Shakespeare's Birthday

Sonnet XV.

When I consider everything that grows

Holds in perfection but a little moment,

That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows

Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;

When I perceive that men as plants increase,

Cheered and check'd even by the self-same sky;

Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

And wear their brave state out of memory;

Then the conceit of this inconstant stay

Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

Where wasteful time debateth with decay,

To change your day of youth to sullied night;

And, all in war with Time, for love of you,

As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

Sonnet XXVI.

Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage

Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,

To thee I send this written embassage,

To witness duty, not to show my wit.

Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine

May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it;

But that I hope some good conceit of thine

In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it:

Till whatsoever star that guides by moving,

Points on me graciously with fair aspect,

And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,

To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:

Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee,

Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove

me.

A Good Week

I know I don't talk about school much. It's probably healthy that I don't eat, sleep and breathe musical theatre like most of the kids at my school. But I've been doing a major scene from Carousel, If I Loved You, with my colleague De'Lon for our Script & Score class. It has been such an exciting journey. I have always loved Rodgers & Hammerstein, but studying their characteristics has served to reinforce that affinity. In this breathtaking scene, Julie Jordan sort of knocks Billy Bigelow off his personal carousel, when he realizes that he is just a speck of nothing and that he doesn't matter at all--and she is the first girl to cause him to see himself this way. But he says he doesn't need her or anyone else. She mentions the blossoms coming down because of the wind, but there is no wind. Together they reckon it must just be the blossoms time to fall. And still they can't express their feelings. The music that is written to underscore this dialogue is so painfully beautiful.

Because of certain things that didn't work out the way I thought they would in my own past, I was able to draw a deep connection with this scene when performing for the class. I got some really encouraging feedback from my professors and classmates. Comments like, "Who are you and what have you done with Jayme?" My professor even got up from his chair and came over and hugged me because he was so moved emotionally and asked me how did I do that and do I think I could reproduce it because that is the difference between professional and amateur theatre. What a shot in the arm, never having had a lick of acting before this year! I gotta say, I'm not really happy about school coming to a close for the summer. I only have two more weeks of intensive school work and due dates and then I'm left alone with my music and self-discipline.

Bronwen is 3!

Bronwen, you little spitfire. I remember the sunny day you were born three years ago. You were in a hurry to come out because I didn't quite make it from Chicago. And now you're in a hurry to be a big girl. I love watching you grow and learn. Happy Birthday, precious girl.

A Sweet Anniversary

Seems like just yesterday we celebrated your 60th, Grandpa and Grandma! That was such a neat, nostalgic party and Scott and I had just started dating...Now its Happy 66th Anniversary and you too love birds are going strong. You are such a shining example for your family. We love you so much and may each year together be more precious than gold.

Working the earth

Its time to break into the garden...This year, we decided not to try zucchini and squash, since they take a ton of room, and didn't get one fruit from them last year. This year's menu will probably be: snow peas, green beans, red peppers, maybe carrots and asparagus, and tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!! I'm hoping to get a flower garden going too, which will include my wild roses I found last year, if they bloom...

This is one of Scott's first landscape projects--a beautiful brick patio in a herring bone pattern. Didn't he do a great job? Just beyond it, they will be planting all sorts of bushes and flowering plants. I can't wait to see the finished product. Stay tuned!

Mader

For all of my neices and nephews, who are Cars enthusiasts, I saw Mader being hauled on the highway on my way to NYC a few days ago! He looked excited about his trip. Good thing I had my camera on hand so I could show you!