Goldi. B. Locks

Last evening was the final performance of Fairytale Opera in the Park. The opera is a yearly endeavor (except for last year, of course) of Opera South Dakota, an organization which exists to acquaint South Dakotans with opera. ¶ Opera is not something that springs to mind immediately when one thinks of South Dakota. That is the raison d’être for Opera South Dakota, to provide operatic experiences for our citizens so that they may become acquainted with and enjoy opera. I was privileged to sit on the board of the organization for a term.

¶ One of those experiences provided is this annual summer event designed to reach children and, incidentally, their parents. Many years there is an opportunity to have children in the chorus so they can actually be in an opera instead of just watching. It is also a chance for our local operatically inclined singers to have a chance to perform. ¶ This year’s production was Goldie B. Locks and the Three Singing Bears. You would know the plot well enough. Enough comedy is included that the evening remains light. There was a warm up session so the crowd could learn to applaud and shout “bravo.” The choruses and solos are all based on familiar operatic choruses or arias. The four characters performed well. ¶ Opera in the Park is produced in the McKennan Park Bandshell. The park was a donation from Helen McKennan. She was an early land speculator in Sioux Falls. Her mansion formerly stood on this large piece of city land. She recognized the need for parks in a growing city which prompted her to make a gift of twenty acres of her land for a park, now named in her honor. ¶ This park is one of the most beautiful in the city. There are tennis courts, a wading pool, horseshoe courts, a sunken garden (popular for weddings) and the bandshell, plus a lot of green-space. Much time and effort is expended by Parks and Rec in planting, mowing, and care for the horticulture. ¶ Directly across Second Avenue from the park is the former home of one of grand dames of Sioux Falls. Sylvia Henkin was the daughter of a rabbi. She and her husband built a broadcasting empire in this city which also included a movie theater or two. Everyone knew Sylvia. She

was a constant presence at any downtown event. With nary a drop of Irish blood, she was, nevertheless, chosen as the Grand Marshall of the first St. Patrick’s Day parade. I had the privilege of teaching some of her grandchildren, one of whom appeared on the Broadway stage in “The Producers.” ¶ I was reminded of Sylvia (who always remembered me with a flamboyant greeting) when I arrived early for the aforementioned opera. I wondered around the park for a time and paused by the bust of Helen McKennan. People in this city sometimes will donate a park bench in memory of a relative or friend. The city places a plaque thereon commemorating the person. Looking for a place to sit for a bit, there was a bench with a plaque simply saying “Sylvia.” I knew immediately the woman who was honored. Although many might find it unusual not to include the last name of the deceased, it seemed perfectly appropriate to me. Most everyone, and they are legion, would immediately know it was Sylvia Henkin. Sitting thereon one can look across the park and see her former home. Rest in peace Sylvia. Thanks for all you have done for our city.

¶ We’ve had rain today, softly and gently falling which is very welcome. We’ve also had a few day’s break from the oppressive heat. It has actually been a pleasure to take a stroll outside. ¶ I had the privilege of hosting a tour of alumni from the former high school which is now the Washington Pavilion. This was the group’s fortieth get-together. It was enjoyable hearing the remarks about former teachers and places they remembered from our walk through the building. ¶ The week has passed in a blur. I’ve put in quite a lot of time on the organ bench preparing for tomorrow. This afternoon a friend had a coffee for some former teachers. It was so good to be able to get together again and enjoy one another’s company. My health has been wonderful, for which I am most grateful. This allows me to treasure every day. ¶ Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers and the constant reminders that you are thinking of me.

Good News!

This past week was infusion week which went along as expected. TUG has mended her ways and is promptly delivering the needed medication without making unforeseen detours. ¶ The good news came on Thursday. I needed to appear at the Imaging Center at 7:15 to have my port accessed and undergo an MRI. That instrument of torment has to be the loudest collection of pot banging, atrociously loud buzzing and enormous clicking sounds every created. Even though ear plugs are provided and sponges placed over the ears, the sound is still mind boggling. Once in a while the attendant’s voice comes through, “are you doing okay?” It is just something to be endured. ¶ The results of this torture were presented at 11 that morning when I paid my visit to the radiation oncologist. He told me that the four little spots which

appeared on the last scan had disappeared and the major lesion was no longer growing but shrinking in size. That means the gamma knife procedure was effective and I don’t have to worry about brain cancer for the near future. I will continue to have an MRI every three months with a follow up appointment to make sure there are no new sightings of “blips in the brain.” This was a great relief. After hearing the news I finally relaxed for the first time in weeks. Obviously the results of the gamma knife were weighing upon me. I am very thankful that the results are positive. ¶ Now I look forward to two weeks vacation from chemo, trips to the Cancer Center, and waits for TUG to make her delivery. It was pleasant to have friends visit me while the infusions were taking place. Having someone with whom to converse makes the time pass so much faster. I’m grateful for the company. ¶ Right now I hear a bit of thunder in the distance. We are supposed to have a rainstorm about 6 PM. (This is Saturday.) It has been so hot and dry that the river flow is decreased. The city has not mandated watering restrictions more severe than usual but the warning signs are there that they could be put in place if water comes not from the heavens. There was little snowmelt this year and little rain.

¶ Sophia received two types of grass from her friend this week. She’s fond of the wheat grass and not so sure about the oat grass. New things take a while for the feline to accept them. Change is frightening for the ritualistic cat who wants everything done the same way at the same time every day, please and thank you. ¶ It’s hollyhock time in the garden and they are spectacular this year. So far the Japanese beetles have not appeared on the scene. Those pesky things really did a number on the hollyhocks last year. The goatsbeard in the back garden is in bloom. I love the lacy finger-like flowers, white against the dark green. ¶ On WednesdayI attended the funeral of a friend with whom I taught towards the end of my career. She was a wonderful teacher and loved by her students. The

size of the crowd was a testimony to her care for her students. The church, fairly large, was nearly full. She had never married. Her three brothers and families were there. Otherwise the congregation was made up of former teachers, principals, supervisors, parents and students. It was heartwarming. I know how kind she was to me when I taught in the same building. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. ¶ Thank you for everything, the calls, the emails, the cards, the prayers and the thoughts are precious to me. I am grateful beyond words.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Or so “they” say. And we have had variety this week from scorching hot temperatures to those considered to be much more moderate. After some days of near 100º we enjoyed high 70s and mid 80s. Life is much more pleasant when one does not feel under the broiler when venturing out. Actually one is not fearful of venturing out when one is not broiled upon exiting. ¶ The natal day has been celebrated twice more this week. Some friends with whom I used to serve at Bishop Dudley House took me out for lunch on Monday. It was very good to see them again after a year and a half.

¶ Another group of friends hosted me on Wednesday. Part of this group were traveling companions on a couple of college choir tour trips that I was privileged to take. In the “old days” when colleges planned trips they would contract for more passengers than the choir required. That allowed others to join the trips for a very reasonable price and, most likely, allowed the choir members to travel dirt cheap. We recalled some memories of Paris, Prague, the German Alps, and Venice. It was a lovely time with good conversation food and wine. ¶ One of those choir members is now one of two finalists for Sioux Falls’ Chief of Police. Having worked with him in the Singing Boys, I find it hard to believe that he is all grown up and in line for a prestigious position. I’m proud of him. ¶ All of the plants are growing well, enjoying the sunshine and the healthy rain we had a couple of nights ago. That 1¼ inches really helped the recovery from the days of extreme heat. The tradescantia is in bloom. The hostas in the back garden are flourishing. They do not seem to be high on the menu for the rabbits this year. I know not what the bunnies are eating but they seem to be leaving the hostas alone. ¶ There is no sign of the landscapers yet. I’m getting rather anxious to see that project begun and finished. It’s a busy time of year for those workers. I know they will get here when possible. It’s kind of like a child waiting for Christmas to arrive. It never happens soon enough.

¶ Next week is infusion week. I also have an MRI on Thursday which will reveal what is going on in my cranium. I always experience a bit of apprehension which comes from not knowing what may be found. The radiation oncologist was certain that all the little problems could be solved in one gamma knife treatment. That was before more little problems cropped up than were expected. I’m sure everything will be fine. I will be more sure after the results of the MRI are in before noon on Thursday. ¶ The staff at the Prairie Center is just fantastic. I look forward to seeing them again. The infusions are painless and usually have no side effects. It’s the waiting for the pharmacy that drags out the process and makes me slightly irritable. I know they have to be careful and make sure everything is done correctly. They are working with some pretty toxic stuff designed to kill off whatever is growing in your body. I would not want them to be less than careful.

¶ It will be interesting to see if TUG has mended her ways or if she is still trying to go places no robot has gone before. By the end of my last infusion week she seemed to be willing to follow directions. Perhaps she has learned her lesson. ¶ Summer substitute positions are in need of filling. If I thought I would be bored, I won’t be. I’m at the altar and in the pulpit tomorrow, on the organ bench in a couple of weeks, repeat the altar/pulpit thing in July a couple of times, then three Sundays on the bench in August. When I don’t think I have anything else to do I’d better be practicing, or working on homilies. ¶ Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, messages and kindnesses. You are wonderful people and I can’t express how much I appreciate you and all you do.

What Was Isn’t

Last week I commented on the rather coolish temperatures we were experiencing. Today the high temperature will be 97º! I’m not worrying about cool temps any longer. As has been opined by many, if you don’t like the weather wait a couple of days. ¶ A long time, dear friend died the week after Easter. This past week was the time set for her “formal” funeral and burial. The funeral was in Lead at historic Christ Church. It is a lovely, ancient building on the edge of a precipice (as is everything in Lead). In spite of its age it has been lovingly cared for. ¶ I wanted to do something for this dear friend so I volunteered to officiate at the funeral. This would take me back to the Black Hills for the first time since my brother died 12 years ago. ¶ I drove to Rapid City on Monday. I was being careful not knowing how tired I would be after last week’s chemotherapy. This gave me a chance to visit my parents’ graves, and to walk by my former grade school (Jefferson) which is now an administration building for the school district.

¶ In addition I walked by the house in which I grew up. It is gray now. When I lived there it was white. It is also much, much smaller than I remember it being. Aging must alter the size of things remembered. ¶ On Tuesday I traveled to Lead stopping on the way to visit my grandparents’ graves in the cemetery at Black Hawk. It is a small plot of ground. I remembered it from my youth as being rather uncared for. The pleasant surprise is that it is now beautifully maintained and quite tidy. ¶ Tuesday evening was spent in reunion with the family of my friend. They had traveled from New Mexico, Colorado, North Dakota and Minnesota. There was a lot of chatter and catching up. ¶ The funeral was at 9 on Wednesday morning. The service had been well planned. The church organist was a long time friend of the family but she was not feeling well at all. A more than adequate substitute and an equally good friend did a wonderful job on the hymns and other music. ¶ Following the service there was a brunch at the church. The internment was scheduled for 1:00 at the National Cemetery. Each family is allowed one half-hour for the committal. If one is not on time the service must be shortened because the next group will be waiting. Everything takes place in the chapel. The actual burial is done following the committal and the family is not allowed to be present. They are told how long the burial will take and that they can come and visit the grave after that.

¶ That evening I enjoyed dinner with a recently ordained deacon whom I know from singing with her in the Cathedral Choir. She will be the rector when she has been ordained priest in a few more months. ¶ Thursday was the scheduled trip back to Sioux Falls. My friend whose wife we buried the day previous rode back with me so he could visit his Sioux Falls relatives and friends. That gave us a chance to catch up on everything, more or less. ¶ The bird “event” is complete. It turns out that they were house finches and not wrens, as previously thought. The last of the babies left the nest today. All that remains is the nest mess. At least the wreathe can be changed. I do believe the “nested wreath” will be consigned to the landfill. ¶ Sophia managed the absence of her servant with the aid of a “sitter.” She was happy to see me return but has been a little distant just to let me know that I

should not think about being away again. ¶ The driving across the state did not bother me. It’s good to know I can do it if need be. I’ve felt well. Next week is chemo free. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I am grateful.