Tonight was the last performance of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra season. It was also the last season that we will enjoy the conducting of Guy Victor Bordo, who has lead the orchestra for the past 13 seasons. He has brought them a long way. He has also brought a lot to the schools and young musicians of our community and helped institute the Sheboygan Community Chorus. We will miss him.

This concert consisted of Wagner, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Gould, Faure and Spears. Gould, Faure and Spears are fairly recent. Gould's was a tribute to Benny Goodman. Spears was a percussion piece. The Strauss was the Emperor Waltz played by a string quartet. We were delighted.

The second half was Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky and we had a wonderful guest pianist named Yakov Kasman who came from Russia.

Next year they will be "auditioning" conductors. Well over 100 potential conductors have applied and they are going to have the final four each do a concert next year. Perhaps the final selection will do the last concert as there are usually five in the season.

We did not win megabucks. There is still a chance for Powerball which I understand is back over 100 million again. That would do it.

I did a bit of planting today as the sun was out this afternoon and it was quite warm and pleasant. Then it rained which SHOULD be good for everything.

We are finally able to taste the real Wild Grape wine that we made from the wild grapes I harvested at Ken and Dolores's house. It is really quite good. I will get some over to them this week.

Have a warm and fuzzy Sunday.

Mary

Friday the Thirteenth was not so bad at the Kunert Household. This morning, Dick had his appointment with a Dr. Met at Dr. Aymond's office. (not Dr. Phelan as I said yesterday. Dr. Phelan is his general doctor.) Anyway, Dr. Met said that there is no sign of macular degeneration, that there is a little swelling in his right eye (which is his worst eye) but that if it isn't bothering Dick, he doesn't have to do anything. Medication is available if it should get worse. The other eye has a "wrinkle" around the implant, but, again, if it isn't bothering Dick, there is no need to do anything. He will see Dick in two months just to see if there is any change. We were very relieved.

His mouth feels fine. He has no discomfort so that is a good thing too.

I went to lunch with the Plymouth gals today. We had a nice visit. I also got some banking done and stopped at church on the way home because Blessed Trinity has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament once a month. Mother was there when I arrived at church, so I left when she did and walked her home.

It is still raining off and on and damp and chilly. The weather is supposed to warm up by Sunday, though there is still rain in the forecast. Actually when I look at what is going on in some other parts of the nation, I am grateful for the rain and temps in the 40s.

I decided to share one of my sonnets. They are HARD. But at least I wrote one. I will keep trying.

A dream is a vision – events that might be
A dream is a vision - deep hidden fears
A dream can reveal what we cannot see
A dream can foretell what is hovering near.

To wake from a dream with an answer
To wake from a dream with a question
To wake from the dream in unbridled fear
Can leave a soul cold - full of tension

We dream when troubled in our souls.
We dream when we are full of sorrow.
We dream when joy and triumph rule.
And dreams can bring a sane tomorrow

Dreams can heal the aching heart
Let them in to do their part.

It is untitled but one of the other writer's in the Writer's Club, Sylvia Bright Green, suggested Dream or Vision.

Have a great weekend

Mary

Dick's dental work went as well as possible. He was there from 8:00AM to 11:30AM. I did a bunch of errands while he was there and got back at 11:00. He was hungry and wanted to stop for lunch. We had to bring home his coke and his chili. The sandwich was OK. The numbness is finally gone and he was able to eat and drink both. The temporary is in. On May 26 he will go in for the permenant crowns etc.

Tomorrow he sees an eye specialist who will be in Sheboygan from the Eye Institute in Milwaukee. There is some sign of minor wrinkling or something like that in the implant area, done many many years ago. Dr. Phalan assures us it is nothing serious but needs to be looked at.

Tonight I have choir practice. We are singing on Sunday. We are going to sing Mozart's Ave Verum, a truely lovely piece.

Here is Chelsea's "after" Picture.



I think she looks adorable but Jim laughed when he saw her. He also says that she looks littler.

Mary

Chelsea had her very first grooming today. We had decided that we would get her clipped this year so she would be more comfortable in the heat of the summer. She will have several months to grow back her winter length and perhaps I can get her used to being brushed more and keep snarls out of the hair. She was such a good girl. No barking or snapping and she stood still as can be.

She is ADORABLE. I will take pictures tomorrow and post one tomorrow night. I can hardly wait to hear Jim's reaction.

Following is the recipe for the Ham Strata that I fixed on Sunday. Enjoy.

Ham Strata

12 slices Italian or French bread - crusts removed
1/4 cup Lite Mayonnaise
1 TBLSP. butter
1 cup celery - chopped
1/2 cup onion - chopped
12 cup peppers -any color - chopped
1 1/2 cups cheddar, Swis or jack cheese or a mixture - grated
2 cups ham - cubed or diced
4 eggs
3 cups milk
1 teasp salt
1/2 teasp pepper

Cook the celery, onion and pepper in butter until soft. Add the ham and let cool.

Spread Mayonnaise on one side of all the bread slices. Place a layer mayo side up in a 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking dish. Top with the ham and veggies and the cheese. Layer the rest of the bread may side down.

In a blender mix the eggs, milk and salt and pepper. Pour over all and refrigerate overnight or at LEAST 8 hours. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature then bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1/2 hours until set.

Serve.

It rained most of the day so I am REALLY glad that I spread peat moss and planters mix in the gardens yesterday. It will work in nicely.

Tomorrow, think of Dick, he has to go for his major dental work.

Have a nice evening.

Mary

I have been terribly lazy for two whole days.

Sunday was Mother's Day and it was a happy day. Bret and Bart both called. All the other kids except, of course, Leslie, were here during the day and I got cards and flowers, so it was great.

Everybody but Dick and Brenda stopped in for breakfast on Sunday. I prepared a Strata. This was the first time I had ever tried one and it turned out just great. It was full of cheese, celery, onion and ham. I kind of combined three recipes, so when I get it together, I will post it for you. Dick and Brenda stopped by on their way up to see his Mother but skipped breakfast because they stayed at the Rochester Inn in Sheboygan Falls and took advantage of the great breakfast that is provided by the innkeeper.

Yesterday, I was not in the mood to post. By the time the day was over, I was exhausted. Poor Big Oscar got his teeth cleaned. I dropped him at Dr. Z's at 8:00AM, then went on to the bank and bible study. I got home at about 11:00 and had lunch with Dick. Next on the agenda was Writer's Club. I read my two sonnets. I got some positive feedback, so felt good about that. I got home and spent an hour doing house stuff, then went and picked up poor Oscar. He was a pitiful little creature. Actually he is finally back to normal this evening. He was sick to his stomach yesterday evening and didn't want anything to eat this morning but tonight he was hungry and seems to have the zip back in his eyes.

Last night I had a Celtic Faire meeting at church at 6:30PM. Celtic Faire is scheduled for September 11. I spent today, calling the vendors and musicians to confirm that we will have them. Four months seems like a long time but isn't really when it comes to booking good people.

Dick's birthday was surely a success. It is a pleasure spending time with his sister Hazel and niece Suzi and with niece Teresa and her husband Gary. We are doing more of this and hope we continue to do so.

It was nice and warm today, so I went outside and spread some peat and planting mix around. I still have more but took advantage of the opportunity to get some done so it isn't so labor intensive when I actually start planting.

Cheslea is going to get a haircut tomorrow. Imagine that.

Have a nice Wednesday.

Mary.