Violin day today.

 I've spent the last two days tidying up our section - yesterday was a particularly hot one! I cover up well when I work in the sun.

There are still three important jobs waiting:

• The house needs a wash.
• I need to strip paint off the outside table and seats.
• I need to finish getting ivory and other stuff off the back fence - this last bit will be the hardest.

However, today will be a bit of a rest day and a day to do some serious violin practice.

I can hear Robert wondering, "What will you practice Richard (of RBB)?"

Well, I like to start slowly and listen to my tone and intonation. Then I'll work through the range on different strings and run through the seven diatonic scale fingerings. I'll probably run some arpeggios too and some jazz scales and maybe a few chords. Then it will be into my 32 tune repertoire. I'll probably try to memorize a couple more tunes. I already have most of the tunes memorized. When I played last Saturday, for over an hour and a half, I didn't use any music.

I'll try to get at least two hours done today but I'm also planning a walk down Cuba Street - we'll see how the day pans out.

Tomorrow we're staying a night in a motel in Wellington because we're going to a friend's birthday dinner. It's nice to have the occasional night in Wellington. We'll get to the motel just after 2 pm and have a bit of time in the city. 

Christmas is getting close. I don't get too excited about Christmas these days. I think our day will be pretty quiet, but that's okay. I like quiet. A glass of Cleanskin, a chat with family and a few tunes played on the violin and I'll be happy. I'm expecting a grandson next April, so a lot of my focus is on that. He'll be a very special little friend. Life is good.

Oh, and I'm also working pretty hard on my Italian grammar. I work from a big book. Chi va piano va sano e va lontano.

Ciao tutti.