Works in Progress

Preface - Sometimes I forget I married a person who never got into pop music. I kid you not, the first record he bought as an adolescent was a Beethoven Symphony. He's heard of The Beatles, but he can't tell... Continue Reading →

I was awakened from a nap on the couch when Robert popped a movie into the DVD player. My glasses were off so I couldn't see anything, but I knew the film from the first couple of chords in the... Continue Reading →

Bethany: (offering up her usual morning report) Today is Thursday and tomorrow is Friday. I get to see Grandpa on Friday! Me: Sorry, Babe - but today is Wednesday. Bethany: (pointing at kitchen calendar) No, Mom! Today is Thursday. It... Continue Reading →

Episode #1: (setting -- 2-day roadtrip) Me: Oh, by the way, we need to make a quick stop so I can buy some underwear. Robert: What? Why? Me: I threw out most of my old underpants so I would remember... Continue Reading →

McD's employee at drive-thru window: "Here's your food. I'm sorry about your wait." Me: "I'm sorry about it too, but I intend to eat this anyway." Get it? Wait/weight....yeah, it blew right past her. #whennobodygetsyourhumor

Robert and I often confer on repertoire selection for the MSO. There is much to consider, but of course audience enjoyment weighs heavily. Me: We need to draw in more young people, but they don't always have the attention span... Continue Reading →

There's a wasp in my office. I know he's going to die in here, so I feel sad about that. He whacks himself against the glass window in desperation and then takes little exhausted respites. I start feeling sorry for... Continue Reading →

Day four of complete covid isolation. Robert just asked if he could bring me something to read. This is the bookshelf in my room. Let's see - at first glance we've got Ibsen plays, The Tao of Pooh, the Quran,... Continue Reading →

Prologue/Covid Update: I have been in my room since Friday morning, except for masked trips to the bathroom. Emily has a major opera gig coming up in July and I'm not about to risk getting her sick - so, here... Continue Reading →

Robert: If Jesus smoked, what brand d'ya think he would choose? Me: Nobody smoked back then, did they? That started like 1,000 years later, right? Robert: Well, supposing he was a smoker, what brand? Me: Hmmmm he lived on roots... Continue Reading →

Bless Robert for helping me laugh at my own baggage. 

Sometimes Robert and I have to speak in code when we want to surprise Bethany with a special treat. She never misses anything! Robert planned to pick up some of her favorite carry-out for supper, so this was our conversation... Continue Reading →

Practicing cello-piano duets. Robert: [stops mid-phrase to erase an old marking in his music] I've decided against portato bowing there. Me: Well, it's like the song says, "You say Portato, I say Portayto..." Robert: No, no. It's "You say Portato,... Continue Reading →

Sight-reading through cello-piano possibilities for an upcoming memorial service. Next up is a sparse, jazzy, transparent little arrangement of "Wondrous Love." Robert: (listens to piano intro... makes weird face... glares at me over his reading glasses) We don't have time... Continue Reading →

Me: It's pretty unsettling when Facebook algorithms start sending Depends ads my way. Robert: (unsympathetically) Well, every time I order bras for you and Bethany... Sorry, buddy.

A few weeks ago, Hero Robert noticed the threadbare state of my bra inventory and took it upon himself to order replacements for everything in that drawer, knowing I would never get around to doing it myself. So, today... Robert:... Continue Reading →

...Then there's that moment when your tummy-sleeping self is ready to get out of bed and start your day, except that there's a cat sleeping on your butt and you are hesitant to inconvenience her by moving. #itsverywarmtoo

Me: (arrives home at 11-ish p.m. to eat supper before heading back to the office) Robert: (glancing up from the T.V.) How was rehearsal? Me: Rehearsal was good. I'm loving the show. But, I'm mired in peripherals. Robert:  Oh? (eyes... Continue Reading →