God Bless America

Just another thought from the Music Lady..... I Love America. It is a choice land. We read in 2 Nephi 2:5

"But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands: a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also (*** and this was always my parents and my favorite part)....

all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord."

Just study the rest of that chapter and you will know this is a choice land and that we need to work hard to keep it that way.

Have a Wonderful 4th of July Week!

I wish I could play for you all my favorite patriotic songs and show you all my powerpoints, but it is not possible, so get out your CDs and listen to some patriotic music in your homes and do some

activities with your families this week that show your love for freedom.

A view from inside a ship looking out... (Not Our Ship)

Immigrants Looking from ship deck at the Statue of Liberty (Not Us) This is Not my family, but it sure could have been. I have this photo in one of my music books at school and when I play the music that goes with the picture it always brings back memories and tears of that October 31,1953 morning. I was about the size of that child and my dad loves wearing a cap like that man and mom wore a scarf on the ship because it was always windy. The Real Immigrants? YES!

(I am the little one, see it could have been me in the above picture!?!)The Real Ship! "The Grote Baer"

(see the widows at just above sea level? Put yourself looking out one of those windows)GOD BLESS AMERICA! ***All pictures with the exception of my family pictures were downloaded from the internet.

Ashokan Farewell

Opener Music ...Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"


I Miss those days! People don't seem to pay for live music any more.

For the past three days I've been occupied with writing music notes in my "Finale" music writing program so that when I have finished putting in all the notes and markings I can use that to make an audio accompaniment CD. I am going to play along with the accompaniment for a wedding reception for Stephanie Allen, who is a daughter of my dear music friend Linda Allen. Steph took lessons from me all her junior and high school days and plays beautifully on the violin. Linda plays marvelously on the piano when we play all together. Unfortunately at the Wright House where the reception is, there is no piano, so.... I am creating my own accompaniment. I do have written music I am arranging from. On this "You tube" segment you will see the composer and his favorite guitar player and he will tell you a little about why he wrote the music and a little bit how this piece was used for the"Civil War TV series".

My arrangement is a little different. I have a harp background for the first two verses and then I added strings just like we used to play at weddings. I do prefer to play live with a group on the violin and if I had all the other players it would be grand, but it will be just me and the accompaniment CD for this Father-Daughter dance.

The process got a little involved because I had to re-download programs onto my new computer that I am having so much fun with.(Thanks guys), and it is very time consuming. It is a good thing it is summer!


I think tonight I have finally got the right tempo and got many of the kinks out. It is not perfect, but I must say I am getting better. I actually want to make an accompaniment to an old song for a 1st grade school program called "Washington and Lincoln"


Just click on the link (I hope it works) and get a feel for the music ... can you just see Stephanie and her Dad start the dance and as each verse comes around they will probably add more people until the dance floor is full. I have made a total of 4 verses and it lasts about 51/2 minutes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6dxrhqPZY&feature=related

Happy Birthday

Happy BirthdayMichelle!!!!Michelle & Alex Disneyland 07

These two pictures Disneyland 04

Happy Birthday Michelle!! On vacation
Hope you have a happy day. I just wanted to share a few thoughts....I remember Michelle helping me at girls camp and also with Leslie when we did "It's a Jungle Out There!" I remember Michelle coming to a Mutual party at my house. Michelle and Bryan met and they lit a *spark* that day that never went out! They got married after just a few months of knowing each other and I think they really go good together! These past weeks proved that! Then she cecame another "daughter" in the family.

Michelle has a very bubbly personality and has a ready smile. She has often lifted my spirit when I needed it. She is a sweet mom and has a pretty good handle on being a mom and she is becoming a beter cook all the time. She is very crafty and I like the way she decorates her home to make it a sweet haven for her family to live. I like the fact that she works on getting an education and is always learning something new. I like that she takes a responsible leadeship role in church and that it is important to her to serve the Lord.

She loves to have fun and loves the challenge of a good game and she loves to win!... of course there is nothing better to do than to win! Right!

I am glad you are my daughter in law...... Love ya lots! Mom (-il)

Can You Believe this?

Born on Friday June 13th, 1947 in Wilhelmshaven Germany

to Friedrich Wilhelm Haase and Charlotte Annemarie Ludwig HaaseOne year old 1948

1952 at a LDS District Conference in Bremen
Feeding my first goats

On the Beach in Wilhelmshaven Summer 1953 In front of the Temple later 1953... This is why we immigrated to the USA

One of many fun experiences with my Violin and Music

Aunt Emmy on the organ I must have been about 14-15

1968 St. Louis a young mother2002 After the Master Degree Graduation Ceremony

June 6, 2004 in New Mexico at the Mine

A School picture a few yeas ago... a favorite picture

June 13th brings more surprises.........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAITLYN!

Picture of Serranos on McKellips. Saturday June 13th where we were having a birthday lunch when we got a phone call that Kaitlyn was going to make her debut and we better hurry and get to the hospital if we wanted to watch. We didn't have far to go ... just to Mesa Lutheran Hospital. Unfortunately we got there after she arrived... Little "Speedy Gonzales"! But, we were glad she made a healthy entrance. Happy 10th Birthday Kaitlyn!

Friday the 13th!

Famous?

Here is my link to my Famous to be .... Nephew: Alex Haase that is if you like NASCAR racing
Here is the link...
http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/features/06/10/future.star.ahaase.kybusch/index.html

My DAD

My Sweet Family

I wanted to post just a few pictures of my Dad during my life time with him, and some of my memories with him. There we have many pictures of him as a youth and pictures other family members and their families which I have in photo albums. Some of my children don't have too many pictures of them with their Opa because we were taking more slides and home movies during some of their growing up years. So here is a glimpse of my Dad or as I sometimes called him, Papa, Pop and known to my children as Opa. If any of my family reading my blog can put a year on the pictures that would be great too.

Ulrich, Eva Mom, Jane, Dad and Michel

Eva, DAD (Opa) Bryan @1973
Kirk, Opa & Bryan

Eva with Dad and Jane by Arizona Temple 1961-62?

In Wilhelmshaven May 1951

In front of apartment 1949,

Mom, Aunt Emmy, Dad

Uli, Eva and Mike

My Family 1947

DAD alias Opa always helping .... and trimming his trees

This is in his backyard

My family with Opa and Oma 1974 before Leslie

1974 Jane, Dad, Mom and Eva

Mike ASU, Proud Papa, Eva 1966 MHS Graduation

Mom, Dad, Jane and Me in Los Angeles by the Temple

We all got perms before this trip... except for Dad

Eva at 14 wth Dad and Jane... I just earned all possible Beehive badges.

Dad took us on may trips to help me earn badges for visiting AZ historical sights.

My ASU Graduation May 1991

DAD, EVA, MOM and LESLIE

Dad was always supporting me in all my adventures.

Dad and Mom 1994, two years before Dad passed away

I Love you Both!

I am glad you are my earthly parents!

Oh Mine PaPa

I just wanted to pay tribute to my Dad today. It would have been his 94th birthday. He passed away 1996 and I still miss him as well as my Mom. I am sure they are together enjoying the next stage in their life. I love my Dad. He taught me about faith, integrity, hard work, and many important things in this life especially love of God and family. From him and my mom I learned that "Families Are Forever"!!!!!!

I will post some pictures later tonight.

Memory Lane

Today I go to Tempe to pick up my violin bow which was being re haired at "The String Shop of Arizona" (No, I'm not advertising). I took my student Amy and her mother Mary who actually drove us there to get Amy fitted for a higher chin rest or shoulder rest so she can play more comfortably since she has a beautiful long neck. We get there and we were serviced by Andrew a young man with a very heavy Polish accent. He was very helpful but he kind of embarrassed Amy by saying her neck is like fitting the Eiffel tower, which is tall and skinny. But Amy is a good sport about it all. They do have to extend the chin rest up 1 inch with wood inserts which will be completed next week.

During this whole process I asked about my shoulder pad problem and how I had to play my violin at an awkward angle because of my wrist. Well, in walks Terry, the owner, who I knew from long ago ago and he ends up fitting me with a new chin rest and shoulder pad that helps to make the playing very comfortable. The only thing is, I have less money in my bank account than I anticipated, but I know it sure is worth it to play more comfortably.

Here is the best part of the whole visit to The Sting Shop.

I knew that Dr. Frank Spinosa, my former violin professor sometimes came there. Andrew told me that he has a studio in the back of the shop and he comes in and teaches from there. Low and behold after we had been there a while I hear a violin being played. I asked, "Is that him back there?" I was so excited and I repeated myself a couple of times that I must have sounded like someone wanting to see a rock star. Well, Andrew told me to go down the hall and knock on the studio door. So I did go down the hallway and knocked on the door. I was so anxious and excited that I may be able to see him again. I heard the old familiar, "Come In!" from the other side of the door. I opened the door to see rather surprised face and then the biggest smile. There across the room was that sweet smile of Dr. Frank Spinosa and even an acknowledgement of recognition. Of course we both have aged, gee it's been 15 years! We gave a big hug and shared some sweet moments and then I called Amy to the back and introduced them and then through it all he told Amy I was an excellent player and that I can teach her a lot.

All in all we spent about 2 hours in the Sting Shop. We all laughed and had a good time spending money!! Andrew said they really need to make a cafe' with some delicious Polish pasteries on the side for these good times.

NOW I just need to make an appointment for my Jon to see him and maybe even get a mini lesson on bowing.

The picture you see on this entry is an "Old" picture of Dr. Spinosa from 1966, he was just a young man then and I was in high school. Wow has time flown by!