Brand New Day

Zappa Plays Zappa/Return to Forever

Gary and I went to Riverbend last month to see Zappa Plays Zappa/Return to Forever Tour.  We were very excited to finally get to see the Zappa Band and it was WONDERFUL.  They played old standards--Cheepnis, St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast and a favorite--Peaches en Regalia. 

 

I got to hear Frank in Pittsburg 1988 in what would be his last tour.  Gary, Marty and I drove up.  I was pregnant with Emma and Frank was registering voters in the foyer.  That was a memorable concert and great night of music. I will say the same for this concert.  It was so cool hearing Frank's music played by who Frank would want to be playing it--Dweezil.  He is so very talented.

 

 

After Zappa played, Dweezil graciously greeted fans.  I wanted to meet him so I walked up and ended up getting my ticket stub signed.

While I went to the concert most excited to see the Zappa Band, I enjoyed  Return to Forever just as much.  I'd forgot this old music--Chick Corea, Jean-Luc Ponty and Stanley Clarke--my goodness, these guys are terrific musicians.

 

Stanley Clarke played the upright bass like I have never heard it played before or probably ever will again.  Unbelievable.  Jean-Luc coaxes notes from that violin like none other and Chick plays the keyboard with the same passion he did 30 years ago.

 

 

After the concert, I had the opportunity to shake hands with Chick Corea and thank him for the wonderful music.  The Return to Forever Band played songs familiar to me and some that I want to look up and hear again.  It's time to dig out the old wax and hook the turntable back up!

Hey, the Pavillion at Riverbend is pretty nice.  We've seen Santana/Jeff Beck there years ago but I'd forgotten how nice it was. I like being outdoors but yet under roof.  There was a real light show going on all evening with the lightening/thunder--again, very enjoyable.   Summer evenings just don't get any better than this--sitting beside my guy, sipping a glass of wine, Mother Nature's light show all around, and fabulous music!

Louisville

Grace and I recently paid Emma an overnight visit.  It's a nice little road trip and it was our first time to see Emma's new apartment.  As has become our custom, we headed to the Highlands when we were ready for supper.

 

Impellizzeri's  boasts the best pizza in Louisville.  It's where the locals go.  It's the only pizza I've tried in that town, but I'd be hard pressed to go anywhere else.  It's pizza made the way that I like it--wood fired, thin crust, lots of herb flavor.  There is usually a wait to get into the place.

 

I am seriously drooling looking at this right now.  YUM!

 

My dinner companions. 

After dinner we drove through an old part of Louisville called "St. Matthews."  The houses in Old Louisville are so beautiful.  A lot of them are single family homes and a lot of them have been converted to apartments.  Emma lives in one of those beautiful old homes.  A lot of the apartments are occupied by students/grad. students.  Anyhow, Old Louisville is known for the many types of architecture.

 

This home is so pretty. I love the chairs adirondack chairs in the front yard.  Emma and I went to a street fair (huge street fair) in St. Matthews last fall.  We stumbled into an open house in one of these old homes.  Wow! The house had an elevator, huge curved staircase in the entry hall, beautiful wordwork and built-ins.  Beautiful.

 

Look at the transoms on the first floor and the 3rd floor bay window.  I also love the columns.

 

I've noticed that quite a few of these homes have courtyard backyards--walled, lots of flowers, strung lights.  I love driving through this part of town.

I'm planning another visit in the next couple of weeks. Emma and I will be hanging curtains in her new place--pics to follow!

Homecoming

Our hometown high school homecoming was this past week/weekend.  It started with classes meeting after school to decorate floats, and ended with a parade, homecoming football game and homecoming dance.  We had a tailgate party in the school parking lot before the "big game" and bundled up for the first weekend of chilly fall weather.  It's all good! 

Emma came home for the weekend.  She caught up on sleep and laundry, got her hair trimmed

 

and curled her sister's hair and hair feather for the dance.

 

 

This group met at Mark and Diana's house for pictures.  Everyone has new dresses and grown up shoes.  The smell of hairspray and cologne filled the air--teen spirit!  They all left for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays and then headed back to the high school cafeteria for the big dance.  Kids, this is the stuff that high school memories are made of!

 

 

Grace (over) reacts to Kuan's corsage.

I can't help but reflect on how fast time passes.  It really doesn't seem that long ago since I was in high school and the time that Emma and Bess spent at the high school went entirely too fast. I know that Grace's time will speed by so I will consciously try to savor these moments. I'll keep my camera close just in case my memories fade!

When Grace looks back, she might remember a new dress (with polka dots!)

 

 

 

awkward moments like learning to pin a flower to your (first) date's shirt in front of your Mom's camera lens 

 

 

embracing friends

 

 

flower corsages that match your dress perfectly

 

 
and first high heel shoes.

Pass those tissues!