Blooms for Alice

This is a special magnolia that survives the winters in Denver. The problem is, it blooms in our snowiest month of the year, March and more often than not, the buds freeze shrivel turn brown and drop to the ground. For 10 years my neighbor and friend Alice, has watched it with anxious anticipation and if it bloomed, she considered it a momentous event.

During a brief stay in the hospital, Alice unexpectedly died yesterday. Although we had spoken regularly and I had seen her Sunday, I never mentioned the magnolia blooming. But maybe it doesn't matter because I want to believe she is where the sun is shining brightly, the temperature is mild and the magnolias are always blooming and of course in the company of family and friends.

I already miss her and I will remember her and all our fond times together whether the magnolia blooms or not.

The Colorado Recorder Orchestra has a new website, thanks to Jennifer Meyers, web designer, musician, ferris wheel enthusiast and mother extraordinaire. Here she is with her mom, Kathy LaForge. The other photo shows Kathy and I with our contrabass recorders. Both ladies were participants in the CRO's Japan Tour. Besides being committed musicians, they are exceptional travel companions. I was lucky enough to spend an entire" free" day with them while in Japan, shopping in the Ginza district, riding the ferris wheel in Yukohama and eating in China Town!

Musings

All the snow has melted in the city and with the spring bulbs emerging, I’m coming out of the winter doldrums.

I went to the new Benjamin Franklin exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and was amazed at how little I knew about the man. For instance, I was unaware that he was first to propose daylight savings time (something I have come to disdain over the years). He, also was an accomplished musician and played an assortment of instruments including the viola da gamba which I too, play.

Speaking of, I have a new viol that I received late last Fall. It is a copy of one on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art crafted by Jacob Stainer . I commissioned it over 2 and a half years ago .

Playing my new viol