Unanticipated Joy

Today began much as other Saturdays have done, with Paul taking the older girls to shooting practice, while I remained at home to shepherd The Boy in preparing for and getting to his karate class.  Geneva has been pulling back from shooting practice, so she was happy to join me and Oma for a breakfast outing while Jake was at the dojo.

Unfortunately, one cannot expect to be seated at Denny’s at 10:15 on a Saturday morning.  One cannot even expect to find a parking place – let alone a handicapped spot!  Flummoxed, we proceeded to the next plausible alternative, Mimi’s Cafe, where to our consternation, we found that not only were there no parking spots, but people were lounging outside on the patio, awaiting tables.

Finally we settled for Wendy’s, where they have developed what looks like a stellar breakfast menu.  There was plenty of room in the parking lot, which was good since the ONE handicapped spot they had was occupied.  Once inside, however, we were met with the final blow – we were 8 minutes too late for their breakfast menu.  That was exceedingly deflating.  We made do with something else from the menu, and didn’t stay too terribly long since the chairs were hard, the music uninspired, and we knew we’d be more comfortable spending the rest of our wait in the van where we could listen to KBAQ.

At last, Jacob came beaming forth from the dojo, as usual having enjoyed an “AWESOME!” class, and we headed back home to drop off Oma so she could watch her KU B-ball game, and collect the rest of the children to go meet the Heidmann Grands for the overnighter.

Paul had planned to drive them, but I decided to ride along just for the fun of it – and was perplexed by his route, which went north instead of south.  I wondered if we were avoiding some big traffic snarl up, and didn’t have a clue what was going on until we pulled into the Boston Market parking lot, where we were meeting them for lunch!  Since Geneva and I had already eaten a bite not long before, we only got a little side order – but it was a lovely time together visiting over pot pies and such.

After smooching our offspring on their way, Hubby and I meandered back home, discussing the merits of various alternative locales where we could simultaneously walk and I could take some photos.  We thought first about North Mountain Park (to which I have never yet been), then The Camelback Esplanade, with its high rises and underground pedestrian tunnel linking it to the Biltmore Fashion Center.

But then, I had an idea.  And extraordinary, life-changing, epiphany of an idea.  And once it popped into my head, there was no turning back.  I broached it with my husband, confirmed the establishment would be open until 6, and off we drove to Tempe, to a little place called Valley of the Sun Violins.

I asked the proprietor a few questions, and he confirmed for me that Geneva, though petite of frame, would be able to use a full size instrument.  Despite the fact that my violist fingers feel like great lumbering oafs upon the fingerboard of a violin, I spent some time there testing a number of different fiddles to determine which one in our price range had the best tone.  I have always been of the opinion that the better an instrument you can find for a beginner, the more inspired he or she will be to continue practicing.  The first one he handed me was spectacular.  From there, everything else sounded like a stringed box.  I found one other that was close, but that first one I played simply rang with the clearest, strongest and richest sound.  I knew it was the one.  We got several good deals in the course of our visit there, and left with a violin, bow, shoulder rest, rosin, dampit, beginner violin book, music stand, and case for an amazingly low price.

At that point, I would not be denied the joy of taking the instrument directly to Sun Lakes to surprise Geneva, whose dearest hope had been that we might be able to afford an instrument some time this year.  So Paul called while we drove, only telling them that we were on our way, and nothing more.  He sounded pretty grumpy on the phone (doubtless due to having to drop a chunk of money for this surprise) so everyone was freaking out and thinking he’d lost his job, or something equally terrible!

When we arrived, we had everyone sit down in the living room and close their eyes.  Then Paul brought it in and presented it to Geneva.

Here you see Geneva’s initial reaction of shock,
while Jacob is still covering his eyes.

Overcome…

JOY!!
(At least, on one face… Jacob was rather miffed that nobody had gotten HIM anything.  I reminded him that he had told me he wasn’t interested in playing a stringed instrument, so I couldn’t very well get him anything at the violin store.)

Rosining the bow…
(yes, there were tears!)

Discovering her YELLOW music stand!

First note.

Moving to the mirror to figure out this whole bowing thing.

Ahhh, nice straight bow!

Geneva had no intention of putting her instrument down for the first many minutes,
so while she got acquainted with it,
and while Fred was starting the burgers on the grill,
I went out back with Jacob and Laurent
to see him work his batting magic.

I also took note of the sunset… one must, you know.

The Grands informed me that he has gone out by himself and spent long periods of time throwing the ball in the air and batting it.

However, he prefers to have someone pitch to him.

A blur of motion.
Perhaps The Boy needs his own bat and baseball…

One last look at the setting sun…

Back inside, we had a scrumptious burger dinner,
and then before leaving I took one more pic of Geneva
wearing her beloved yellow case
backpack style.

All tucked in for the night.

These cases are the cutest thing ever.
They had a rainbow of colors from which to choose,
but there wasn’t even any question.
It had to be yellow
for Geneva,
especially since
Oma’s favorite nickname for her,
ever since she was a blue eyed, blond haired little tot,
has always been
Tweety Bird!

🙂