August, 2022

August 2022. Once again I have started the blog after the month. Somehow, the last few days of August is hectic, as schools begin. I am teaching at 2 schools - Trinity School (where James is in High School - I miss not seeing Kate now). I take the Middle School groups 3 times a week and a Lower school group once a week.  At the Chapel Hill School of Music Arts, I teach cello for individual  students. I also have my private cello students during the week.  


August 3rd. Kate was off to COLLEGE! Auburn University, Alabama.  Jennifer, Kate and James drove a long way to the university to get her settled in. I'm looking forward to get some messages when she has time.                                                                                                                                               



While family was going across the US, I was happily playing string quartet music with friends. It had been quite a few weeks over the summer since we had met up, what with vacations and summer  teaching, and it was lovely to play Mozart and Haydn.                                                                                                                                                             

August 10. I don't go to the movies very often, but a friend thought I would enjoy an evening at our local art film theatre. I'm glad I did go, as we both enjoyed the feature-length documentary very much.  The story, which is unique and unconventional, "Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song" paints a portrait of a persevering artist, and popular music history.  Interesting to learn about Cohen's life and and his musicality.  

August 14. Another enjoyable musical get-together with the Central Carolina Viols. It had also been some time we hadn't met during the summer since we played together. Several NC players attended the Viola da Gamba Conclave at the Miami University, Ohio. I was sorry not be there, but hope to attend next year. 

August 20. The highlight of the summer was going to the NC Emerald Isle for a week with Dan, Elisa, Zoe and friend Kriste. Dan, Elisa and Zoe drove down on Saturday from New Jersey to the condo on the sound side of Emerald Isle.  Unfortunately I was not able to go down there until the Monday. Over the summer I had some problems with my eyes (too much looking at small music notes and computer work!) My annual eye appointment was not until December, but I felt I should have them checked before then, with all the teaching and playing starting up now. Fortunately, my doctor did have an  appointment available on the Monday. There is a possibility of cataract in one eye or both. I meet with the surgeon next week to see what will be the best. Steve had cataracts some time ago, and gave me a good example of what he had done which was very helpful, so I'm not anxious. 

August 22. Off on Monday to the Emerald Isle and the family! Luckily, Kriste was planning to drive, which was very helpful for me, as my yellow dilated eyes were not the best time to drive 150+ miles by myself! The condo was lovely - 3 spacious bedrooms, each with a bathroom, a large kitchen, living room with a balcony over the sound,  all very comfortable for 5 people. 

   Interesting in a corner of a convenience store!

                                                                   Taco night!

August 23. Dan had booked a catamaran cruise in Beaufort, a town we all love. The cruise went around some of the islands where the wild horses live, and then further towards the Atlantic ocean to look for dolphin. I managed to get a few photos, but they are so swift in and out of the water, I wasn't fast enough. 

  

      Here is an old map of the area around Beaufort. 

                                   Elisa makes the best meals, this is one with special fish dish, Ceviche. 




                                            Dan bought an inflatable kayak - here we are checking it out. So calm,                                                      and quiet on the sound, with seagulls happily looking at us. Bliss.  


                     From our balcony. 


Happy cats now I'm back. 

Love to all

Jane 

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