Monday, Day 4

We woke up this morning and figured out our plan for the day. We were on the road by 8:45 AM in order to try and fit everything in. I was surprised that so many bikers were already on the road. Hit up Rapid City HD, then downtown Sturgis for the "main event". While the boys walked around a bit (this boot is really limiting my walking) the girls sat and people-watched, with wine! We then navigated through the throngs of scantily clad people (of all shapes and sizes) to head up to Deadwood. The amount of people in the Black Hills for this rally is unbelievable! 

We ended up back in Sturgis to check out Full Throttle Saloon and have dinner. It's everything the TV show makes it out to be, and more. A real playground for bikers. (Took some pics, but they aren't what you'd call "blog friendly"). A select group got a tiny preview via text, and for that, you're welcome. ;)

Day 3, part 2

As it turns out, I posted yesterday's blog too soon! Once we got back to camp and relaxed a bit (with beverages) we ended up going back through the wilderness loop to see what might be there. We had heard that early morning or early evening were good times to see buffalo. Since we know that the early morning viewing ain't happening, we went around 7pm and saw a HUGE heard of buffalo grazing and trying to cross the street. Very cool! It's really pretty amazing how big (and ornery, yet tame enough to put up with hundreds of gawkers) they are! 

We got back to camp and threw some steaks on the grill. Had a nice little campfire with marshmallows and decided to call it a night. 

Sturgis vacay day 3

Since days 1.5 were spent in a truck, then the last half of day two was a sleepy haze through the wilderness loop, we were finally able to make it out of camp and see stuff on day three! Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Hill City, then finishing it off with a ride through Needles Highway. 

Beautiful riding weather today!! Lots of bikes, sights, and sun for the 75th anniversary Sturgis rally.

Sturgis 2015

Five years later and we're headed back! Can't wait to see what we'll get in to at the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Stay tuned... 

Laundry with Lou Lou

Just about every weekend Lou Lou tries to give me money for doing her laundry. The convo is usually the same, but today's was particularly amusing.

LL: look under the clock and get some money.

Me: no

LL: please, sugar, it's the least I can do. 

Me: I'm not taking your money, Lou Lou.

LL: but it's just a little bit. You can buy a Co-Cola. 

Me: I don't want a Coke.

LL: well, then you can get a Pepsi.

Me: I definitely don't want that! 

Pepsi might be born in the Carolinas, but Coke Is It!

Buddy's new ride

Buddy and Bailey, aka 'the boys', will be 11 years old this month. I know they aren't young pups anymore, but I wasn't prepared for just how quickly Buddy would age. Over the past nine months or so, Buddy has slowly lost the use of his hind legs. It's a disease called degenerative myelopathy, or DM, a disease of the spinal cord that starts with his hind legs and progresses to the rest of his body over time. There isn't any medication for this, but luckily, he isn't in any pain.

We've been researching doggie wheelchairs. There are several types available, but most just didn't seem right for Buddy's needs and size. So, Jim built one. We determined what a basic design would need to look like and he made it come to life. It took us longer to purchase the supplies from Lowe's than it did for him to actually make it! When we put Buddy in it and he took some steps, I couldn't help but cry. Tears of sadness that he needs this assistance, tears of happiness that he was able to use it and get around.

Here's a little video of Buddy sporting his new wheels. The corners are a bit tricky, but with chicken as the prize, he'll do pretty much anything!

Mom's Music

About two months ago, I finally felt ready to go through some of mom's things. I decided that I would start in the basement where, as many of you know, she taught piano lessons. I took lessons when I was younger. A year or so from one of her piano teacher friends, and a while from her. (That debacle lasted about two weeks I think!) So often I am asked if I know how to play, and I have to say that I don't. Mom always said I would appreciate knowing how to play the piano when I got older. And guess what - she was right. I do wish I knew how to play now so that I could carry on the beautiful music she made and taught to so many.  

But I don't, and so what to do with all the 30 years of music, games, books, etc. that filled the basement? One of mom's very good friends and a fellow piano teacher, Polly, offered to go through the music for me, keep what she would like, and give the rest a good home. So after an afternoon of packing up the basement with the help of Claudia (luckily she's cheap labor and can be paid back with wine!) I dropped off a truck load at Polly's house. 

Recently I received the email below from Polly. It brought tears to my eyes, and I felt the need to share it with all of her friends and students. 

"Just a note to let you know what I did with your mom’s music. I went through all the music and took the books and items I thought I could use. It was a bittersweet time because I saw many things we had bought together and many of the games and books we had shared over the years. Then I put the rest out so the teachers in our teacher group could come by and see if there was anything they wanted. They had the same feeling I had --- that we were with Cree again and so in addition to trying to take care of her music, we had a time of remembering your mom.

Today Cecil and I took the music that was left down to the Raleigh Community Music School –located on Tucker Street in downtown Raleigh. They currently have 100 students enrolled – these are students who would normally not be able to afford lessons – and 15 teachers. Your mom’s music will provide these students with the books and sheets and some games they need because most could not pay for music. I gave the school your mom’s name and explained that the music was from her studio.

I also found a book of music quotes that she and I bought one year in Savannah when we were on our way to the International Piano Teachers Conference in Orlando. The book had sayings that we both loved. I took that book to Allen Herther who once worked for Burrage and now has his own music store and Cree thought highly of him. He came to her memorial service. I gave it to him on his 50^th birthday and told him it had been Cree’s.

I just wanted you to know what happened with her music – that everyone was appreciative not only of the music but that Cree had been a part of their lives.   So her music will continue to help young students become musicians."

Mom, your music will live on.