“Introduce MUSIC to Young Children – – as soon as possible”

When you think back  – – and start to remember  – – when I was  “young”  I wanted to learn to play the PIANO – – or at least have been able to take some lessons – – when I was so young – – that to learn – – would have been so easy

but… in my case that  was not something that could have been done – – and I never  – ever forgot – – but – – when I had children – – immediately – – at  and as early as possible – – MUSIC…  was in the plan for my children to learn – –  and…  I took the time to sit and listen to their practicing – –  – I would hum along – – so that they knew that I was listening – – – and that they were not along – – whatever they were learning – – I was with them  – – all the way.

It was FUN – – to see  and hear  my sons, Lee and Al – – each doing what … was coming to them  in such an easy and fun way – – they were really enjoying each lesson – – and getting to be performers  – – to show everybody – – where they were headed  – – all that they could do – – and so  good and natural  – – for being so young.

Lee is sitting at the organ – – my idea to start on an organ – – so that the note that was just read and played – – would carry on – – long enough for them to read and find the next note. That way they could could hear the music – – and keep the sound of the song or piece – – in the brain – – till they would eventually get – – the reading and playing – – more in line of the tempo of the song.Worked out very well – – they were learning to read and play music so  – we upgraded.

When it came our making a home move – – my first arrangements  – – were made at the  “MUSIC STORE”  had to check out the  next better  instrument – – want more in the line of foot pedals and  a complete sound  that would be so much   better and longer lasting – – they would pick up the instrument at the old location – – and when we were in the new home and ready – – the new instruments were delivered.

Best way to have the  “MUSIC”  Instruments – – that work to the MAX – – and everyone is HAPPY!


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“One MORE for the ROAD”

Since it was Lee Aldrich’s … BIRTHDAY on the FIRST of AUGUST – and I like to celebrate someone’s  BIRTHDAY for a week – – just have to add one more PHOTO –  and this PHOTO includes… MOTHER,  Louise Aldrich- Stanley  and she is sitting on the right – – in the grouping below.

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Next  to LOUISE…  is one of her younger sons’  AL ALDRICH – – and he is pointing to me… as he is telling my son, Lee Jr. – to smile for the camera. The camera that I have  and learning  “HOW” to use is a “Polaroid” Land Camera…  that would take the photo and  would develop inside and  as you pulled the tab – advancing to the next photo to be made  – – you would  lift the picture door – lift  out picture and apply  a liquid coater  – – share the finished PHOTO  – and they  were all terrific – – a real memory  maker…  something “new then”  – -but now obsolete.

Sitting on the floor, my husband,  LEE Sr., and leaning on him is Donald  Aldrich and almost  not in this photo is Thomas Aldrich – – and from the grins and smiles on all of the faces – – sure must be telling some good stories.

Something about living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – – we would always have FAMILY and FRIENDS  stay with us for a few days – and  with living within a mile of the OCEAN – – we always had a nice time getting a tan- – just spending TIME laying in the warm “SUNSHINE”  watching the nice waves  of the OCEAN  rolling in and making a real nice back drop for taking PHOTOS –  –  as usually… everyone wants to return up NORTH – – with an award winning and the best  looking  “SUN- tan” – ever.


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Remember – EASTER – 04/14/1963

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Easter Sunday and an “EASTER BUNNY” – is all  foreign    information…  for a fifteenth month old baby – –  and we can see – – that baby Al – – sitting in the “high-chair” just has no real idea of what all that stuff is doing on the dining room table – – – and so early in the morning?

The table is set up … for four boys – – Tom in high school gets the smallest basket – – and the baby Al – – the youngest boy gets the largest basket – – – but it is not the size of the basket that makes you feel good – – it is all of the sweet treats that are spread out on the table  … that   being  bigger –  you  know – – there is   more your hand can reach and grab – – – all   without any help – – it is all there to  just share and enjoy!

“The early bird gets the worm”  – – he who gets up early – – can start to try out some of those colorful and fancy wrapped candies – – mostly chocolate – – who wants any thing else – -but who will get the  big “Chocolate Bunny” – – some of the larger size…  are now made hollow inside – such a  big disappointment – – I always enjoyed the solid “Chocolate Bunny” as you would have more of the good stuff – – – and the longer it lasts – – the more you think that you are enjoying “EASTER!”

That’s big brother, Lee  serving baby brother, Al   with some  of the “EASTER” treats … the ones he knows he can give to  baby Al – – but … he is big enough – and knows  what he likes – – as  Lee has been around  a little longer – – and NOW  – – can tell the little baby – – the way – –  that things happen on “EASTER” – – – so nice to be the bigger brother – – the one who  NOW has all the answers –  – just knows so much  – – for being  the big … four years old.


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“Do You want to Surprise – Daddy?”

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“Al  – I want you to pay attention to what I am going to tell you”   – “You know that it is “DADDY’s” Birthday  – this coming Friday, August 1st, 2014 – and you have to help me make this a very special day for “Daddy” – OKAY? ? – “Okay?”

“Lee –  is that when we get lots of gifts and cake and ice cream?”

“Al  – I know that you are not as old as me  – but,  you remember the times, that we have cake and ice cream – everybody is here and we have lots of “FUN” and  everybody is so “HAPPY”   – well that’s  what “we” are going to do –  on the 1st of August – we are going to make  “Daddy”  – so “HAPPY!”

Lee Jr., big brother is telling his baby brother, Al – what the plans will be for their Daddy’s  – Big Birthday Party on August 1st!


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