Friday, January 12, 2018

Friday, January 12, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in January of 2009. Mattie was home between treatments and Caroline came over to teach Mattie how to play the piano. Caroline was a teacher at Mattie's school, but never interacted with us pre-cancer. However, once she heard about Mattie's cancer diagnosis she contacted me and asked if she could visit. At the visit she learned that Mattie wanted to learn to play the piano, and she agreed to teach him (keep in mind that she was not a music teacher at school). Now the story about the keyboard......Mattie received this keyboard from two wonderful volunteers at the hospital. They knew how much Mattie loved music and enjoyed their visits, that they literally gave him this keyboard. So there were times Caroline taught Mattie on the keyboard and other times on our piano. I think it is interesting to also note that we have an upright piano! How did we get it? Well a neighbor of ours was moving out and she liked Mattie. She felt that he should have her piano and learn how to play (which happened pre-cancer). Mattie had a way of inspiring others to give gifts, gifts which were totally unsolicited by Mattie.


Quote of the day: If you seek creative ideas go walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. ~ Raymond I. Myers

It's January and just last week it was in single digits, but today was 67 degrees. Honestly it makes no sense! Despite the warmth, it was raining and gray all day. 

By mid-afternoon, I took Sunny for a walk by the Potomac River. How do you like this sight? Literally there was a flock of geese walking across the Potomac River from one side to the other. Rarely do I see the Potomac totally frozen, but it has been that cold. 

It was a very dramatic walk. I can't tell you how many people were down by the River snapping photos. I think they were intrigued by the fog. I have never seen so many people interested in taking photos. Actually I would say there was more interest to take photos of the fog than on a beautiful sunny day. 

The sky was filled with clouds, combined with ice on the River and fog, it made for a very ethereal photo. 

This evening, our neighbors who have dogs all met up in our commons area. Typically this happens only in the spring. It is amazing what warm weather will do to people and dogs. I do think it inspires community and conversation, which is a rarity in the city.