New stuff

 It’s been a good long while, but I am trying to be more accountable so here is the non-musical new stuff in my life. 

First, we have a new cat! Mouse (jim named her) Is a bit of a skittish girl, but she is coming to appreciate us. Popcorn is still outside, but Mouse is a mostly indoor but sometimes outdoor kitty. Definitely has a preference for jim. 

Cleaning my office! Ever since I moved in, I wanted to organize it differently, and I think that was 15 or more years ago. So, it’s really gonna happen. Mostly that will be documented on the wild reeds Page.

New job at Mountainside middle school! About four hours a week, two days. I mostly run woodwind sectionals and it has been a fun outlet.

Partly because of that job, I quit Weight Watchers, which conflicted on the Friday time. I did not feel like I was getting much out of it, but I have gained even more weight since then so maybe that was a bad choice. I am also not running right now, or walking. I’ve been sick for a couple of months this summer which definitely put a cramp in my style. Would like to make some forward strides in my health as we go into fall. Belatedly make an appointment with my GP for this long, ongoing sickness, and I am way overdue for an annual visit visit. Hoping we can kind of combine these two but even if I have to go back at least I am putting some energy into my health.

Missing Daniel as he has been gone for about 18 months now, hoping to visit maybe in October for his birthday, hard to believe he’ll be 25! He and A are very happy, And have survived their first move together, next-door to a less expensive apartment. 

Jim had another middle of the night ER run a couple weeks ago, he had run out of his pills and decided it would be fine. Spoiler alert- it was not fine. Anyway, much better situation since he has a regular urologist and we were able to get in in a couple of days instead of a couple of months. It is possible he will need further surgery as he is not able to sleep through the night and that is definitely affecting his well-being. Follow up appointment is at the end of August so we will see what they have to say at that point. 

Checkin in

 Hard to believe we are well into July, about this time last year we started the horrible spiral with jim’s health. This year everything seems pretty great healthwise for him, but I am 25 pounds heavier than I was last year and that is something I’d like to change. I am also looking at turning 60 in about a month which is not really freaking me out, but it is something to think about for sure. 

So I’m trying to double down on my eating, being more mindful about tracking, trying to run three times a week, and I’ve started doing arm weights again. Last year, I had hoped to talk to somebody about my anxiety, but I ended up going to a psychiatrist (medical Dr) instead of a psych psychologist (Therapist) due to a referral from my primary care. Psychiatrist just wanted to put me on drugs, which I would not be totally opposed to, except it was $500 a session and that seemed ridiculous to me. Apparently, my primary can prescribe those drugs if that seems like a good plan, But I am currently just bumbling along as before, and hoping to maybe set up some sort of video talk therapy. For whatever reason that seems to be what I think will work 😁 

I’m also trying to read one non-fiction book most days for 10 or 15 minutes. I started with atomic habits about a year ago and it was terrific. Maybe I should just read that book over and over again because none of the books have been nearly as good!

Articulations again

 I am so much better than I used to be at starting articulations at zero. This is such an easy thing to do on the clarinet! But on the oboe, it is a huge pain and I struggle so much. 

Today I was doing an F sharp major skills starting on F sharp and going down to the low A# all was well. Then I noticed When I jumped up the octave, there’s a catch at the beginning of the notes in my left hand. Here are the things I am remembering so hopefully I will do this every day  

Blow all the way through the Oboe past where the speaking tone hole is. 

Don’t blast all your air to the embouchure place- Make sure the embouchure Is set and really supporting. It feels like a pocket of air held a little further back than right at the embouchure- This seems to help me focus on “firmer” grip of the reed 

Keep the roof of your mouth In line with your spine, it goes all the way up to your front teeth. 

The jaw releases down - Your neck does not need to move to allow the jaw to open

Make sure your spine is not stuck, it is curvy and strong

Feel the cushion embouchure all around the reed and don’t be afraid to move. 

Holding things still or feeling brakes on muscles is not my goal. 

Spring again

It has been a busy winter, Dan came back from LV And spent the holidays with us before moving to Baltimore a second time in February. So far things are looking good, and he has a job at a cafe next door to the apartment. 

Jim’s health is pretty much as perfect as possible, such a relief after last summer. I am really focusing on the Oboe and personal practice time. It seems kind of ridiculous. I’m figuring all these things out at this late date, but it has been to see my progress. 

And once again with feeling

Dan is in Las Vegas now, about 2 months. Still looking for a job, trying to figure out life. He's living with a couple of friends and seems pretty happy, hopefully he will find some direction soon.

Jim had a horrible summer of prostate problems (seems like way too small a word). Excruciating pain and 9 trips to the ER (each many hours to days), before they finally admitted him and he was at Sacred Heart for 9 days! We were expecting he would need surgery but scheduling was months out - but then a procedure (prostatic artery embolization) which he had undergone to alleviate symptoms unexpectedly provided relief and surgery is currently unnecessary. Still reeling - he's coming off a boatload of drugs and things are kind of back to normal after 2 months of complete crazy.

My life was pretty much on hold during that time, but I have just started back playing and Jekyll & Hyde opened this week, and our little symphony has their first concert next week. So lots of playing! Hoping to do some of the visiting that got put off (my dad, cabin, C in Wyoming) after the show closes next week. Looking forward to a much less busy fall!

Whiplashing

So Dan went to Baltimore, and was back in 3 days. He is now planning to move to Vegas at the end of July. Hoping he finds a path to happiness one way or another. But the upside is that he can join us for the July4 parade! This will be the first time without Leonard, but nice to honor him by continuing the tradition.

I've been oboeing hard these days - lots of shows and random gigs. Jim is struggling with the front gate, something is not working right with the software code and it's giving them fits. We still havent made it up to Silverwood this year, too much going on. But (as I always say) next week will be calmer! HAHAHA

We are down to one cat now (Popcorn) and I've been thinking we should repopulate. It is nice to have the kitties even though they are outdoors only.

Hoping to kayak this summer, and get up to Silverwood, and do the Cathey reuinion in Cle Elum and some sort of Hooperfest in Leavenworth or Yakima, and my Alexander Technique workshop and the NW Oboe Seminar and finish up the run of South Pacific and Secret Garden and Sandpoint Festival How to Train Your Dragon! Before end of August. Also trying to plan my fall recital and go visit C in the Tetons. Sigh...

Empty Nesting

We took Dan and Ainsley to the airport Sunday, I am excited and worried but I think they are in a good position to make this work! The apartment is ready for them to move into on the 31st, so they have one day to clear Ainsley's studio. Fortuitously the lab where she works is closed this week so they get a little vaca before the big move. I guessing Dan will start active job hunting after they move, I think he feels pretty confident since he has saved a good amount from his job here. Really hoping he finds something he likes, maybe at a museum or one of the colleges? 

Jim and I played for a memorial day service in Fairfield - was kind of our 4th of July band (first time w/o Leonard) with a few extras. I think it came off pretty well, missed having our boy there.