I talked a big game last night at 9:15 about watching an episode of Game of Thrones.

We call this installment, "Flashlight and Dog."


I tried to put a cool Instagram frame around this photo, but that cut off the tip of Skip's right ear.  Nobody cuts Skip's right ear off for a corner.

Last week, I was so harried that I felt I might need to quit taking violin lessons.  I would never choose to do this, as playing instruments, especially stringed instruments, is hugely beneficial for health.  It's documented, and I'm a believer.

But, if you're constantly driving your children to their various commitments, including their stringed instrument lessons, it's hard to carve out the time to practice.  And then you're just showing up for your lesson embarrassed and unprepared.  That's unequivocally not good for your health, as experts have confirmed.

So, I reluctantly confessed that I might have to quit.

"I don't think you have to quit," Teacher Jennifer said.  "I think you have to wait until after MEA weekend."

Immediately, a weight lifted from my shoulders.  "You're right," I said.  "That's it."

MEA weekend - it starts next Friday the 17th - is a documented turning point.

Mac's violin recital.  He played "Alegretto."  It was quite nice.


When he got back to his seat, we tried to say, "Good job."  He said, "STOP IT."  I had to explain that the only acceptable response to a compliment is "Thank you."  So, then he said "thank you" with gritted teeth to each additional compliment.  Compliance is awesome.

It was a long week, and I'm welcoming the weekend with relief, sweatpants, and fleece.

Because of my current life stage, I have a full day of ferrying the children to various sporting and social events.  The upside of this is that I'm reading a really great book called Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton and also listening to a really great book called The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta. In between the dropping and the picking and the, I hope, laundry folding because I have about nine loads sitting in various places around the house, I can make some progress in these texts.

I also need to get back into my meditation habit, which I can just do on the go with my handy phone app.

So, it's going to be a cozy, comfortable day here in the chilly metro, ending with a recital by Mac.  Rock on.

We taught the kids about the FANBOYS the other day.  You know, those little words that connect independent clauses.  I usually make them chant them a few times for good measure - FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO.  It's fun.

In the next lesson, I asked them to review the conjunctions, just for reinforcement.

"I know it!" said a cheery chap in the front.  "It's something about PLAYBOY!"

I quickly corrected his misconception.  It could have been because of BUT, but we all know there are no BOOBS in FANBOYS.

Mac's band, The Cool 2, produced this mural (partially pictured) to promote their work.  His teacher told me the Cool 2 still lives, but that now they're working on a set of Timberwolves tickets.  This band has varied interests that can't be kept down.

Cheers to the Cool 2!  Go Cool!  Go 2!