Do-It-Yourself-Sousa Concert

The annual Mount Prospect Do-It-Yourself-Sousa Community Concert, featuring musicians from a variety of surrounding towns, was held on Monday evening, and it was just wonderful.


It was amazing to hear the nearly 50 musicians...many who have never played together before, except for a single rehearsal on Sunday night....play so flawlessly.

Among those fabulous players was our very own bass clarinetist....Bill!


The weather was perfect, a box dinner from Jimmy John's was delicious (thank you Christopher for the perfect sandwich suggestion)....


....and being in the company of Christopher and Tess (as usual, behind the camera lens), made the evening a real treat.


The concert also featured a few special touches.

A very talented soprano sang a beautiful selection from "Die Fledermaus", and this handsome, graceful couple waltzed to Strauss....so lovely.


Finally, American flags were handed out to the audience, which we all waved during the rousing grand finale!


Well done all. I can't wait until next year!!!!

Sesame Street Favorite - "Put Down the Duckie"

Christopher and I were taking a walk down memory lane tonight, talking about many of the great shows, songs and characters we shared over the years watching Sesame Street.

This video is classic Sesame Street, meshing music, humor,and a heck of a good time for both little ones and parents alike.

If I could start each morning with this song, I think my days would always begin with a smile, and little bit of a snappy dance....

A Few of the Many Books I Am Reading.....

Found Halloween Photo....

Christopher brought this photo home yesterday from Melissa's apartment. It's not one I had ever seen before. It's strange to happen upon something like this. You assume that you know of all existing photographs of your children....that there are no surprises....


This photo, taken several years ago, shows the girls as impossibly lovely and radiant. I had forgotten how young they once looked. Christopher, the Ninja, and Max the guy with the gas mask, are framed by old, long forgotten friends, one wearing an old lab coat Bill once used, and the other in a jester costume I had sewn for Max during more energetic times.

It was a treat to see my children, their friends, my beloved front porch ready for Halloween....all at this sweet moment captured in time. My thanks to Melissa for finding this print....

No EgyptFest

EgyptFest cancelled on Saturday due to severe thunderstorms.

EgyptFest cancelled on Sunday due to....it's complicated, let's just say it was cancelled.

Obviously, EgyptFest is something that just isn't in the cards for us....

Let's Try This One More Time....EgyptFest....

Last year at this time we attempted to attend the EgyptFest to no avail.

Pitiful story told here.

Determined people that we are, we will try again on Saturday....wishing for luck this time....

4th of July Parade Videos

Captured on video, the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band, riding by in this years parade. Seen are: Tess on flute (she is the second flute, near the railing), Robin on bells (in the middle, before the drums), and Bill on bass clarinet (after the first tuba).

They sounded just great, and played a terrific concert at Recreation Park following the parade.


Once again, the library wowed parade goers with their First Place award winning "Reading Railroad". This magnificent "float" began life as a truck! The magic created by the incredibly talented team (which includes the equally talented Christopher!) is beyond words.

How will they ever top this next year? Remember though, I said this last year about their amazing Space Shuttle float....also a First Place winner!

Note the tall, handsome prisoner waving from the back of the train....yep, that's my Max...he's quite a guy...

Joni..."California"...lifting the spirits....

Lots of moments to blog. Some happy. Some not so much.

Later for all of that....

For now...just Joni...

Tess Has Updated Her Photography Blog....

....And her work is lovely....as always...