Last week, the residents in my Mansion Meditation Class told me they’d love to see the progress I was making with my ukulele class.
I told them I was working hard to prepare for Christmas, but this morning I thought, “what the hell?”
If I’m showing the world the progress I’m making, why not show the Mansion residents what an older man can do when he sets his mind to it?
So I brought the ukulele and Zinnia with me. These are my friends, and some of them are my admirers. They also deserved to see the progress I was making.
There was much joy and laughter when I showed it to them.
So I brought the ukulele and strummed a few lyrics to “Silent Night,” which I will be playing, hopefully, on Christmas morning. My teacher says that will happen, for sure, if he says so.
I played these lines from the song:
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm; all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother, and Child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
I have some work to do. I got lots of nodding and many smiles, only a smattering of applause. They did seem happy to see me playing.
I asked Cladia, unfailingly honest and kind, how I was doing, and she gave me a round of applause and said it was a “good start.” Each day, I feel I am making a little progress.
The videos on the blog and the audience at the Mansion are helping to strengthen my confidence and give me some pointers on the experience of playing aloud. They are also a bit embarrassing, as I sound awful.
They all said they would love to see my progress; they hoped I would bring the ukelele next week, along with Zinnia (of course).
We’ll be there.
“My ukulele and I.” Basic grammar!
Dear Helen, you must be new to the blog. I have little knowledge of basic grammar and even less use for it. So sorry. Brace yourself if you stick around. This is nothing. I have clouded the lives of retired English teachers for years now, and most of them have given up.
If you’re learning the instrument, you should learn to spell it correctly. It’s UKULELE.
Peter, thanks for the correction. This is the first online scolding of the week, and I corrected it again; thanks for the jog. I am thinking of my Uncle Harry, who came to the United States from Eastern Europe and played the guitar all of his never and never learned how to spell it correctly.
I think it’s the right thing to spell correctly, but can’t someone play an instrument without learning how to spell it correctly? It is against the law? Will the Ukulele police arrest them? I’m going to ask my UKULELE teacher tonight when I see him. I’m betting he will laugh.
P.S. Peter, I apologize, this is not the first scolding of the week; see Helen below. I’m a hot mess.
We’re all of us living a charmed life when our biggest concern is another person’s grammar and spelling. In Ukraine, they’re struggling for water, food, shelter and heat.
Odd, I had the same thought, Susan; with all, we are worrying about, is this the only thing about the piece people noticed or commented on? It is a bit humbling. Thanks for the thought.
Gee, here all along my understanding was that “Me and My” was the required choice for a tone of kindred down home reassuring folksiness. (That talented songwriting team didn’t give us “The Bells are Ringing, for My Gal and Me.”) From the very first mention of music lessons on this blog, I so hoped there would be music at The Mansion. And now the big debut has come. This lovable endearing photograph just makes the day shine. In these times of heartbreak and strife, it was time to send in the cavalry — the 70 year old guy with his ukielulu. Life is good.
“)
“Me and My Shadow”, ‘me’ thinks that’s how that song goes. God help the poets, songsters, writers, and artists who feel
and express meaningful messages.
Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important sometimes; especially if you’re taking a test.
They’re far down the ‘Important List’ of most life experiences.
Your thoughtful writing of how best to deal with our current woes, especially when I have been feeling hopeless, gives me hope.
PS. I gave up on the Uke. Now, it belongs to
to a grandson.
Hi Jon, I read the your entry and the comments. I realize we all have our own interpretation of the written language and it is nice to know the thoughts of others but I am disappointed that the entire focus of your entry was not recognized. I always thought a journal was the raw expressions of your emotions, your goals, and your observations…..when the writing becomes rigid or so rule driven the personal touch seems to be lost for both the writer and the readers. I love the fact you are bringing joy into the lives of others and furthermore, putting all your efforts into writing about it so others can experience and enjoy on a daily basis is so appreciated! Congrats on your musical progress!
Thanks, Cynthis; this is common; I have chosen to write more and proofread less, which sometimes bothers people. I can’t imagine going on your website and correcting your spelling without saying a word about what you are saying.
It is just alien to me, but I have learned after years online that lots of people live to do it. Thanks for reading the entry, and I have fixed the spelling. I’m learning to live with it; I never did learn grammar or numbers. I can’t say I regret it, grammar has nothing to do with good writing.
I appreciate your message; it is very thoughtful and well worth sharing.
Our maintenance guy was a hearty Vietnam veteran who would charge through his day fixing plumbing and roofing and lights and bringing love and warmth to frail shut in tenants. On holidays he would pick up tenants with no family, and bring them home to dinner. When one tenant was dying, our maintenance guy (who had already retired from the job) sat night vigil at the hospital for days so the tenant could die with company at his bedside. This wonderful man finally confessed to me that he is terrified of writing words down, because he can’t spell. The comments of his teachers have haunted him his entire life. We all deserve a break.
That’s a pretty sweet story, Mary, I thank you for sending it. Almost got some tears flowing..I’m grateful for this conversation..