It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas so a visit to Santa would be the norm. Sadly, when I had to go to the mall for a trip to the eye doctor, there were no kids lined up to see Santa. So I decided I’d share an early Santa photo with you today!
#ThrowbackThursday – Me and My Bassoon
I was always involved with music in elementary school. First, it was being in the chorus and then learning to play the recorder. One day the music teacher said that we were old enough to rent instruments so we could learn to play them and be a part of the band or orchestra. I wanted to play the clarinet, but when I got there all the clarinets had already been rented. I was so sad. The music teacher said, “How about the bassoon? It’s just like a clarinet.” So of course I said, “Yes.” My mom and I filled out the form and a few days later my bassoon was delivered to me. It was a woodwind like a clarinet, but that was about the only thing that was similar. For starters, it was about four times the length of a clarinet! And it sounded like a foghorn. But the bassoon and I bonded and it was a pleasure to play in so many different orchestras because everyone always needed a bassoon player. It let me travel to other places, like Italy, and play in the pit orchestra for a production of WEST SIDE STORY, my favorite musical! I haven’t played in years, but I’m hoping to pick it up again. This throwback is a picture of me playing the bassoon.
#ThrowbackThursday – Anne Ellen Tree Farm
Every year we head off to the Anne Ellen Tree Farm in Manalapan to get our tree! It’s always fun to trudge through the fields and pick the perfect tree. Even more fun to head inside later to pick out a new ornament for the tree. This year we’ll be heading out next week to chop down our tree, but for today’s throwback, I’m sharing a photo of the inside of the Anne Ellen ornament shop. Enjoy!
#ThrowbackThursday – My first headshot photos!
My first headshots were during that era when it was expected that you look glamorous and ultra-luxurious. Even a boa in one which I will not share ever. LOL! It was so not me since I am really just down to earth and not a glamour girl type. What do you think?
#ThrowbackThursday – Great-grandpa Caride
My grandmother would often talk about her dad’s big mustache so when we found this photo, we had no doubt who it was! I’m told that my grandmother’s dad was a blacksmith and gunsmith which meant her family was a little better off than others in Galicia in the north of Spain. Galicia is a Celtic nation, but also one of the poorer economies in Spain which led many Galicians to emigrate to places like Cuba. That’s how both sets of our grandparents ended up in Cuba: They wanted a better life. My family was therefore actually first-generation Cuban, much like my daughter is a first-generation American.
#ThrowbackThursday – Great Grandfather Pineiro
Today’s throwback is to my father’s father. Handsome, right? We’d always heard he was quite good-looking, but really didn’t get to know him. He had divorced my dad’s mom and remarried someone who was a Castro supporter. He stayed behind in Havana when the rest of the family escaped to the United States. He died in Cuba when I was a teenager. Just another family separated by socialism/communism.
#ThrowbackThursday – A Jasmine Halloween
Since it’s almost Halloween, I thought I’d share a little throwback to a Jasmine-themed Halloween! I’m looking forward to the holiday and hoping we get some kids doing trick or treating. It’s such a strange time with the pandemic, and like many, I’m hoping for a return to more normal times.
