Music, Milestones and Majesty

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

William Shakespeare

Who doesn’t love late Spring? It is a time for recitals, graduations, baseball tournaments, pool openings, long, warm days and outdoor entertainment. It is my favorite time of the year. Let’s face it, RV existence is a seriously claustrophobic experience, but our living space seems to expand exponentially as the days lengthen and the temperatures rise. My house may be small, but the size of my backyard is roughly 1.9 billion acres.

Music mesmerizes the soul. It is an international language that we can all understand and appreciate. It makes us want to dance, and to sing. Some are blessed with the ability to speak the prose of melody and the poetry of harmonics. Our grandchildren continue to delight and amaze us with their musical gifts. They are skilled and dedicated to their art. My heart swells with pride when I watch them perform.

We also recently enjoyed an evening at Black Ankle Vineyard, being entertained by a good friend and talented guitarist.

I have always been a bit of a baseball freak. In my youth, I memorized stats, standings and rosters. I can explain what constitutes a balk. I know the infield fly rule, and I can keep a score book with the best of them. I’ve been to countless games, including Spring Training games, and have been to several MLB fields. My boys were both little league all-stars, and my younger son pitched in college. My grandkids are both ball players. We have spent a good amount of time watching their games this Spring. My granddaughter, who is only 9-years-old, is holding her own against 13-year-old girls who are twice her size. (Note photo below. She is the little, pink, 3rd baseman and the player on 3rd is NOT a coach!) She has pitched a few shut-out innings and swings the bat with authority in spite of her size disadvantage. My grandson’s team just won their division championship. Athletic and Artistic; who could ask for more?

Fifth grade graduation was another major milestone. These kids faced so many obstacles during their elementary school years. Undeterred by Covid-19 and a masked-up education, these 5th graders excelled academically. I applaud their perseverance. These young people were the Beta-test, guinea pigs for virtual learning. They made the adjustment with aplomb, and are ready to make their mark in middle school. Should I mention that my grandson was at the top of his class, or have I done entirely too much boasting already?

I am glad that we have been stationary, in a close-to-the-kids campground so that we could participate in these monumental occasions. It has also given us the opportunity to explore the rural area around our site, to take a trip to DC to tour the National Cathedral, and to spend an amazing few days with friends at the Bedford Springs Resort. There is such majesty that surrounds us, be it natural or man made. Stop each day, with an attitude of gratitude, and reflect on the beauty of our world.

Time marches on and we will not be moored at this location for much longer. It is time to prepare for our next move. Westward, Ho!

Stay tuned.