April 2001

The buds on the trees are turning the skylines yellowish green. We had a very late spring, but last weekend the temperature shot up to 85 at Celeste. I was in the city for Hungarian dance practice on Sunday (Judy wasn't feeling great). Afterwards I went roller blading in Central Park. The cherry trees and the magnolias were blooming and it was just gorgeous.

Last week we went to a program of Native American dance, music, and story at the Croton Library. Sophie really enjoyed it. Several of her friends were there, and she was fascinated by the program. Several times since then at home she has done a little Indian dance -- bent knees, holding a stick out in front or pointing up, stomping forward or turning to the 4 directions, punctuated by a yell. I finally caught her on video, but by then it wasn't as striking - the style had faded a bit.

Judy's friend Diana is visiting us from San Francisco - she is giving some kids' performances at synagogues nearby. Judy and Sophie went to see her yesterday.

Last night we went to a benefit concert for the Westchester Civil Liberties Union, where Pete Seeger, David Amram, Odetta, and a woman named Pat Humphries performed. Sophie was well behaved if somewhat antsy, especially during the speeches (some awards, Pete Seeger's 81st birthday, ACLU's 50th birthday). In the silence at the conclusion one of Odetta's beautiful songs Sophie quietly sang a note (I can't remember if it was harmony or unison) that everyone could hear. Odetta remarked "you've taught that child well". At the end of the concert we brought Sophie up to meet Odetta, Dave Amram, and Pete.

One more anecdote. Last night Sophie woke up hungry at 3:30 AM. She came into our bed and asked to nurse, we counter-offered food. I went and got her cheese, graham crackers, and water. After eating ravenously in bed for quite a while (generating the usual amount of crumbs in the bed), she finally laid her head on me and said "Thank you SO much,... You saved my life"!!!! Hilarious. According to Judy she got that phrase from a sign-language video of Little Red Riding Hood.