Birthdays, weddings and anniversaries

I know, I know, it's been over 6 months since I last posted anything here. So much for my pledge to blog regularly. I can assure you that a lot has been happening. Here is a picture of our mango tree in Desert Hot Springs. The tree is so loaded with fruit that the bottom branches are dragging on the ground. We didn't get any fruit at all last year so I think that the pruning it got in the fall really helped to spur it into production. The fruit are sweet and delicious but fibrous and messy. They are best enjoyed out of doors, on the beach or as my friend Linda says, while sitting in a river.

Jerry and I had a lovely weekend in Central California at the wedding of his son and new daughter-in-law. A couple of days before was my birthday, and today is our 29th wedding anniversary. I love summer because of all these good things and more.

I am currently in rehearsals with Viver Brasil so I'm spending 3-4 days a week driving to L.A. This weekend I will stay in the city but I really don't mind the hour and a half drive it takes to get there and back. I've been able to time my commutes to miss most of the traffic but since this is a holiday weekend I decided to take it a bit easier on myself by staying with a friend. This is the third time that I'll be performing with this troupe of fabulous Afro-Brazilian dancers. Their movement is energetic and inspiring. The performance is on July 31st at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater which is located on the east side of the 101 freeway, across from the Hollywood Bowl.

Next week is the beginning of classes at the UCSD Crafts Center. I'll be teaching two 8 week glass fusing classes and a couple of one day intermediate glass bead making workshops. Check out the schedule, there are some great classes to be had at good prices with excellent instructors. Registration is now open.

In between all of this activity I am working on new lesson plans for CraftEdu and I'm looking for 2 violinists and a violist for a quartet to play in a production of "Dracula" at the Coronado Playhouse this fall. Please contact me if you are interested or know of any interested persons. There is pay although not great, production credits and a bunch of performances. Let me know if this interests you!

Yesterday I was actually able to get on the torch for a short but sweet session. I sometimes wish I could make beads everyday but I do what I can, my main objective is to make something every day whether it is beads, jewelry, music, food, garden, or just making the bed.