching during the morning and early afternoon, and CHSMA in the late afternoon. I will still be able to fit in my private students. 

Early April - Kate has been attending many gymnastic events over the years. This is the end of her gymnastic life during her school years as she graduates from Trinity School on June 3rd. Let's see if she continues with it at college, or concentrates on soccer.  




April 6 - Dan and Elisa had given me tickets for my birthday, an actual live concert in Durham by the TWO CELLOS!   The first time I saw them was in Cary, NC when they had a selection of classical music and showtunes on their original cellos, accompanied with a string ensemble. The second part of their show was rock music with electric cellos. This year was all electric. While I was amazed at their performance, I didn't know any of their songs, I missed their classical/showtunes on their beautiful wooden cellos. There was only one really beautiful tune, "Alleluia", which came at the end of the concert (still on electric). I and my Coventry neighbor friend who came with me, had great seats, only about 7 rows from the stage, which was exciting. However, near to the end of the show we walked to the back of the auditorium as the sound got louder, and the stage was full of  pyrotechnics. I understand this is their last tour in the USA. Not surprising - it's like a boxing match, they never stop until they collapse with exhaustion! 




April 10 - Completely opposite to rock shows!  Musica celebrating 20 years of playing for the Duke Alumni Reunion Brunch in the Duke Gardens. It was very cold at 9:30am but fortunately the sun was shining all morning and we warmed up. We love playing there - children come over, dancing to the music, people sit on the grass or chairs, often come up to see the program and ask to play their favorites. Sound equipment is set up to hear the music around the gardens, but it's not earsplitting!





Oh Happy Days! Dan, Elisa and Zoe came down for a week (Zoe's school break). Elisa and Zoe went down to Wilmington in the middle of the week to go to the beach and spend some time with Elisa's step-mom. I still had to teach some students, but the next day, Dan and I drove down to Wilmington. The weather was good, lots of people though, but we kept away as much as possible. We all had vaccinations and booster #1. I have not been notified for booster #2 yet. We had a delicious lunch at a famous fish restaurant, Cape Fear Seafood Company. Dan, Elisa and Zoe had fish and chips, Cynthia had shrimp and grits. I had smoked salmon Alfredo. We all had spoonsful of delicious Key Lime pie!




After lunch we went back to Cynthia's retirement cottage, and left to visit the New Hanover County Arboretum.  A small garden run by the North Carolina State University (Dan's Alma Mater)   


April 15, was a busy day. Lunch always at Elmo's in Durham with Ben, a dear friend of all of us who were close to Judy, who sadly passed away 2 years ago. Those days in Carrboro with Judy were a special time, even though she gave Dan sweet cereals! She is sorely missed.  We meet up with Ben whenever we can.                                      


The evening was a special highlight for Dan. A Durham Bulls baseball game, the first of the season! Joining us were my brother John's granddaughter, Michele, an ultrasound technician, and her husband JB. They are about 1 1/2 hours from Chapel Hill. He is in the medical section of the military base further south.  It's been so lovely having Wolfe family nearby. I will miss them dearly if they have to deploy to another state. They came up to watch the Durham Bulls for the first time. The game at the baseball stadium is a fun event, even though I know very little about the game. Rounders at my school was similar to baseball, I loved playing it! At the end of the Bulls game, there were fireworks to begin the season, quite spectacular. A great place to end the visit. Unfortunately, the video of the fireworks I made, was too long for this blog. 





Sadly though, it was time for the family to return to New Jersey for Zoe's school. It had been a lovely visit. Life has to go on with work though! 

April 30 was our dress rehearsal for the Chapel Hill Philharmonia. It's been such a joy to be rehearsing with our orchestra buddies. Our last get-together was in November when we were told our December concert was cancelled by the university. May 1st will be the concert - Mozart's Magic Flute Overture, Bizet's "Carmen" and Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Idyllic! May 1st - it was!


                                        Beautiful Supertunia Raspberry Rush flowers from DEZ


Love

Jane 



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