I figured that it was fitting that the Brahms Piano Quintet was on the radio as I drove home from quartet rehearsal this morning (yay, we are finally back to regular rehearsals!) since we are working on getting booked to perform it in the spring.

It’s the time of year for planning and preparation—lots of practicing and putting things on the schedule, slightly less actually doing them, as I keep writing about here, though from day to day things actually end up feeling quite busy. We’ve had a lot of stuff going on with the pets lately and various vet visits for diabetes, thyroid issues, and now fleas…so that takes up a fair amount of time! I know I don’t always use my time the most wisely, but I know that I am not alone, or there wouldn’t be so many quasi-interesting things to read about on the internet!

So, since I last blogged quite a lot of fun things have happened, and lots of teaching and practicing and rehearsals as well. (One with a didgeridoo player!). I’m holding pretty firm at 37 students right now.

Friday night we went for Mexican food (this is pretty standard, if not Thursday, then Friday, or both) to a place I love called Lilly’s. They have great food, tasty margs, and a little salsa bar with lovely decor. I got a picture of the fiddle player.

Sorry, it’s a little blurry. I didn’t want to be obvious about the picture. Terrible blogger!

I played with the Metropolitan Orchestra of St Louis over the weekend. They rehearsed at the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood where I have played many times, but I’m always impressed by the stained glass!

Saturday we went to the Symphony and saw Josh Bell play Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. Totally weird piece for somebody to be playing, but it was a very enjoyable performance. This was the first of our subscription series and we liked our seats.

At intermission they were giving out free champagne for a toast by David Robertson. We ran into quite a number of people we knew as well and had a very nice time overall.

After the concert we had a few chocolates that Louie’s mom had brought us from her recent trip to Spain (sadly we were not invited along, ha!).

We almost felt bad eating them! They were, however, delicious.

Sunday ended up being filled with some cat/vet issues and our hopes to go for a short hike were spoiled. That’s okay—this weekend is our backpacking trip and I’m sure it’ll be fine without a practice hike. Luckily all the pets are doing, well….better now! and are fully medicated. Poor guys.

And then Monday I was going to do my long run (9 miles) but my knee was (is) acting up and I decided to rest instead. I hate bailing on long runs especially, but I realized since it was hurting just to bend it walking (who knows what happened) I should rest it. I’m hoping to be back to running Thursday morning but I won’t push it. I know how this goes! It’s the same as how it’s often smart to take a day off of practicing violin when my wrists hurt rather than force through and end up in more pain. That lesson took a long time to learn, but I’ve mostly learned it now…mostly!

And now I’m listening to some music on spotify—listening to a CD I own actually. My old teacher, Bill Preucil, playing with the Cleveland Quartet, Beethoven Op. 59 #1, and I’m feeling like I am such a lousy violinist! I must try to feel inspired rather than depressed 😉