Audrey's first day in the Maki house

Picture: Dave and Audrey sleeping probably spring of 2010.
I told a friend this story and thought it was pretty dang cute. So I saw Audrey 3 days in a row hanging out by the old Mercy hospital in Benton Harbor. I was a homecare nurse and had a rule that I had to see a dog 3 times before I'd bring it home. We had our first dog, Sadie, at home. Sadie was a Human Society puppy. So Beckie and I "trapped" Audrey and got her in my van and I brought her home. She was so dirty because she'd been hanging out under a car. So I left her by the back door (inside) and yelled up to Dave who was upstairs in his studio..."Dave I have someone here to meet you, come on down". His answer was "Lee, I'm in my underwear..." My reply... "Dave, it doesn't matter. " Audrey was so scared she didn't sleep for more than 5 minutes at a time, she was a different dog in a couple months.

Thanks again for being part of our family for so long Audie!

It Should be said here too.....

Audrey "Za" Maki, 16 year old friend and wonder dog died Sunday. She had Cushings disease for 4 years. We went to Michigan State for ultrasounds to get the diagnosis. Hers was due to a pituitary tumor and she was having neurological symptoms at the end- couldn't walk, I don't think she could see, and she may have been having seizures. She was very, very pale. I was with her to the end and hope she has found Dave.

love you Audrey.

peace, love, groove.

I haven't posted for how many days???.........

Pictures: The new fire in the back yard; last fire in the old "pit"; an "All In Love" reminder in my car; storm coming in a couple week ago.

Lots of camp fires and yard work. Getting ready for a Labor Day Weekend Fling.

Dave, not David

So looking over the "Overture" stuff I remember a story I probably told before, but it's a good one. When Dave and I started dating I called him David. It think it's such a beautiful name. I noticed others calling him Dave and that may have slipped out of my mouth occasionally...but he was David to me. My David. One day, we'd been married at least 10 years, Dave said to me "I really prefer the name Dave". Really? I said. Dave it is.

love you Dave

peace, love, groove

Well, Tim recorded both performances Sunday. We have 4 videos of the 3:30 and 3 of the 7:30. The best from me was the 7:30. Tim's recording should be much better than my camera. Here's is the intro Phil Maki wrote:

“Overture to St. Joseph”

David K. Maki

In 1984, David Maki was selected by the City of St. Joseph to compose a piece in honor of the City’s sesquicentennial, its 150^th birthday.

The name of the piece that David wrote is the “Overture to St. Joseph”. Before today, the piece has been played only one time by the St. Joseph Municipal Band in 1984 conducted by Mr. John E. N. Howard.

David Maki was a well-known local musician and sound recording engineer. His formal musical training was received at Western Michigan University, the University of Michigan and the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. David began his musical career at the age of 6 and he continued to play a wide variety of musical styles until his death in October 2010 at the age of 52.

David’s wife LeeAnn, his many friends and family hope you enjoy “Overture to St. Joseph”.

Here's is the link to my best video: Overture to St. Joseph

peace, love, groove

Sunday

Pictures: Band shell 3:30 performance, 7:30 performance; Katie drinking a Coke; Al, Joni, Tim and Wayne after the concert; All In Love plaque.

Pictures: Team Trivia- waiting for food with # on their heads: Kay and Catherine; another pictures of "Dave's mural".

I can't believe how much was packed into the last 3 weeks. The high school reunion was great fun, All In Love week was amazing and this weekend the St Joseph Municipal Band repeated their performance of Dave's composition "Overture to St Joseph". This was the first performance since 1984. I'll share pictures and video soon. We didn't know that the performance would happen until Thursday evening, so many didn't know in time. There have been a lot of comments like "band music?" "you can tell Dave was a percussisonist" I think everyone who attended felt moved by Dave's spirit and musical talent. This piece brings out his personality...rhythm with a beautiful melody. He is/was so talented and left so much of "him" here with us. It's time for me to start going through all of the music and get it out there...and I need some help. It WILL happen.

peace, love, groove

Time flew by...

Wow- what an awesome week. Last weekend was our high school reunion. Friday night at Babes, Saturday the reunion and Sunday breakfast to Big Boy! Tuesday I took my mom to my aunt's house in Chesaning, MI to prep for a family reunion. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and today I got to spend time with the All In Love gang. Great fun. Friday and Saturday night - All In Love at Czar's. Saturday morning drove back up to Chesaning for the reunion and then to Czar's by 8:30 pm. We sold peace, love, groove bracelets at the benefit (All In Love) and made about $500 to 600 for the animal charities. BONUS! I'm really pooped! I think I need a week off to recover from my vacation.

It was so good to meet up with friends of Dave's and other friends who watched the blog and followed Dave's story. Reconnecting with high school friends and being around the All In Love family has made this a very meaningful 10 days. Thanks for including me and honoring my Davie. Love you all!

peace, love, groove