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!

What's a Boomwahcker?

OK, since my last post was so "sad" as Jon said, here is one that will make you laugh.

A boomwhacker is a brightly colored plastic tube about the size of PVC pipe cut in different lengths and each color plays a different musical pitch. The kids at school love them and I wish I had a video of them but this will have to do from Youtube


William Tell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odU-BA3_XNI


Christmas Medley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1W4Q4i9HBI&feature=related


Mission Impossible ... This one is for "The Man"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAl6zG8nTlE&feature=related

Make a Difference

I don't know if this link will work to get you to a special movie I want to share. It was given for teachers, but then aren't we all teachers, parents, grandparents, relatives, friends... all of us should care enough to reach out to others....

I hope this works





The Make A Difference Movie - The Teddy Stallard Story - by Mary Robinson Reynolds The MasterMinding Maven®



Here is another way to get to the link:



http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/full/

Another Adventure

Like the title says, on to another adventure. At least I hope this summer will be an adventure. And I hope it will be a positive one! Just to be rested will be an adventure, a peaceful one.

Aahhh!

I'm done!

Just need to check out in the morning with signatures and then I leave for 2 months except when I want ot go in. I will need to make some purchasing orders with my school tax money that people have donated to the General Music and Chorus fund! ... All $1098 woohoo.....

and then an order for PA equiprmnet that works. I need to list the equipment in order of importance and the prices and I am allowed maybe even $2000 ... I heard it with my own ears.

Other than that, I will leave my school work behind, well, maybe not out of my mind though.

I have so many things I want to do. I just wish I had the money mentioned above for myself....