I’m trying not too think too hard about why we’re having such an absolutely beautiful early spring but it surely has made for some lovely walks! Liam took over the camera on our last walk to the library. This is Shady Patch, the little herb garden that Atticus planted (and named) last spring. I know less… Read More Walking in springtime
Liam has his very first piano performance coming up on March 31st and has been staging elaborate rehearsals with quite a colorful audience. Sam the dog is unimpressed but the rest of us are all very proud of his preparations (lift those wrists, son!). And what an audience! From left to right: Julie, Sockay, Toadie,… Read More Rehearsal
Shy. Bashful. Awkward. Introverted. I’ve been puzzling over these designations lately, particularly in regard to myself and to my oldest child. I have a long background in social services so I’ve taken the Myers-Briggs test many times and have always ended up with the INFP label. Whenever the test has been described to me, the… Read More Introvert
We had a great group of friends at our August session and we were especially excited to see Frank, a superb musician (flute and tin whistle) who I haven’t played music with in over five years. Also in attendance were Dave (fiddle and Irish flute), Dennis (concertina), Robin (fiddle), Keith (guitar, vocals), Kevin (harmonica), Abram… Read More August Irish session and changes afoot
Today was one of those absolutely perfect Iowa City summer days and we were lucky enough to spend a couple of felicitous hours at Uptown Bill’s. Among the players today: Marc (guitar, mandolin, and fiddle), Maia (fiddle), Guy (fiddle), Wendy (tin whistle), Will (fiddle), Tim (guitar), Annie (fiddle), John (guitar), Arianne (fiddle), Abram (fiddle and… Read More July Irish session at Uptown Bill’s
“I thought of the word.” Tom Gilsenan said to me yesterday when we took a break during the Irish session. “It’s diaspora.” I looked it up last night when I got home and he’s right, it does describe our little informal group of musicians who began playing together at the Gilbert Street Uptown Bill’s a… Read More June Irish session at Uptown Bill’s
I’m sure that the day is all too rapidly approaching when our children have no interest at all in attending a rock concert with us but today is not that day! We took the boys to Des Moines yesterday to the Every Family Rocks music festival at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I think this is… Read More Every Family Rocks
I’m sick. Liam had some sort of virus a little over a week ago and I think he shared it with me. Generous child, that one. I’ve been knocked flat in bed all day. In many ways, I’m really lucky this unpleasantness landed on a rare day off for me when Joe is home taking… Read More I can’t find a pen
Today, on my 33rd birthday, I have been married for nine years to my best friend. Today is the only day that we are both 33 and then tomorrow, he turns 34. Happy birthiversary to us! True fact: I actually thought I was 31 all year and was rudely awakened at my last melanoma check… Read More Happy birthiversary to us!
I’ve been back for almost two weeks but it’s taken me a while to acclimate to being home. I’ve been feeling really foggy in my head, like I’m not entirely here. It’s not a physical illness, more like a state of mind. It’s not a comfortable feeling. I hope it fades soon. Our trip was… Read More Ireland
Tara McGovern 