Open to Youthful Events (and cake)

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Cake by Joy Ciaffoni

Millie and Willie attend the twins' birthday party, double the fun, double the guests, double the cake.

Anyone else thinking of the old Double Mint Gum commercial?

 

Millie:  Willie, aren't you excited? It's the twins' birthday.

 

Willie:  Yes. That means double the cake!

 

 

Millie:  And, a loud and boisterous Happy Birthday.

 

Willie:  Do you think those young fellers would teach me how to play that video game contraption?

 

Millie:  I'll need to triple the pancake batter for breakfast.

 

Willie:  Mmm. Pancakes. Are we going to share our freshly tapped and cooked Maple syrup?

 

Millie:  You know we are, Willie. It's for the kids. And, some of them helped collect sap.

 

(After the party festivities wound down and all the boys went home to sleep in their own beds, Millie and Willie attended a local production of The Glass Menagerie.)

 

Willie:  That was just as good as anything I've seen at The Guthrie in Minneapolis.

 

Millie:  I am astounded by the talent right here in the Brainerd lakes area.

 

Willie:  That woman who played Amanda, Laura Busch, could have been my mother, Millie. She wasn't a Southern Bell, but she did have a command of the family, if you know what I mean.

 

Millie:  Yes, Willie, that is the most memorable characteristic of your mother. I was quite taken with Tom, of course. He told his story with love and sentiment. Kevin Yeager is a fine actor, indeed. Maybe he'll be in a show with us some day.

 

Willie:  That young Linda Nichols might as well apply to the University acting school right now. She could audition at any of the theatres in the metro.  She was so believable as shy, young Laura that I wanted to walk right on stage and hug her and give her some courage to face the world head on.

 

Millie:  (chuckling) The costume designer deserves an A+ for all the great outfits, especially Amanda's party dress. What a hoot!

 

(Millie and Willie go to bed ruminating on the themes of the play, loss of youth, or the clinging to it and the past, as they rest up for Sunday's music recital.)

 

Millie and Willie play a little something during refreshments after the recital.

 

 

Millie:  They were all so good, Willie. I want to applaud one more time.

 

Willie:  They are all so brave to get up on that bench and play their songs, or sing in front of all these people.

 

Millie:  Music lessons and recitals build character, Willie.

 

Willie:  And, confidence. I didn't have nearly that much confidence when I was young. I could barely raise my hand in class to ask a question.

 

Millie:  I love people who support the arts.

 

Willie:  I love all those kids, and their teachers. Music teachers are the best.

 

Millie:  They create good things.

 

Willie:  Amen, Millie.

 

Spring Piano and Voice Recital at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, MN

 

&&&&&&&&&&&

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  How have you supported the arts lately? Anyone else have a birthday? My babies turned 13 today! Now, I am a mother of four teenage boys. (send help)



 

 Click here for show times and tickets to The Glass Menagerie at Central Lakes College.

Spring Piano Recital

Quote of the Day:  Where words leave off music begins. from the cover of a new journal I bought called Rhapsody. It's a gorgeous Black Rock Journal, all black cover with silver letters and musical notations. It was screaming my name when I walked into the book store. The pages are smooth, and my pen glides across like notes in a bluesy piece when you know what it's saying even when you can't hear the words.

Favorite Photo Friday:

The 2012 Spring Recital.

They're both cute and talented!

We had a lovely afternoon of music at Edgewood Vista last Sunday. I thanked the students for their hard work and bravery to get up and perform. I thanked the parents for providing them with a chance to make music.

Here is an excellent article that busts the Myths of Learning to Play the Piano. It is particularly good for any adult who has been longing to play, but has hang-ups about what it takes.

May you have many musical moments this spring!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you have someone to thank for giving you the gift of music, either in lessons, or sharing their song?

P is for Piano Recital

Letter of the Day:  P

P is for Piano Recital and a plethora of pleasing words that provide promise.  I love the letter P.  I did a whole presentation at a writer's conference using words that begin with P.  I'll provide a list after I tell you about our piano recital.  Here are all my adorable piano students!

I'm the one on the far left holding out the program.  Next to me is my one adult student, Holly.  I had players from age 6 to 36 performing.  The girl in front with the blue skirt started just over a month ago.  We had the recital at a local assisted living center.  I'd say about 10 residents came in to hear us.  The room was full of family and friends, residents, a few staff, and one proud piano teacher.  It takes courage to play in front of people, and I hope they all felt the success of their hard work and perseverence.  The message this year was that we can all begin something new at any age.  So many people were inspired by Holly learning the piano and performing.  She's only played a few months.  One of her friends wrote: "congratulations, I admire you!!!!!!"

I had a couple of piano and flute duets.  Here are two sisters.

Pick your favorite word, and Play on, my friends....
patience
practice
peace
pleasure
personalize
paint
pray
play
plan
party
plot
pun
pretend
pen
process
prioritize
persistence
passion
pressure
print-out
pretty

And, don't forget pal.  We all need a good writing buddy.  One of mine is Peacegardenmama.  She's my best writer-mama-pal.

I dedicated this recital to Matilda the Piano Cat.  She died just over a week before the recital.  She loved sitting on the bench and listening to the students play.  Sometimes they still reach down to pet her, but she's only there in spirit.

Journaling Prompt:  Did you ever play in a recital?  How did it go?  Have you attended any? Give me some more inspirational P words!