The death this week of Luciano Pavarotti, lyric tenor and pop star of the Opera world, brought back memories of the first opera I attended. It must have been around 1990-91 and it was opening night for Othello at the H Grand Opera. Placido Domingo sang the title role. A small group of us were being feted with dinner and the best seats in the house at the Wortham for the performance. It was a grand evening with everyone dressed in their finest evening gowns and tuxes – definitely an exciting evening to remember. Pavarotti’s voice was always like warm honey for me – it glided smoothly over the senses and enveloped one’s innermost self – all while being (sometimes) wildly entertained. Many people who otherwise would likely have never been interested in opera became so because of him, his spirit, his personality and his outrageously oversized appetite for life.


My women’s club held our September meeting here at our house yesterday. Speaker was Master Gardener member whose talk focused on container gardening. I had hoped we could hold it outside on our new deck but alas, the deck remains unfinished. Hopefully, it will be completed in the next few days. Meanwhile, we did container gardening in the dining room – yikes.

Saw the dermatologist. Good news on checkup but those guys just can’t resist a little freezing here and a little burning there - ouch.

Went to see Two Days in Paris this week….getting ourselves in the mood for actually being in Paris soon. Now there’s an interesting movie. Quirky. Much laughing out loud with a tad of tragedy thrown in.

Good friend begins chemo tomorrow. Don’t think she’s really as ready as we’d all like but they can’t wait any longer. Another friend diagnosed on Friday. Yet another who has been in remission a while (the group ‘health nut,’ kayak instructor and runner) was told his cancer is back – gets plan from his doc tomorrow.

Grandparents Day brought calls and wishes and grandchildren from Austin. They’ve made it in time to join us for church and lunch after several times this summer. Really enjoy those times. Today was also Jazz Communion Sunday when some of the finest jazz musicians join us annually for a hand-clappin’ good time. Love those Cole Porter songs. A jazz rendition of Jesus Loves Me was offered for the small ones. Spent the afternoon with Mother taking her to her very favorite place; the 99¢ store.