Catching up: Last night...

[Sorry... third time I've written this... Problems with Blogger and I've lost everything twice already! Also note: it was much better written the first time!]

As I mentioned, tonight was the debut ballet performance of my granddaughter, Riese. She is the daughter of Jyl and Jeremy, who is (as he so succinctly put it tonight) the son who NEVER GETS MENTIONED in this Blog. Geesh... Sorry... But it does take some interaction, ya know! After all, how often do you see the names "Amy" or "?Melissa," who also are the fruit of my loins? (I could have said my daughters, but at this time of the night, if I can use the word "?loins"? I try to go for it!)

Anyway, I got to the Port Huron High School (where the recital was being held) around 5:30 PM. It was put on by the Mainstreet Dance Connection, where Riese takes ballet lessons. I spotted Jeremy in the hall and he said Jyl was backstage with Riese. She finally came out, with an odd tale. It seems that none of the kids can be seen in the audience in their costumes. Why is that important? Because Riese was in the third number of the first act. So that meant that, after her performance, she had to hang out, either backstage or off-site, until the finale, THREE HOURS LATER!

Anyway, we took our seats, the lights dimmed and the show was on. Riese'?s number was called "?Baby Mine."? First thing that struck me was the sight of Luanne's old cradle (which I had repaired some 29+ years ago, so Jeremy could sleep in it) along with three other cribs, up on the stage. Then four ballerinas, one of whom was Riese, came out, holding baby dolls. They danced and cuddled their "?babies"? to the music, then Riese put her baby in the cradle and struck a pose.

Here'?s where things went wrong... The second ballerina seemed confused and upset. You could tell by her face there was a lot of encouragement and instructions coming from behind the curtain. At first she seemed to be frozen, then she seemed to be arguing. Finally the Director came out on stage, took her doll and put it in the third crib, took the third girl'?s doll and put it in the second crib, and retreated back behind the curtain.

It may have been a simple mixup in crib location, but it definitely threw the second girl. However, Riese (God bless) held her pose throughout the incident. The number ended, to loud applause, and we trooped downstairs to find Riese.

When she came out, I gave her the bouquet from Grandma Lu and Sadie (deep red carnations with baby'?s breath) that Lu asked me to pick up. I took her picture (see photos). I would have zoomed in on her face, but wanted you to see her costume.

Somebody (Jyl? Jeremy?) suggested dinner, so Jeremy dropped us off at the Rum Runner, while he went and picked up Riese's brother Joe, who was unable to attend the recital. Good food! I had a Mediterranean pasta dish (penne pasta with veggies in an olive oil/butter sauce).

We left, dropped Joe back off and went back to the school. Jyl suggested I might not want to stay for the finale (it was already 8:00 PM) and I accepted (not wanting to drive all that way in the dark). Made my farewells to Riese, Jyl and Jeremy, then headed home. Got here just after 9:00 and just before dark...

Congratulations again, Riese! You were GREAT!!!