Music to My Ears

When our 3-year-old granddaughter said, “I love you, Grandpa,” it was music to my ears — an idiom meaning “something that someone is very happy to hear. [For example:] Her words were music to my ears.”

— Merriam-Webster.com

Friday at 4am a train horn reminded me of my fascination with trains, especially the sound in the middle of the night (since I was a young boy with my bedroom window open on summer nights).  That is also music to my ears.

On the other hand (another idiom), piano concertos by Rachmaninoff are literally music to my ears.  And Beethoven’s 5th Symphony I heard this afternoon (performed by the London S O) is just as powerful as it was in our Music Appreciation class when Kay & I studied it together before marriage.  Such music to our ears helped launch a series of unforgettable dates.  My sweetheart & I have “made beautiful music together” ever since then.

Now with all of our children and grandchildren, God’s promise that “families can be together forever” truly is heavenly music to our ears.

Grandmother Cannon's grand upright piano

Rote Learning Experience

An old phrase came to mind the other day for no apparent reason, so I searched “learning by rote”.  (It worked, even if I got the phrase wrong.)

“Rote learning is a memorization technique based on repetition. The idea is that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the material the more one repeats it. Some of the alternatives to rote learning include meaningful learning, associative learning, and active learning.”  — Wikipedia

“Examples of rote learning include memorizing the alphabet, numbers, and multiplication tables.” — oxfordlearning.com  3/23/2017

It differs from meaningful learning in that “rote learning results from little or no relevant knowledge [and from] no emotional commitment to relate new with existing ...”  — quora.com

My experience: I started talking at age 3 by using the word “cookie” to get what I wanted every day (according to Mother).  It probably took a lot of repetition on my part to learn that one.  I was committed to satisfying a craving, and it worked.  Having no recollection of learning the alphabet and numbers (probably in kindergarten at Lowell Elementary), the next experience I recall was in first grade, learning to read with Dick and Jane.  I think it was fourth grade when I used the tried-and-true, flash-card system to memorize multiplication tables.  It worked!  That’s when I fell in love with math for a lifetime.  As you can see, rote learning is meaningful to me.

Ducks in a Row

This morning I woke and saw a meme (“humorous image spread rapidly by Internet users”) on my phone.  Not unusual these days.  However, a reference to the idiom “ducks in a row” made me chuckle, which was most unusual following a scary dream.  A kind, older neighbor texted it in the middle of the night, knowing I welcome text messages anytime and rarely visit Facebook.  (She didn’t know I was looking for an idea to post here.)

“My ducks are absolutely not in a row. At this point, I have no idea where my ducks even are.”

A little personal history comes to mind ... I trust ... sometime.  Meanwhile, I find a varied history of the idiom by Tricia Reynolds, suggesting the most natural origin is an image of a mother duck leading her ducklings in a row behind her — organized and productive.  That’s what I aspire to be (not a mother duck, of course).

Remodeling or Renovation

It has been happening here for over two months, causing great excitement among my Colonial Court neighbors.  For example, a young friend from Alabama already upgraded to a totally remodeled, larger apartment with an enviable view of the Ogden Utah Temple and Wasatch Mountains.  She is now blessed with her own laundry room; (no more need for quarters).

Having heard this complete renovation will take two years, several other friends plan to move temporarily and return home to the same unit after a few weeks of remodeling.  Some are relieved with the option before May to renew their lease and stay another year.  When asked, I tell everyone, “I look at all my options; we shall see.”  (Some neighbors, encouraging me to upgrade to a one-bedroom “among the living” in the main building, are eager to know my plan.)  However, the main question in my mind is ... do we call it remodeling or renovation?  I will decide that next May, not next year.  Along with food, shots, and health, it’s a hot topic now.

Three months ago, admitting Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast is too far away, my first suggestion was Elwood, a small town between Tremonton and Crystal Hot Springs, Honeyville, Utah.  That could be a relief from the amazing noise competition on Ogden’s main drag, Washington Boulevard.  (Entertaining to watch up close.  Annoying to hear in bed after midnight.)

Nevertheless, I will always love Ogden for its character and diversity.  My sweetheart Kay & I treasure so many memories of life here, I can’t say enough good about this city and its people.  We love you!

view from Ogden Utah Temple grounds