Share 4 Somethings – August 2024

For the 2024 edition of “Share 4 Somethings,” Jennifer asks us to share each month:

  1. Something loved and/or disliked
  2. Something accomplished
  3. Something improved upon and/or that needs improvement
  4. Something noticed

I’m also sharing my previous month’s One Second Everyday videoย . . .

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Something Loved

  • TREASURED TIME WITH THE IN-LAWSย 

None of us can predict when we’ll die. So when we get opportunities to be with those older than us, we don’t want to take it for granted.

Jeff and I got to spend a day at the beach with his parents this month.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Two weeks later, we celebrated his dad’s 84th birthday at one of their favorite spots, the iconic Trowbridge’s. (They say they go for the chili dogs, but I secretly think it’s the ice cream.)

Trowbridge’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop

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Something Accomplished

  • SUDOKU TIPS

I love doing the New York Times Sudoku puzzles online every day (along with other games too, like Wordle, Connections, etc.). But occasionally the Hard ones can stump me. When that happens, I turn to Rangsk on YouTube. He uploads a video of himself each day working the New York Times Hard Sudoku. I zoom forward to the spot where I’m stuck, and he always pulls me out of the jam.

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Something that Needs Improvement

  • MY PIANO PLAYING

I took piano lessons as a child. At the time, I didn’t appreciate that my teacher chose mainly classical pieces for me to learn. It was more fun to me to play popular songs. And at our extended family get-togethers, to play hymns for our sing-alongs.

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve played anything on the piano (other than Chopsticks or Baby Shark with the little kids). But this Sunday I’ll be hosting my family for a meal and a singing, specifically in honor of our last remaining uncle who will be joining us. He’s a fantastic pianist, but sadly, arthritis has hindered his ability to play in recent years.

So, alas, the piano duties for the singing will fall solely on me Sunday.

I sat down at the piano yesterday to see if I could still read sheet music, and with the help of my glasses now to see the notes, I managed to plunk out some songs. And I enjoyed it!

I’m realizing that playing the piano is something I’d like to bring back into my life more regularly again, even the classical music songs.

our old upright family piano

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Something Noticed

  • GROWNUP KIDS

As a young adult, you may have your own wedding and the weddings of your friends to attend. But as you get older, it’s your children’s weddings and their friends that you attend.

One weekend this month I had two back-to-back wedding showers for two of Jenna’s childhood friends (who are also close family friends of ours). We look forward to attending their weddings, too, in September and October.

It’s a strange feeling to see that neighborhood kid and that church friend, both once so young, now both grown up and ready to marry the men of their dreams. But it’s also a beautiful feeling, too.

childhood neighbor Savannah and my daughter Jenna


What is something you are loving, accomplishing, improving, or noticing this month?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

I’m linking at these blog parties

55 thoughts on “Share 4 Somethings – August 2024

  1. Michele Morin

    I always thought that once my kids grew up and I had “so much more time” I’d polish my piano playing, too.
    It hasn’t happened yet…
    And I’d definitely go for the icecream as well!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It’s such a fallacy that we’ll have so much extra time when the kids are gone, yes? lol. We just fill it in with other things. We had to postpone our family meal/singing for Sunday, so I’ll have even more time to practice piano playing. But will I? We’ll see. ha.

  2. Linda Stoll

    Lisa, I’m a huge fan of the hard Sudokus … even if one can take a week’s worth of evenings before I realize I messed up days earlier and have to toss the whole thing.

    And it was fun to catch up with your summer video!

    Sending love your way.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I totally get what you’re saying about the Sudokus…I’ll often overlook one small thing and it throws the whole puzzle off. ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad you enjoy them too, Linda. I rarely miss a day doing them!

  3. Lynn D. Morrissey

    I loved seeing your in-loves! They are obviously active and vibrant. I’m so glad you are making this special effort for your dear uncle. We hail from a musical family, and I still remember my beloved Grandma Nina (pronounced NINE-ah), frolicking and rollicking over our upright’s keyboard. She was classically trained, but also played by ear. Hum a tune, let her fiddle with it a couple of minutes, and then she was off and running. Her skills emulated an old player piano. She could really play a mean Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.” And wherever Nina played, the family all gathered around. She accompanied us to hymns, Broadway tunes, but especially the songs from the twenties and thirties. I still know those lyrics. Later, it was I who accompanied, first at that old upright, and then Michael (not a musical bone in his body, but a great listening audience of one, insisted we take out a loan early in our marriage for a grand piano. At that keyboard I’d play the same tunes as Grandma but not nearly as well (skipping lots of notes, and never by ear)… but enough to accompany the singing brood. Daddy was an exceptional basso profundo, so I would practice our duets, accompanying us. I play classically and too want to get back to it. Currently I’m picking out my own line for the Bach chorus and I could never play the piano accompaniment to these difficult scores (meant for orchestra). But I play my line well enough to learn it. My 94 y/o mother Fern is my inspiration. Lisa, if she can sit down at her baby grand and play classical music, so can you. While I”m not a complete musical snob (though I border on it), classical music is so much more complex and intricate than other music. It’s why it has lasted through the centuries. I know God will bless your efforts w/ great satistaction as you play the music of the masters.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, Lynn, my in-laws are both so active still. They’ve always been able to work circles around me with their energy. They’ve been blessed with healthy bodies for the most part, and I’m so grateful. I love hearing your stories about your Grandma Nina and the family gatherings around the piano. That’s how it was with my uncle. He played by ear, which was like magic to me. We’d hum him a popular tune of a song he’d never heard, and within a minute he would be playing it. It still seems like magic! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Unfortunately, we found out today his immune system is too low for the gathering on Sunday, so we’re postponing the family meal and singing until he gets stronger. We’re all disappointed, but it will be worth the wait.

      I’m so glad you still have your mother as your inspiration! 94 is amazing to still be playing the piano??? I doubt I’ll live that long, but if I did, that means I have a lot of years left to play! Love you Lynn.

  4. Jean Wise

    always time for ice cream and precious time together. wonderful memories! and playing the piano. I no longer have one and often miss it. I wonder if i still own one if I would take the time just to play a tune or two. I bet I would

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I got our old family piano from my parents years ago. It is out of tune but still good enough for me to plunk around on from time to time. I’m sure you would do the same if you still had a piano, Jean! I don’t play mine as often as I once did, but I am so thankful it is available.

  5. Barbara Harper

    Timothy had a tractor, too when he was younger. And he loves Buc-cee’s!

    How neat to spend time with your in-laws, and at the beach!

    I’ve found some hint places for Wordle and Connections as well. I used to feel guilty, like I was cheating. But then I thought, no, I’m just seeking help to finish the game, just as if I asked someone in the same room for help. And since I am just playing against myself, I like the idea of getting help over a sticking point rather than not solving it at all.

    What a joy to see our kids’ friends married.

    Good for you for getting back into piano! I only took one semester of piano, and that was in college. I enjoyed it but couldn’t fit any more into my already crowded schedule. I’ve sometimes thought about taking lessons or plunking around on my own–sometimes it would be lovely to express myself in that way. So far, I have too many other things I want to give my time to. But maybe someday!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Our garage has turned into a John Deere toy store. Jeff keeps finding more four-wheelers, tractors, etc., on the side of the road that he fixes up for our little guy, who absolutely LOVES anything with wheels. ha.

      This month was my first trip ever to Buc-cee’s, and we have one less than 10 miles from us. It was fun.

      I have my websites too for hints for Connections and Spelling Bee. ๐Ÿ™‚ And like you, I have to remind myself that it’s just a game, and it’s okay to get a hint! ha.

  6. Lisa Blair

    It’s always lovely to see your month in review, Lisa. I see joyous showers and times with family and a sad parting (funeral). I’m so glad you discovered the joy of piano playing and will intentionally grow in it. I’m sure your family will have many wonderful memory-making moments in the future because of it. What a joy and privilege to have living parents (or in-laws)!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Lisa. I do feel very thankful to still have both my in-laws here. They remain amazingly active for their age. It was actually Jeff and I who hoarded in on THEIR beach trip. ha. They had gone down for 2 weeks and invited us to come visit. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Nancy Ruegg

    These Four-Somethings posts are such fun to read, discovering the connections we have with one another in the blogosphere. I regularly do the Wordle, and if time, add Letterboxed. Must keep the brain active, they say! Also connected with the piano playing (or lack thereof). I used to be able to play some rather difficult pieces, but years of teaching kept me at my desk while the piano remained silent. Now I’m so hopelessly rusty I dare not play anything unless the house is empty!!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I love Wordle too, Nancy. I haven’t tried Letterboxed though. Maybe I should look into it. Or maybe not since I already have enough games every night as it is! lol. My piano playing is usually limited to when no else is around too, so I relate to that. As soon as somebody comes in the room, my fingers start hitting all the wrong notes. ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Dianna

    I’m so glad that you had that opportunity to spend a day with Jeff’s parents.
    And I enjoyed your one minute video…as always. I especially enjoyed hearing your little grandson’s voice.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Dianna. I love hearing our little guy’s voice too. He is so precious. I’ve been trying to clear photos and videos off my phone the past few months because I have so many, but when I run across one from any of the grands, I have to keep those precious memories.

  9. Joanne

    Those ice creams do look yummy! How wonderful to get to spend time hanging at the beach with the in laws. I think it’s wonderful you’re thinking about adding piano back into your life. It’s such a pretty and versatile instrument.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I confess I never get ice cream myself when we go to Trowbridge’s though! I just have never really liked it, for which I am thankful. ha. I have enough dessert vices with cakes, cookies, pies, candies, etc. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Lydia C. Lee

    Yes, it is weird when the age of others makes you realise you are older than you think you are….but it is life. Who are the bands in the video? Too fast for me to work out the songs.
    #WBOYC

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I always feel the oldest when I’m at a fast food restaurant and the employees look like they’re 12 years old. ๐Ÿ™‚ The bands in the video were Jennifer Knapp and Spencer LaJoye. We saw them both at the Wild Goose Festival.

  11. Lois Flowers

    I’m so glad Jeff’s parents are still here and doing well, Lisa. My early piano experience is similar to yours. I used to be pretty good at it but always forgot what i had memorized during recitals! Last weekend my daughter’s friend was here and was playing hymns on our out-of-tune piano. I loved listening to her as I folded laundry in my bedroom. I always love your SFS posts. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I was never crazy about my piano recitals either. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I remember one year everyone had their turn to play, and the teacher was wrapping it up and I had yet to play my piece. I suppose I spoke up? I don’t recall that detail, but I do remember the panic of almost ending the recital without playing what I had practiced. lol.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      The video is super easy to compile each month with the 1 Second Everyday app. I only have to remember to take a video every day. ๐Ÿ™‚ Yes, my in-laws are amazingly healthy for their age. They’re fortunate to have bodies that allowed them to remain so active into their 80s.

  12. Joanne Tracey

    I learnt piano as a child and like you wanted to play the modern songs. I recall beating out tracks like I Don’t Like Mondays and the theme to Hill St Blues. These days I’d be hopeless so all credit to you! Thanks for linking up and wishing you a lovely September.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, I would have loved playing the Hill St Blues theme but that was never in my books. lol. Granted, I could play what I wanted to on my own time! But I mainly played the songs back then that my teacher told me to practice. I’m thankful now though because those pieces bring me joy to play (although my playing of them is pretty bad).

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Unfortunately we had to postpone our family singalong for Sunday. ๐Ÿ™ My uncle is battling illnesses and found out Thursday that his immunity was down to zero. The doctors have taken measures the past few days to boost it back up, so maybe in a week or two we’ll reschedule our meal. Hope your son enjoys his first friend wedding!

  13. Jennifer Goodwin

    I enjoyed reading your answers this morning! I agree about the gift of being with those that we love who are older than us. I lived that every week with my dad, and I try to not take any of the days for granted. Thanks for joining in with us today!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Not taking time with our loved ones for granted (whether they’re older or younger than us!) is so important. It’s a lesson we can’t learn soon enough! Thanks, Jenn.

  14. Natalie

    Lisa, Thank you for linking up with #WeekendCoffeeShare. I enjoyed reading your “Share Four Somethings”. How wonderful that you’re bringing piano back into your life.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Natalie. Since our family meal had to be postponed, I didn’t return to the piano again this week, but hopefully I can get in some kind of routine so it doesn’t fall by the wayside again! I really do enjoy it when I sit down to play.

  15. Kym

    How wonderful that you can spend time with your in-laws! I used to work Sudoku puzzles a lot but haven’t done one for awhile – that’s pretty neat that you can watch someone else solve them and learn from their process. Hope you have a great September!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Kym. It is quite interesting to watch someone else solve Sudoku puzzles because I didn’t realize there would be more strategies than my own. ha. In the end, we tend to get stuck in the exact same spots though, so I guess our logic does intersect at some point. ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Debbie Harris

    What a lovely post Lisa! Good on you for getting back onto the piano, it’s something I never managed to learn. Those ice creams look amazing! Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC this month and all the best for September.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Sadly, once I found out we had to postpone our family singing, I haven’t been back on the piano. But maybe this weekend? ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope your September is going well, Debbie!

  17. Natalie

    I’m trying to prioritize time with peopleโ€”especially the young ones who’ve flown my nest, the older ones from whose nest my husband and I hail, and the people in our community. I also want to resurrect my long-neglected piano “skills” from my youth. Your post gave me some lovely motivation. Thank you!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Natalie! Time with people – that’s always the most important, yes? Regardless of age or generation. I’m grateful for those I get to spend in-person time with. And my piano playing disappeared again this week… ha.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I wonder if sheet music is the same for trumpet and piano? I’ve never looked at anything other than sheet music for keys and for guitar. I once tried playing my dad’s old violin, but I was horrible at it and quickly gave up. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m envious of people who can play multiple instruments, but I am glad my mother insisted I take piano lessons at least. It was a trade-off; I had to forego Girl Scouts.

  18. Julie

    I have a violin and I played that from elementary to the end of high school. It’s been many years since I’ve played. When I do pick it up, I forgot how much it is.

  19. Corinne Rodrigues

    Sounds like a lovely month – your parents-in-law must have been so pleased with your company.
    Your sweet little grandson is such a delight to watch. And the geese!
    Hopefully, your August video will let us view your piano playing!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Corinne. We had to postpone our family singing so there’ll be no piano playing in my August video; you’ve been spared. ha. My skills are minimal. Yes, my grandson is so fun. He’s been the light of our lives!

  20. Kirstin

    I’m about a week behind in commenting, but better late than never. I love playing those games too. That’s a great idea for when you’re stumped. I sometimes go to a few tip pages when I’m stumped on wordle or connections. I agree with spending time with parents/inlaws. I don’t have my parents anymore but we do spend quite a bit of time with my inlaws…they live about 3 minute drive down the road.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I stay behind in commenting too, Kirstin. I agree that better late than never. ๐Ÿ™‚ I often go to a connections’ hint page as well. I haven’t looked for hints yet for Wordle, but there have been times when I should have. lol.

      Both my parents are gone as well, so I’m grateful to still have in-laws. Glad you still have yours too and that they are so close! Mine are about an hour’s drive away, which is still relatively close, but 3 minutes would be even better.

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