It has been a busy, happy week. I've lunched with friends, and we visited our Fremont neighbors. I love seeing old friends. I never stop loving them! Perhaps the neighbors we were closest to when we lived in Fremont for so many years were Don and Jean Harmon, who lived right next door and had three girls close in age to our own. Don was strong as an ox and very strong willed, with a good heart. In recent times he has struggled with Parkinson's Disease. Refusing medication for it, he preferred to try various home remedies. His condition has worsened, burdening him with increasing tremors that have made it hard for him to function. It was a shock to find that, in trying to visit them, we found them gone! Their home was sold and now is for rent. I could hardly take it in; we have been so used to them being there and felt it was somehow a permanent settling place for them. According to another neighbor, Rodell Merrill, they moved to Colorado in August, to be near their daughters, who all live there. That's a good idea, I'm thinking, but I'm sad that they didn't tell us they were leaving. I thought we were closer than that. I guess the shock amounts to that; we didn't know.
Our Nutcracker performances were this weekend. So the week has been mostly filled with it. It has been sweet to get acquainted with some new couples in our opening scene dancing group. And there are more boys in the scene, including a couple of little brothers that became our "grandsons." They quickly took to us, which was such a pleasant thing. Dancing this year was relaxed and fun. Much more so than in past years. Perhaps because this is our fifth year and we know the dances so well. Both of us were more comfortable than we have ever been before, making it more fun than ever before. All the additional boys added quite a spirit to our opening party scene, as they scooted around, teasing and playing spontaneously. The best part of the party scene is that spontaneity is OK. It is only the following scenes that demand exactness. Thank heavens it is not required of us. So we had fun!
Some of our Nutcracker boys sit in the midst of the Party scene dancers. They were full of mischief this year.
Both performances were to full houses. Nutcracker begins the Christmas month on Temple Hill. After each performance, people flood into the magical Christmas decorations that light the whole area. It is like a fairly place, filling the air with happiness. There are always old friends that we meet afterwards. Our local family attended the Friday night performance, meeting us afterwards for chocolate milk and cookies.
Temple Hill at Christmas time.
Our Nutcracker is a quality affair. Rachel and Cheoh Tan are the creators of it. Rachel is a genius at creating a near professional performance by her dancing students. It is always awe-inspiring to see what those young dancers can do. Professional costumes and sets show them off to perfection. She is also very good at getting the help she needs to make things happen. Cheoh is a wonderful supporter of this very special event. It is a blessing to all associated with it. But it costs them, in time, stress and money. I hope they too feel blessed by their gifts, so freely given to so many. We will lunch with them today. Our visit with them will probably determine whether we will return next year or not. Layne is determined that we will not, but the magic of Rachel could possibly change his resolve. We shall see!
Here is my dance partner, at rest.
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