27 April 2014: Sunday ... GLORIOUS Day ... Sonya DuCote Dubois' birthday ... Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center (A First!) w/Katia ... Two French speakers ... 1st entry to LP database (Toscanini Overtures ... NBC Symphony) ...

What a glorious Sunday and Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center, my first real visit to the horticultural nirvana. Such an Eden near Hockessin off Barley Mill Road, not far from the Ashland Nature Center.

Photo by Katia Sol-Church -- She posted a group of photos on her FB page
from the Wildflower Celebration and they were lovely. She has a good eye.

Thankfully, Katia, agreed to spend the day with me and got there. I arrived with Dancer and I learned, to my chagrin, that dogs were not allowed, at least not on the bus, so I had to leave the green parking expanse and take my darling dog home. Did not take long and I was back and got on the bus and walked the trail to the man-made ponds (by the philanthropic Copeland-DuPont family) to find my favorite French geneticist seated on a bench. 

A lot of wonderful interactions with involved people, both employees and volunteers at Mt. Cuba Center. Of particular note were individuals, one named Penny Pleasance and the other a gentleman making delicious pop corn in a huge, gas-heated kettle drum, perhaps bronze, who engaged Katia in focused conversation. They talked wines as he is planning to start a vineyard with his father in New Jersey. They have the grape vines and the land. I did not get his name but like Penny, he spoke conversational French with a superb accent. Such a lovely meeting of serendipity and delightful coincidence.

                                 I did get Dancer on a walk later in the day, after the Wildflower

  Celebration, and this sunset photo at Delcastle Recreation Center.

  

26 April 2014: Saturday ... Serafin Quartet with guests at Trinity Episcopal ...

Great concert tonight at Trinity Episcopal Concert with the Serafin Quartet and two friends, a former member of Serafin who played violin but also plays viola (he did that tonight in the Brahms' sextet), and a mentor of Larry Stomberg's, Norman Fischer, a remarkable cellist who has played around the world with the Concord Quartet and also has sung opera as a rich baritone. He has two daughters -- one, Rebecca Fischer, is the first violinist in the Chiara String Quartet and the other is an opera singer.

On a coincidental note, perhaps serendipity, Professor Fischer sang opera early in his musical career, in particular, the role of Guglielmo, one of the two young officers in the opera who take the bet that their newly betrothed will remain faithful to them if they leave, change into disguises, and come back to woo their beloved as strangers. He had a wonderful deep, baritone voice. Really projected. 

Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello 
at The Shepherd School of Music,
Rice University (Houston, TX)

On this brilliant, gorgeous Sunday, the birthday of our neighbor across the street, Sonya DuCote Dubois and Kathy Crow, I sent Professor Fischer this email with a link:Dear Professor Fischer,

So enjoyed our conversation after the concert last evening at Trinity Episcopal in downtown Wilmington, DE, where you played the Brahms sextet with the Serafin Quartet. 

I thought it particularly serendipitous that I'd just listened (a rarity for me) to the Met broadcast of Cosi fan tutte, and then I have an engaging talk with a renowned cellist who also happens to be a former opera singer and who sang the role of Guglielmo in the aforementioned comic masterpiece. Fascinating.

During our talk I mentioned an outstanding violinist who took up singing at a later age and has become a world-class countertenor, the Frenchman, Philippe Jaroussky. Here's a link to a YouTube video (well over an hour) of an excellent ensemble with the singer performing many but not all numbers. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3glhy2V12ME

Be well and take good care,
Rudy Nyhoff 

25 April 2014: Friday ... first law mowing in 40 years with new Honda ... short workout at Y but saw Jamie K. and Pamela ... Nielsen gear installed by Allen & Mike ... haircut by Debbie Leago ... picked up dry cleaned shirts (still out in the car on this rainy night) ... got soaked in walking Dancer thru Limestone Acres on 1.5 mile walk

Saw Barbara Ehrenreich's, a confirmed atheist with a rational, humanistic view of life, interview with Tavis Smiley, a confirmed Christian and believer, as I used the Nielsen view box for the first time in the TV room after Allen and Mike installed the equipment this Friday, 25 April 2014. He did not convince her to disavow her belief system.

I loved this post which I Shared from someone I did not know but the interaction between daughter and father was just precious and so in synch. This father is truly and literally (with the ukulele and all) connecting with his child.

Kristen Tosh-Morelli oh, that was beautiful. so sweet!

24 April 2014: Thursday ... eggs for breakfast ... sewing repair ... National Geographic story on boat rendering in Bangladesh ...

"What made you think of eggs this morning," Mom asked as she shuffled hesitatingly from the bathroom, "they were delicious."

I laid down my window blind (had an epiphany, let's give Mom a task that she can do in the bed and that will engage her) in need of a sewing repair onto her bed. She is on it right now. Threading her needle with brown thread. I also DID not cut up her soft-boiled eggs on toast. She did fine. The plate was clean. She did enjoy them. Before I left for the Y at around 7:30 a.m., she'd completed the sewing and I put the curtain back up in the window. Amazing.

I return, after a leisurely workout that ended with "Transforming Transitions" workshop by yoga instructor Christine Shaw, soon to be 50 years of age (11 May, I believe, Mother's Day is her Earth entrance day, 1964) and a veggie omelet, home fries, rye toast and coffee at Mary's Kountry Kitchen in Newport served by Sue, arrived home to find the TV off and mom reading National Geographic, an article on the boat yard that breaks apart old boats in Bangladesh. She sympathized with their plight as the work is dangerous and extremely unhealthy. Good to see her involved and she said she even used the one-pound weights a bit this morning (later, as I brought up her dinner, she was working out with them). 

Looking at going to Suburban Lawn & Equipment, Inc., in Newport for a highly rated Honda lawn mower (HRX217VKA) which is selling for $599.99, a good price. Just got back from purchasing the mower from the aforementioned business, a busy place with a number of workers, from a Mike Petruccelli, who was glad for my business. The mower will be delivered tomorrow morning between 9 - 11 a.m. Will need to be here and workout beginning at 6 a.m. The cost was a penny under $600.00 and I charged it to my Amazon/Chase VISA card. 

Drove to Mt. Cuba Center to check on its location off Barley Mill Road and the event on Sunday. Made my way to the accountant, Tom Szewczyk and office manager, Chris, only to find the office called. Decided to check out where Jane & Bob Frelick have lived for years and according to Bea Webb, the home was built by Jane's father and the first home on Overlook Drive off of Barley Mill Road. It's lovely but I decided not to knock on the door unannounced.

We do have a savings account (mom says there is $120K in it) but the banker, Keli Malachi (who is unaware of who the Old Testament -- Book of Malachi, the last one in the Tanakh before the New Testament -- Jewish prophet was who graces her last name), who told me of the account which is amassing a whopping 1/10th of a percent interest, could not give me the amount. I have to be on the account and that will come about only with mom's presence in the Wells Fargo office (not going to happen) or my presentation of "power of attorney" papers to have my name added. Also spoke to an investment banker about the options to put the money to better use. 

23 April 2014: Wednesday ... Shakespeare's 450th birthday ... two-t-shirt workout this AM ... Snow Monkeys' Nature documentary stellar ... new sneakers ... shopping (lots of Healthy Choice microwave dinners) ...

Needed new sneakers. Puzzled over where to go. Went to Kohl's and bought Nikes (they're worth the money as they last) for $65. 

22 April 2014: Tuesday ... Veronica, Grace, Nancy, Cosby Payne, Middletown, Three Little Bakers, Immediato brothers, Pamela, Maria, Core Challenge, Spinning ...

21 April 2014: Monday ... Only male in a full Body Pump led by Brighton Helena ... Body Combat w/Renee ... Insurance contact w/Jeanne Martin at Lititz ... change name on policy ... only bass in Associates at Foulk Manor North Nursing Home ...

20 April 2014: Easter Sunday ... choir sings well (3 songs) ... e. e. cummings ...

e. e. cummings (We sang a poem set to music in the service today.)

18 April 2014: Friday ... Good Friday ... Nick called, will be in Columbia w/Susan, Lindsay & Granny for Easter ... met Hanna, St. Mark's junior at Y ... good workout this AM ... doin' core work when Pamela walked into stretching room ... goin' to Riverfront Imax Theatre for "Grand Budapest Hotel" with Linda Lucero (7:45 p.m. showing) ...

The Y was open today but there were no group exercises today. The fitness instructors got the day off to be with their families, although I did see Pamela doing a one-on-one fitness instruction in the warm-up room as I did one of the routines (passing a large ball -- OUCH! -- between by legs and my arms). I told her that someone, who looked an awful lot like her, had taught me this exercise. "Do I have a twin?", she amusingly asked. "Perhaps," I said, "or a word I love, a 'doppelganger'". Also, used the "bosu" (both sides up) to do leg flexes and standing and lifting, but had to ask the older male instructor the name of the device, which had been told to me earlier in the week by the aforementioned Pamela, who taught me, yes, an exercise routine using it. An exhausting one but great for your core and your cardio.

         

17 April 2014: Thursday ... brilliant, clear, chilly April day ... Gerrit & Marli visit ... Body Pump w/Jennifer ... Spinning w/Maria ... NHL playoffs start tonight for Flyers v. Rangers ...

16 April 2014: Wednesday ... Full House (39) for Amy's Body Pump ... Body Combat w/Renee after absence ... ServePro back out to check on dehumidifier ... Pyrex dish explodes!!! ... Delcastle walk

15 April 2014: Tuesday ... Tax Day ... Adjuster Mike Barney (Brazilian wife, knows Portuguese) arrives ... ServPro does clean-up of basement ... get $4,000+ estimate in pdf file

ServPro technician steam cleans the bathroom sewage after it set for over 4 days.
It came up and the young men -- Kieth, about 6'6" with 16-size work boots and
Austin, a Marine-crew cut hairstyle EMT volunteer fireman , and this young man, whose
name I did not get, who came later -- did a splendid job of pulling carpet and some
baseboard in several hours of work after hours. 

14 April 2014: Monday ... New Body Pump with Helena ... Spinning with Carla ... Veggie Omelette at Mary's Kountry Kitchen w/Lynn & saw Shelley ... calls from claims company ... robo call from medical insurer ... paid Credo bill ... figured out Check #585 (Shellhorn & Hill)

13 April 2014: Sunday ... Poetry Month celebration at UUSMC (A Congregational Poem by 3x5 cards) ... choir sang well ... delicious potluck ... gorgeous day ... 1st day in shorts

Nearly six months and a world later, Dancer and I return to the Mill Creek and the lovely Millcreek Greenway that snakes an asphalt walking path through lovely woods and this enchanting stream. She was off leash a lot of the time due to the lack of people enjoying a glorious Sunday afternoon. — with Dancer and Mill Creek at Millcreek Greenway in the Pike Creek Valley near Hockessin, Delaware.

• Regina DePace, Charlie Register, Carol Seay Witzell and 8 others like this.
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  Esther Steffens Great photo!

  1 hr · Unlike · 1
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  Carol Taylor Looking forward to Dancer's outdoor adventures!

  1 hr · Unlike · 2
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  Rudy Nyhoff We live for you Carol. You know that you are OUR muse. 

  1 hr · Like · 1
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  Carol Taylor Glad to know I serve a purpose. 

  1 hr · Unlike · 1
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  Esther Steffens Rudy, Was Dancer your parents's dog or has she always been yours?

  1 hr · Unlike · 1
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  Rudy Nyhoff I found her Esther, no , we found each other on Pershing Drive in North Augusta, SC, on July 4th, 2008 and bonded, immediately, but it took a few weeks before the adoption papers went through.

12 April 2014: Saturday ... visit from Ana Steele and John Clark this glorious Saturday afternoon ... wonderful dinner with 7 at the Judy & Tom Papenhagen's ...

Wonderful visit from John and Ana (Steele) Clark this beautiful Saturday afternoon. They were traveling from Princeton, NJ, where they saw John's 90-year-old brother, and then a HS reunion for Ana at Ursuline where she graduated early at the age of 15 and went to college. Here, they display one of their 91 picture albums (they still take film photos) that focus on their many grand nieces and nephews, courtesy of brother Art's eight children. They are extremely close to many of them and know their activities and pursuits in life. So good to see them and so nice of them to stop by and see mom and me. 

(Took this photo as Ana and John entertained Mom with photos of their grand nieces and nephews. I did not ignore them but did spend a littler personal time with my dog, who entranced the Clark/Steele pair convincingly with her loving nature.) Dancer truly dislikes being picked up but she is thoroughly huggable and I took this selfie of us as she bemoaned her seated position on a chair. — with Dancer at Our home in Limestone Gardens, Wilmington, Del

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• Carol Seay Witzell, Vicki Gaither Proefrock, Sandra Eargle Sanders and 23 others like this.
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  Susan Louth I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of her, that's for sure.

  20 hours ago · Unlike · 1
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  Karen Shields you took a good picture. I don't think i could do it.

  16 hours ago · Unlike · 1
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  Harriet C. Brantley You two have such a fun time together! Beautiful.

11 April 2014: Friday ... Core Challenge and Cycling with Pamela (a dedicated taskmaster) ... Mary Jane asks name ... son a soccer enthusiast ... Rudy the movie ... YUCK!! Sewage backup in basement ...

Love when the Forsythia bloom in our yard. A recumbent Dancer appears unaffected by nature's majesty. — with Dancer at Backyard of home in Limestone Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware.

• Charlie Register, Marina Van Renssen, David Aaron Keesee and 24 others like this.
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  Karen Shields What a beautiful picture. I love goldens and early blooming forsythia's.

  Yesterday at 10:14am · Unlike · 1
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  Susan Louth As long as good smells are in the air and the arctic blasts have stopped, she's happy.

  Yesterday at 10:31am · Unlike · 1
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  Vicki Gaither Proefrock Mine have bloomed and gone.....they tried to shine during the ice storm!

  Yesterday at 1:13pm · Unlike · 1
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  Fran Bryant Two of mind are like that also...but sometimes you have too! The other one loves to sit on me or next to me...lol

  7 hrs ·