Final Honors Band Concert

This concert felt like the end of an era. She's been in middle school band for 3 years, basically with the same kids. This was the ultimate close of the year. 

The students plan a skit and the directors pick music to go with the skit. Rebekah had a speaking (or should I say yelling) part. 

After the concert, they did awards. The picture below is the group of kids that scored high on their ISSMA solo or ensembles. 

Then Rebekah won an award. Most Valuable Player in Honors Band. 

Love this picture. 

This is her showing Merrick that they finally spelt her name correctly. (Last award they left off the "h" to make it Rebeka.) 

Love the happiness on her face. 

Jazz Cafe

A few pictures to sum up Jazz Cafe 2026. Rebekah says she's uncertain if she'll continue to do jazz. I think she's somewhat concerned about the jazz band in high school being an audition group. I have to admit, I hope she will continue onward, even though her horn teacher says it messes up her embouchure. I like the music and I like the comeradery.  

There she is, middle back row. 

 

Close up: 

My attempt at the whole group:

These boys she's known for quite some time. They are both soccer friends that have remained through band. The boy next to her plays the french horn with her and will play next year with her in the top high school band. 

Another few pictures, because I'm the mama. 

I didn't get this one. I believe it's from a different night, but it's still a jazz solo, so I'll put it here. 

And now, the concert: 

This last one was a giant - everyone plays - number. The full thing went on for almost 15 minutes. I cut it down to 1 to get the basic idea. 

Mother's Day

 Mother's day, 2026. We made Vi a strawberry pie. It was yummy. 

Don made me salmon. It was yummy as well. Apparently real food is the key to my heart. 

There were also gifts, complete with a picture drawn by Don. 

Picture up close: 

May Books

Shakespeare. Shipwreck. Fairies. Attempted murder. Marriage. Usurped thrown. Even a poor deformed man. It's got it all. 

Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows 

   Trinculo; act II scene II 

We are such stuff.

As dreams are made on; and our little life.

Is rounded with a sleep.

   Prospero; act iv, scene i

Historical fiction based on two people, each with their own dual time lines; one set in the U.S. with a focus on eugenics and the other in Europe with the focus on the holocaust from the side of physical abnormalities rather than race. It was okay. I liked the stories (the second one somewhat better) and where they eventually landed. I just felt the author took a long time getting there, although the book was not long. The writing was simply slow. 

For the masters class. This was a fascinating case study. The authors watched the musical journey of over 100 kids from elementary years to adulthood, whether they continued in music classes or not. The book discusses their findings. Basically the goal is for the student to have some personal connection with music. It has to mean something to them. 

Trying to find good rom com. This was not it. Ironically I previously tried another one of the authors books and was not impressed. Reminder to do more research. The main character was an "older" woman (40's ish?) who spoke and acted much like a teenager. Hard to embrace her, or understand why the male love interest was interested in love. 

I liked the premise of this books - the ancient traditions / customs surrounding us that are becoming extinct. But it felt less historical and scholarly than I desired. It read more like the author was pointing at cool stories they once heard. 

Historical fiction about a man working as a diplomate in Amsterdam who helped refugees during the rise of Hitler. Duel time lines. I keep saying I'm done with this genre but this was slightly different. More recommendable than most. 

History of the Great Depression and the beginning of the war. I learned a lot from this book, much of which I'd like to fact check. Highly recommendable historical reading. 

Murder mystery - who done it type stuff. Young student was murdered, police officer's son a suspect. Not sure why this was on my to read list, but it was and I did. I only slightly regret it. 

Pirates. Women acting as men for safety and survival. It's a decent story for what it is. Supposedly based on real people. Don't feel I can recommend it though. Writing is not great and if I remember correctly there's more unnecessary language and spice than I wanted. 

Interesting novel dealing with childhood trauma, Alzheimers, and a magical gift of seeing the future. I liked it. Probably recommendable, however, I don't truly remember if there was language or spice involved. 

Memoire about caretakers of an island and the animals thereon, their way of life and it's importance to them. Not a whole lot here worth recommending.

On my to read list. I suppose one should look into the big name authors. The story was interesting. Too much language and violence. Seemed to drag on for me. 

Highly recommendable essay written slightly in novel form to begin with, however it turns quickly into essay form. Great insights into time period and early feminism. Worth the read. 

It is what it says it is. Just not the best writing I've ever read. And it didn't go as deep as I was expecting either. 

Romeo and Juliet. Have to admit, not my favorite. But a good moral taught about the results of hatred. 

Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, 

Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn

   Romeo; act I, scene IV 

He jests at scars that never felt a wound

   Romeo; act II, scene I

Kind of police drama, who done it stuff. Interesting story line and quite a page turner, however I never felt any motivation to like the characters, nor had they any real redeeming qualities. And language. And drugs. Sigh.  

Ah, Emma. Nice, good, Emma. 

I honestly don't remember this book. I checked on Goodreads and it says I did in fact finish said book. Without downloading it again and playing through it I'm not sure I will be able to say much about it. It says I took three days to read through a 960 page book. I'm guessing something happened to make me not want to finish it. I'll do some research and get back to you. 

This one I remember, Fiction. Slightly on the verge of being culturally stereotypical - almost in the offensive side of things. But I think that was the author's intent and it makes the main character real and even somewhat connect-able. 

No, not WWII history, but DNA history. This was slightly above my capabilities, and yet it was interesting. 

90's time travel book set in modern day England, as well as mid 20th and early 19th century England. It had some good moments, although the book felt overly long. However, love the British humor. 

I was hoping for something more like The Correspondent, but this book was actual letters from America to England right after the war. There's a lot of history and personal insights contained. Just don't expect a novel. 

My Storygraph monthly review: 

Goodreads Review: 

Want to Read

January:         1478

Last Month:   1442

To Date:         1426

Read 

January:         1708

Last Month:   1777

To Date:         1795

Kayla and Crew

Kayla and crew came out during their spring break. Again, quite some time ago, but I have pictures to remind me. 

Grandpa and Rebekah had fun playing Switch with the grandkids / nieces and nephews. 

I remember mom got very sick while the crew was out. But the last day we were able to get some pictures. 

One last picture with grandpa. 

Don's Birthday

Don's birthday. So long ago. Good thing I have pictures to remind me. 

We got Don some essentials. Socks. I hear you get socks when you're young and you're disappointed. However, getting socks when you are older is a thing of excitement. 

But just in case the rumor is wrong, we also got Don some other things: 

The cake Rebekah decorated for her dad. 

I have no idea the events surrounding this picture. I think she's holding up a picture of her room before the makeover. However, I just like the dad and daughter snuggle.