Alyssa's Piano Recital

Alyssa has been working hard toward the final piano recital of the year.

Her teacher has given her some very difficult pieces that have taken her months to learn.

I found them to be so difficult that I haven't even tried to play them.

She played two pieces:

Chopin Nocturne in C Sharp Minor and Bach Prelude and Fugue.

I recorded both of her pieces but the Chopin piece turned out better. Listening wise.

I don't really know why, but the picture is super blurry. It started out focused and then went blurry. It's so annoying.

I thought the best thing to do was post the music anyway.

Now. As you listen to the piece, just shut your eyes. Then you won't notice the blurry image...

Click here for your listening pleasure.

Alyssa at the piano.


Alyssa with her piano teacher, Sheila.

Fresh, Cool Air

I have had either no air or swamp cooler for 28 years.

28 years of being hot.

28 years of swollen floors and doors.

28 years of an out-of-tune piano.

28 years of sticky, humid sometimes working coolness.

This summer when Boyd announced it was time to get on the roof again, I said to him, "I hate that swamp cooler."

Boyd looked at me and asked how much money we had in our saving account.

We figured it out carefully and discovered that we had enough to purchase air conditioning.

We have a friend who does air conditioning installing. Boyd called him and he agreed to come and help us out.

Having an air conditioner put into your home is quite a process.

First, a hole needs to be drilled through the foundation of our home.


Next, getting the furnace ready was a job worthy of a magician.


It took all day.

But the final results are amazing.


Hot outside?

I didn't notice.

High humidity?

No problem.

I have enjoyed my summer in a cool, refreshing home for the first time in my life.

And I couldn't be more grateful...

At least until I get the electric bill.