Rock on, Sam!

Sam is our little rocker and an imaginative boy. He's never needed fancy instruments - in a pinch, a garden rake or even a story book will suffice for a guitar, (he plays a mean air guitar, too, just don't call it that) and a tee-ball stand for a microphone. The front steps make an excellent stage, as does the front yard. (Acoustics kind of suck, though.) While he is aching to rock it out on his classical guitar, I'm not yet allowing it - although, maybe he would be more inclined to practice without argument.

However, he truly is in his glory on his new stage, microphone, guitar and amplifier. We just need to expand his repertoire beyond U2!

Enjoy!

Papa's gift

My dad is the original "McGuyver". He can find a simple solution to what seems to be an impossible problem - the kind that makes you smack yourself upside the head and revert to your 10-year-old kind of response: "Duh".

As you may know, Sam is going to be a rock and roller when he grows up.

So for Christmas this year, well, Papa built him:

A stage.

Yes, a true wood floor (thanks John for the donated Pergo flooring!) complete with strobing LCD lights on a remote control. On a previous visit, he hung curtain wire for me on the wall (behind where the stage was to be located) and Christmas eve, we hung iridescent purple and teal curtains for that special touch. Mimi added a mike stand, amplifier and toy electric guitar to round out the gift...

The look on Sam's face was priceless - confusion, shock, and glee flashed over it in a manner of seconds.

And since Christmas eve, he has been "rocking it out" for us every day!

Look out, John Hiatt, John Prine and Lyle Lovett. The next generation of the keen observer of everyday life is coming into his own...

Cover - Boy?

A guitar lesson was cancelled last week due to a scheduling conflict at the middle school where we meet. Today we were to make up the missed lesson at the home of a fellow guitar student.

As usual, I was having difficulty lighting a fire under Sam's behind to get him moving.

"C'mon Sam, let's get your shoes on, then grab your guitar. Remember? Today we meet Miss Laura for a "make up" lesson."

Sam's blank look was replaced by one of sheer panic.

"Mommy - NOOOOOOO. I don't want to put on make up!"

Guitar man

A glimpse of things to come?

When Sam grows up, he says he will be a rock 'n roller and play guitar, piano and drums. Then again, he also told me today that he will live with me forever. And that he wasn't going to school when he gets bigger.

I told him if he was not going to school, he would have to get a job. He said "No, I won't Mommy - I'm going to be a rock 'n roller, and live with you forever. " Huh?

Guess we'd better get on with our daily guitar practice, if that is how he is going to support me in retirement.