Blogophilia 27.17: New Day, New Way

From the House of Marvin Martian: Greetings, Dear Earthlings and Fellow Blogophilians!! WELCOME to SEASON 3 of Year 17 in Blogophilia. It’s Week 27.17 and we are also ushering in 2026!

Facebook blogophilia group HERE and blog topic parameters & how it works on WordPress HERE

Hard Bonus: Quote Aristophanes, an ancient Greek comic

Easy Bonus: Mention hors d’oeuvres

With 3 days left to the year, we have the choice to procrastinate these last ones, or just go for the New Day, New Way. Sometimes I put off for next week, what I should have done last week. I often regret that, but try to remember the years I was up & go, go, go.

My personal 2025 wrap up:

• Hoping my new PCP will take me serious & able to put the correct diagnoses, so insurance isn’t denying stuff for wrong parts getting treated. He’s internal medicine, but he’s dealt with patients with several ailments, many which I have, even though I have a few not on his list.
• Going back to my previous pulmonologist now that his nurse went to a different facility (where my current one is, and don’t want to deal with her, in case she’s now in that department). My son has him now.
• Getting a new rheumatologist, now that my son is established, I think it helps that we have the same specialist for our immune disorders, even if different.
• I’m back with my ortho, now that my left shoulder is bad, and need to go to PT/OT 1st before I can move on to MRI & possible surgery.
• I have an interventional pain management doctor, who is a dear. But the pain levels in my back might be beyond what he’s capable of, since it’s definitely worse. So are my knees.
• My PCP has access to other pain management doctors, so hopefully they’ll be able to refer me to the right people, even if it means neuro/spine surgery.
• My cardiologist has me in for once a year, unless I have an issue, then can come back sooner.
• Endocrinology appointments are still quarterly until my A1c is stabilized, which might not until pain levels are down enough to be able to exercise, even if just walking.
• Not looking forward to it, but if I get surgery on my shoulder, will have to go back to the podiatrist. OT is making it hard…
• I played most of the summer with the Kenosha Pops Band, and able to play a couple of times with the Racine Concert Band. Please consider donating to keep free local music going. Both are entering 104th year of quality music brought to their respective communities.
• UW-Parkside has an excellent music program for their students & community members who just want to play music. I’ve been active with the Community Band and it looks like I might be on the injury list again… Boo.
• My son has health issues, so he’s been going to almost as many doctor’s appointments as I have, with specialists, infusions, and more. While he’s not energetic enough to work a restaurant job that he’d like, he’s the main cook at home, and hopes to get a virtual job.
• My husband had spine surgery, is still on the mend, and is going to get his IT certifications so when he’s done, he can get a much better job. for now, the positions he’s qualified for is outside of his physical capacity.
• After decades of trying to find a regular job I can do, while also keeping up with my appointments, seems to be moot; I’m trying to reinvent myself as a gig worker. Wish me luck… So far it’s just pocket money, not bill money. It could happen…
• I’m still an advocate for one agency, and still writing my elected officials about a lot of things… I guess I’m a troublemaker, and I think some of them don’t take me seriously anymore. I’m still pestering them.
• My 18 year old cat is ailing, and we're just trying to make her last days count as much as we can.

“Look at the orators in our republics; as long as they are poor, both state and people can only praise their uprightness; but once they are fattened on the public funds, they conceive a hatred for justice, plan intrigues against the people and attack the democracy” (Assemblywomen 206-208). Aristophanes

*sigh* I did an eggroll fundraiser for myself. Half of the people didn’t respond about their orders, so I’m hoping… So, for dinner tonight, hors d’oeuvres. Can I just say appetizers instead? Anyway, it’s eggrolls… Seafood mix with veggies & veggie to sell, leftover pork from a previous time, plus a sampling of what we made to sell for dinner tonight.

Happy New Year, y’all!

Blogophilia 8.16: Big Sur

This is Week 8 in Year 16 of Blogophilia! Who is ready for some surfing and fun in the sun? This Martian, that’s who!

Marvin Martian‘s Blogophilia Facebook group Here

Blog topic parameters & how it works HERE

Hard Bonus: Incorporate your favorite city in California

Easy Bonus: Include the 60’s slang word “boss” in your blog

Maxxed Out!

I visited California once, but we were in L.A. in a motel, not at Big Sur. It would have been really neat to go there, since there’s options for lodging, such as cabins, inns, camping, etc. Hiking in the Rocky Mountains would be fun, as well as being able to see the various natural habitats. But, my son’s paternal side had relatives just outside of the big city, which is 6 hours away from there, so that was cool. We had fun, it was one of the better vacations I’ve been on.

In elementary school, I enjoyed reading books by Phyllis A. Whitney, and my favorite was The Mystery of the Green Cat, and was intrigued by the various hills like Nob Hill & the historic significance of the area, including the Fisherman’s Wharf – so I’ve been wanting to visit San Francisco ever since, since it would be boss to experience that.

I got the upcoming schedule for the concerts… The very 1st rehearsal for the 1st concert starts September 5, only 9 days after my rotator cuff surgery… The conductor knows that I’ll have to miss the 1st rehearsal for sure, but it depends on healing if I can make the rest of them. I’m also not sure if I’d be able to do the 1st RCB… I’m hoping things will work out sooner. I have no idea what to expect or how long it’ll take to be able to put my clarinet together & take apart… Limbo stinks. I just know that all 3 of the conductors are cool – in their own ways. I might just sign up for all of them & hope for the best, and if I need someone to put my clarinet together, let them do it so I can play… Indoor concerts have no wind, so I can turn the music without worry, unless I drop it. lol

• Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7pm at UW-Parkside combined Wind Ensemble & Community Band
• Tuesday, October 11, 2024 at 7pm at Park High with Walden High School & Racine Concert Band
• Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7pm at UW-Parkside combined Wind Ensemble & Community Band
• Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 7pm at Park High School with Park bands & Racine Concert Band
• Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 7pm at Carthage College for “A Kenosha Pops Christmas”
• Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7pm at Horlick High School bands & Racine Concert Band
• Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7pm at the UW-Parkside Rita Tallent Picken Center
• Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7pm at UW-Parkside The Rita
• Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7pm at Case High School Bands & Racine Concert Band

Blogophilia 46.15: Wherever She Goes

Blogophilia Facebook group Right Here

Blog topic parameters & how it works HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a song title that mentions something celestial

Easy Bonus: Incorporate a memory of your mother

You Are My Sunshine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqvfbIuJd6Y

Sometimes it’s difficult for me to think of a positive memory of my mother, even though she’d bought me a tenor sax for Christmas one year… She always had ulterior motives. It’s why I tend to stick with my Godmother, who is my aunt, who has always been good to me. Wherever She Goes, my heart is with her.

In case you missed last week’s Wind Ensemble & Community Band’s concert, here is the LIVESTREAM – music starts at 11:30

In this economic crisis, it’s hard to not think that there is a Bad Moon On The Rise. Because of the low census at the place I work, every department is cutting back a little bit on hours. It doesn’t affect me much since I don’t have a lot of hours to begin with, so I just feel like it’s good that I’m playing in the Racine Concert Band, which has a show coming up.

• Who: The RCB with Case High School Band
• What: Concert with both groups & combined piece at the end
• Where: Case High School 7345 Washington Avenue Racine, WI
• When: Thursday, May 23, 2024 @ 7pm
• How: Please purchase tickets online HERE, as there will be no cash sales on site
• Why: It’s good for you.

More info next week. Happy Mother’s Day to you all, birth moms, adopted moms, stepmoms, foster moms, pet moms, surrogate moms, and all of you! I work later, but my son is doing steak dinner.

Blogophilia 44.15: Rush Hour

Blogophilia group on Facebook Right Here

Blog topic parameters & how it works HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a line from the movie “Cleopatra”

Easy Bonus: Reference smog or pollution

Traffic Jam – Asthma Attack

When we were young & still growing up, time went slow, we didn’t have enough to do to fill up our schedules. It’s too bad because children & young people have tons of energy. Getting older, we can’t do as much, with the responsibilities we have with paying bills, house chores that we can’t delegate to anyone else, jobs, health issues that slow us down some more, life sincerely feels like a constant Rush Hour to run around & not get as much done as we need to…

With all this stress about hurry up & wait, or just feel like your to-do list is never ending, it’s important to take down time to do what rejuvenates you. Aside from work, that dirt will be there later to clean. Don’t forget, you need to clear out the smog in your head, so make sure you take time for that hobby you want to pick up. For me, it’s music… Here are a couple of items coming up:

• Who: UW-Parkside Wind Ensemble & Community Band
• What: Last concert of the season, until fall
• Where: The Rita, Bedford Concert Hall
• When: Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 7pm
• Why: A sax quartet, featuring James from the last recital, and Julia is coming up!
• How: Get your tickets HERE or show up & buy them at the box office

Pieces we’re playing include Free by Alex Shapiro, The Old Boatman and Juba Dance by Florence Price, Four Dances from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, and Concerto Grosso (featuring our sax quartet) by Frank Bencriscutto – who is rooted in Racine! We are under the direction of Laura Rexroth, a very graceful conductor. You’re missing out if you don’t come!

Our featured saxophone quartet!

And finally, let’s not forget! This will feature jazz/blues standards & originals.

• Who: Julia Lewandowski – on alto sax, tenor sax & flute
• What: Senior Recital (she is REALLY good) – no cost
• Where: UW-Parkside Music Department in the Black Box Theater
• When: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 3pm
• Why: Regional musicians from Milwaukee & Chicago accompanying her on stage
• How: no buses run, so can we possibly carpool to cut down on pollution?

Here is Julia, at rehearsal, practicing hard & a lot. Let’s support her!

In closing, Cleopatra: I will not be told where I can go and where I cannot go!

Calling all music heads!

Aurora: feat. JoJo Holly

Please consider supporting a local starving artist, Jojo Holly, a multi-instrumentalist who tackles real-life issues in her music.

If you like New Age, Fusion, Indie & Progressive Rock, songs include things we deal with in life issues such as mental health and more. A new album is being worked on, let's help get her there! Will you consider joining Aurora, featuring Jojo Holly as a VIP in some form on Patreon? There are perks included: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45662774&fan_landing=true For more info, please check out these pages: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/auroraprog/about/ Bandcamp: https://auroraprog.bandcamp.com/album/jojo-holly-midi Tumbler: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/jojo+holly?sort=top

Need gifts? Please support local businesses & people!

During this pandemic, we could all use a break.  With holidays coming up, some of us are wondering how we're going to pull it off, and not that gift-giving is the most important, but, let's face it, it's nice to do, or at least have a little extra to do something nice with the family.  So...  here it goes.

A fun morsel in the West Racine business district is Refined Salvage & Pallet Design, where you can find some fun, interesting, unique items for your house, as a gift, and these are perfect for those who just got into their 1st home!

While you're there, stop by at Wilson's Coffee & Tea, because they really have the best coffee, and stop in to get some kringle at Bendtsen's Bakery.  They definitely have the BEST kringle, this side of the Atlantic.  Then there's Gold Bear Trading Company, all here in the same business district, on the same side of the street.  Please don't forget to check out the new bakery, which offers items that aren't at the Danish places, and pick up your Christmas cookies from Nissi's Cake Room!  

Downtown, there's Lighthouse Gallery & Gifts, perfect for out of town people you're sending gifts to.  Their items range from pictures to T's to coffee mugs, all featuring Racine, WI!  I remember stopping in at Plumb Gold LTD as a college student when I'd ride the bus all over, and would walk down to check them out.  They just expanded, and have a 2nd store, called Plumb Silver.  I haven't been there, so I'd love to check that out someday as well.

I also have friends who could use a boost for the holidays, and here are some of what they can offer...

Kira T - Rustic Stone Jewelry & Gifts - please order on Etsy for your unique gift to your special gals in your life!

Mike Phipps - for your computer needs - he can fix your laptop & desktop at a great price, guarantees his work, & is better than many of these places where you spend an arm and a leg for...  When you message him, please also ask about vintage gaming units & classic games he has available.  Perfect again, for gift giving this holiday season!

Laura Fogel - She is a professional Mary Kay dealer, and can help you from skincare to makeup, men & women both!

Lika's Professional Resume Services - ask me what I can do for you, so you get an interview, even during this pandemic.  You're worth the investment, right?  Do it for you!

Because I need money, just to get to the end of the year...  I'll have to figure out next year after the 1st...  I also have these items for sale.  Please message me - lika.yvi@gmail.com if you're interested:

Greenbay Packer men's medium leather jacket - $30:  

Vinci R tenor saxophone - $250:

Sony Stereo with JVC speakers - $225 takes it all or individual components at prices listed below:

Sony stereo system - $150 if buying sony set
Sony receiver - $75
Sony dual cassette w/ radio - $30 - sold
Sony 6 - CD changer - $50
The stand is free, if purchase above, or $20 just for the stand

JVC surround speakers - $150 set
Bar style woofer SP XC 33 - $30
Subwoofer SX pw100 II - $65
Surround speakers (4) - $60 for all 4 or $40 for 2 or $20 for 1
Cord hook up & remotes available. Free if purchase the above, ask about ala carte pricing

It's been pampered, kept in pristine condition. Nonsmoking home.

Available 12/01/2020 - $500/month & $250/deposit, all utilities included, month to month lease. Looking for a responsible & liberal roommate, preferably female, to rent a furnished bedroom. All common areas are shared, including the laundry area. Interviews to discuss expectations & basic background checks with references needed.

Call or E-mail to schedule an interview & application to rent.

Any & all help is greatly appreciated!  Thank you in advance.

Music, Cultural Exchanges, & More!

After not playing for several years, I was finally able to play with the UW-Parkside Reunion band.  I'm hoping to be able to keep playing again, this fall in the Parkside Community Band, as well as get on the substitute list for the Racine Municipal Band.  It's fun.  Here is me, at the event:

In participating in the reunion event for the Parkside 50th anniversary, I was able to get on a list to host a couple of members of a German municipal band, which is actually a community-based band.  They will be here September 14th - 16th.  I'm looking forward to it, and hope people will come to the event.

Not only will I be hosting them, I'll be helping to pick them up, take them to their appointments here (which includes a concert), and back to where they need to go to depart to the next stop on their tour.  It will be a nice lesson in cultural exchanges for my son & husband, also.

Speaking of Lessons (chapter 46) - In chapter 46, Lessons, in my friend, Soldwolf’s story, Meeting the Parents, it’s more than pizza, for those who aren't used to "Earthling" food... Maybe it's the cheese, and they should visit Wisconsin? But wait... tactical issues need to be discussed, and lessons need to be reviewed... More training on tactical issues is also in order. The hero's lovely is sweet, yet, she knows how to keep him in line while keeping their best interests in mind.

Speaking of homemade pizza, my son did a good job not long ago on his. I also miss cooking with him when he was little... To be able to have good family relationships... Well, I guess I'll just have to live vicariously, this way.

Be dears and read it, okay? Don’t worry about Big Brother, because I’ll be the one to give you the Big Sister Interrogation (Ch 3). But the best type of A Mother’s Gift (Ch 20) I can give to my son is to keep pursuing my options to set the example. Maybe I just need some Celebrations (Ch 32) to lighten up the mood? And if you don’t comply, we’ll haul you to Zrik'hlfa, the capital of Tamal (the planet that the hero's lovely is from), for some major Takedowns (Ch 40). For now, I have some major Discoveries and Decisions (Ch 45) to make for myself... Kind of like how April showers bring May flowers. What do May Flowers bring? Pilgrims... I wonder what kind of pilgrimage I ought to go on?

Sometimes, personal touches can help move professional connections forward. Read on to read all of the details! I guaranty you, more than heads will be rolling here, and maybe some people will be turned into sausage! I just hope it doesn't end up on the pizza... With enough readership, the publishers on DeviantArt may pick up the story to publish it into a real book, which I'm hoping will happen!

I'm also a co-administrator for a support group, and the founder of this Sibling Abuse Survivors is on a Blogtalk Radio show.  Please have a listen, HERE - Thank you!

Concert Settings:

Back in April, my 19-year-old son treated me to the Billy Joel concert up at Miller Park Stadium.  Yes, I corrupted him...  He loves classic rock.  Other concerts he has gone to include ZZ Top and The Who.  Definitely a boy after his mother's heart.  I am fortunate.

I wonder if it is because growing up myself, I'd always been a music head, and love classical music, jazz, etc.  I even play clarinet and tenor saxophone, sang in the jazz choir, and can't imagine my life w/o music.  My son also is a musician.  As a preschooler, he'd sneak my harmonica and play along to his favorite cartoon shows at the beginning.  He now plays trumpet and is learning how to play acoustic guitar.  Yes, I'm bragging just a little bit...

To make things more interesting, I'd been involved at a young age helping out with various campaigns to get people elected since I was about 9, and got him started around the same age, maybe slightly older.  We also love Science Fiction.  We try to see every sci-fi flick that comes out on the big screen together, even if it's on $5/Tuesdays or at the Value Cinema.  It's pretty fun.  Everything from Star Trek to X-Men to whatever else that comes out...  Plus we love action, thrillers, and so much more.  I hope we can continue to do things together as he goes on, though I realize it will be a lot less often.

So, when I found out that my friend, Soldwolf is writing a military sci-fi story filled with action, humor and even a little romance story called Meeting the Parents, I was interested.  Because I like the story so much, I decided that I just have to share it, because it's too good not to share.  It's a neat storyline featuring a hero from post-unification Earth, where he is serving in the UN military, and his love is from a prominent family on a planet called Tamal, a humanoid race that evolved from herbivores.  This Tamalnii heroine is such an endearing character, you'll be cheering on for her and her people as well as for her and her studly to make it through to the end.

Chapter 41:  Post Takedowns - With so much going on, people need to chill out to make out sensible reports...  Oh, the info collected is huge.  I'm just wondering what kind of smackdown is awaiting in the future...

Happy reading!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

People, Talents & Hey!

I met Soldwolf, the author of Meeting the Parents, a little over a year ago at one of the places I volunteer with.  He'd been regular there for a while, and very established in his role there, and has been very active with the day to day activities that happen.  The place is lucky to have him there, especially in the morning, and even the paid staff relies on him a lot.  With all that he gives of himself to the center to serve the neediest people in the community, he still takes a lot of guff from fellow staff & especially the clients.

Because the clientele is highly needy to an extent, coming in for a variety of reasons, there are those who are thankful to be there to help make their ends meet, then there are those who want to get anything and everything they can get their hands on.  My friend has no issues firmly telling people "no", and often, because he is firm with his principle, some people misinterpret him as being mean, rude, etc...  





It is interesting, because as much flack as he takes, these people get forgiven, and he faithfully comes in ridiculously early to dedicate a part of his day to ensure that things are going smoothly.  Many people seem to overlook that.  Yet I think there are those who go in that makes it worthwhile for him to go in, such as the very talented resident artist who does an excellent job drawing & painting people/scenes there.  There are also a couple of musicians (a pianist and an aspiring fiddler), and I think I remember someone bringing in a knitting or crocheting project along that line.  Being that I'm pretty crafty myself, I understand why Soldwolf appreciates these people who help brighten the day, when others can be stressful.

In getting to know him, I find that he's smart, funny, and very accommodating.  When he puts his foot down, there is always a logical reason for it.  And, if people were to actually give him 10% of the slack he gives everybody else, they'd realize he's a good guy to know...  And, I really enjoy his military sci-fi story, which is still a work in progress (I've posted chapters in previous blogs), and because I think reading is a good thing, I'm sharing since you know, sharing the love is the right thing to do.

Chapter 39 - Fireworks

Now, who doesn't love a good fireworks show?  But who am I kidding?  Us Asian people love our light & sound shows.  It would be neat to learn how to become a pyrotechnic, and the hero's Japanese friend won't miss it, either.  I like how the author captured authentic cultural characteristics in the story.  It is also cute how certain things can sound really strange to someone from another planet when they don't have a basis for reference.  You're going to have to read about which sweet treat it is...

But of course, even during a celebratory fireworks show, not everything is fun and games.  The hero is in charge of some military operations, and of course, there are always things that need to be done, especially with personnel.  Other things are going on in the background.  Do heads roll?  Is there a death toll? You'll have to find out what kind of damage control is being done yourself.

Chapter 40 - Takedowns

Oh, and what a takedown...  I'd really hate to be in the position of this guy...  When a retired military officer comes out of retirement to see you, you know it isn't good!  And the intel that is being dug up, wow...  It's HUGE!

And with the Hero & his lovely (among those there to support them), being that they have pull within the military, still have to balance the work/life cycle delicately...  The tension & excitement grows, as to what will happen next.

The author's highlighted name at the top will bring you to his writing profile, and for those who want to read from the beginning, the title of the story will take you to chapter 1.  With more people stopping in to read, the better chance he gets of having publishers taking his story, once he's done, and actually printing it into a book.  With how he gives his time, also being a veteran, this would be a great way to be able to give back to him.

Ode to Unc: A Tim “Chief”Bell Tribute

I’d been meaning to blog for a couple of weeks, since I received the news about the retired Tim Bell passing away, but, I also think that today being All Hallow’s Eve, and tomorrow being All Saint’s Day, that this is actually befitting that I am writing this now. His obituary from the Racine Journal times, HERE. The funeral service was very nice, and while I was sad that there will be no more conversations or concerts involving him, here, it was a celebration of life, and what it means to be a part of his greater legacy. As long as the rest of us are here, playing, listening, promoting, or teaching music to others, Unc’s music lives on. Keep paying it forward. That is what is cool, it’s like being able to celebrate life anyway, any day. I thank his lovely wife, Gerry, whom I had the pleasure of working with at the Women’s Resource Center, for being such a classy and elegant woman, who went with the flow of sharing the joys of all the people who also loves Tim. I think the world of her, too.

Jammin' on his sax

For those who may not know him, Tim was the Jazz Studies professor at UW-Parkside, who taught classes such as Jazz Band, Jazz Appreciation, Jazz/Blues Improv, and other Jazz related academics. He was also the lessons instructor for clarinet and saxophone. Of course his talents expanded out from Jazz. He also played classical, dixieland, and probably just about everything else. It wouldn’t surprise me if Unc’s blood cells looked like music notes under a microscope. Here is a glimpse into who, exactly Tim Bell is, in this clip from WGTD.

Posing with his clarinet, while chilling outside

Growing up, I’d never had the opportunity to take any clarinet lessons, though I’d always wanted to. Being meek, I was a bit tentative about approaching a college professor to ask for lessons, since I was an International Relations major. I’ve always considered myself a student of Music. One day, at the end of Wind Ensemble (under the direction of Mark Eichner) to speak to a music student to set up and schedule her lessons. I’m still not sure what came over me, but I spoke up and wondered if there was room for me in his schedule to take lessons as well. He was surprised, but, I think he was also glad to have other students to share his talents with. The two other gals who sat on the other side of me also signed up for lessons as well. I remember listening closely to Jazz in high school, and while I didn’t understand it, the music and the improve kind of intrigued me, and piqued my interest, as well. (I’ll get back to this later).

Gifting his love of music in one of MANY gigs

That decision to speak up was a well worthwhile decision. Not just because I always wanted the lessons, but, his gusto for life was infectious. To him, life is all about people. And, of course, music. While all of the arts combined make up culture, music is the heartbeat that keeps it all going. Tim saw what ever talent, and knew it was going to be a challenge to bring it out, because I was this meek person, who usually tended to shy away from playing solo/alone in front of anybody... From the jokes, to the love of music, and especially because life is all about people, and music = life, I unofficially adopted him as my uncle, to which the nickname “Unc” came about. I had my rough patches back then. Each time I went in for my lesson, the rough time disappeared. Even during the weeks that I wasn’t the best student (from not practicing as much as I ought to have), I think I still had improvements in my playing. Not that it is 100% accredited to Unc, though he definitely was a part of the combination of it all. There are so many more, who also shares in the legacy, as you can read here.

Showing his pride/love of his talents in music.

It was a happy surprise for me, when one semester, Unc needed a tenor sax player to be in Jazz Band. He brings me into the practice room, and let’s me check out the Selmer tenor for me to borrow. Wow. Me. Tenor sax. Jazz. I played for at least 2 semesters, and while it wasn’t long enough to become proficient, much less really good, but damn. I. Was. Doing. It. Nothing can take away that experience, and, I am forever grateful for that experience. So, to me, it was also befitting that Unc not only played a concert, but soloed also, the night before he passed. I bet he is jamming right now. The only thing I was kind of bummed about, was that I picked up the tradition of giving something to the person who passed away, and for me, it is something of significance, and because he had already gone to the cemetery, I was unable to do so. Fortunately, at the service, I was able to meet up with Unc’s son, Steve. at the funeral. He is taking the tenor sax reed I wanted to place with the Chief, to put on the headstone. I am forever fortunate and for this gesture. I was also able to meet Tim’s daughter (Steve’s sister), whom are kind of like my adopted cousins. Our shared legacy is now stronger for this.

His ever famous smile

Out of all of the pictures available, this is my favorite. That smile, with that twinkle in both eyes, where you’re not sure if a song or a joke was going to fall out of him... He had this comb over that when he flipped it, looked exactly like a bird wing, and he’d always do a double peace sign, and say, “Chief”. I’m still not sure if he was called chief because of this, or if getting the nickname helped him come up with this funny. Everyone would laugh, and I remember thinking that he is missing one wing. When I was able to sit with Unc at the same table with Mark, Esther, Gerry, and Barb for Eichner’s retirement party, I enjoyed a nice conversation with this character. As I was leaving, I realized that all those years, I was wrong about him missing a wing. No. He was not missing anything. Each and every one of us, individually and in various collectives, are his other wing... As long as we carry the love of music and performance with us, Unc will continue to fly. Keep flying, Chief. Keep jamming. The Saints are your new audience, and we will play together again, in due time.

I dedicate this - Benny Goodman’s Sing Sing Sing, with the Christopher Columbus introduction: https://youtu.be/6_YG9XBX04Y

Until next time...