The Path Of Life

I have been so busy wrapping up different music jobs and practicing that I haven’t had a spare minute to write on the blog. (So sorry folks.) To catch everyone up on all the latest...

Last Saturday and Sunday I played Handel’s Messiah with the Marion Civic Chorale and it went fairly well. Messiah is always difficult for any musician; and this oratory in particular is always taxing on oneself. I think we all did the best that we could, and with God’s grace made it through without any extreme difficulty.

On Tuesday I played with my orchestra at the Freedom Library right here in Ocala, and it went very well. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but that’s not what’s important. We had a wonderful time playing together, and we have only one more gathering before we break up for the holidays.

I have a wedding to play on Sunday afternoon, and I still haven’t gotten the music to it. So I have to sight read the whole wedding. I look forward to it. Only God can guide me through this one. I will have faith and trust in Him to direct my paths.

“Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16: 1-11

Last Handel Rehearsal

Practice went well tonight. It was our last rehearsal before the concerts Saturday and Sunday, so we went through the entire program with the chorus. One of my classmates from the college was there to sing for the chorus, and it was fun to work with her. We’re doing a lot of skipping in our performance of the Messiah, and I’m not really sure why. When we originally got our music 6 months ago, there were some pieces missing already. But now we’re skipping from #12 to #44 and that’s a bit of a stretch. But who am I to complain? Less work for me. Usually I don’t like cutting up music like that, but I hurt my shoulder the other day and appreciate any slack I can get for now.

Sorry I haven't e-mailed some of you. My e-mail is not working, thus the reason why I haven't written. So sorry.

Frank will be home soon, and I need to get some chores done. Till next time.

College Concert at the Appleton

My orchestra played for a church service today, and that went well. As soon as the service was over I had to run to the Appleton Museum and play with Miss Rosa’s college kids for their concert. Both engagements went well, and I was out a total of 9 hours. I am so tired from running circles all day that I got home, took a bath, am writing this real quick, and am going to crash. Frank didn’t have to work this morning, so I left the man in bed when I left at 9:15 this morning.

When Frank and I re-arranged out room, he never got around to plugging in the DVD player. So after I’m done with practicing music and my chores, I’ve been reading a lot. I enjoy watching movies, but it gets a bit much after a while. So I’ve just been reading a lot instead. Reading is better anyway.

I usually write more, but I am so tired from today – it was draining to say the least. I would gladly do it again though.

Tomorrow is the last rehearsal for Handel’s Messiah, so when Frank leaves for work Monday afternoon, I’m going to have to get on the button and PRACTICE! There are a few spots here and there that could use some brushing up.

Christmas Concert

The concert tonight was an absolute smash, and everyone did so well in their performances. It has been our best concert to date, and I am so excited at how well everyone is doing. There were a lot of people in attendance, and that was a surprise to all of us. Ocala was having their Christmas parade, so we expected a handful of people. But we had a great turnout and everyone sounded great.

My solo went well, as did Alex’s and Mr. Roger’s. I thought I would be a lot more nervous, but when the moment came, I didn’t feel the slightest twinge. After performing all these years, I’ve finally come to the point where I don’t loose my head. I’ve gotten a lot more confident in myself since I got married…I am not as shy as I was, and at least now I can do simple things that I never did before because I was afraid to. Things like making phone calls, doing my own shopping, making arrangements for this and that, etc. I can actually do things for myself without hiding behind someone else.

Dr. Spencer, his wife, and daughter came, as well as Pedro & Johanna and their 4 children. Even the clerk from the Ocala Library Bookstore was there! I hadn’t seen most of these people since before I got married, so it was good to catch up with everyone. Dr. Fishel, good doctor that he is, wanted to know all the details leading up to my marriage, and we had a good talk about everything.

The night was a complete success, and we all had a wonderful time. If we keep practicing and improving, we’ll be able to do a little traveling and who knows? Maybe we’ll go overseas someday.

Cleaning The Trailer

Frank’s shoulder is still paining him, so his boss told him to rest up his shoulder and be fresh for tomorrow. I was happy, and Frank was even more so. We just lay in bed all morning, and I finally got used to the smell of Icy Hot all over Frank’s back and spine. Icy Hot smells good – it’s mentholated so I fell asleep so fast it wasn’t funny. But when one smells Icy Hot for 12 hours in a row it can get a little bit much. I didn’t mind the smell. But it did make me very sleepy, and Frank had trouble trying to wake me up. We did have a good time together, even though we squandered most of it sleeping. But as long as we’re together we have a good time. Whether it’s arguing the merits and demerits of frozen bread and milk to throwing the covers at each other to sitting quietly watching a movie, we always have a good time.

Frank’s mom and I are cleaning up the trailer in Belleview so I can set up a studio for my music classes. We went tonight and did some work on it, and we went to see Frank as soon as we were through. Frank and I like to take stabs at each other in public (I really don’t’ know why) but it always amuses the customers and employees at his job. Just tonight he mentioned that he should have bought milk and froze it. I was surprised at that, and said I wasn’t sure frozen milk was all that good. Frank replied that it was no different than eating frozen bread, and I retorted that I always thaw my bread and then eat it. He then said that milk was no different, to which I agreed instantly because I still wasn’t sure why we were even having that discussion. There was as an older couple he was waiting on who heard the whole exchange, and they were both grinning at us the entire time. The lady smilingly commented that we sounded like an old married couple, and Frank told her that we were married, but that it hadn’t been all that long yet. I couldn’t help it, I threw in the comment “he’s the one that’s old, not me.” That got everyone laughing, but for my own personal safety I steered clear of Frank until he cooled off about that jibe. He wasn’t mad at all; he feigned annoyance for the sake of the audience which included his mom. We love doing crazy things like that…it’s so much fun to feign an argument and then make up. Or should I say make out?

Of Pain & Practice

Frank hurt his shoulder moving all our stuff yesterday, so when he went to work this morning he came right back. He couldn’t move his shoulder past a certain point, and he was in a lot of pain. His boss sent him back home. He didn’t do much but lay in bed, and I joined him. He went to work this afternoon, but I was glad to have him here in the morning. We sometimes like to lay in bed and talk, but most nights we’ll just curl up in each others’ arms until we fall asleep. That’s always easier said than done, because we have to turn around several times before we get comfortable.

I practiced a while for the concert I’m playing on the 1st. I don’t want to over practice, but I do want to be prepared. Switching between the violin and cello might be a little challenging, but I think I can manage. I wasn’t too thrilled about doing a solo, but Miss Helen and Alex egged me on until I couldn’t say no. What inspired me more than anything was when Alex started practicing with Mr. Norman for her solo. So I picked cello since Alex doesn’t play cello, so I don’t get competitive and forget the whole point of playing is all about. Miss Helen was gracious enough to let me use her cello, and that is always a high point in any day for me. Her cello sounds so good I can be having a bad day and still sound good.

I’m real excited about this concert on Saturday, because it’s the first concert where I will be playing as Mrs. Wilson. It seems as if the music world is taking me seriously at last, and I’m more than thrilled to be playing among the best of Ocala. With Miss Helen having a bad shoulder and barely being able to play, she has been giving me all her jobs. At first I was so worried that I wouldn’t be good enough to fill in for her, but I keep getting calls and requests to play, so I can’t be that bad. I’ve been practicing a lot more than I used to, so that always helps.

I need to practice Handel’s Messiah. It has some rough spots, and I don’t want to goof up a perfectly good job because I didn’t practice. December is always so busy for musicians, but we love the business. In the spring the Marion Civic Theater always has jobs, weddings in the summer, and Christmas preparation in the fall. It’s a full life, but one I enjoy very much.

Frank was suggesting that once we move closer to town he trade in his Cruiser for an automatic vehicle. That way I can drive myself to my jobs and drop him off and pick him up from his. He teased me and said he wondered what I would do with a car to drive, and I replied I would do what I’m supposed to – drive him to work, drive myself to rehearsals, weddings, and concerts, and then pick him up at the end of the day. Guess I better get good with directions…as I will have to be doing a lot of it in the near future!

Last College Rehearsal

Frank bought a new bed for us, as his back just can’t take or old bed anymore. So we got up early this morning, and put the bed in our room. We had to go to my last rehearsal with the college kids, as the concert is on Sunday. We always have such fun at rehearsals. Miss Rosa told us that in professional orchestras the players aren’t supposed to talk during rehearsals. We tried doing that but it didn’t work at all. It was just too hard to not talk in-between pieces, especially when our timing was off on a couple measures in “Ave Verum Corpus.” I didn’t want to say anything about it, but with the concert on Sunday I just worked out the problem area with Patrick since we have to be very careful not to mess up the soloist. We left the college with all the information we needed for the concert on Sunday.

As Frank and I were leaving the college, a white truck looking suspiciously like the McClain’s truck parked just a few parking spots from where we had just left. Frank pointed it out before I even saw it, and asked if it was anyone I knew. How he remembered that truck I don’t know. But he did remember. And sure enough - it was Matt, and Frank pulled over so I could say hi. I have never seen Matt surprised or taken off guard at any time. But the look on Matt’s face was priceless as I called his name out the window. I asked him how he was doing but he was so stunned I had to repeat the question. We spoke only briefly as there was a car behind us, but it was so good to see some one from church.

After we finally left the college we went to the Red Lobster for lunch and had a really good time. The waitress was most pleasant, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I had Chicken Alfredo, and Frank had a shrimp plate. The biscuits were so good I’ll do anything to make then at home. I never thought I’d ever go to a restaurant that sells primarily fish, but I like fish now. I eat things I said I’d never eat – fish for starters, pickles, mustard, and tons of other things. Frank got the ungratefulness and pickiness out of me. I eat what he puts in front of me with no questions and no faces.

Since we got a queen sized bed, we had to buy new sheets and a comforter. So we went to Wal-Mart and spend a couple hours matching the colors for the comforter and buying extra pillow cases. We stopped by the clothes rack that was on sale, and Frank picked out some clothes for me. I found some nice blouses for the cool weather and a few various other miscellaneous items. We had a great time just being together.

When we got home we fixed the bed up with the new sheets, and then we re-arranged the entire room. It took us only a couple hours, and then we showered, and went to sleep. I may not have had Frank home yesterday, but today more than made up for it.

Work

Frank had to go to work today from noon till eight or ten tonight. I guess I’ll try to practice for the concert on Saturday as I have a solo to play on the cello. I have the concert with my string orchestra on Saturday, then we play for the Sunday service at the church where we practice, then I play with the kids at the college that same afternoon. Since Frank has to work I really don’t have anything I’d rather be doing then practice my music anyway. And I will get my parts down perfectly if it kills me. Frank has his job, and I have mine. Much as it breaks my heart to have to spend the afternoon we usually spend together a part, there is nothing I can do about it. I will bury myself in my music as I have always done and hope the next 10 hours go by quickly.

I really need to practice Handel’s Messiah as the next rehearsal is the 3rd of December. I have the next 6 or 7 hours to practice, and if truth be told I really don’t have the heart to do anything else.

Last Rehearsal

Frank works only the one job today, so we were able to spend the morning together. After he went to work, I pulled out my music and instruments, and practiced till my fingers could no longer move. I have rehearsal tonight, and it’s the last rehearsal before the concert on Saturday. I have so much going on my head is spinning. But I’ll manage. With hours of practicing under my belt I feel more confident about all these concerts next month. The end of the year is usually crazy like this, then everything cools down until spring. Summer is wedding season, and fall is preparation for the holidays again. Musician’s lives are very busy, but very exciting. Maybe someday I’ll join up with the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Villages again and go on fancy overseers trips like Italy or France. All in good time.

Frank had Tuesday and Wednesday off, so I look forward to spending the next two days with him. Even when we go to Robert’s or just do things, I like being with him. The last two weeks we’ve gone to Robert’s and had a real good time. All we ever do is go out to eat, shop for movies, and hang out and play video games, but we have a good time.

And again, I need to get back to practice because my break is over. I have only a few more days before the concert on Saturday.

Music From The Heart

Frank did indeed, have to work today, but not anything to be done about that. I just sang for a good long while from my book of favorite hymns, and practiced for a good long bit. I really need to practice all my music real good, because I have a string of concerts and engagements to play next month that I do not feel ready for. And if I don’t feel ready because of lack of practice it’s going to show in my music. The point of playing music is because one is confident in the music and in one’s own ability to perform it due to prior practice. Otherwise one might as well be trying to make a brick wall sing. Music without feeling is empty. There is only one thing I hope to accomplish as a music teacher. And that is not to make my students sound good. If I can teach them only one thing, it will be this: to feel their music with all their hearts no matter what. And in doing that, they will always sound good.

Well then, teacher needs to go get some of that feeling into her music now…I must confess I am very hard on myself. Frank’s mom tries to tell me how to do it, but the last time she said something to me was indeed, the last time she’s ever going to tell me how to play music. No one can tell you how to play music – because it has to come from your heart.

Wedding

The wedding went well today, no major hiccups or disasters. I had a really good time, and I look forward to doing it again. I played cello this time, and it was fun. It was different not being the lead, but I didn’t mind. I love playing cello, and there is nothing quite like making a day special for the bride and groom by playing music for them. To see the sparkle in their eye as music sets the mood…heavenly. I’m going to put together a scrapbook of all the things I play in, so when I have students they can have something to finalize in their minds why I am the teacher.

Other then the wedding, not much is going on today. I’m tired because I woke up early with Frank. I don’t want to imagine how tired Frank is after working so many days in a row. And as I hear it he has to work tomorrow all day, so he’s gonna crash Monday big time. At least he has Tuesday and Wednesday off, so we can do some things together, hopefully. If not, well, I guess I can practice. The days are running by so quickly and yet so slow at times. It’s nearly the end of the month, and I’m not even half ready for the month to end. It feels like Frank and I have been married for so much longer than we have, yet I look at the calendar and it will be 3 months on the 7th. We jest and say we were married in another lifetime, but it’s all in jest.

Okay…back to practicing for me. I’m going to have my music down to the dotted sixteenth note if it kills me.

Studio Set-Up

The day started out pretty well today. I got up early with Frank and when he went off to work and practiced all morning. I did a really crazy thing, though, and did 200 push-ups. So now I’m sore all over and it hurts to laugh or sneeze. Much to my grief, Frank’s mom asked me to scrub down her refrigerator with bleach at her house in Belleview, and now I’m even more sore and achy. I have a wedding to play tomorrow and my hands are dry and peeling. I’ll remember to take gloves next time. We’re setting up the living room of the house in Belleview as a studio, but we have to clean up the place first. Mostly there’s just a bunch of boxes and furniture all over the place.

I called my cello teacher and told her that Patrick was willing to buy his own bass. She said she would call her friend in Gainesville and see if he could get us a bass for a good price. So maybe by next year we will have a bass again. Since I play 3 strings already, Frank asked if I wanted to learn how to play bass myself. We both want to give it a try, so we’re keeping an eye in e-bay and once we find a good one, we just might give it a shot.

Frank also wants to make instruments, and I think he can do it. Patrick knows a lot about the making of instruments and his major in college is guitar. So the way I figure, Patrick may be a very valuable friend to have around. He can certainly help Frank with guitar. Ever since I got married opportunities to play music and make it a career have expanded incredibly. Frank leaves the door open for me to decide what I want and don’t want to do. I tried to ask if I could work at Publix or some bakery, but he said no. He doesn’t want me to become poisoned by the things of this world, and to have to deal with the outside world. He said that’s his job, and not for me to deal with. He knows what its like out there, and he wants to protect me from it. Ignorance is bliss, or so they say, and he wants to keep it that way.

Thanksgiving

Frank and I had a great time cooking the roast last night. Between the two of us we got the roast going in no time at all. It was an eight pound beef roast, so while it browned it in the oven, we cut up enough vegetables to feed both our families for two meals. We cut up carrots, onions, potatoes, squash, zucchini, cabbage, and a few other things I can’t remember. Anyway, it was really good; both the meat and the veggies. Frank and I are really big on vegetables – grilled or in a roast. He is really the better cook of the two of us, and he is really patient in showing me new things.

Frank had to work all day today, so after the food was ready only his mom and grandpa ate with me. Then I packed up some food for Frank, and we went down to Belleview to see him at his job. He took a break, and we both went back the break room and just sat together and talked for a while. Being a holiday, there was hardly anyone in town, and business was really slow. So it was the perfect day to hang out with him. As his mom and I were leaving, she went on out to the car ahead of me. I stayed behind just for a moment, and Frank looked awkward for some reason. I noticed some of his co-workers looking at us on the sly, and I just grinned like I’d won a million bucks. I knew why they were watching. I pulled him down to my height and he said in an agonized whisper, “everyone’s watching us.” I just grinned bigger and whispered back “so?” The store was so empty I think the employees were bored. They got an eyeful…and I got a mouthful. All parties were happy, and we left after an hour and a half. It was a great Thanksgiving after all.

Practice & Olive Garden

Frank and I woke up at 10:00am this morning, so we were late for my practice. We would have made it on time, except the road was blocked and we were stuck in traffic for a long time. Then we were delayed by an ambulance. So we were half and hour late, but it turned out alright because we practiced for half and hour afterwards after Miss Rosa had to leave.

Frank took me to Olive Garden for lunch and we had a great time. The waiter was awful, and it took him forever to get our food. But we had a good time whispering silly things in each other’s ears while we waited.

After lunch, we went to the Social Security office and got my name changed on my SS. Then we got my license changed, and it all took just a few minutes. We then headed off to Target and got a few things we needed and then we went to Publix and picked up some stuff for tonight’s impromptu Thanksgiving. Since Frank will be at work all day tomorrow, we’re doing a roast for dinner tonight. It’s always fun to cook with Frank, and I look forward to it.

Wedding Practice & Hogs

Today was chock full of things to do. I was supposed to practice with Alex for the wedding on Saturday, but I forgot my music. So we re-scheduled and Frank took me over to her place today. It worked out real well because Frank got to meet her husband Keith, and they hit it off right away. As Alex and I were practicing I could hear them talking about all sorts of things – movies, work, and none too quietly either. Since Keith works in what Frank wants to make his career, they got along just great. I was thrilled that they got to meet. It’s amazing how men can meet and less than an hour later be great friends. So it ended up working out after all. Frank makes friends very easily, so that’s a plus. He makes up for my shyness with his friendliness.

From Keith and Alex’s we went over to Robert’s, and we went to Circuit City and bought some movies that were on sale. We went to Chick-Fil-A again, and we had a great time talking and just chatting. Frank was telling us how Wildlife Officers are supposed to kill hogs that are on the land they are patrolling. They used to donate hogs to shelters that fed the homeless, but they no longer take them unless the officers skin them for them. And the officers are not allowed to take them home because of conflict of interest. So Frank proposed that Robert and I be head of our own charity, and then we would take care of the hogs ourselves. Robert was really disgusted and said he would pass. But even though Frank was only joking, it was still funny. We kept joking about it for the rest of the day.

We then hung out with Robert for a few hours afterwards, and now we’re going to crash at home. We have to get up early tomorrow to get to my practice at the college.

Wedding Crashers

Frank had off this morning, so we ate noodle casserole and watched Wedding Crashers till he had to go. We were both very glad he had yesterday morning and this morning off. He is always bemoaning the fact we don’t spend a lot of time together, but we make do with what we have. We’re not like other couples who spend so much time together they start getting on each others’ nerves.

Wedding Crashers was extremely hilarious. Robert recommended it, and if Robert likes something it’s bound to be good. And it was. It was so good I watched it again after Frank went to work. I’ve got to hand it to Vince Vaughn – he was great in this movie. I’m not a particular fan of his, but I’m putting him in the top 25 along with Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe and Dale Midkiff. Not on their looks…that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. It’s their ability to act in a diversity of roles and entertain at the same time.

So anyways…I need to practice for tonight’s orchestra rehearsal. Time to get that emotion that makes music really great into my fingers. Because that can only come from the heart.

Peace & Quiet

Frank finally had a break from work. He has been working so hard I worry about him. But like my father used to do, Frank works until he drops. But he was able to get some rest this morning at last.

Today all I’ve done is practice, practice, practice. I really do get so tired of practicing all the time, but I have to for all the concerts coming up next month. I practice about 42 hours a week, thanks to the fact that I have a heap of music and two instruments. But as Frank puts in hours of work, so do I when I practice. This may be a very boring subject for all you readers of my blog, but it’s what I do all day besides cleaning and doing my little Bible studies. Not much to say besides what Frank and I do.

But I really like this new world. It’s nice and quiet, and anyone who knows me personally knows how much I savor peace and quiet. The setting out here is so peaceful and tranquil; and the sunsets are beautiful beyond compare. It’s a little paradise, and I say that with all confidence because God created it. Frank and I will sometimes go out and sit by the gazebo, and enjoy hearing the water gently whisper as it brushes the grass, the birds as they fly overhead, and the joy of just being together. We walk hand in hand through the overgrown paths, and share a long kiss or two over the bridges. It seems that no matter how long we are out there, it just isn’t long enough. I am always reluctant to leave it, but all good things come to an end at some point.

Martyr Musicians

Alex and I are going to practice tomorrow for the wedding next week, and I look forward to it. I wish I could go on a day Frank has off so he can meet her husband, Keith, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to work that way. Reason why I’m so interested for Keith and Frank to meet is because Keith is a Wildlife Biologist and Frank wants to get a job with the FWC too. But maybe some other time. Alex and I have so much more in common now that I’m married and have been working jobs together. When we’re having bad days we gripe and whine about it…but we have so much fun. It makes us feel better to make martyrs of our musician lives, and we like to compare notes on who has it worse.

Frank is starting to make plans as to moving out. I don’t see what his rush is exactly, but I guess I understand why he doesn’t want to hang around too long. We can’t make too much noise, we can’t take showers past a certain time, we can’t talk to loud, and may we be preserved if we shake the bed too hard and rattle the DVD case by the wall too late at night. We’ll see what we can do.

Time to practice.

Thanksgiving Plans

Not much going on today beyond the normal practicing, cooking and cleaning. I did have a new idea running in my head today that I definitely want to act on. I used to have a bakery of sorts, and I miss doing that. So…I asked Frank’s mom if she would mind taking baked stuff with her to her job and passing them around to her co-workers, and she said she would gladly do it. I thought to start out with stuff I had on hand, probably blueberry muffins or some such trifle. Let’s see if we can get this show on the road. If I can launch an unofficial bakery it will give me something else to do. Frank works so hard I want to do whatever I can to chip in.

Frank asked me to make him chili this week, but I think it’s going to have to wait till next week. He wants a roast for Thanksgiving, and if we get a turkey we’ll have food up to our ears. We have some ground beef logs, but it will take about 2 days to thaw it out. So I just told Frank to hold on till next week. I don’t eat nearly enough to keep up with all the leftovers, and as it is I eat more than enough. Frank is going to get me some vitamins and he said if I take my vitamins I can eat just fruit, vegetables, salads and beans. Otherwise he stuffs me with all sorts of food. Not that I protest, but I kinda like being slim and healthy.

Can anyone guess what my closing line is? Back to practicing music.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Frank made corn beef and cabbage for dinner last night, and it was so good. So good in fact, that I really don’t want to send him some with him to work so I can eat it! There’s enough for a couple of days anyway, so I suppose I can share. But maybe if I don’t mention it to him, he just may forget about it. He’s an awfully good cook, and if I’m not careful I’ll get fat on his food. :-)

I have a wedding on the 24th with just a violin & cello, so I’ve been practicing cello a lot. The calluses on my fingers are hardening again, so it’s getting easier to shift quickly and accurately. I’ve let my cello go in the last month with all the practicing for the X-Mas programs and the Handel performance. But now I need to get back up to par again for the wedding and the concert at the college. It’s coming along, so I’m not too worried. I’m on a string and a prayer right now, with three different clefs to read on two different instruments. I sometimes suffer a memory lapse and black out for a bit, but it happens to the best of us. It gets better the more I do it, and it’s not so confusing. The most challenging thing of all is switching back and forth between cello and violin for a performance; that’s where it takes all my mettle to get it right. It’s not so much the different positions; it’s the change of music notation, the spacing between notes, and the mental adjusting to two totally different things. In moments of frustration I sometimes wish I had never touched a cello. But when I have a cello in my hands I know exactly why I keep coming back to it day after day no matter how much trouble it is.

Back to practicing for me. Till tomorrow.