Jennifer | The Working Mom

House Music

Growing up, there was always music in the house. Both my brothers played various instruments, but particularly my second oldest brother played piano and particularly well. I played piano for a few years but never came close to being even a fraction as good as he was. But my brother played all the time. If he was home – there was music in the air.

I miss having music in the house. For awhile, Rachel was taking cello lessons, and when she’d practice – there was music in the house again. But this year we’ve had all kinds of issues with her and her grades and I needed to cancel the lessons so she could focus on getting her grades back up. So it is silent again.

When my mother came to visit us recently, she brought with her a new instrument she’s been playing for the last year or so. It’s called a mountain dulcimer. For kicks, I had her teach me a little bit. It’s simpler than playing piano, so simple it reminds me of playing one of the kids toys – but the sound is beautiful. She taught me a few songs and how to read “tablature” – music specifically written for the dulcimer – it’s very easy to follow. Rachel even picked up her cello and played along with my mother and I. (She hasn’t played her cello since we stopped lessons).

So now I’m on a quest to find a dulcimer. I want music in my house again.

Posted by Jennifer on May 4, 2010 in home, Musings | 0 comments

Paradox

It’s May now. In my mind, I thought that, come May, I’d be able to start running outside again (I decided running indoors was not my thing this winter). I was looking forward to warm weather, putting away my winter coat at least until the fall. So far, I am extremely disappointed. We had a weekend or two at most in April that vaguely resembled spring – but the rest of the time, it’s been cold sometimes to the point of snowing. Last night we went to dinner up in Park City. It started snowing – which at this point isn’t all that surprising – we’ve been getting snow on and off for the last week. But then it REALLY started coming down. Driving back down the canyon – the snow was coming down so hard we could barely see where we going. All over the road, people had to creep along on the highway so slowly, not because the roads were slick, but because it was like driving through a sheet of white. Basically a blizzard. On the first of May.

I’m so fed up with the weather here that I’m seriously ready to move. Where, I have no idea – but I’m not a fan of the cold. And this is really making me long for some place new.