Sal Meets an Author

On October 8th,  Middleburg Heights Library hosted picture book author James Horvath.  Sal came to the presentation, too, and a good time was had by all!

Sal with James Horvath.

If you have little ones at your house -- especially little boys -- I highly recommend checking out James Horvath's books.

BLOGPALOOZA: THE FINAL POST! Sal Goes to Another Ukulele Singalong!

I am so glad to be wrapping up BLOGPALOOZA!  Sal and I have several things going on in the next few days, but I'm going to try hard not to get so far behind again.  Can't take the stress!  ;)

On Tuesday, July 8th, the performing group of the Cleveland Jumping Fleas did a Ukulele Singalong at Middleburg Heights Library.  I brought Sal along, but didn't get a shot of her.  We were all so busy before the show (getting the room set up and doing a bit of last-minute practice) and after the show (taking things down and chatting with adoring fans), that I neglected to photograph poor Sal.

As for the show... The audience was great!  There were 79 people there, and most were singing along and having lots of fun.  (A couple of preteens were obviously forced to come, but other than that, the fun seemed pretty universal.)  We received many favorable comments afterwards, so were feeling pretty good.  After the weeks of practice, and the nervousness some of us suffer when performances draw near, it was a huge relief to be finished with what turned out to be a pretty darned good show!

To celebrate our awesomeness, a bunch of us went to Perkins afterwards.  We talked about how the show went and about possibilities for the future.  I decided to take a Sal photo at the restaurant, but had left my camera in the car.  At this point in the evening, I didn't have enough energy to go out and get it, so I took a photo with my phone instead.

From left to right:  Nicole, Bruce, Holly, Emily Ann and Sal, Jeff, Lisa.

Can't end a show without credits, so thanks go to...
Jeff - Musical Director (as well as uke player, singer, and harmonica soloist)
Bruce, Nicole, Holly, Lisa, Thomas, Terrianne, me - Uke players, singers, and soloists on banjolele, train whistle, and kazoo
Emily Ann - Guest Performer
Anne - PowerPoint Slide Changer
Sal - Morale Booster

Sal's Super-Busy Day: Part One -- CPR and Fun with the Fleas

Sal and I did so many things yesterday that I decided not to squeeze them into one post!  We started with a CPR class at Southwest Hospital.  I have taken CPR several times over the years, but it's always good to refresh one's knowledge and get the most current information about what is recommended.  I hope that I never have to actually do what I learned today, but it would be great if I could keep my wits about me and save somebody if such a situation arose.  Keeping my fingers crossed it never does!

Sal with two of the dummies (no insult intended) we practiced doing CPR on.

After the class, Sal and I traveled to Visible Voice Books, which is my favorite spot to meet with the Cleveland Jumping Fleas.  Half of our small band of performing Fleas gathered together to practice the music we'll be doing at a Ukulele Singalong at Middleburg Heights Library on July 8th.  The rest of the group was otherwise occupied, but this little bunch ironed out some of our performance kinks -- and had quite a few laughs, too.  It's always a pleasure to play with these folks!

Dedicated practicers!  From left to right, Bruce, Holly and Sal, Thomas.

After the pleasantly ukulele-filled afternoon at Visible Voice, it was time for Sal and I to get on the road and start the next part of our very busy day...  Read about it in our next post. 

Postscript:  As I read what I've written here, it doesn't sound like the day was that busy -- or interesting for that matter!  And the post seems a bit hum-drum.  At least it's short.  Never fear!  The next one will be much more entertaining.  :)