THE HILTS FAMILY SENDS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM PETERBOROUGH
Time to shake the cobwebs out, and think about the year;
there’s lots that I could tell, but I’ll keep it short & clear.
We’ve all kept rather busy, and that’s no surprise to most;
no complaints however, in fact we tend to boast!
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As you all may well assume, our children are maturing,
as parents we observe, and it’s rather reassuring:
Since every parent knows, it takes time to shape a life…
but all without a guarantee, just a lot of strife!
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We still have Gladys with us; she turned 83 this fall,
and we had a little party; she danced and had a ball.
Her children came from all around, ‘twas much to her delight;
*You’ll find some photos posted on the HILTS web site.
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Barb’s teaching Glad piano, and she’s learned a bunch of tunes,
she’ll practice for an hour most weekday afternoons.
Thus it would seem that in this house, music is contagious,
Glad’s other joy is novels, and she’s read a lot of pages!
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Barb is still with MYC, and teaching children how. . .
To play piano like the pros, then stand and take a bow.
She’s happy teaching music terms, and great composer’s names,
and very happy with her stamps, her stickers and her games!
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The Symphony has kept Barb busy learning tricky scores;
constantly she’s practising between lessons and chores,
She’s played at several weddings with violins and cello
her quartet had a sound that was full and rich yet mellow!
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If you know Barb the way she is, maybe, and I mean “maybe”
You’ll understand her comment “I’ve got a brand new baby”!
With several years of soul searching, the timing seemed just right,
her baby is a brand new flute; (she tucks it in at night)!
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I am still enlisted with the “Peterborough Singers”
tapping toes is not allowed; nor is snapping fingers.
We performed “B Minor Mass” by Bach, back in May;
it was our best concert ever, so the critics say!
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I don’t make mistakes when I’m singing tricky songs:
(I thought I made one once, but it turns out I was wrong)!
Barb will say my voice and tone are slowly getting better,
if she wants to think that, I suppose it’s fine to let her!
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Both Barb & I took Clara to a summer music camp
we travelled to the Maritimes; the air was foggy and damp.
She stayed with cousin Aine, while Barb & I went touring,
in PEI it rained a bit; correction: it was pouring.
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Despite the torrents, fog and thunder, still we had a blast
we walked along the north shore; the sun came out at last;
We had crossed by ferry; used the bridge when coming back,
but fog & rain were back again; the sky went greyish black.
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Back to Nova Scotia, we continued on our trip,
we saw many fishermen go to & fro’ by ship!
Coming home we took our time, when music camp was done,
and stopped at friends along the way; we had a lot of fun!
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We also took a camping trip up to our favourite spot,
all 4 children came along, they played and swam a lot.
James brought his friend Jocelyne, and let’s not leave out Daisy;
however, rain & hail & mud was driving us all “crazy”!
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Our son James, the eldest, is still attending school;
he’s in Ottawa, . . . and keeping busy as a rule;
Learning music history, band techniques and more:
he’s a true musician since he’s good at being poor!
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James has formed a little group of accapella voices,
it seems to be his favourite style, given all the choices!
They’ve been getting gigs to sing at various locations;
earning cash and complements, as well as reputations!
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By the way, to write stuff down in rhyme takes great ambition;
so, perhaps, a voluntary, tiny INTERMISSION.
Give those blurry eyes a rest and maybe count to ten
then continue with page 2, okay, I’ll see you then!
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Now that you have turned the page, I’ll get back to my task.
“Just what other rhymes are up my sleeve?” you might ask!
I could tell some stories that you would label ” frightening”
but I’ll stick to pleasantries; with rambling, rhyming writing!
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Now in second year at Trent, our eldest daughter, Kat
seems to like her roommates in the house she living at.
And her hope is still to be a teacher when she’s done,
we know lot’s of teachers and they all say teaching’s fun.
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She’s filed an application for next year, to go away,
possibly to Paris for a two-semester stay.
She would be immersed in French, during this exchange,
not sure if she’s going yet but sure she’d love the change!
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While Kat, perhaps is dreaming of an Eiffel Tower view;
Exams are fast approaching, and dreaming will not do!
Do not worry, friends, rest assured she’ll do just fine.
Go MSN and ask her, since she’s probably “on line”!
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Angela is working at the local “Chapters” still,
sometimes, older guys just come to flirt at her till;
Then there are the younger boys all taking long, hard looks,
it would seem they’d rather take home Angie, not just books!
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Angie finished high school and attended graduation,
she sang to her peers, then came cheers of jubilation:
She then received a plaque for displaying Christian living,
again, that’s no surprise to most, she always kind & giving.
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But then she turned 19, and as sure as days are long
she won’t turn down a glass of wine as payment for a song.
This year she’s taking voice and dance; her plan is to prepare . .
for Music Theatre education (still not sure just where)!
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Again, as “beaver”, Angie sang her favourite summer role;
6 days in the wilderness to feed her mind & soul:
All these plays and musicals keep Angela a-flyin’;
Currently she’s in a play, in “OZ” she is the “Lion”!
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Clara’s in her final year of High School education;
with music, art and drama, it’s a happy situation.
She’s on the student council, as vice-president no less,
both clever & ambitious, she takes after me, I guess!
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Here’s a few examples of what Clara’s all about,
most involving music, which she loves beyond a doubt!
She was picked to play piano, in the Jazz Band,
playing complex chords that even I don’t understand!
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In the concert band she plays along on clarinet,
helps to run the choir, hold on, I’m not finished yet!
Clara spent a day downtown, duct-taped to a post!
for the Terry Fox campaign (her school raised the most)
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Clara’s working on piano, R.C.M. grade 10:
for an hour, just one song played over and over again!
Where, you ask, are all these Arts and Music talents from.
Sheepishly, I must admit, she get’s it from her mom!
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Our dog Daisy, had a birthday, this year she turned nine,
she still sheds and barks a lot, but health-wise she is fine;
More and more our girls are out, and Daisy tends to mope,
we’ll give her chicken giblets; for it seems to help her cope!
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Now I shall conclude; I am finished my reflection;
every single word is true, there’s been no deception!
Perhaps I did forget that I would keep it short and clear. . .
Merry Christmas all, and a blessed New Year.
rwhilts 