Me Thinks Thou Doth Protest

Terry and I are both into music. As I've said in the past posts, my loving husband bought me a banjo for Christmas. I've wanted to learn how to play this instrument for years and now I have the chance to do just that. 

For Christmas, Terry received a beautiful flute. Our musical instrument desires are fulfilled, as we add the banjo and flute to a cello and a guitar Terry has never played before because it is mostly for a keepsake. It was signed by a band and is kept covered to keep it nice. He also owns a bass but has it in storage at the present time.

Terry's glass flute. He read it was made out of Pyrex, but to me that means glass. 

 A few years ago Terry was taking lessons to learn to play the cello. After the dream of becoming a cellist came somewhat to fruition, life took over and so there it sits, in the corner of our office. The guitar is keeping it company. The flute has not achieved a spotlight in his life either. My banjo sits in the corner as well. We have to plan our strategy for fitting all of these beautiful musical pieces into our day by adding at least 20 to 30 minutes per day of lessons to our schedule, and so it begins. 

Yesterday Terry took off to go enjoy the day. He headed into a secondhand shop out of curiosity. Guess what he stumbled upon?

Yes, a set of conga drums. He is a happy, happy man. 

As a boy, he wanted to play the congas. His mother purchased a single drum and although Terry was grateful, he really dreamed of a set. Here we are, at the age of 67 and 68 years of age, finally getting into what we have dreamt of learning for so long. 

I figure with all of the instruments we have around the home now, we can start a band of sorts. I guess we could play music for our fur babies and ourselves, bringing joy and happiness to all of us in the household. Yeah, right. The screeching, high pitched missed notes of learning any instrument is ear busting. I can't imagine. I also can't wait until we get it together and can proclaim ourselves a conguero and a banjoist. On top of that, Terry can be a celloist and a flutist or a flautist. It will take a while, but maybe at 87 I can sit and play the banjo and Terry can really put forth a great beat on the congas. Until then, where is my dusting rag?

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Today is President's Day, Monday, February 17, 2025. I am trying to get orders for work and Terry is relaxing on his final day off for the weekend. He had a five day weekend and is making the most of it. Next week he will only have to work Tuesday and Wednesday and then call it another weekend. 

Although this weekend started out a bit boring, we finally figured out what to do to put the days to good use. Terry has been wanting to go to Salem or Eugene to enlist in the project of protesting. He didn't want to drive that long way by himself however, and asked if I could or would go. I refused due to the intensity of protests at times. My granddaughter once went to a protest and a gun was drawn, shots fired, and she was left with a scorching case of PTSD. I wanted no part of that. 

Then there is the drive. Ugh. I did not feel like driving about two to two and a half hours to get to Salem to stand out in the cold and the wind and rain, then turn around and drive back. Too much. I turned him down. I believe in what he is wanting to do and told him I am proud of him for standing up for what he believes is right. I still did not wish to go. 

Terry can't stand in the rain for a long time anyway because of his cochlear. He has to cover the hearing device with a hood of some type and that will eventually get soaked and allow water to get near the cochlear and could leave it damaged. So Salem and Eugene were not a good choice. 

I went to the post office a while ago to deliver a piece of jewelry I'm shipping to a customer. As I drove around the corner to set it in the mailbox, I noticed a group of people standing in front of the courthouse, waving signs. Immediately I thought of a protest that would suit Terry and fulfill his desire to join that protest but a little closer to home. I text him and he came immediately. 

Writing a sign, he happily joined the group on the roadside in front of the courthouse. I caught a smile as a drove past them all, honking. He was happy doing this and I am glad he found his place in the fight against racism and all that is going on in the world now. 

Terry even took a civil rights course and completed it with honor. He is now a certified human rights consultant with the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights in Washington, DC. I was happy to know that he really has stepped up to the plate in his beliefs for all to have their human rights defended. 

At the protest I'm sure he shared some information he had learned with those in the group holding signs along with him. 

Terry stood along the roadside with a sign saying, "White supremacists disgust me." The protest was inclusive of a diverse age group, some from the LGBTQ community, some who were handicapped, elderly and younger folks, they were all standing up for their beliefs. It was a good group. 

 

If you happen to have any questions regarding human rights, please contact Terry through this blog. Any messages written here will go directly to his email. Remember, this is not a suggestion to call names or get into an argument, as he will ignore it. 

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Once again my sweet man brought me flowers for our monthly date of getting married. Yes, monthly. Each month he brings me a bouquet of the best flowers! It's always the 17th because of our wedding date of the 17th of June, 2023. He spoils me rotten!

He works hard to keep our love and marriage strong. We do respect each other and never take each other for granted. That does help in creating a bond that lasts. 

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Thank you again for reading our blog. Terry and I both appreciate all of you. Let your light shine this week and count those beautiful blessings!

Until our next post, take care!

Take Togo's advice and ensure you create some you time. Relax and enjoy life!