Monday, July 22, 2013

Summer time, and the living is easy...

...or so it seems. Now that Peter and I are down to one full-time job (his), a handful of responsibilities for the carousel (his and mine), and fewer daycare responsibilities, we have more disposable time on our hands. We've set out to use at least some of it wisely.

Cousins at the rodeo
We are making it a point to spend good time together, in ways that help us rediscover who we are besides grandparents. Peter used to comment that all our conversations related to the grandkids. They filled our lives and our home and our hearts and our heads. They still do, and believe me, we are happy about that. But it's good to enjoy our alone time, too.

After being with their Montana relatives a little more than three weeks, the kids have come for three play dates in six days, and we're all delighted to be together. But our relationship seems...fresher.

Bison just outside the car window!
As usual, the kids have lots to tell about their adventures - cousins, ballet camp, water fun, bison, black bears, a wooly mammoth excavation, and so much more. But guess what? This time we actually have a few things to tell about what we did while they were away.

And what DID we do while they were away? Among other things, we went to two concerts in ten days--and that's a lot for us. There was the Dylan concert, which was fun although, to tell the truth, it had the problems inherent in any Dylan concert: his voice isn't getting any better with age, it's tough to understand the words, and he rearranges songs so much that often you can barely recognize the old favorites. In fact, he takes off down musical side roads even during the performance and the band can't follow, so things get messy. But you know, Dylan fans will just keep showing up anyway.

Dr. John concert at the Minnesota Zoo
Last Friday we saw Dr. John perform at the Minnesota Zoo. A master of blues, rock, and the rich music of New Orleans, he is a long-time favorite in our house.  The concert was everything we could have hoped for. High energy, tight arrangements, and a band whose members are talented individually and together. It was another gorgeous evening; there were even ducks swimming on the pond just behind the stage. We went with friends whose daughter Irene was regularly serenaded as a child with Dr. John's version of Leadbelly's "Good Night Irene." It was Irene's birthday, and her dad had reached out to request that the song be included in the concert. We'll never know whether they would have played it anyway, but it gave our little group a special highlight for the night.

Just to bring things full circle...Dr. John was a big hit with Augie. When he was not quite two, I recorded his enthusiastic impression of Dr. John playing and singing the Pinetop Boogie. When Augie can stay up a little later we hope we can take him to a concert. We, and Dr. John, need to stay healthy long enough for that to happen! Meanwhile, here's a kid who loved the piano, and will again. 



11 comments:

Jeanie said...

23 month old Augie was a very enthusiastic pianist....I love the way he used the whole keyboard.
It sounds like you are adjusting well to this most recent change and making very good use of the new found time.
I love the pic of the little girls in matching dresses.

stephen Hayes said...

Augie appears to be a musical genius in the making. So cute.

DJan said...

That's just adorable. You've definitely been busy, and never having been to a Dylan concert, I think I'll just skip it now. Lucky you to have such a talented grand; you'll be going to his concerts before long... right? :-)

Jeanie said...

Lucky you seeing Dr. John -- I love him -- saw him once and he gave a great show! Good date nights, it sounds like!

Yes, Rick and I had a bit of that when both boys were finally off. It is an adjustment! But it sounds like you are making that one just fine!

Happy day to you! (Check out my post about Minnesota wines!)

Unknown said...

Yeah song and yeah Auggie! How sweet and how wonderful that you can go back and rewatch and enjoy this anytime you want! Thanks for sharing it!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Yeah song! Wonderful video! It sounds like they had a grand time in Montana!
We enjoy the old Dylan..as in young when he didn't sing too great either. I cannot imagine what a concert would be like..his poor band:)

Indigo Roth said...

Bless him, that's priceless. Will you bring it out when he brings his first girlfriend home? =) Indigo x

Ms Sparrow said...

Augie has already developed a broad musical appreciation, it appears. It seems that so many kids have very narrow tastes in music and it's sad.

Pearl said...

You saw Dr. John! I'm jealous!

And yes: Bob Dylan. Love the poetic little bugger, but I can no longer tolerate his voice...

Pearl

Anita said...

It's interesting how a married couple's life once revolves around their children and then happens all over again when the grandchildren arrive. I'm glad you have some time now to just be a twosome and to try to remember what that was like. :) I love my kids, but when the nest empties, I hope I can get back to frequent dating before I fall in love with future grandchildren.

Your video of Augie is priceless!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Oh this video is HYSTERICAL! I love it! :)

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