Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti

Do – a deer a female deer
Okay, another difficult day with Dad.  Not all day.  Just this evening.  The day started out good with a run over to the VA for a fasting lab, and then breakfast in the Canteen (that’s the cafeteria to you regular folks).  And then I took Dad to the Senior Center for the Day. 

Re – a drop of golden sun
This evening, we joined some family members at the VFW to eat dinner.  Only Dad wasn’t hungry, he had had a late snack (4pm). 

Mi – a name I call myself
After dinner we drove home.  On the way home I was in living hell.   Dad started to think we were in Chicago, and that I was going the wrong way home.  So the entire drive home Dad yelled at me about me driving the wrong way, and could we just stop at the VFW to pick-up his car before it was stolen?  Dad:  “I need to get home tonight in Lemon, IL.  My dog Caitlyn is home alone and I don’t want her to starve to death.  Can you please take me home now?”  This whole monologue would repeat itself only in a more angrier and angrier tone.  All the while I was thinking, I hope he doesn’t hit me.  If he did hit me, what would I do?  What can I do to avoid being hit?  Should I call the police?  If I did get hit- how bad could it be??  

Fa – a long long way to run
Finally Dad quieted down and started to relax, and even apologized for yelling at me.  Which was truly amazing.  We got home, and crept in to the house.  Dad grabbed Caitlyn and gave her the long lost hug and kiss, you give someone, you think you’re never going to see again.  I disappeared in to my room.  Dad came in later to apologize again.  Which is really amazing, because you’d think he’d have forgotten about the yelling by then. 

Sol- a needle pulling thread
Note to self:  Never drive Dad anywhere by yourself again.   Especially after dark (Sundowners).

La – a note to follow so
Well, I have to get to bed early, I have a rehearsal tomorrow morning at 9:30 am for the Community Band concert on Sunday.  So good night sweet blog, good night. 

Ti – a drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to Do

Many thanks to composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II for the use of their lyrics from the “Sound of Music”.

Seventy-six trombones led the big parade

With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.
Well we’re still celebrating Dad’s 76th Birthday!  Today we had a rehearsal with the Community Band.  After our first break we played happy birthday for Dad.  Dad loved the attention.  Brody joined our rehearsal today too as a visitor.  After rehearsal, DBL arranged a great birthday cake with an inscription and two candles that spelled out “Happy Birthday Grampa”  And the candles were in the shape of “76”.  Dad enjoyed the special treat. 

They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuous
[I apologize for not getting the pic of the cake.  I’m a little slow on the draw. ]

the cream of ev’ry famous band.
This morning every time we said to Dad …”Happy Birthday”, Dad would say- It’s my birthday?  How Old am I??  And we would say 76!  And Dad would immediately start doing the math.  I was born in 31, what year is it??  2008?  REALLY??  Oh yeah, it is 76 years…  Well how about that?  And then Dad would ask again, How old am I??  After a while, we’d just sing the song from the Music Man…  76 trombones led the big parade, with a 110 cornets right behind.  OR we’d just say 76 trombones. 

Monday, Monday

So good for me
Today started out a little slow.  Dad had a hard time getting out of the bed.  Brody and I drove Dad to the Senior Center.  We got there later than usual. 

Monday morning it was all I hoped it would be…
After wards Brody and I went swimming for a couple of hours.  Molly, our visiting Labrador, wanted to play.  And joined us in the pool with her pool toy soon after we jumped in. 

Oh, Monday morning
After we were done swimming.  Again, I was exhausted, and I took a nap.  Brody spent the afternoon with my DS and DBL during this time.  They sounded like they were having a good time together. 

Monday morning couldn’t guarantee
Later on after dinner, Dad, Brody and I played five (5) card draw.  Dad was teaching Brody how to play the game.  And he was as clear headed about this as possible.  Very impressive teacher.  We enjoyed mango sherbet (eat your hearts out, this mango is the greatest!).  During which my DS and DBL practiced their instruments (trombone and tuba respectively), (They play in a community band and another professional wind ensemble) They sounded pretty good while they practiced and it reminded me, that I too needed to practice my clarinet as well (I too play in the community band). 

That Monday evening you’d still
About 9 o’clock we folded up the game and started to get ready for bed and I practicing the clarinet.

Be here with me
I started practicing my music for the upcoming September 14Th concert.  Some of the clarinet parts are a little challenging – and we have a sectional coming up as early as August 20Th.  During sectionals, the odds of being asked to play by yourself in front of everyone are pretty high (something I dread). 

Monday, Monday
[author’s note:  as it has been at least 25 years ago since I played clarinet professionally – I’ve been picking up my skill (again – with practice) over the last two (2) months, but I’m still not 100%.] 

Can’t trust that day
Sectionals are when only one instrument practises together to help increase that sections’ technique, tone and ability to play together.

Oh, Monday morning you gave me no warning
Later after practicing, Dad came out looking for Brody and I (about an hour later).  We shared hugs and good nite kisses.  And every one went to bed.  Except that Molly – she wanted to play again and picked up her rubber hot dog and was trying to get me to play keep-away-her, I did so, for a few minutes and then made a mad dash to my bedroom.  Where I curled up with my computer and wrote this blog. 

Of what was to be
Many thanks to The Mamas & The Papas for the use of their lyrics.