We spent last weekend in central Indiana, so that we could see my youngest sister’s first child graduate from high school. Can we say “Empty Next Syndrome” here?
I know that Nan still has one chick at home, but it’s hit her, big time, that her girls are almost grown and ready to fledge. My niece, who does not have a pseudonym here, was Band Captain this past year, so I’m going to call her BC for now.
We have been traveling to Indiana for Christenings, to take Elegante Mother to Grandparent’s Day, and for soccer games and dance recitals. For the past three or four years, we have followed the band to regional and state performances, so it only seemed right to go for commencement, too.
We left unusually early Friday morning, so we could take the route that goes through all the farmland. I dislike Interstate 80 where it flows across the top of Indiana so much that I’d rather add an hour to my trip than take 80. We arrived at Nan’s around two o’clock. The change in time zones adds an hour to the eastward trip.
We hugged, sat in the sun room and chatted, and had a sumptuous dinner with the family. By 8:00 I figured it would be a good idea to get settled in the hotel, so we took off for the evening.
Saturday morning, Nan had a wonderful breakfast for us, and we spent some time preparing fruit and veggies that would be set into trays for the open house. We all piled into one car and headed for the high school. Nan’s youngest daughter was taking the SAT test and would join us at the gym.
Traditionally, graduating seniors who have been band members are given the chance to conduct the band prior to commencement. We arrived, bringing a brown hat with us. BC slipped it on (along with her pale blue graduation robe), and a cheer when up from the band. She’d chosen to conduct the theme from Indiana Jones! *G* I can’t begin to tell you how proud I was to see her conducting!!! She’s one of a small number of my younger relatives who have chosen to participate in instrumental music, and on top of that, she was first chair clarinet, the instrument I played in school.
Graduation was wonderful. BC’s boyfriend got pictures of her coming in and walking forward to receive her diploma, and then it was over and we were running for the car in the rain! I still need to hold back the sniffles when I think about it, and she isn’t even MY CHICK!! Nan…sorry if it sounded as though I was teasing you, when you called, miserable with empty-nester’s. I can empathize now!
The open house was incredible! If it couldn’t move, it was decorated, and there was food EVERYWHERE! There was an entire room with memories of school, pictures, and mementos. Nan put together a number of scrapbooks that showed BC’s life year by year. It’s amazing that Nan knew from the start that she needed to collect things that would be important twelve years later. She’s done it for both girls. I can’t wait to see the next set of scrapbooks!
We stayed and ate, and chatted well into the evening. We met some of BC’s classmates and friends. Some of her teachers visited, and I believe the pastor was there. The skies had cleared just after commencement and we sat out on the deck at dusk visiting. EM was exhausted, so we finally said our goodbyes around 9:00.
Sunday, we returned to have brunch with the family. I needed to sew a label onto a lap quilt that I’d given to BC. I started it years ago…She says it was TEN years ago. I’d like to think it was only eight, or so…. At any rate, I gave her the quilt in April, but I’d singed the label and had to make another. It was pleasant sitting in the sun room, chatting with the family, and enjoying all the pets, while I worked.
And, as all things must, or visited ended Sunday morning. We needed to start home so that we could make it to an Open House for one of my great nieces.
BC, we are so very proud of you. I’m excited about all the experiences you will have when you go to college this fall. I hope you love it as much as I did, and I won’t be unhappy at all if you choose to change your major to “Instrumental Music – Winds”!! Thanks for sharing your big day with us!

That was only last week, and I’m trying to remember just what we did.
Let’s see…(looking for June in the Day Timer) Oh….Elegante Mother and I had the chance to hear the Glen Miller Band on Sunday. One of my exercise friends had four tickets and only needed two. She called to see if Dear Husband and I would like to join them. Of course, we all know that DH was out on Lake Michigan on a Sunday, but I asked if Elegante Mother could come in his place. No problem!
EM and I left the house about 45 minutes before the concert was scheduled to start and headed downtown. I decided to do valet parking because EM doesn’t do distance walking any longer. We hopped out at the theater and walked right inside. Our seats were on the end of the row, not far from the door. We had excellent sight-lines, and the sound was fine.
They played many of the songs Glen Miller was known for, and a few that I’d never heard. Four band members joined the two singers for several songs, and there were the usual solos The only song they didn’t play that I would have enjoyed was “American Patrol.” Many of the musicians played more than one instrument, and the man who played the clarinet had a particularly nice sound.
At the end of the performance, we were among the first to leave the theater, and among the first to get our car. I had to wait for a bit to edge out into traffic, but it was smooth sailing. I’m glad my dear friend thought to invite us.
The rest of the week was filled with appointments and office work. Monday, we had a visit with the CPA; Tuesday morning EM and I did our annual dermatologist visit, and DH saw the dentist. Wednesday, my hairdresser took pity on me and fit me in for a perm. We didn’t realize it, but my appointments had only been made through May, so while the perm was processing, I sat with the manager and organized appointments for the rest of the year. Thursday, we returned so that EM could get her hair and nails done before we left for Indiana, and my niece’s graduation.
When I was working on the preparations for the Exercise brunch, I’d missed some office time, so around all the appointments, and into the evening, I worked at my desk. I just finished four stacks of filing that were the results of all that work. Filing……my favorite job. (rolling my eyes).
Early Friday came, and I packed (sorta) and we headed off to Indiana. Remind me to pack the night before we go, next time. I left my shampoo and the curling iron on the dressing room counter. And, as usual, I took things I didn’t use. DH says I take the kitchen sink along, but I’d like to point out that we only needed ONE suitcase for the three day trip!
I know the week doesn’t sound like much, but I was glad I wasn’t driving. I snoozed for 30 minutes or so on the way to Nan’s. Peace at last.

Wow, does time fly these days!!
I think the last time I posted, I was getting ready for the Exercise Class to come to brunch. That was May 30th. Twenty-nine members of the class and two guests were here, and the brunch was FABULOUS!!
I can’t list all the dishes. I’m still not sure what two or three of them were, but it was just like going to a church potluck. We served an egg-sour cream-sausage-cheese casserole, a baked French toast casserole, and a spiral sliced ham. Our guests brought chips and dip, mini bagels and cream cheese, German potato salad, Hawaiian salad, bow tie pasta with artichokes, black olives, grape tomatoes and a tiny bit of cheese, fruit salad, fruit pizza, meatballs, a plantation cake, and baked pineapple with a tiny bit of cheddar cheese over the top that was to-die-for! Of course, the desserts were endless. There was German Chocolate Cake, a rhubarb crumble, banana cream pie and ten other things I didn’t get to try!
It was just a little drizzly, but not wet enough to keep anyone from participating. I set three tables, for a total of 30, and when one last person straggled in, we just made room for her! The house was abuzz with the sound of happy people chatting with each other, and I had a great time! I love it when these friends come to visit.
I was the last to sit down to eat, and when I picked up my plate to take it to the kitchen, I discovered that my friends were washing the dishes. They not only washed and dried and put away the china, but they got the glasses, the silverware and the serving pieces, too! You can’t possibly have better friends than that! There was very little left to do by the time they’d left.
I’m delighted that the iris were at their peak and the gardens were glorious. Dear Husband had mowed the lawn a few days before, and I’d used the weed eater, so everything looked tidy and neat.
This was definitely a “good time was had by all” occasion, and I hope we do it again and again!