Another Year of Y & T In the Books

Since we started attending Yesterday and Today, an interactive Beatles show, there have been familiar things and new things. The McGuigan Brothers (and now Billy’s son Ciaran), have been entertaining the Omaha area audiences for quite a few years now. The pandemic changed some dates, and now, they are at a great facility downtown called the Slowdown. It’s perfect for them. Hard to believe it’s been nine years since we started going to see them. Sure, we’ve attended nine years in a row, but the show is totally different every time. If the audience doesn’t have fun, it’s on them. Kevin Klimowski attended over 40 times over the years. I believe him, too. Always nice to run into him at a show, but I missed him last night.

The addition of the saxophones and strings was beautiful. Billy adds that touch every chance he gets. Most of the music from that era has a full orchestra recorded. I remember the sounds we took for granted with our music back then. To hear it again live is the best. Many memories are in that room with the band every night. I think if we could thank the person responsible for this treasure of Omaha, it may sound something like this:

Dear Bill,

The folks of Omaha want to thank you for being such a force behind your sons that helped fuel their love of the Beatles, which resulted in the unbelievable show running several weeks. As you know, they perform every year in Omaha and also take it on the road. They’re international stars! And you started that! You also taught them what family is and how the members support one another. You taught them to come in for a group hug, and remind them they can get through anything Together. They showed that when they lost you, (way too soon). They’ve had many life events where they’ve helped each other, and get through it, Together.

We know you have the best seat in the house for every concert wherever they are in the world. We’ve had the pleasure of not only your sons performing, but now grandson Ciaran is becoming a force with his dad and uncles. His guitar playing is quite respectable, so much so he’s playing Clapton’s part of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” He is incredible. And we can’t believe he’s only 14. He’s the product of hard work, talent, and great teaching. It all shows. I cannot wait to see how he continues his growth musically, and as a person. Those crazy uncles, Dad, Jay, and Max will help him learn to navigate the world with more McGuigan wisdom. Several of your other grandchildren are becoming well acquainted with acting, music, singing, and art. Collectively (and individually), their talents are huge. See what you started? It’s a great thing.

I’ll share videos below. We’ve attended so many years in a row. And we’ll keep attending as long as we’re physically able. We’ll most likely see your great-grandchildren perform in the arts. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts.

A Grateful Omaha

Younger Ciaran & Dad, Billy

While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Matthew McGuigan and Jay Hanson

Here Comes The Sun

Yellow Submarine Ciaran w/Uncle Ryan

Folks, sorry I can’t recall this song. I still included it because of the guitar playing. He is only 14. What a bright future! Most kids that age wouldn’t want to put in that much hard work to achieve this. Good job, Ciaran!

If you’re in the SlowDown’s area in Downtown Omaha, tonight and tomorrow night are the last two performances, if there are tickets left. Getcha some!

In another ten years, maybe it will be called, “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” Rave On Productions. McGuigan Arts Academy. A treasure for Omaha. Lucky us. Thanks, guys! See you next year, and at all the productions in between.

“Lives of Great Men All Remind Us”

“We Can Make Our Lives Sublime

And, Departing, Leave Behind

Footprints on the Sand of Time”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem. It makes me pause and think a lot. Longfellow was a poet and also wrote prose. He was called a fireside poet. He wrote many famous books, including the “Song of Hiawatha.” This book is really a poem, and judged to take over three hours to read. I didn’t realize it was so long.

The poem at the top of this post reminds me of another one, Footprints in the Sand. It talks of someone describing a dream they had one night. Well, here it is:

Hardly anyone I know would call themselves great. Part of that is being raised as a baby boomer; and if you’re female, you really don’t. We don’t use words like that. We should. Learning our worth as a human being is important. Saying it out loud is more so.

No, I’m not saying we should be narcissistic. Narcissists don’t have any concern for others. All the people I call friend do care about others. It is in their nature. We want to make the world better for all of us. Service to others is a big part of this. While we need to take care of ourselves, once those daily tasks are done, it’s good to get outside of ourselves and reach out to others. It’s part of a balanced life. I believe that is part of what helps us be great.

People notice us. They notice what we do; how we behave; how we react to disappointment. They see how we deal with difficulty or joy. A positive attitude and hope go a long way toward making a positive mark on the world. Let’s be positive as part of our footprints on the sands of time. It’s one of the best marks to leave.

Thank you for reading today. I value your time and hope you have a blessed rest of the day. Let’s see each other tomorrow. Be safe out there.

Routine Friday, Finally!

After about ten days of having our life kind of iffy and upended, we’re starting to our newer normal. The Babe can drive again after the fall from the ladder and brain bleed. Tuesday is the CT Scan and followup with Neuro Doc. We don’t expect any surprises. Just want to be able to mess around with my flowers and enjoy the deck or patio, depending on the time of day. And blogging in the morning! Yes, I’ll welcome that.

After the last year and a half, there is no normal, in my opinion. Not anymore. Our life was changed forever with the pandemic. I think in general, we were overly confident about illnesses, and COVID changed all of that. We had our shots, but I fail to believe we’re safe when so many won’t get vaccinated. All we can do it do what we feel is right. I believe the masks are still needed, despite many state leaders trying to access vacation dollars for their meager budgets after a year of coming up short. Time will tell.

My reading today was perfect. The Epitath of Alexander the Great reads:

A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.

If you recall, Alexander the Great was one of the most famous generals through all of history. He conquered many lands far from his kingdom of Macedon, which was part of the Greek Empire. He conquered most of the known world in his life.

For a man who had to explore and conquer, always coming out on top, a small grave would have never been enough. It makes me wonder if he was ever educated about the things in life that really matter. Of course, the life was nothing like today, after over 2,000 years of Civilization. But I’m sure he had comforts available to more than the average man. Being a king had certain perks.

In the last couple of years, since I started writing (and studying how to), I’ve given a lot of thought to how I want to spend my time for the rest of my life. I’m hoping the rest of my life with give me until in my 90s at least, with my brain still functioning, and my body systems still working. Things like sight, hearing, working with my hands on sewing and needlework, all require a steady hand and fair eyesight.

What may your epiteth read like? I used to think I’d like to have, “She had CLASS,” written on the stone. That is in reference to my Aunt Anna’s comment, “It’s got class, kid.” Whe was a very refined lady as was Gram Jewell. They lived together all of their lives, and Anna worked at the phone company. She wore very beautiful dresses, many from a high end store at the time. She had Class. I wanted to learn that, too. I came to know it meant more than material possessions. It was part of being a lady. My dad always told me, “If you can be one half the lady your mother is, you’ll be fine.” That was at a time when Mom was happy with her life, before she became unhappy, felt trapped, and became an alcoholic. I transferred the “lady” example to Aunt Anna and Gram. Gram is my hero anyway, and she is who I’d like to be like. I’m striving, trying.

My epiteth may read, “She had Class. And a loving heart. A caring soul. She loved her children, husband, grandchildren, and she loved to create. She wrote about hard things. She shared hard times. She shared prayers that helped her keep her sanity. She slowly learned to stand up for herself. She slowly learned to set boundaries. She learned last to take care of herself, as she did for others. She loved her God, and always felt safe in His hand. She knew He would guide her, all of the days of her life.”

And I hope to have no further Adventures of the Babe that include ED physicians, falls, CT Scans, and scares for our family and friends. Give me nondescript days from now on. I can create my own excitement through writing, thank you very much. And hopefully, you’ll all keep with me on this journey. See you early again tomorrow! Thank you for reading.