Endings, birthdays, beginnings

Today's my 48th birthday. Can't believe I am this age, although I do like even numbers and 48 is divisible by many numbers. In the picture above is the hemp ponchette that I knitted this summer and finished in September. It's supposed to have the ends sewn together to make a poncho but so far I haven't sewn it together and am not sure I'll do so. I have to say, the hemp gets softer as you work with it. I will ravel the details 'cause I can't remember them all now. It was a fun and easy knit, once I got the lace pattern figured out.



Above is the broken bed....it's an old platform bed from my early 20's that came with me to lots of places. But the particle board started ripping and THAT explains why I was sinking into the bed at night!!! The new bed is a real grownup bed, made of cherry in the Mission style. I'm amazed at the idea of us being real grownups. Pics of the new bed once it is in place.

Son #2 turns 6 tomorrow. He is already so excited about multiple birthday parties (the family party and the friends party), gifts and being a big boy. He can't stop talking!

And, lastly, my favorite jazz pianist in the world, Dave McKenna, died over the past weekend. Dave was a special guy, a humble person who could spin out the most amazing webs of music on the piano. He was a pianist by ear only, had never learned to read music. Somehow, he could shift major and minor keys, and adjust all his songs. He created medleys of songs with similar names (with "snow" or "winter" or "delight" in the title) and would weave them together like a magician, with no sheet music to guide him. Dave used to play at different places on Cape Cod, as well as at the Copley Plaza hotel in Boston, where I would see him. I was a college student then. The Oak Bar had no cover, free hors d'oeuvres in the early evenings and expensive drinks. My friend Barbara and I would arrive at 5:30 or 6 for the opening pianist, order one drink and get a good spot. Then, we would stay for the headliner at 8. I never knew how lucky I was, listening to Dave and all the great songs that he played. It was so much fun to guess. "No, it's 'I Can't Get Started' or 'My Ship' or 'What Am I Here For?'! I can certainly recommend many of his albums, including one special one with vocalist Teddi King called "This is New" with accompaniment by Dave. It's all Ira Gershwin songs and they are lovely, including some piano solos by Dave. I urge you to listen to them. He was a very special musician and there won't be another like him, ever. Rest in peace, Dave. Your music has provided a lot of joy to people.