A visit to the Music Garden

On Thursday, April 19 the grade 7/8 students and teachers of Blue Willow P.S. enjoyed school day at the Roger's Centre. We went to see the Blue Jays play the Boston Red Sox. The baseball game was fun even though they lost the game! Ken joined us at the game and I was given permission to stay downtown with him instead of returning to school - the school day was already over and there was ample supervision.









It was an absolutely beautiful day and I wanted to walk down to the lake. Ken and I walked south to Queen's Quay and then walked to the Music Garden, which is located on Queen's Quay just west of Spadina.




Ken and I had not been back to the Music Garden since the night of October 9, 2002 when on bended knee he proposed. I love that he chose such a beautiful place - a garden of music, to ask me to be his wife.


He proposed to me at the base of the Maypole in the section of the Garden named for the Courante. Each section of the garden is named after a dance.



I was excited to go back to the Music Garden with my wonderful husband and take a few pictures.

Wendy's Birthday

When planning one's birthday festivities it is best to stretch the celebrations over as many days as possible to maximize feelings of "specialness". This year I decided that in order to maximize my feelings of "specialness", I would not hide the day of my birth from others but would instead prepare everyone for the big day. It was definitely the right choice as this was one of the best birthdays in a while.

Below is a picture of three amazing teachers that I work with. Next to me is Roslynn, Sumin and Jodi. Sumin is the other half of George-Bacon which perhaps deserves its own explanation in another post. We went out to dinner (minus Roslynn who had junior literacy night) and then to my place. Roslynn brought me a cake which was such a surprise - unfortunately we didn't get the camera out until after the surprise.














The cake was perfect for a teacher - complete with ice cream cones around the side and crayon candles.



















On Sunday April 15 my Mom and Dad hosted my third birthday. (Dinner number two was a private affair for Ken and Wendy only on the Danforth - yummy Greek food at Mezes.) Unfortunately Andrew had to work and couldn't be there, however he remembered me on my actual birthday and called to wish me a happy day. Mom made an excellent dinner - all the favourites, roast potatoes, roast beef, green beans & mushrooms, and last but not least carrots and turnip. Sonia and Ben were able to come help celebrate which is always fun.















As is the tradition in the Bacon household my Dad got an ice cream cake - peanut butter and chocolate flavour. I was delighted when presented with the cake and it read "Wendy Lea". It makes me happy when my Dad calls me Wendy Lea!















I can't wait until next year's birthday when Ken will finally catch up to me at the ripe old age of 29!

Birthdays!

This morning Ken and I had my parents over for a birthday brunch. It's my Mom's birthday today. Ken made stuffed French Toast - so yummy! We had a quiet but lovely meal. So different than last year when we had the surprise party for Mom. But even the party we had last year could not compare with the party we went to last night!

My Dad's Uncle Stanley Solomon turned 90 on April 3rd. His daughter, my Dad's cousin, Maribeth had a huge party for him at the Heliconian Club last night. He was so happy last night. Maribeth had contacted friends from far and wide and they put on a concert. Stanley was the principal viola in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1949-1983. His daughter Maribeth and his son Lenny are also highly accomplished musicians. Maribeth is a composer and writes music for television and movies. Lenny plays jazz violin and his current project is Bowfire. Maribeth's daughter Leah Erbe is also an accomplished musician and his releasing her first album sometime this year. You can perhaps begin to imagine what kind of a concert it was.

The first performance was given by Maribeth and three members of Wendy Solomon's (wife of Lenny) cello quartet (Lush). They sang a song for Stanley. It was the music from "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" with words changed to celebrate the life of Stanley. It was so cute! The second performance was the cello quartet lush. They played two beautiful pieces. Third was Daphne Spottiswoode. She is a pianst originally from England. She met Stanley when she was about 10 years old. During WWII Stanley was a member of the RCAF Blackouts. They performed for Canadian Troops in Canada and Europe. Daphne's father liked playing in string quartets and so does Stanley so while Stanley was stationed in England he frequented the Spottiswoode home to play quartet music. She gave a magical performance of a pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Albanez.

Next was Lenny on violin accompanied by Bill Bridges on guitar. Then Leah sang a song that she wrote especially for her grandfather. Next was a fellow member of the TSO, a violinist. His first name was Peter, but I can't remember his last name. He played two really fun songs that displayed his incredible virtuosity. Then Stanley's long time friend Johnny Cowell got up to say a few words.

The last act of the evening included Stanley. I'm not sure exactly when, but several years ago members of the TSO began traveling to elementary schools to perform for them. Stanley traveled with the "extraordinary" quartet made up of a bass, cello, viola and violin. The original bassist and violinist were there and Stanley of course, but the cellist couldn't come so Wendy filled in.

The concert was so amazing and heartfelt. The level of playing - the range of musical content. I was in a dream last night. Being related to such talent blows me away. I felt like I should have paid for a ticket. And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, in walks Sir Andrew Davis! He had just finished conducting the Mahler Resurrection at Roy Thompson Hall and stopped in to wish Stanley well. I was so star struck last night it was ridiculous.

Last year I sat down with my (great) Uncle Stanley to record some of his personal history and we bonded. I'm so glad that I've gotten to know my Uncle Stanley. He is such a sweet man!















Maribeth Solomon (daughter of Stanley), Alix, Leah Erbe (daughter of Maribeth).















First cousins, Lenny Solomon (son of Stanley), and April Solomon (daughter of Al).
















April Solomon, Peggy and Katie Gertner (April's daughters).
















Sir Andrew Davis and my Uncle Stanley Solomon!