Today is one of those fall days which can’t seem to make up its mind. It rained, the rain stopped, the sun came out but now the sun is gone. The house was chilly when I woke up. I wanted to stay in bed, but both dogs were insistent that I get up to let them out so I did. I am a mere peasant in my own home.

My dance card is filled this week. Besides household chores, I have a uke event every day from Tuesday through Friday with two, a lesson and a concert, on Wednesday. I’d stay home those days if I didn’t have my uke. I’d be the queen sloth.

When I was a kid, I didn’t know anybody who played a musical instrument except when I was in the first grade, and we were all in the rhythm band where I mastered the triangle. I remember being in the second row. The sticks were in the first row so they could rhythmically tap the floor with their sticks. Practice was in the big room in the cellar of the school. We had a concert. Parents came. I was so very proud of my performance. I played a mean triangle.

When I was growing up, I loved Soup. My favorite was the universal favorite, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup with Saltines on the side. I used to break the crackers in half and put them in the bowl. They’d float on the top of the soup until they got soggy. That was when I liked them best. Sometimes, on the very coldest winter days, my mother would fill my lunch box thermos with soup, chicken noodle of course. She’d always add the Saltines. My second favorite soup was tomato. It was always served with a grilled cheese sandwich which was dunked into the soup. My mother made the best grilled cheese sandwiches with the bread perfectly browned and the cheese, always Velveeta, gooey.

I am a fan of sandwiches. I use my panini press. I fill the bread with anything left in my fridge. My favorite has cheese, avocados and a meat of some sorts, all topped with horseradish sauce. Even thinking about it makes my mouth water.