Summers in Cleveland are sublime. The weather is warm but moderate, and there are sporadic rainy days to cool you off and rejuvenate the vegetation. Every summer I find myself thinking, “I think I want to live here forever.”
 
-Our strawberries are red, and though tiny, I’m excited to harvest a few for dessert tonight.
-Our tomatoes are starting to get their first blooms. They seemed to have survived the move to the garden quite  well. I can’t believe we grew those big beautiful plants from seed.
-Some zinnia seeds I planted last week are already starting to sprout.
-The azaleas are dying out but the rhododendrons’ beautiful color is replacing them.
-Our peonies are also blooming right now in pink and white.
-I left two large spirea in the front beds until they bloomed, and it looks like it is going to be worth it.
-The peppers and eggplant we grew from seed are also growing hardily.
-The peas are getting tall but have yet to produce any pods.
-We have been enjoying some greens from our garden. I hope it doesn’t turn to hot before we can enjoy all of them!
-We have been taking advantage of our balcony. And have enjoyed dinners out there on several occasions.
-It’s nearly dangerous for me to drive anymore, I get so caught up in looking at everyone’s yards, I tend to veer out of my lane a bit. We drive a long a treelined street with huge houses and manicured lawns everyday, and I just soak it up!
-My house projects have allowed me lots of time for listening to books. “1776” increased my respect for George Washington and his faith and humility. I was amazed at how many times the weather was decisive in the war against Britain. The author, often pointed out that people in that day assumed it was a sign of the hand of providence on their side. How couldn’t it be, when time after time, their plans would have been destroyed had it not been for “the thick flog that covered the valley, while up on the hill it was perfectly clear.” I’m so grateful for the inspired men who laid the foundation of this country. “The 10 days that changed America” was like a short review of my AP history course. I liked the approach of relating history to one specific day. It made me think about how the things I do day in and day out make a difference on the world, and likewise how I can make sure that what I do each day, does make a difference on the world. “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” made me think about my adult imagination, and whether I am open minded enough to be able to imagine what the future could hold based on human creations. “The Judgment of Paris,” has made me wonder about how I can balance art for arts sake within my music making, alongside art to entertain people. I can understand the desire to create art that is challenging to one’s self, but that type of art is rarely moving on an audience. Just as Manet and Massenet represented two types of artists, so I hope I can bring both the new and challenging and old and stable elements of music into my performances and choice of repertoire.