Last Sunday I had the extreme honor and privilege of attending Sir James Galway’s Flute Master Class in Napa. I spent the entire day just a few feet from the master himself!

The teens were in another room being taught by Sir James’ wife, Lady Jeanne. At the end of the class, they performed for the adults and then Sir James joined them for one number. Watching those youngsters play so beautifully with the world’s best living flutist, beaming as they did so, was very moving. But for all of us, the day was an opportunity to learn from the undisputed master of the instrument and create memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Incidentally, Sir James is known as “the man with the golden flute.” He brought several with him and allowed students to play them. In this photo, he is playing on of his gold Nagaharas.

This week’s theme: Tiny

In this 1984 photo of my parents helping their first grandchild learn to walk, he appears fascinated with the shadows on the sidewalk in front of them.

It reminded me of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson from “A Child’s Garden of Verses” (I still have my copy from childhood . . . do you?):

This Week’s Theme: Sweet My sweet boys paused on the stairs leading to the beach from our favorite hotel in Pismo Beach to let Mom snap their photo.

This week’s theme: Shiny BigBob’s shiny new* ride!  (*2007 Toyota Tacoma)

Another shot of my father taken the same evening the photo contest entry . . . modeling some of my “spare hair.” We convinced him that it wasn’t a good…

This Week’s Theme: Art A number of buildings in downtown Lodi boast murals, so I decided to feature some of my favorites. Even Lodi’s water tower features artistic touches: photo…

This Week’s Theme: Colorful A barbershop quartet singing on Main Street in Disneyland in their colorful costumes. I snapped this photo during a visit in the summer of 1979. photo…

This Week’s Theme: Cooked/ing Thanksgiving 2002 The table was set. I had just cooked Thanksgiving dinner and was about to serve it. photo hunt Thanks for reading “Colloquium”!

This Week’s Theme: Five A Mother’s Day gift made for my mother at school when I was in grade five. Check out those glasses and that teased up hair! Was…

This Week’s Theme: Childhood Still one of my favorite photos of my boys. In this 1993 shot, Robert was 6 and Matthew was about 15 months old. photo hunt Thanks…

This Week’s Theme: Rare The Waldorf Astoria Clock was executed by the Goldsmith Company of London for exhibition at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It was purchased by the…

This Week’s Theme: Steps I dug way back into the archives for this little gem! That’s me playing my clarinet and marching with the Lodi Senior Elementary School Band in…

This Week’s Theme: Water This past Monday, March 26, 2007, I snapped this photo from the boat on the way out to Ellis Island. Thanks for reading “Colloquium”!

This week’s theme: Empty Yes, music lovers, that is an empty suitcase. And my mission this evening is to fill it with all the things I need to take to…

This Week’s Theme: Drink My parents, Kenny & Ethel, enjoyed a champagne toast at their 50th Wedding Anniversary party on March 17, 1991.They were married on March 18, 1941 at…

This Week’s Theme: Architecture Do you see me waving to you from the large living room window? That’s where I’m writing this from! This photo was taken in 1963. Note…

This week’s theme: Soft “Mom, do you see the resemblance?” I had to snap this photo when Matthew grabbed Sophie and asked me that question. This kid comes home from…