Sunday nights can be kind of fun. Sometimes I start daydreaming about what I want to add to my schedule next, sometimes I relax, sometimes I have a 3 hour opera rehearsal and then get home and eat some ice cream.

This weekend was packed with activities, as is more common than not. I feel a bit anxious about the next few weeks as I have several performances and some other stressful activities, but I think I’m mostly staying on top of things…other than the pets, probably. But I digress.

Friday night Louie and I went to see the Marcus Roberts Trio at Jazz at the Bistro. We stayed for the second set (if you buy tickets for the 7:30 show you can usually stay for the 9:30 show for free, if there is space, and there always has been for us) and it was interesting to see how different each set was. We were on opposite sides for the first and second sets so that gave us a fascinating comparison. I thought the group sounded great and very polished. (This is not a review of the group as I’m hardly expert enough to try…this is a review of my life and lack of writing skills!)

Saturday we woke up fairly early to meet my friend April and her boyfriend for a hike. We had been wanting to do the Lewis and Clark Trail from 60 Hikes within 60 Miles for over a year, and this was a great day for it. The forecast was sunny and OVER 70 degrees. In February. On our way to the trailhead we passed at least 50 percent of the population who were heading for the St Louis Zoo.

Plenty of people had the same hike idea as we did though, and the trailhead parking lot was full so we had to park on the highway, but it was fine. We met our friends and two dogs, so together we were a hilarious group of 4 people and 3 dogs of varying sizes.

We decided to hike only the Clark Trail. We might go back another day for the longer portion, as it was a very enjoyable and scenic (for Missouri) hike!

Overlooking the Missouri River.

Louie tried to get all the dogs to drink water. It was a warm day for them, but they were polite enough…that is to say, Mackenzie drank first and the others knew enough to wait their turn. They all got along well, though we met a few crazy dogs on the trail.

All in all it was a beautiful and somewhat challenging hike. Since it was such an unseasonably warm and beautiful day there were tons of people out. I’d love to go back again on a slightly less crowded day and enjoy a bit more solitude, but I’m always happy to see other people out enjoying the world.

Saturday night we went to the Tavern of Fine Arts to see my friend and colleague (fantastic cellist) Stephanie perform with a guitar player. They played a variety of pieces, many by Brazilian composers, and she also played a Bach Suite on her baroque cello. It was a packed house and the rest of the Perseid Quartet was there to support her. We didn’t get the greatest seats and ended up being squeezed on the back couch with some late comers too, but it was a really interesting and enjoyable performance.

Sunday was work day. Louie and I had brunch at his mom’s but after that I had a meeting with a bride, a student, and a rehearsal, plus practicing. We got home from brunch to see that Chloe had urinated on the front couch. Well, I think it was urine, it was a large wet spot. I chose not to smell it and decided it was unlikely she had simply spilled a glass of water. I don’t know if this means we have even more urine issues to look forward to, or if she got startled and peed, or what. She seems to be doing decently well, no new skin problems as of late…(fingers crossed). Sigh. I cleaned up the best that I could—luckily it is an old couch.

Last thoughts before I wrap this post up. I know that I am very random here sometimes, and write about all kinds of things. To be honest, that’s what I enjoy reading most. While I will read articles on a variety of topics, the blogs I enjoy most cover a variety of subjects. That being said, is there anything you’d like to hear more of? Any aspects of my life you’d like to learn more about? I’m not making promises (especially if you are too nosy, ha!) but please ask questions in the comments section! I love hearing from readers, this is a big part of why I do this…