Good night, sweet prince

I learned yesterday that a childhood friend of mine has died. Erik Ray, computer genius, all-around genius, trike enthusiast and bird-lover, was struck by a car a couple of weeks ago while he was riding his recumbent tricycle. He later died from his injuries, leaving his wife, Jeannine, and several pet birds.

His funeral was last week, and I didn't know any of this until after the fact. He lived in Saugus, just north of Boston. Close enough for me to have paid my respects, had I known.

Erik and I weren't best friends as kids. I think much of that had to do with the boy-girl thing; I hung out with the girls, he with the boys. I always thought him a little odd, but there were a lot of us in the Delphi program that were that way. He was always kind to me, most notably when he volunteered to play the part of Prince Charming to my Snow White in our 5th-grade play. When the cast list was announced, no other boys wanted to be the prince, making for one very embarrassed and upset princess. He gallantly stepped forward and didn't seem to care what anyone thought. And I was eternally grateful, not only for his saving me from being a prince-less Snow White, but also for his careful pantomime of the kiss that broke the spell of the poison apple. My ten-year old reputation was safe with him.

We lost touch after 6th grade, but found each other around the time leading up to the Delphi reunion, two years ago this month. He didn't attend the reunion, but he and Jeannine did come for a visit last summer, when Kathleen and her family were here. It was great to see him again.

Over the past year or so, Erik and I had corresponded fairly regularly. He was very encouraging of my writing, and I trusted his instincts completely when he made comments and suggestions. He once told me that a lede I wrote was the best opening sentence he'd ever read.

I hadn't been in touch with him much lately. I had been thinking about sending him an email about some new writing developments, but I hadn't done it yet. And now I can't.

Thirty-nine is too young to die, to leave a widow behind. I hope wherever Erik is, he's riding a fast, flat course with no cars or potholes. And a bird or two on his shoulder.

A short list

I was tagged by Naomi to document three things I do right as a mother.

It's a lot easier to think of the things I do wrong, or almost do right. But here we go:

1. I encourage a love of learning in all three kids, especially for reading and pre-reading, and music.
2. I set appropriate limits and follow through.
3. I tell them I love them all the time, with words and cuddles and tickles and laughter.

And I'll stop there, before I'm tempted to add a caveat.

One more article

And here is my profile of mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo, who is giving a concert in Scituate on Sunday. From today's Patriot Ledger.

Editorial on music cuts

Jon Prestage, the editor of the Milton Times, wrote this editorial about the cuts to the elementary music program in Milton, based on my article. This also is in this week's Milton Times.

Elementary music cuts article

Here is my article in this week's Milton Times about the cuts to the elementary music program in Milton over the past few years. I don't think it's possible to link to it directly with the new Times website -- the link will just take you to the home page, where my article is the second one down.

Cautious optimism

I'm almost afraid to blog about this, but I think (oh how I hope) that the case of the computer that wouldn't shut down has been solved. The antivirus folks helped me install a new version (specifically for Dell computers, who knew?) and I was able to shut it down three times this afternoon without incident. Glory!

I'm going to attempt to shut down again, as soon as I publish this. And if it continues to be able to do so for a day or two, I'll be confident enough to move some applications and files from my old desktop to Adele. And I really should figure out how to get her to print, too.

In other news, Abby seemed pretty anxious about violin again after school today. I asked her if she was worried about getting her own violin, and she said yes. I asked if she thought looking at my violin would help, and she perked right up. So I got it out, and she identified all the parts that her teacher taught her the other day. And she seemed much less anxious for the rest of the night.

I wish I was better at figuring out software problems and Abby's anxiety issues in general. But for now, with things relatively calm on both fronts, it's shutdown time.

Hopefully Adele will give me no cause for anxiety -- just a big turnoff.

The glitch is back

Adele still isn't working properly. Supposedly the problem lies with the antivirus software, but now that I'm finished teaching for the night, and the kids are in bed, the company that produces this problematic antivirus software is closed. No support for me, beautiful or otherwise.

For now, the computer will shut down, no problem. But what happens when this antivirus glitch is "fixed?"

I'll tell you. If there's one more problem, it's good-bye Adele; hello Mac the Knife.

Oh Adele is pretty pink dear
And she thinks at the speed of light
But this problem makes me think, dear,
That an iMac would be out of sight.

Stay tuned...