First Raspberries of the Season

The raspberries are finally ripe!  The hot weather, and then the cool, rainy weather has slowed them down a bit, and has produced a crop of very small berries so far.  In the last few days, they have grown larger, and are easier to pick.

So far, I have made raspberry/peach pie, raspberry/rhubarb cobbler, and raspberry sauce.  We have raspberries on our granola in the morning, and we put them on our after-dinner sherbet.  I love this time of the year!

Uncle Rex

My uncle Rex, who will be 88 years old in a few weeks, fell and broke his hip two weeks ago while on a trip to Bainbridge Island with his godson, Brian.  They had a long ambulance ride from Bainbridge Island to Bremerton, where the hospital there did not have room for Rex.  They then transported Rex to Harrison Hospital in Silverdale, just a few miles from where he lives.

The surgery was successful, and after three days, they moved him to a rehab center nearby, where he has been recovering for the last two weeks.

Since I am his only family and have his medical power of attorney, Don, Polly and I got a room in a nearby hotel and traveled to Silverdale for a couple of days so I could sort out Rex's medical care and be sure he had everything he needed.  Rex is due to go home sometime after next Monday, so all is progressing well.

Silverdale is a lovely place, and Don and Polly hung out in a lovely hotel while I talked to doctors, hospital staff, and physical therapists.  We took a walk one evening along the water, and enjoyed this lovely little town before we returned home.

This is Crista Shores where Rex lives

Silverdale at Night

Polly's New Toy

Every so often, I take Polly to Paddywack Dog Boutique in Mill Creek to look around the store and to pick out a new toy.  This time, Polly picked out a little squeaky toy bunny, which looks just like the bunnies that run around our pasture.

Polly and her bunny have been inseparable since they "met", and it's fun to watch our pet take care of her little baby.

Piano Student Krithika and Sister Driti

I have a lovely young student named Krithika, and she is 10 years old.  Her little sister Driti, who is 7 years old, loves to come along with her big sister for her Friday evening piano lessons.

Here is a picture of the sisters trying out my Lowrey organ while they wait for their dad to pick them up.  They sounded pretty good, as Krithika has been giving her sister piano lessons!

Bob Dylan and The Band Concert at Ste. Michelle Winery June 5, 2016

What a thrill to see Bob Dylan live at Ste. Michelle Winery Sunday evening!  One of my students gave me the gift of two VIP tickets to the Concert Reception and special seats for the concert.  We arrived at the Winery two hours early, and we were escorted to the Chateau for a lavish appetizer buffet and wine tasting.  We had lots of time to enjoy the food and wine, and walk the lovely grounds of this very special place.

Around 6:30 p.m., we started up the hill to the Peacock Lounge, where they served more wine and desserts.  Soon we found our reserved seats (chairs to sit on, not the grass!).  We could see the stage perfectly.

Mavis Staples, of the Staples Singers from the 60's, opened the show.  What a voice that woman still has at age 77!  It really took you back to the years of desegregation, activism, and of course, incredible music.  By the time Dylan started his set at 7 p.m., we were ready for him.

It was an incredible concert, with a great set of 20 songs, mostly his more recent compositions.  He had several early pieces, and it was a great variety of his many different styles of music.  It's incredible to think that this one man has written over 500 songs, and has changed the course of music in the world forever.  Thank you, Bobby Zimmerman!  We love you!

Enjoying the find wine of Chateau Ste. Michelle

Outside the Chateau, enjoying the lovely evening

Getting settled in for the concert

The man himself!

Dylan on the Piano

Red Sky at Sunset

There was a most magnificent sunset two evenings ago, and this photo below does not do it justice.

Ocarina

Many of my adult students at the Maltby Piano Studio are interested in music of all kinds.  This often leads to interesting discussions involving different instruments.  When Ian shared his grandfather's Hohner harmonica with me at one of his recent lessons, I got out my Dad's Marine Band Hohner harmonica and we were off and running.  I ordered each of us a Beginning Harmonica book, and we are coming along nicely, learning the 20-note scale, and learning how to play single notes, double notes, and triple notes.  Watch out, Bob Dylan!  We're coming for you!

Anyway, back on task here--Ian also bought an ocarina, pictured below.  It's got a sound between a recorder and a harmonica--very sweet and ethereal.  Ian loves video game music scores, and he is now able to play The Ocarina of Time on both the piano and the ocarina.  Is that cool or what?

Lunch with the Family

Last week, we met my aunt, uncle, two of their three children, and one of their grandchildren for lunch at Brier Pizza and Pasta.  Faye and Wendell, my aunt and uncle, are getting ready to leave Brier and move to an assisted living situation in North Bend, close to my cousin Sue and her husband Mike.  We are helping in small ways to ease the transition, so a good visit over great food helps a lot.

A Picnic in the Back Yard

All of the sunny and warm weather has given us a chance to use the BBQ frequently, and to enjoy our evening meal outside in our lovely yard.  Paired with a fine wine, this al fresco meal is perfection!

Roses, Roses

Everything is a profusion of blooms this year!  The roses are at least a month early, and here is an example of what is in the yard.  The Julia Child yellow roses and the red William Shakespeare look dramatic!