MARCH 2009 GUESTBOOK André Rieu Fans
Over the past 30 years André Rieu has been bringing his beautiful music not only to his home town of Maastricht, all over Europe, South America and the United States Of America with his latest conquest being the continent of Australia.
The world has become a better place with his music and along with his JSO has brought happiness, peace and contentment and even healing to so many people who love him.
Please join us this month in honoring André and tell us how you discovered André and how he and his JSO have changed your life.
Welcome to the March Guestbook
André Rieu Fans and Friends
From when I was a very young girl I have loved Johan Strauss music, he has been my favourite composer and when I first heard Andre and JSO on Foxtel at a friends place I was sold/hooked/addicted, next day went out and bought as many of his different DVD's as I could find and booked a ticket for his concert at Subiaco Stadium and it most definately was the BEST concert I have been to, it is so happy, joyous and uplifting, every one looks so happy, and if I can save enough $$$ will be at his one in Melbourne in October.
Music is good for your body, your mind and your soul.
Thank you Andre and the JSO for bringing so much joy and happiness to so many people/
Love to you all
Margaret. Perth Austrlia
I too have always loved Johann Strauss music and classical music in general. I am from a family of 6. My mother was a school teacher who loved music & knew the importance of music in our lives. Though not wealthy & during the depression she gave each of us 6 children music lessons. We loved to play and sing together at home so music has always been calming & uplifting to me. Last year my husband was doing taxes & put the TV on PBS and a guy named Andre Rieu was on. We both fell in love with his music. The music that we loved when dating, now married for 51 years. I immediately made a pledge of $100 for my first Andre DVD, then bought tickets to our first concert from PBS for our 51st wedding anniversary. The next day I went to Border books and bought all the DVD's of Andre that they had, then ordered others from Amazon & Andre's boutique. With the exception of "Welcome to our world" I now have all but one of his DVD's. With the exception of Arthur Fiedler of "The Boston Pops orchestra" Andre has a special gift of consuming/enveloping you with his style of music. If I am depressed or having a bad day I just pop
in a DVD and get lost in his environment wherever he is recording the show from. We will see him for our 52nd anniversary in May. Thanks to Andre for his wonderful music that has brought us wonderful hours together & he always throws me a kiss at the end of the DVD.
I first became aware of Andre Rieu and the JSO, when I saw the Albert Hall performance shown on the ABC (Australia) one Sunday afternoon. I fell in love with the performance, so the next day I went to the ABC Shop to buy the DVD. I was informed that it was not released. They only had one copy of his CD 'Celebration' which I purchased. I went to all the music stores and no one knew what I was talking about. After some time I called into the JB Hi-Fi store, and a young lady did a search on her computer and told me she would place an order for me. She could not guarantee if I would get them. Over the next six months I kept order more and more CD's and DVD's. I also wrote to Andre and asked him to come to Australia. I also wrote to the promotions company who brought out Adrea Boccelli, asking them to bring out Andre Rieu and informed them of his website.
I now have a large collection of DVD's and CD's, my latest being 'Wedding at The Opera'. I have given away a lot of CD's and DVD's as presents and promote him and JSO where ever I go.
When I heard he was coming to Australia, I could not get good seats in Sydney or Melbourne so I flew to Adelaide with some friends of mine who live just around the corner from me. What a fabulous performance by all those who were involved. I have my tickets for the 2009 performance in Newcastle. I purchased 2 tickets, even though I am single, because I will find someone to join me by that date.
I always compare Andre Rieu and JSO with other orchestras. In my eyes, there is nothing to see with the other performers, only nice to listen to. With Andre & JSO there is plenty to see and to hear........which is FABULOUS!
May Andre and The Johann Strauss Orchestra perform for many years to come.
My greatest dream is to see Andre perform live in one of the most beautiful old opera houses in Europe.
Life is fabulous, with his music!
Udo - from Terrigal in Australia.
I have always loved music and singing plus dancing but Andre brought something new into my life....a kind of music that brings an atmosphere of peace..happiness.. a different kind of love for music and the enjoyment of it all...a closeness to the people that play such wonderful music and who show that they enjoy what they are doing just as much as the audience does.......classical music for all is a wonderful achievemen and a heart warming experience.....you can see so much happiness in every face even the little children who are taken to hear this wonderful music being played by the King of the waltz and the JSO orchestra.
Just now, more than ever, living in Victoria, Australia, Andre and his music has calmed my heart.. in the times of these horrendous fires.. which are stiil burning with hot weather and winds to equal Black Saturday just a couple of weeks ago as the weather is forcast for the coming week...his kindness in giving to the victims has been a real boost to many so may I take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Andre...the JSO and his team.........hope to see you in October when you get to Melbourne Andre...thanks for the music Forever Yours.
Joy and Bernard McKenzie
I don't know if he has changed my life so much as he has enriched it. His concerts,the music, other fans you meet, the whole "André experience" adds much pleasure to my life.
I wish you all a wonderful month of March. Spring is just around the corner.
I've read the comments by Joy, Udo and Margaret and was touched by all your words. You have all expressed beautifully how I'm sure it is for everyone.
I believe that André fulfills a need in all our hearts and souls, a need for peace, happiness and of course health. The music that André and the JSO plays touches all of us with it's beauty and with life.
Jeanine Ann, I love the picture and words for this months entry. It's very nice.
I only wished that I knew of André for all those 30 years, but now, I'll take every moment I can get. I listen to him all the time, his music touches me like no one else.
Sally, you're planting tomatoes? Here March is coming in like a lion. We're getting 12 - 18 inches of snow! It's snowing now, supposed to slow down for awhile and then really hit. Just brought little Johann inside where I guess he'll have to be for a couple of days. I'm on the water so probably won't get more than a foot but my sister is inland and she always gets a lot and loses her power for a couple of days. If I lose mine it's usually for a matter of hours at the most. If the worst happens I can always get into bed with my portable CD player and a good book. Less than two months now before we see Andre here. I wish I could remember what I did with all my time before Andre entered my life in 1996.
Hi Virginia, I sure am starting tomatoes. NorCal has had two weeks of good rain, with bright sunny skies so we are ready for an indoor start, with plants to go outside in a matter of 4 to 6 weeks.
Johann would think my cats are sissies. I can't imagine Monster or Timmi going outside in the snow.
I would love to live in an area with seasons at least one year of my life. I want to see snow, the turning of colors, real seasons. (now I think I might be the sissy, and after the year, run home to California and the sunshine)
Shirley I asked my U3A class this morning if anyone knew where Blinky Bill got his name. Most people thought it was a combination of nice aliteration and the fact that koalas blink a lot in the daytime.
I hadn't heard the word blinky used in the context you mentioned before.
Jill, I think the term "blinky milk" is an American thing, probably the south & midwest part of our states. Blinky milk is an unpleasant taste to milk just before it turns sour.
It's not good to drink but it could be used in baked goods. I don't think many people use that phrase anymore, but I'll never forget what it tasted like. When we had cereal for breakfast sometimes & we would pour the milk on the cereal & it had that certain taste, we knew, too late, it was blinky. We called it our morning surprise.
I have always loved classical music. I talked my father into taking me shopping for records when I was but 3 years old. Along with Ricky Nelson & Elvis Presley 45s, I selected Classical LPs.
I started piano lessons when I was 6. My instructor, Mrs. Ostrum made certain I played not only songs for young children but classical pieces as well.
Then I saw Andre Rieu & his JSO on PBS. This was Classical, yet it wasn't. This was Old, yet it was New. Most of all this was BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. I had to have it.
The very next day I was looking for all I could find of Andre Rieu.
I remember I put up pages on my old aol account, but wanted to do more. I couldn't find any websites in English. (Do you all remember when Andre did not have a website?) I found other little hidden pages in subdirectories, tilde accounts, but no real websites.
So, I started AndreRieuFans.com and wow did that change things! After a year or so, I put up the first BLOG. And again my life did change.
I met the wonderful Moderators who help all of us everyday, I met many wonderful fans and many members of the Johann Strauss Orchestra and even Andre Rieu himself.
All changes from this Positive Music have been wonderful. I am thankful to all the Fans and to Andre, his wife Marjorie, Pierre & Marc, the JSO and the Crew for sharing their lives with us.
!!!HERE'S TO 30 MORE YEARS!!!
Gosh Sally, I couldn't even begin to come close to what you have done for André fans.
I love the experience you have shared about the how's and why's of your first
connection with André's music. I also enjoyed what you said about his music being Classical, yet wasn't, and old, yet it was new, and that you had to have it. Interesting. I've heard so many say they "had to have it", or "couldn't get enough" or "I was hooked" in regards to André's style and music, even after their first experience with his music.
I can only say that when I first learned of André (Live in Dublin)five years ago, and heard his beautiful music and enjoyed that first PBS program, I knew that I had to have more. I immediately went out and bought my first cd and dvd. That of course, didn't satisfy me, I had to have everything I could find about André. I do believe that in that first month or so afterwards, I put André in the "Artist of the Month" category at our local Barnes & Noble bookstore.
After I bought my first cd and dvd, I went online and found you, and this has been a most wonderful experience for me. I've never seen a more positive, friendly and informative website than this one.
Yes, another 30 years with André and the JSO, the music and the fun, would be perfect!
Oh I don't mean to imply "I" did something. I think everyone did something for me.
Andre provided beautiful music to soothe and delight. Music to make my toes wiggle and heart sing.
The Fans provide a friendship that is unique with our shared bond. Uniting but not Limiting.
Sally, do you know when Andre first had his website? We first saw him on TV in 2003,when I went out to try & find some of his music I had no luck.A young friend of mine later suggested that he must have a website but it was not til 2004 that I looked.He did have one then but I wouldn't know when he first started his. I found yours in 2004 too.I was so surprised to find out that he would be coming to America & even more surprised that he had already been here before. We didn't get to our first concert til 2005.When we first saw him on TV, I remember we both were spellbound, we had never seen anything like this before & when we found out he would be coming we knew we had to go! A dvd is good, but there's nothing like a "live" concert.
Shirley, I would say that Andre's current style website came on sometime in 2004. He had a "static" webpage before that which was in Dutch with a couple of photo's. It used to take a long time load I remember. I can remember that one on my old old computer that I got rid off in 2001. So I am probably talking 1999/2000, but it was certainly not interactive. Amazing you know, only 8 years ago my good computer had a hard drive capacity of 740MB. It had Windows 3.1.1 on it and I thought it was amazing. I wrote my first book on that little computer, did all the editing, graphics and picture insertion ready for the publisher. Nowadays I have 500GB of storage. Some of the emails today would not fit on that old computer !!!
Hi Grayeme,Computers have certainly come a long way haven't they? I think we got our first one from a friend, a used one from his office.Can't remember what version it had but he said we needed to get Windows '95 on it. We didn't use it much back then, didn't even know that much (still don't), but it was good to learn on. Got me a dummy book & just did what it said. And we were on dial-up too. Talk about slooow. didn't do much with it til I retired in 96. Went to broadband & XP when it came out. Now trying to decide where to go from here, not looking forward to Windows 7, didn't like the looks of Vista, so here I am, stuck in XP, but I do like it. It keeps me in touch.
I can remember thinking 4G of hard drive space was huge. haha. Now anything less than 4G of RAM would upset me.
Sally you need a BIG workhorse of a machine. I don't really need so much for what I do but I would like to have a little more ram, just in case. I got a t-shirt that says "Out Of Memory" but I think that's for my head.haha
Grayeme, I remember writing in the web from André, the GB in l998 and all the critics could go in and people answered and all the e-mails. I got constantly mails from strangers, some super nice, some real mentally challenged, haaaaaa, but now the GB is not interesting anymore since it is all censured.
I don't recall the year. I know when I first looked there was no site. I would guess that was around 2000. The domain its self was registered in 1999.
hi sally - funny you should mention ricky nelson and elvis presley. when i was 3 or 4 i would listen to their albums on my oldest sister's (she was 12 years older - 15 - 16 years old) record player. great memories.
those were the good days in some ways. as you said, Andre's music is new. thanks for the lovely input.
love peace
and
grace
xxoo
Just got a notice my "greatest hits" cd has been shipped. whoopie!
I normally make my car cds according to the songs I like, yet someone suggested to me I listen to the Greatest Hits CD as it is sent...1, 2, 3, 4, ..... They enjoyed the songs in sequence. I'll have to try it and hear the flow of the music. How exciting you are getting a new CD!!
I just read the list of American cities Andre is visiting. I'm so looking forward to hearing about the concerts. I wonder if it is the same show he is bringing to Australia in October. I noticed there is no mention of the Schonnbrun set.
I do have a nice concert to look forward to this month though - only 24 days to go till we go to Sydney to see Mary Duff.
Jill, I haven't heard what program he will be using here, I know he mentioned he would like to do the Schonnbrun set here in America but so far I've not heard of any plans for this year.It will be interesting to see what his program will be in Australia, it may be completely different from ours. You mention Mary Duff, we are fans of hers as well. We usually see her here with Daniel O'Donnell. Never saw her in a concert of her own.We always enjoy her songs.Lucky you.
Do you have a List of of names of the Dvd's Made around the world of Andre Rieu Concerts
How many Dvd's in the collection?
Kind Regards
Geoff
what a man to do what he has to help us with our bushfie appeal not only is he a top musician he has the lot
i didn here of him till he came to australia now i cant get enough of him cant wait for his cncrt in october the band must have lots of fun as you can see it when they play by watching there faces Andre would be Daddy of them all and well looked after
Questions for anyone: 1. In the 2003 DVD "Tuscany", who is the clairnet/saxophone player (gold dress) with dark hair next to Manoe Konings? This musician was featured during the "Vino" selection in this DVD. She also lead during the "Second Waltz" in earlier DVD's. Anyone know her name or what she is doing these days?? 2. In the same "Tuscany" DVD, some people have suggested that Resie Vahsen is sitting in the front row of the audience (several obvious camera shots). If you have the DVD, look at the introduction of "O Mio Babbino Caro". If that's Resie in the front row, she's wearing a red jacket and glasses....There are several more DVD closeups that follow, so is that "our Resie" ?? Thanks.
answer to #1 is, her name is Renate Dirix, she was with Andre and company for a few years, but now, having her own group of girls, formed a medieval type of music group, she has her own website, i just have to come up with the name. I will work on your second question, will put the DVD in, and check.
YOU CAN CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE reincarnatus.com OK?
SORRY, I CANNOT CONFIRM THE ANSWER TO YOUR 2ND QUESTION, I AM WATCHING THIS BEAUTIFUL DVD RIGHT NOW, BUT I FOUND NO RESIE.
THE LAST I HAVE SEEN HER ON THE SCHONBRUNN DVD.
OK Bill. Thanks for the effort. I did not recognized Renate or Linda in their medieval group's dress. I have enjoyed both perform.
I first saw Andre Rieu on PBS in the United States, then I happened to be in Vienna when they did a concert at Schoenbrunn and I got a ticket and saw them in person. Wow! I fell madly in love with Suzan Erens, and still am. Her solo part of "I Will Follow Him" is the most glorious minute in the entire history of music. I can't wait for May 26 (Denver), I just wish Suzan could be there. Is there any possibility that she would appear again with Andre Rieu, even occasionally? I would travel VERY far.
Wasn't the number you are mentioning on the New York- Radio City Music Hall concert?
she sang "i belong to me" on the Schonbrunn DVD
Yes. I did not see her in New York, just on that DVD. I did not know there was a gospel version of "I Will Follow Him", so when it began, it seemed like an interesting and harmonious treatment of a popular song from when I was in high school (1963). Oh, my, did THAT change. -- Jon
To Jonathan Lawson: This AR Production version is actually from "Sister Act" and Andre mentioned this in the introduction to the Harlem Gospell Choir/JSO Choir rendition. If you want to see the ORIGINAL 1963 Little Peggy March version, go to YouTube.com and search "Peggy March 1963". Sit down when you do and you should see a black-and-white 15-year-old Peggy sing the original "I Will Follow Him" as you recalled. Cheers !
Jonathan,I don't think there was a gospel version til the movie "Sister Act" came out. I remember the original came out by Peggy March. There were several popular songs in that movie that were given a gospel flavor, I remember Shout and Rescue Me, they were not written to be gospel either, but the movie was quite clever in the way they presented those songs.
There's always that possibility.When she might have free time.same with Carla & Carmen, who will be joining the Canada & US tour this Spring, although they are no longer with Andre doesn't mean they might not appear with him occasionally. Maybe Suzan would in the future. She has been a singer with the Platin Scala for awhile now.Good luck with your search.
Have any fans received copies of "Yours Forever" CD from Australia as yet ???
Just wondering.
No Grayeme and I am just dying for a copy. I know they are coming but of course it is a long way to travel by mail. I am so glad that things are going better for you and your country. I hope that is the end of the fires. Now I know the people have so much rebuilding to do but how do you replace the lives that were lost. So sad. What is new on finding the person(s) responsible? Hugs to you
Not yet, still waiting.
WE FANS HAVE REALLY GOOD TASTE! WE GOT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN THIS DVD AND CD, DIDN'T WE? ENJOY IT!
I have bought my copies from JB Hifi in Adelaide suburbs. The order was delivered about 2 weeks later than expected and I had several trips to find it. It was not advertised in the shop so needed to look for it. Big W sells Andre dbd's books and Cds but not singles so was not available there. It is in the Aria singles chart for the second week only and is currently at no:14. Andre has the top 3 places in the DVD chart.
Some very good rain and much cooler conditions across Victoria appear to have brought to an end the Bushfire crisis that has plagued the people of Victoria for the past month.
Now the massive job of rebuilding the towns and lives of so many can begin in earnest.
Huge Demand For Sound Relief Tickets
March 04, 2009 - Global | Touring | Rock and Pop
By Lars Brandle, Brisbane
Australia's Sound Relief concerts sold more than 100,000 tickets after going on sale today (March 4), raising upwards of $7.5 million Australian ($4.8 million) for the country's main bushfire and flood appeals.
The March 14 concerts will be staged simultaneously at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney Cricket Ground, headlined by an international bill of past and present stars including Kings of Leon, Coldplay, Midnight Oil, Jack Johnson and Split Enz.
A consortium led by legendary local promoter Michael Chugg, ARIA Awards producer Mark Pope and Homebake promoter Joe Segreto is handling the Sydney leg, which will cater to 50,000 ticket holders. Local impresario Michael Gudinski will oversee the Melbourne event, which has raised its capacity to 73,000 guests.
Tickets for each show cost $75 Australian ($48.50). All the profits from the Melbourne leg will be donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, while money raised from the Sydney concert will be split 50-50 to benefit the bushfire appeal and the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund Appeal, in support of victims of the Queensland floods.
The staggering opening ticket sales figure means roughly 30,000 of the 130,000-plus tickets were still available between both venues at the close of business hours on Wednesday.
Soon after tickets were released to the public at 9am local time, ticketing firm Ticketek's online system briefly crashed due to the overwhelming demand. Organizers swiftly responded with a press statement, which explained that "issues with the Ticketek system are causing delays." A spokesperson for Gudinski's Frontier Touring says the glitch was quickly ironed out.
Thanks Sally for this article.
Rieu given high French honor
Andre Rieu receives high French distinction. The French ambassador in our country, Jean-François Blarel, presents the internationally popular violinist from Maastricht on Thursday the regalia associated with the knighthood of the Order of Arts and Letters. This will take place in the Dutch capital in Limburg.
Limburger.nl Photo Harry Heuts
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) is an Order of France and its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Up to 200 knights in the Order may be named per year, with fewer receiving the Officer and highest Commander rank. French recipients must be at least 30 years old, but no age restriction applies to foreign inductees.
Hey all,
Happy march!! IT almost time for Andre to come to the USA!!!!
Thanks
-Jeff
Hello everyone. I just received my DVD of André's Greatest Hits and I must say
it is so wonderful to have so many of many favorites on one DVD. I have played part of it and now I am going to play the rest. Have a great weekend.
I DID PLAY IT SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY! NOT THAT I DO NOT HAVE THIS MUSIC ON ALL THE DVDS I DO HAVE, BUT HAVE OUR FAVORITES ON ONE DVD, IT IS A GREATEST TREAT! THANK YOU ANDRE AND JSO FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THIS MUSIC REPRESENT, YOU JUST MADE YOUR FANS THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE! CONGRATULATION ON YOUR 30 YEARS IN THIS BUSINESS, WISH YOU MANY-MANY MORE! I DO HOPE ONE OF YOUR DREAM WILL COME THROUGH, TO LIVE TO BE 105!
Hi Marilyn: I think some of those videos are different angles than we've seen before. I haven't done a side by side but it seems that way to me.
And soon.....our concerts !!!!!!!!!
I just got my Forever Yours in the mail. I had ordered from the Music Shop.I have not watched my Greatest Hits yet, I really was wanting the cd because I can listen & still get my work done. With the dvd I won't be able to resist sitting down to watch, I can't get anything done that way!
SHIRLEY, I DO FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO. THIS IS LOST HEROES FOR ME. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, I GET GOOSEBUMPS, JUST TO THINK ABOUT IT, THAT IS WHAT I GET FROM BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. IF SOMEONE WOULD SAY AFTER THIS CD, ANDRE HAS NO SOUL, NO FEELING NO COMPASSION, NOT CLASSICAL ENOUGH, THOSE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW, WHAT THEY DO TALK ABOUT IT. MUSIC IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING ON EARTH, JUST LIKE HE SAYS, GET PEOPLE TOGETHER, MAKE PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME, DESPITE THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE. MUSIC DOES NOT NEED THE SAME LANGUAGE, IT DOES FEEL THE SAME, AT ANY LANGUAGE. THANKS ANDRE, TO BE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING.
Piano, you are right about the music. A lot of the music that Andre plays I've heard most of my life, but Andre puts a new freshness into it, something unique & special. It comes to life in a new way, and to watch them play at a concert or on dvd, well I just feel like I took a happy pill!
HIS PERSONALITY, THAT IS WHAT MAKES ME PLAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. NEVER GET ENOUGH BEAUTIFUL MUSIC LIKE THIS AND NATURALLY HIS UNIQUE WAY TO PRESENT IT.
When: 28/03/2009 - 30/03/2009
Andre Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra in JAPAN 2009
Venue: International Forum Hall A
In 1994, Phillips Netherlands, Andre Rieu released his debut single 'Shall We Waltz I'.It instantly entered the top ten charts, and remained lodged at the charts for a record 52 weeks. Afterwards, the album became a huge hit throughout Europe, and by 1995, achieved over one million sales . His popularity spread to US as well. 'Shall We Waltz I' reached No.2 in Billboard classical chart for months.
After 'Shall We Waltz II' landed in Top 8, Andre was called "The Waltz King". In 1999, he released his album 'La Vie Est Belle', followed by his long-awaited dreams of realizing his concert in Japan. The concert attracted 20 thousand audiences in Tokyo alone, which ended on a high note.
Shortly after, Andre released his roots traced album 'Dreaming', a collection of especially romantic numbers Andre used to listen in his childhood. By 2002, Andre went on his first tour around Japan, which made him popular nationwide. That year, he released 'Love Around the World'. After releasing 'Romantic Paradise' in 2003, he attracted 45 thousand audiences with 17 performances taken place in 10 cities.
Furthermore, in commemoration of 25 years of his musical activity, he released a limited edition 2 CD set of the above title and spawned his first DVD 'Love Around the World'.
In 2004, he drew more than 50 thousand audiences with 18 performances in 11 cities.
Thanks to Shirley for finding this
You would think "Mother Nature" would be sick to death of tearing Australia apart by now...but no..she is not finished yet. We have been watching Cyclone Hamish (Hurricane in US talk) menacing our Queensland coast for about a week now. Hamish is a Catergory 4 storm packing the same punch as "Katrina". It is now only about 250 miles north east of Brisbane. Historically, our biggest floods in Brisbane and Northern NSW have been caused by cyclones that do exactly what Hamish is doing. It is extremely rare for a cyclone to still be Catergory 4 this low down the coast. Our Weather Bureau is saying that it should weaken today, but their track record on forecasting weather is about as good as mine is at picking winners at the racetrack. I am a great believer in watching the ants when bad weather is around. Over the last 2 days, every ant within 500 yards of my place has refuge in the cavity of the brickwork at my house. If I could see in there I am sure it would resemble Mexico City.
At the very least, I think we are going to get some very big flood rains out of this.
GRAYENE, WE WILL PRAY THAT IT DIMINISHES & ESPECIALLY BEFORE IT REACHES YOU.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE AUSTRALIAN VERSION OF 100 GEATEST MOMENTS BUT THEY ONLY COME IN PAL. YOU ONCE TOLD ME HOW TO GET IT TO WORK IN THE USA. WOULD YOU REPEAT THE INFO. IF YOU WOULD RATHER SEND IT TO ME IN AN EMAIL, I GIVE SALLY OR JEANINE ANN PERMISION TO GIVE YOU MY EMAIL ADDRESS SO I COULD WRITE THE INFO DOWN AND SEE WHO COULD HELP ME ACCOMPLISH THE TRANSFORMATION. THANKS, MARGUERITE
I've been reading all about it. Fires, floods,earthquakes,cyclones, sharks. Yikes! I wondered who is shaking things up down there. Interesting about the ants. I just noticed some coming into the kitchen today, we've had a bit of rain but not that much.
It is the same over here also. What about the major storms in the midwest yesterday, and more coming. What about the severe drought? What about the almost daily wildfires, because the dryness? It is a tragedy anyplace in the World.
About the ants - I was told a couple of years ago that to get rid of ants in the house all you have to do is ask them to leave. Explain to them they upset you and their place is outside. The expression on your face now Shirley is no doubt the same as was on mine when I was told this. The person trying to convince me this works said, "you don't have to believe me, just try it."
So, when no-one was listening, I did. Unbelievable I know, but the next day the ants were gone. I've tried it several times since when they've reappeared and it works. Now I'm not shy about letting people hear me talking to the ants - but they no doubt think I'm nuts anyway.
Anyway, that's my comment for the day. I'd better sign off!
We are not "laughing" !!! are we Shirley ???.
OH YES WE ARE! I am almost rolling on the floor. I guess I'll try anything once but I gotta tell you, Dan will think I've gone completely bonkers!
Geesh is right, Shirley !!!......you should not encourage her.........Geesh only knows what she will come up with next.!!!!
Ok Jill, I read this to my brother and as I was reading it he started talking to the ants we have in the house, telling them that they need to leave, that their place is outside. I imagine they are in here because it's cold outside and snowy/icy/rainy. We'll see what happens tomorrow. I hope that while they are listening to us telling them to leave, it doesn't bother them that we were laughing at the same time.
Don't forget the earth tremor we had down here on Friday night in Melbourne too - I was watching TV at the time and it really rattled the house and the dogs started howling! Mother Nature is very cross with us this year! And when I was a child in north western NSW in the country, the ants always started building up the sides of their nests very high when rain was imminent. They were always right!
And there has been yet another shark attack in Sydney late last week. It's all crazy.
I'll be expecting a lot of good news about everyone's ant problem by tomorrow morning!!!!!!
I worry about the sharks too. They scare me. I refused to surf in Florida because I was worried about the big fish...no way!!
When I lived in Florida (over 10 years) I got to know the ants very well. Florida is the ant capital of the world I think and I swear our house was built on an anthill. But I became an expert at getting rid of them but not by talking to them. I would track them to the place where they were coming in (the man from Sears showed me how to do it, guess he got tired of coming to our house) and you must get them where the queen is. You put the bait in their track (they usually travel back and forth in a line) and they will take the bait back to the queen. When the queen is dead that is it at least for that colony. The fire ants are a different thing, they will not get in the house but they form a colony in the ground and it becomes a big mound. Those you stay away from and put granules on the mound and water it down. They will die in about 24 hours. I hated those things. They got under my garden gloves once and you never saw anyone move so fast to get those gloves off but they already did the damage. They burn and itch at the same time. Now the Carpenter ants live in the trees and they form a trail as the little ghost ants (they are hard to see but I have very good eyes) : ) so you get rid of them with the same bait only more of it.
Well that is my story of the ants. They are even worse in Key West. I had to take bait with me on our trips down there to keep them out of the B&B where we stayed. We don't have a lot of ants here in Pa. but we have more different insects than I have ever seen in my life. We live in the mountain area and I am a city girl and never saw all these guys before. Hugs
Well Jeanine Ann, sounds like you got to be quite the ant expert.
Jill, see what you started?
Yeah, me too. Florida has some of the most beautiful beaches, but I couldn't get past thinking about them sharks.
I'm sorry, they didn't like me laughing.
I'm going to be serious the next time I talk to them...it's a little warmer out today, so they may have more intention on going outside this time.
I'll try much harder next time...I promise
Don't give up Marlene, I really think there is something in this. It is far too early for me to give a full analysis as yet, but what I can say is that I have established a dialogue with the ants and talks are progressing well.
Ants apparently have a heirachy system and there are certain procedures that must be adhered to. I am eternally grateful for the assistance being given me by "Spin" with his knowledge of both the Ant and Human languages...oh sorry, getting ahead of myself there. "Spin" is the little Wisdom Spider that swung down from the Waterspout to find out what was going on when he heard me talking to the ants through the wall. Anyway he has offered to act as a go-between.
oh !! gotta go, "Spin" is rattling the insect screen on the door - he was having a meeting with Anton who is in charge of colony housing -Antaccom. It seems like they have a similar system to our Congress, Antgress, they have "ants" where as we have "cons".
........coming "Spin".....!!!!
Grayeme, I'm proud of your progress with the ants. Progress is so rewarding, isn't it?
Let us know how the meetings go...I just hope the Antgress doesn't mess everything up.
Oh my, beware of "Spin", you know he can't be trusted. Remember the "spider & the fly"? "Spin" can be very deceptive.
I read about that earthquake. Sad and Scary. Enough is Enough. I keep all of Australia in my prayers.
Hey Jeanine Ann,
I never realized that there were so many ants in flordia and they go into peoples houses. It must have been uncomfortable. I will be off to florida in about 2 weeks, lets hope I dont get to meet to many ants. lol Thanks
-Jeff
Come on you guys, how cruel finding ways
to get rid of your aunts; personally I would love to have all my aunts over for
a gab session. My aunts are always full of fun and jokes, and we party into the wee hours having a blast. I love my aunts - now my uncle'd.....well, they just don't seem to crawl and party like my 'aunts'. Just had to put my bait out
to see if you follow my aunts story. What more can I add?, I am a creepy crawler having fun. Aunts off to you.
IS THIS A LITTLE JOKE ABOUT SPELLING IN ENGLISH?
I just could'nt resist - I'm on a much stronger medication for this lingering
cold bug, that I am feeling a bit frisky
and to say the least just plain ole silly, silly, silly. No puns intended, I
have a 'Critter Ridder' book, I'm going
to see what recepie they have for getting rid of these pesty ants. Stay tuned. Off the walls, and now on the floor.
Piano, I think she's been drinking too much of that kickapoo joy juice!
I DO AGREE SHIRLEY, I WISH MY AUNT COULD BE HERE, SHE IS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE, SHE WOULD BE MY GUEST FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.
Haaaaaaaa, your ant stories are funny. My daughter had a lot of ants in her garden and patio in her first apartment in Munich. As she always forgot to get some stuff to feed them, I got tired of the lot marching in the living room, so I boiled some water and put it right in the ant holes, that must have killed a few hundred , but not all, they multiply fast, but at least as long I was there for a visit, we had peace. the next summer she moved, haaaaaa!
I went out to discuss the problem with the ants in my garden after reading how the American ants aren't taking any notice when asked to leave. They told me to tell you need to ask them in an Australian accent.
Ok, now I understand...
Let's see...I'll practice tonight while asleep and in the morning I'll go in there and hit them with my practiced Australian accent!
Yeah, this is getting interesting.
I am an old fan of André Rieu and will fly from Lisbon (Portugal) to attend his performance on the Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on May 26th. It is like a dream! First time at a André Rieu Concert!
Well have a wonderful time! I know you will enjoy yourself. It is just lovely that you are taking the time to come all that way to see Andre's wonderful concert.
I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Andre truly has a magical, musical touch and he touches the hearts and lives of many.
Blesses to you and have a safe journey.
Grace
xxoo
Thanks Grace! Nice words!
By the way it is April 26th not May...
If you come along give me a word.
Bye!
Joaquim
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO CHECK HIS AGENDA AGAIN,BECAUSE HIS MAY 26TH CONCERT WILL BE IN DENVER COLORADO AT THE PEPSI CENTER.
You gave me a scare!
Furtonately you are wrong
26 May 2009
8:00PM Denver, COUSA Pepsi Center
Denver is May. I am going on April.
As I have already paid for the tickets..
Bye!
ARE YOU GOING TO THE CONCERT IN NJ, OR COLORADO? THE ONLY REASON I DID MENTION, BECAUSE YOU WROTE MAY 26TH IN NEW JERSEY! SO, WHERE YOU GOING TO GO TO SEE HIM?
I am so happy for you to be going to your first concert. I know it will be special for you. I hope you will let us know your thoughts about it later.
Thanks for the nice words!
I wonder if someone going to the same concert is reading these entries!
bye!
Joaquim
I am sure they are reading these posts Joaquim. I am hoping you can meet some fans there. Big hugs to you.
Sorry, that's me again. In fact I wrote May, but I was wrong (writting). It is April.
Bye!
Thanks Moderator Piano for the update of Andre's concert. Hopefully Joaquim reads this. It would be terrible to go to New Jersey when Andre will be in Colorado!
love peace
and
grace
xxoo
I AM EXCITED FOR YOU. I KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY IT.
Thanks Sally! I will certainly give my impressions about the concert as soon as I get back home!
Bye!
Joaquim
My name is Anton, I'm an ant
With my friends I love to chant
"Come and catch us if you can
To make us vanish, have a plan"
Marlene nearly has it right,
Jeanine Ann thinks we need a fright
Denise knows us and what we like
And Jeff is going on a hike
Piano thinks you're all quite mad
While Sally had wise words to add
Judith doesn't like us much
But Inge thinks she's got the touch
Spin and Grayeme make quite a crew
We laugh so much to see these two
Shirley thinks it's all a joke
One day we'll surprise you folk
Whatever would Dear Andre say
If he looked in The Blog today?
1 ant, 2 ants , 3 ants 4
our picnic is their grocery store
5 ants 6 ants 7 ants 8
they are crawling on my plate
8 ants 7 ants
stomp around
6 ants 5 ants
on the ground
4 ants 3 ants
on the run
2 ants 1 ant
no more fun.
All gone!
Haaaaaaa, quite some poetic talents here, Jill and Prudence, well done!
I surrender !!!
Spin and I are out of here
Can't compete with you "old dears".
Oh dear, now we've gone & done it,'aven't we? So sorry sir, but you see this is what happens when we've been André deprived for so long.
Jill, this is very clever. my ants have moved, from the kitchen to the bathroom now. so you say I need the aussie accent? haha, well I will try & see how that works. no promises though.
I will call you Shirley, and see if my hungarian accent would work? Kati
Are we still discussing ants? I just hope we don't become buggy : ) It is too early for ants here but of course in Florida they are around all year. I still think bait is better than words for these ants.
Hey all,
Wow the ant thing has gone on for quite a while lol, but its all good. (just finished putting the ant traps out on the site, hopefull they wont come in) lol. Only 40 days until the new hampshire concert!! I bet everyone is so excited to go see Andre!!!!!!
thanks
take care all-Jeff
Hi Jeff. Where are you sitting. We will be in NH also. We are in center section row 5 seats 1 and 2.
Australian Charts this week.
DvD Chart
No. 1. DANCING THROUGH THE SKIES........ Andre Rieu
No. 2. LIVE IN MAASTRICHT II .........Andre Rieu
No. 3. LIVE IN AUSTRALIA .........Andre Rieu
Physical Singles Chart
No. 1. YOURS FOREVER........ Andre Rieu
Andre is truly relentless in the Australian Charts.
WAY TO GO ANDRE. This is very like you.
I've always had an interest in the different concert venues where Andre & the orchestra plays so I often try to find out something about them. Since he will soon be in Japan I checked out the Tokyo International Forum. A very interesting design of glass and steel, it's a very modern design.But since his tour will soon be starting here, and I love the theatre settings myself, I was curious about the Hammerstein Ballroom, this will be perfect for Andre, but I think the one I would like best is the very beautiful, ornate Fox Theatre in Detroit. In my opinion this one would be hard to beat. I love most of the Fox theatres because of their beauty & they are scattered all across the U.S. We even had one here at one time, but it is now a church. But the architectural beauty of most of these theatres is breathtaking and the one in Detroit is especially great. Lucky fans who will be going there.
I agree 100%. When they added the Hammerstein Ballroom I was tempted but am going to NH and Maastricht and felt that would be a bit much. Now that Radio City has been refurbished, it is a great venue for him. But I like the smaller ones even better. The elegance lends itself to his type of concert. I go, but in my mind a concert in a hockey arena does lose something. I understand why he chooses those venues but it's still a hockey arena. Last year I was in Bridgeport and somehow Suzan being Sisi just didn't translate well. The stage looks nice but one is not in a nice atmosphere (except for the fan enthusiasm). I believe one has a different mindset in a beautiful theater.
A hockey arena with Suzan in it IS a beautiful theater.
An update on the 4 kittens - they are three weeks old tonight and they are absolutely adorable. This will be a tough one to give them up. I will try to get some photos on. I am going to hold each one and take a photo during the day so I do not need flash. They are fun to watch and I pick them up and stroke them so they get used to the human touch.
By the way, Andre is on Twitter so if you want to sign up for an account you can follow him. It is very interesting to see who he is following. Of course I am following him! : ) Hugs to all
Hi Jeanine. Well, we have updates on Andre and updates on the kittens, how about an update on Clyde? Guess he has to take his place in line (just kidding).
Hi Virginia, oops forgot Clyde. Well he is doing so good that I forgot he was even sick. He is walking fine and the doctor discharged him weeks ago. Guess you did not see the post. So how is little Joey? Is he behaving himself? : ) I think Micetro is about Joey's age but not sure. I think she was born sometime last summer and now she is a Mom already. Hugs
Hello there, can you please explain about Twitter and how you can follow Andre there? I don't know this site.
Hello Denise, Twitter is a site where you can follow almost anyone you can think of. Go to Twitter.com and create an account. You can find your friends, radio stations, politicians and Andre has an account. You can see who he follows but he will not follow us. It is interesting to see who he follows. If you need any help please post here. Hugs
Thank you very much Jeanine Ann - a twittering I will go! Cheers!
Yes Shirley, it is fun isn't it to go "Googling" the venues and find out some of the history etc of these places.
I often go off and get lost for hours on some of these websites. Many a time the Sun rising over the horizon tells me I should have gone to bed.. ha ha...but so true...
Andre loves going to Japan, he has a real love for the people there. You know he is one of the only artist in the world that can get the Japanese up dancing and letting their hair down.
They are normally a very serious mob.
When the tours to Japan/Canada/US start we might do a daily post about the venue Andre is playing in !!!!
HI GRAYEME! VERY GOOD NOTES! I DO AGREE, THINKING OF THE CULTURE IN JAPAN, ONE WOULD THINK, THEY WOULD NOT KNOW WALTZ, YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY ARE TRYING, AND YES THEY DO HAVE A GREAT TIME. NEXT TIME, MAYBE WE WILL SEE THE CONGO ALSO. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED, THAY DO LEARN FAST WITH ANDRE, HE REALLY SHOWED THEM OVER THE YEARS, HOW TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.
Hello out there. Have I offened anyone?
Since my last posting about "aunts", just being silly and goofy with play on
the spelling of ants, I have been in total fan darkness. No emails or replys,
I was just having a little fun. And to answer to the suggestion of me being on the "juice", sorry to let you know, I do
not drink-can you imagine the silliness
if I did combine the two?? Just curious?
I'm sitting here, all alone, and cut off
from Andre's Fan site. **NOTE: To Shirley: looks like I will be seeing my
very first Andre Concert in Syracuse. I
can hardly wait. Happy Thoughts To All.
Hi Judith, not, I don't think you offended anyone at all. We were all just being silly. As for the drinking thing, not meant to imply anything really. You just sounded like you were bouncing off the walls, just kind of like we all were. I think it tends to get that way sometimes, especially when there's not much happening with Andre. I really am happy for you that you will be seeing your first concert. After that you will really be flying.
Of course you did not offend anyone Judith. Thats the beauty of the blog, when we have nothing to write about as "fans" we develope something to write about as "friends". That way we don't have any dull moments. I just went quiet because I have had a personal
upset...."Spin" has gone missing.....!!!
But I was warned about that too...!!!
A part of Spin's novelty is his constantly evolving nature. He must be working on his web of deceit. Time to call the spin doctors?
Hi there Judith. How could you ever offend anyone, in fact yesterday I just got a package from this wonderful fan and It couldn't have made me happier. Judith you are a very warm wonderful friend who just gives and gives. I want to thank you. I was going to email you but when I saw you were feeling alone I wanted to share my thank you with everyone so they could see how nice you are. I didn't mention your concert on the blog because I thought you would like to share this with everyone yourself. You will be blown away my dear. It will change your life and next year you will be looking forward to another I am sure.
So cheer up. Could you use a few nice photos of Andre?? I will get my printer working overtime and will send them to you (snail mail). I know that will make you feel better.
When it gets quiet here, don't worry Judith. We all have lives and I am playing with little kittens in between my work and the blog so we get quiet every now and then. Take care and I send you BIG hugs.
Thanks for getting back to me Grayeme and Shirley. I agree about the dry spell
on news, I also was getting hyper becuz
I was not receiving any blog email, just
began thinkin not positive thoughts, and
that is not in my character. But I am now re-juvinated and happy as a clam. May I ask who? what 'Spin' is? Should I
be keepin my eyes open for Spin? By the way, I am going to need info on proper
protecol in attending my first Concert.
What do all you experienced Concert goer's suggest. Do I go to my seat 1st?,
hang loose in the lobby?, rub elbows? its like, wow, I am gonna be in the same building. I need to hone my Concert
skills. This is a very big deal to me, I
feel like this is the beginning of some
big transition for me. Watch out world, here I come. Tonight is Andre Concert night for me with the latest DVD. I had
Waltzing Matilda on in the car as I ran
around doing chores getting all syked up
for the DVD tonight. So - hi-ho, hi-ho,
happily I go - not for long tho. Cheery
thoughts to all. :}
Judith, when you get into the venue the first thing you do is look for all that juicy Andre merchandise stand. You cannot miss it, there will be 1000 women around it and after the concert there will be 2000 there so if you have time you better get what you want and then find your seat. Wear that big button I sent to you and then fans will recognize you as another fan and they may talk with you. At least they will ask you where you got the button. We always have more comments about those buttons - they love them. I think I sent the Toronto button to you so I may make up another one for the 2009 spring tour for you. I must make a bunch of them anyway for the fans going with us to Reading and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Don't forget to make your way to the stage after the Radesky March (after the balloons fall) for the encores. There you can stand and watch Andre (as you slowly go bonkers) until the end of the concert. Don't forget your camera! I don't want to alarm you but you will never be the same after you see him. I know from experience! You will do fine Judith. Just ask any of us if you have any more questions. Hugs
Yo Jeanine Ann, I am glad you finally got the package, I was little leary at the girl in the P.O., she was new. As for some pics of Andre, I am sure that will finally rid my bad bout with this over stayed its welcome c-o-l-d. This new drug they gave me is Amoxi-silly-on,(not the real last spelling) and it has made me feel worse. I will be looking forward to getting some new pics and the road to recovering from this bug. I am awaiting all my instructions for my first time Concert event; I'll probally never be sitting in my seat. I already have ants in my pants. (ha-ha-ha-ha) I know, enough of the ants bit. Choppin at the bit with excitement. I know I am going to be a basket case. Loving thoughts to all.
Judith that drug is an antibiotic so be sure to take all of it unless you are having problems with it and feel worse, then call your doctor. Just take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. Hugs
There are two instructions for the concert. First, have the time of your life. Second, follow the first one.
Hello everyone, just wanted to say hi. I've had a long week and it's very hard to get into a talkative mood when you are very tired, so I haven't been on as often as I'd like.
I hope everyone is doing good and all situations are good ones.
Take care and have a great weekend!
Hi everyone,
I have had a long couple of months so I have been looking forward to a minivacation - just 3 days tacked onto this weekend, but it should feel good.
Hopefully my job will be a little less hectic from now on. My friend Carol and I had a very fun time today at the Lane Co. Home Show. It's fun to see all of the new stuff, talk to people you know, and of course there are lots of freebies and sample. There was a wonderful pianist from Portland (Charles
Suniga), who was playing in the main lobby. So it was fun to hear him. His music is very relaxing and very nice to listen to.
Have a wonderful weekend.
MY FAVORITE IS PIANO, BUT ALL MUSIC IS UPLIFTING, AND RELAXING! IT IS GOOD TO GET AWAY SOMETIMES, ISN'T? I AM ENJOYING LAWRENCE WELK'S STARS, IT IS A SPECIAL, SHOWING ALL THE ENTERTAINERS OVER THE YEARS, AS GOT OLDER, ABOUT THEIR LIVES, AND NATURALLY, THEIR MUSIC.
I LOVE Charles Suniga! I've heard him many times and have all his cd's. He's wonderful. My brother and I know him, as he's a friend of ours. He's a very nice guy! I'm happy that you enjoyed him as well Marilyn.
Hi Marlene,
It's great that you know him. He is very friendly and easy to talk to. My friend Carol and I sat by his piano to take a break. (It was a Home Show and we did LOTS of walking). He asked me for a favorite. I said I liked all of his music but I picked one I could think of and then he played it.
He said he would be coming out with a new CD, so that is something to wait for. It's also fun to watch him play and how he handles playing the piano and the synthesizer. He is wonderful
Isn't he great?! I think that my favorite song that he plays is "Moments of Peace"...then probably "Mabel's Dance". Both are fantastic.
I'm happy to hear that he is coming out with a new cd. It must be pretty new because I ask him if there is any new cd's every time I see him. ha
We were opposite him with our booths in the spring and this fall and were able to hear his music all day long. It was wonderful.
I don't think I know of this Suniga. Sounds like my kind of music though.I will have to check him out.
I love both of those in particular too. I love piano music anyway and so really enjoy all of his music. He also played a few "new" pieces. So we will wait impatiently for a new CD. He played at the Lane Co. Home show last fall, so hopefully he will be there again this coming fall.
IT'S SPRING - IT'S SPRING - LOVE IS IN THE GARDEN...........Dear Sweet Patooie,
Where have you bean? Don't you carrot for me? My heart beets faster when the sun shines on your raddish hair and glints off your turnip nose. If we cantaloupe, lettuce marry. We will make a happy pear. Let's orange it that way.
Your sweet Korn Onna Cob..............
DEDICATED TO ALL MY HAPPY GET IN THE SOIL GARDENERS, ESPECIALLY SALLY, THIS IS THE WEEK YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO START YOUR GARDEN-CORRECT??? WHAT A HAPPY BUNCH OF 'POT HEADS' :} AH YES !!!
Hi Judith,
What is this, Veggie Tales? It's berry cute. We must be bored out of our gourd so I won't squash you. I can dig it!
WOW JUDITH! THAT'S A GREAT IMAGE TO START THE DAY!
Haaaaaaaaaa, you two veggies, are you all living in sunny California? I in Montréal have to wait until the end of April to start my garden, then the neighbors still think I am nuts, because they all wait until the first of June, they worry about night frost, but I do not, never lost a plant in all the years I do my little garden. When the perennial come up by themselves, it is no danger anymore for frost, that is my opinion. Today I have still to look out on frozen snow in my garden, but soon it will be gone, cannot wait. In the meantime I am off today for a meeting with 5 other nuts for miniature making, lots of chatting and eating (not so good for the line, but who cares in my age) Have all a nice day and dream of Spring!!!!!!
Hi Inge, no I don't live in CA. but it would be nice. Where I live we don't plant too much yet as our average frost free date is about April 15th. I don't do a much of a garden anymore,just try to plant perennials. My neighbor gives me veggies from her garden.Judith is a daffydill& I am a lonely little petunia in an onion patch.
ISN'T THIS ENGLISH LANGUAGE SO BEAUTIFUL!!?? SO MANY OF US, WHO DO NOT LIVE IN CALIFORNIA OR ON THE WARM SOUTH, JUST HAVE TO DREAM OF SPRING, AND THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS, FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.
I have only a small garden but I still have snow banks in my back yard! They are getting smaller but still there. I see a couple of little things poking up through the area where the sun hits but the rest is still covered in ice. Just this morning I bought some things to start in the house. A couple of my bird feeders fell down over the winter and they are still frozen solid to the ground. Maybe another week....
Hi everyone,
I have a few photos of the new kitties. They will be 4 weeks old on Thursday. They are adorable. I can see it will be hard to give them away!
ONE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE OTHER! DO YOU SPEND THE WHOLE DAY PLAYING WITH THEM?
Jeanine - They are beyond cute and I am sure it won't be easy to part with them.
oohhh, how cute! All of them. Micetro did herself proud. Oh, I need a fur fix! The little black one looks like little blackout kitty.I hope they all find great homes when they're ready.
They are adorable! So cute. All of them sweeties. I hope people step up to give them good and loving homes.
Jeanine Ann, they look just like the 4 my daughter Jutta had last year, she had 3 black and one tiger and she gave 2, the tiger and the only black female to my goddaughter and she kept 2 black males, they are fixed now and so is the mother and they are two huge long haired Toms, she still misses the two she gave away, even so she sees them quite often. I never let my cats have babies because I know I would have kept them all. They are so cute, do not let them go before they are lO weeks old, then they are nice strong kittens and have a good start in life. Make sure you find good homes for them.
They are soooo cute! I would have a time trying to part with them. I would have bonded with them already.
Are you going to keep one...just one? Or two?
It's a good thing we don't live close. I'd probably be adding another one to the house. I did have four at one time but have had three for the past five years and that seems to be a good number.
Oh I wish you did live close Virginia, you would be the first one I would ask to take one because I know that they would have a wonderful home with you. Is Joey being good? Hugs
An Irish blessing for you....
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way.
Good health,good luck and happiness
For today and every day.
HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL
I know this is a bit late, but I want to send happy thoughts
and best wishes for a Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you!
For all our Carla Maffioletti fans (I know, everyone loves Carla) there are some absolutely wonderful photo's of some of Carla's recent performances on the website below.
When the site opens - click on "Concerts" on the left hand side, it drops down and then click on the bottom one "Vasteloavenolskonzeet" (didn't think I could spell that,did you ??) when it opens just keep clicking through the thumbnails on the right hand side. There a many photo's of Carla so don't stop after the first lot.
http://www.fotokunstfotografie.nl/
More ticket news: will release some good seats in Montreal and Hammerstein Ballroom will go on-sale this weekend! ~André's US Team
Just released some great seats for the Columbus, OH concert! ~André's US Team...
Andre Rieu Just arrived at the Amsterdam Arena. Going to play prior to the soccer game Ajax - Olympic Marseille tonight! -
Grayeme, I couldn't spell that if I tried.
I agree totally, Shirley. They are the best and are improving every time I see them. It's interesting to watch them mature into wonderful singers and performers.
Just did the soundcheck. The venue is still empty, but within 2 hours it will be filled with over 50,000 people!
50,000 people waving and singing to the second waltz... Goose bumps! -
André waiting.. 34 minutes ago
Will release seats that were blocked for PBS and that they don't need: good seats! Toronto, Syracuse, Reading, Philadelphia ~André's US Team
All news via André on Twitter
André Rieu once again on the centre spot in Amsterdam!
In 1995, during mid time of the footballgame Ajax-Bayern München, André Rieu played on the centre spot of the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam a.o. his greatest hit “The Second Waltz”. It was a huge success. The whole stadium waltzed along. Now, André is back in Amsterdam.
On Wednesday March 18th he will again play, prior to the Ajax-Olympic Marseille game, “the Second Waltz” and the famous “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” from the opera Nabucco by Guiseppe Verdi. This being one of the anthems of Ajax, sung by the entire stadium before every game.
“I am looking forward to seeing the fans again. I am honoured. The atmosphere in such a stadium is magical, everyone sings along. This just is a fantastic start of the game!”, says André Rieu.
I would love to be there to hear that! The slave song is one of my favorites, but I've only heard Andre play a little snippet of it on his opera medleys, Gala concert for one.
I like to watch that opera just to hear the song. I'm curious to know why Ajax chose that song for their anthem. I have the lyrics in both Italian & English. Wonder if the crowd sings a Dutch or Italian version.
This is something to look forward to - from Carmen Monarcha's Website.
Hello everyone,
It is with great pleasure that I'm here to announce that my Solo CD, it's coming soon!
It took me a long time to be able to choose among so many beautiful songs that I always wanted you to hear, but now it's done!
I hope you will enjoy it - I put my heart in to it, and i hope I'll touch yours!
This is one that Dan & I really look forward to.I think she has said that it should be out sometime between November or December, before Christmas, so keep your eyes out for it. I'm sure all Carmen fans will certainly look forward to this one.
This is fantastic! I can't wait! It will be a nice addition to my collection.
Carmen, your music always touches my heart!
This is wonderful. I have always loved
Carment and her singing. I can hardly wait.
The very special concert in the Hammerstein Ballroom goes on-sale tomorrow, only limited number of tickets available! ~André's US Team
Only 4 more weeks to the first concert in North America! Have you got your tickets yet?
Andre via Twitter
This is just thrilling!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3i1-p4fP08
The 'Live in Australia' DVD just released in Portugal and it already has a Golden Award!
Andre via Twitter
If that does not tug the heartstrings, your not human.!!!
This gave me goosebumps!
Thank you André and thanks Jeanine Ann for putting it here!
Does give one goose bumps doesn't it? Too bad Ajax lost the game.
HAAAAAAAAA, Shirley, we crossed our fingers for Munich, they won, long time ago!
Hi Inge,I really don't know too much about soccer, I do know the name Franz Beckenbauer though.I think when David Beckham came here the interest in soccer picked up. But this Franz, from Germany, seems to have been a great player. I had seen his name when I first researched Beckham. Although they are from different countries they are both superstars. The crowds at these soccer games get really fired up don't they? I think even more so than our football games.
The level of "excitement" at a professional American football game is like sleep compared to a football (soccer to us) match in Europe. Americans say soccer is boring, then they watch baseball! I STRONGLY recommend that Americans visiting Europe have somebody explain the off-sides rule, then attend a match in a major city. We have nothing like it.
JONATHAN, SORRY I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU. I DO FEEL TOTALLY OPPOSITE, COMING FROM EUROPE, I FEEL SOCCER IS TOO SLOW, COMPARING TO AMERICAN FOOTBALL. I DO WATCH VERY LIMITED GAMES OF SOCCER ANYMORE, BECAUSE, I GOT TO LOVE AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
Shirley, I do not know more about football, or as they call it over here soccer, than you. My father was a football nut case and my 2 sons- in- law also like to watch it on TV, but Beckenbauer is to me more known as a German through his marriages and womanizing and cheating on his wifes producing kids outside the marriage. He is always in the yellow press and the Germans call him the "Kaiser" (emperor), of course only the football nuts. I was just joking about Ajax and München - Bayern, it does not interest me, I am a figure skating nut.
I do like all sports but I don't always understand the rules etc. I know some people who find golf exciting so it's just different strokes for different folks, like in everything else. It's a shame that most sports stars have an inflated ego, they don't seem to care that the children look upon them as role models.Then again, it's not just sports, I think it's wide spread in a lot of the entertainment industry.
Yes Soccer and American Football are great games...for kids...Australian Rugby League !!!...now that is the "real mans' game....
You're right about that.
Well Grayeme, respectfully have to disagree with you. Americxan football is very physical, really the men's game. Once you learn all the rules you would enjoy it very much, and yes, there is a lots of hurt at the end.
This has the potential to be better than the "Ants" !!!
Make sure all your friends have tickets to André's concerts. No better remedy to economic sorrows than an André concert! ~André's US Team
We could call this one the "RANTS"?
It's too early in the morning over here for me to match that one Shirley. Your just too good.
yes, i do agree, we could muddy it up a little!?
SPEAKING OF WHICH, HAVE YOUR ANTS GONE SHIRLEY?
Ha, strange you should ask. Believe it or not, when I used my best aussie accent & told them to leave or else I would play Adam Ant music all day long, they just suddeny took off!
They went thata way.....>
Hello everyone. Happy Spring to all of you. This was my husband's birthday (20th), so I always wish him a happy birthday.
I'm always ready for a new dvd by André. I enjoy the Christmas one's but can only listen to that one season a year, for the most part. Would prefer something to listen to all year. I would love for André to do a cd/dvd with all new music, I'm happy with what we have, but new music would be fantastic.
There are many places I'd love to see him do a dvd. I tend to love the scenic places, nature is always my favorite whether it be the ocean the mountains or somewhere in between. One of my favorite places on earth is Yosemite National Park. To have André there playing his violin and the music (classical or semi classical, or whatever André chooses) filtering through those incredible mountians and the grand Sequoia trees would certainly be beyond words. Talk about goosebumps!
Shirley, the poem or song is wonderful. I love tulips they are always so happy aren't they?
Have a great weekend everyone.
Jeanine Ann, it seems that André is ready for spring too!
One my favorite André DVDs is "Dreaming"
mostly because, not only because of the beautiful music, but the gorgeous settings - the castle (Air on a G String, Ballade), the misty river (Morning Song), the magnificent church(Intermezzo), the herd of sheep on the hillside, the scene with Stradivari and his wife (Romance). Another DVD along
those lines would be beyond wonderful.
I agree Marilyn. I believe those "scenic" dvd's are the best of any. Concerts are fantastic, fun and exciting, but the natural settings, André talking, relaxing moments, beautiful music, just can't be beat. I second your vote.
I'm trying really really hard not to say I told you so
hey guys,
Great find Jeanine Ann on the video. I watched it 2 times. lol I wish i could have been there for the couple of minutes just to hear him play. It wont be much longer! Take care all
-Jeff
Well we just found out that we have 3 girl kitties and 1 boy. The black is the boy!!
One of your gray stripes reminds me of Dewey. They are all so sweet.
JeanineAnn, your family of baby kittens are just the cutest little bundle of fuzzy balls of joy. So you have three girls and a boy, which one has truly stolen your heart? You seem to be doing a wonderful job for their mama, and now the itty bitty babies. Some folks I know would have deposited them by the side of the road (which makes me furious), my bonnett is off to you for giving this little furry family a great chance at getting a good family to adopt
each one of those cuties. You and Clyde must be busy with them, but having such a fun time seeing them bond. You have a "great" heart my friend.
FIRST DAY OF SPRING, in the northern hemisphere & I'm ready! Here is to Spring:
"When it's Spring again I'll bring again
Tulips from Amsterdam
With a heart thats true I'll give to you
Tulips from Amsterdam
I can't wait until the day you fill
These eager arms of mine
Like the windmill keeps on turning
That's how my heart keeps on yearning
For the day I know we can share these
Tulips from Amsterdam
When it's Spring again I'll bring again
Tulips from Amsterdam
With a heart thats true I'll give to you
Tulips from Amsterdam
I can't wait until the day you fill
These eager arms of mine
Like the windmill keeps on turning
That's how my heart keeps on yearning
For the day I know we can share these
Tulips from Amsterdam."
by Max Bygraves
Hi. The sun is shining today in maastricht. Goodby winter. Hello spring. Today recording new tracks in my studio with the orchestra.
Andre via Twitter
Hi Shirley, that is so beautiful. How fitting to what Andre just said! Thank you and big hugs
I love it. Tulips always equal Spring to me.
Hey all,
Who here is ready for another chirstmas dvd? I think he should do one somewhere out side for the holidays, of course where is it warm though. Tell me what you think. Where do you think is next dvd will be?
Thanks guys
take care
-Jeff
Hi Jeff, I am always ready for a new DVD, not necessarily Christmas but I would like to see a DVD with all new songs which Andre has never played before. There is a lot of beautiful music out there and I know that he and his orchestra would play these songs like we have never heard them played. They could do a mix of semi-classical and songs from musicals, etc. Big hugs
Hmm, where would the next dvd come from? That's a good question, only Andre knows for sure.He always likes to surprise us doesn't he? I don't know where the "next one" would be but I'd like to see another one here in the US, and South America, maybe Brazil, and perhaps another Australia, maybe Japan, could be France? The possibilities are endless and useless to guess. An outside Christmas one? Don't know, I liked Christmas Around The World. Like Jeanine Ann says, maybe something with all new songs? How about At The Opera?, kind of like At the Movies, except that was a cd. But I agree with Jeanine Ann, there is so much beautiful music, not yet done by Andre. But I think he has to like the piece himself to want to play it, but then again, there's got to be lots of pieces he likes. Guess we'll just have to wait & see. I'll enjoy whatever it is. hmmm, wonder if he's ever though of Honolulu?
Since I have loved his Christmas DVDs, I wouldn't mind another one. That is such a special time of year.
Hey Jeanine Ann
I agree with you. That would be great for him to do a semi-classical dvd. Also songs that we never heard before. Not that i dont like the other he always playes but new one would draw him even more attention. Thanks
-Jeff
Hi Jeff, YES, yes, oh yes, you bet, I am
ready for a NEW DVD, no, not Christmas tho, I would fall out of my skin if our
Andre would come up with new songs for the faithful followers out here. I am sure he has plenty of music we have not heard. Today I rode about the area doing
my business, posting several mailings, as I listened to "FROM HOLLAND WITH LOVE", had my windows down enjoying the
SUN and fresh air, and had people peeking into my car at the famous red light, listening to the music. At one of my stops, I even had a gentleman get out of his car and say, isn't that Andre
and I happily smiled and told him he had a good ear for quality music. But I later wondered, if because I had some programs taped to the windows, probally
gave me away. Any way, I feel great today, that "SUN" and plesant fresh air sure does a body good medicine. HAPPY SPRING TO ALL ONCE AGAIN.....by the way Jeff, how many days before your Concert?
Hope all is well with you. You must also
be a "busy person", like your buddy Miss
Jeanine Ann. Glad to see the chatter pik
up, was getting freaked out with the ants crawling all over. ALL HAVE A GREAT
WEEK END........
Hello my poet friend Shirley, that was certainly a wonderful creation. I am going to plagerize and use this poem for a shut-in person who is deeply depressed. I just posted her a "happy" care package. Her husband passed on 1-1-
2009, and she is really down, so I have been calling on her, doing my best to life her spirits. I was going to send her an Andre DVD, but the poor lady depended on her man so much, she says, I don't know how to work that dang new machine. I suggested she ask her care giver, give her some instructions, as she says, THE BLUE DANUBE was their most favorite waltz. We are just a talented group here, poets, musicians,
writers and than you get this happy, silly ole kid who never grew up who takes great pleasure in seeing that my
friends out there can share a good ole fashioned belly laugh, share a joke or
just listen to their hearts, and see where they are coming from. I always love to watch and see your comments my very witty friend Shirley. Wishing you a
Wonderful Week-end, my butter-cup.
Judith,if you refer to the Tulips In Amsterdam,I did not write that. It's a song. but isn't it beautiful? so is the melody. I can't recall exactly which cd or dvd it's on, I know I just liked it.The only poetry I write is in a kindergarten fashion!
Packing bags for 3 shows in Tokyo, Japan
Andre from Twitter
Three shows! Fantastic.
Have a safe, happy, wonderful time André and JSO!
There is going to be a musical time in Tokyo very soon.
Can you imagine how beautiful it will be there with all the cherry trees in bloom? Maybe Andre will play Sakura for them.
"Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last"!
Is is really beautiful to look at, but also is your poem.
A few weeks ago we were talking about Jack Egan's book "Buried Alive" on the blog. I said it was my neighbour's nephew who wrote it.
I was telling my neighbour this
afternoon we'd been talking about Jack's book and she told me he's died since she lent me the book a couple of years ago.
I was sad to hear this and thought those of you who read it after our conversation would be interested.
She said she went to spend a holiday with his father, her younger brother. Jack was there but feeling ill. She said he was taken to hospital but died a few days later.
I have a question that is bugging me since I saw the first time the name Piano. Of course I do not read all the comments every day, but please tell me, PIANO, are you a man or a woman????? I made the mistake with Grayeme, thought he was a woman, haaaaaaaaa, we had a good laugh, so please let me know before I bust????????????????????????
Inge you are not alone. In the beginning I too thought Grayeme was a woman. I can tell you though that Piano is a woman. : ) Hugs
Just gave my secret away, darn!
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL NAME, WON'T YOU SAY? I AM AC/CD. IS THIS A GOOD ENOUGH EXPLANATION? I AM THE BEST FAN OF ANDRE'S, THAT IS ALL ANYBODY HAVE TO KNOW. OH, AND I AM ONE OF THE BEST AMBASSADOR FOR ANDRE! CAN DANCE, AND SING ALL THE TIME, LIKE TO SHOW A GOOD TIME TO ANYONE, WHO WANTS ONE.
Hey guys,
Thanks for asking Inge, i had not clue either, i was too afaid to say something. lol I though everone knew so there was no need for me to ask, i just went along with everything. I will be away from the site for almost 2 weeks i am going on vacation to orlando florida. Then i am off to see Andre in 26 days!!! Take care all
-Jeff
Hey buddy, will miss you. Have a great time in Orlando!!! I have 33 sleeps until Reading!!
SO, YOUR CONCERT IS IN APRIL, NOT IN MAY? RIGHT?
My concerts are one in April and one in May if you were speaking to me Piano! Reading and Wilkes-Barre. Hugs
NO, I WAS THINKING OF JEFF, YOU JUST SPOILED MY FUN, JEANINE! ARE YOU REALLY SURE, THAT I AM A WOMAN?
Oh I am sorry I spoiled your fun Piano. Yes I am sure you are a woman. : )
Hey bud,
I know i will be lost with out all of our great comments and updates on andre. Thanks, We will have a good time down there, as long as the weather is warm. I just got a new portable dvd player......so guess whos watching Andre on the plane!! Lol.
Take care
-Jeff
Thanks for clearing this up for me, haaaaaaa, I hope you do not mind PIANO, now I know you are a female and Jeff you are funny, haaaaaaaaaaaardiharhar!
This is André in 2000 sent to me from a friend in Germany and I wanted to share it. Yummy!
VERY yummy Jeanine Ann.
Tomorrow night we are seeing Mary Duff's concert in Sydney. My husband thinks she's yummy...
Your husband is right...believe me..!!!
I love his hairdo!! Kati
I DID JOIN THE TWITTER, LOTS OF FUN! ANDRE SAID, HE HARDLY CAN WAIT FOR HIS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, HE IS COUNTING DOWN, ABOUT 4 WEEKS. HE WILL HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR US, FROM HIS 30 YEAR OF MUSIC.
News update from Andre in Tokyo on "The Daily Rieu" page!! Photos too!!
Very nice, Jeanine. I agree, YUM.
be still my heart. what i would give to run my fingers into that wonderful wind blown hair. the man makes makes my socks
'hot'. thanks for the photo. has anyone ever found a photo of this tall glass of water's 'legs'. hold down the screams
if they are anything like his smile, lordy; they have to be lean and mean. a girl can dream, can't she? wow what a thought!!!!!!
Hi Judith, I have a photo of Andre's legs but I would be afraid to put it on the blog. I am afraid you may have a heart attack. Hugs
Oh, oh, oh, oh, Jeanine Ann, PLEEEEEEZE
send to my email. Now that you have rieu-llly sparked my interest, you just can't leave me hanging here. Have alerted the paramedic's to be on stand by-just in case. Bells, whistles, buzzers, are all going off in my head in this great anticipation of the "legs"
pleeeezzzzzze, hurrrrrrry.
What a way to start the day! It's still early morning in Australia.
Now you've all got me going about men's legs.
The best pair I've ever seen belong to Reg Livermore.
While we're waiting for Jeanine Ann to stop tormenting us and show us Andre's Judith you could go to www.reglivermore.com and look under the REG-SHOWS link then "BETTY".
Now, tell me that's not the best pair of pins you've seen??
I hope yours are not quite so sore today Shirley.
Oh you are a naughty one, Jeanine Ann -
received the ever so tempting leg shot. You have to know me by now, that just ain't coming close to satisfying my ever
inquisitive mind and imagination. Now if you could supply me with a hard copy,
you may see me simmer down on this site,
other wise I will be relentless. Also, to my new found friend Jill, we have to talk. You know what I'm talking about.Ah
yea, them nice legs. WOW-EEEEEEE - GOOD
GOLLY MISS MOLLY. Phew......
Hi Judith, you call me naughty?? That is about all I can do for you. I would think that photo would be enough, besides now everyone else is probably dying to see it and it would not be nice to put that on the blog. It would be disrespectful to André although that is where it came from! I mean it came from the internet. Settle down now. You will soon see Andre and that might satisfy you (for 10 minutes) : ) for a while. Hugs
In my reply to my own 1st reply to the photo - when I used the phrase "tall glass of water", I REALLY MEANT: "THIS TALL DRINK OF WATER". I take it, you have heard that expression.
I was going to say, Piano only had the Upper Soprano Keys, but then I recalled being in church with my mother...the Bishop and procession comes by .. and there is my mother matching the Bishop note for Baritone note! I was so embarrassed. (I was about 8 years old.)
I JUST LOVE THIS STORY SALLY, I STARTED OUT WITH A BEAUTIFUL SOPRANO, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THEN IT DID CHANGE TO A MUCH LOWER KEY, JUST LIKE YOUR MOM'S
wow, you guys are going off & leaving me behind! You've been busy little beavers, huh? Love the picture Jeanine Ann. Jill, let us know how you enjoyed Mary's concert.And BTW, haven't read Jack's book yet but want to. Isn't it like an early history of Australia? And Piano, you have to be a lady because you have the lovely legs of a beautiful Grand Piano!! Now, I am trying to type with 2 fingers, the only two that don't hurt. I took a spill today,we have a concrete patio that has a 3 inch step up & guess who missed? Splattered myself all over the concrete.Scraped both elbows, both knees, a thumb & I walk like Charlie Chaplin. Can you tell me, when we fall why do we look around to see if anyone was watching?? Like it really mattered.
Shirley, thanks for the "good looking legs" you never seen them either! The hurt, oh, that will be there few more weeks to come, get ready. I fell down more than a month ago,just like a piece of wood, lucky, i did not fell on my face, i would have broken my big nose!? Still feel it a little, easy to get hurt, and it is very slow to heal. Just like anyone in their 60s or so!
Shirley I am sorry that you fell but glad nothing is broken. I guess we look around to make sure no one saw how clumsy we feel at the moment. I have done the same thing. I always say, glad no one saw that. : ) Take care and I hope you feel better tomorrow. Hugs
No more of that ! I put the word in with the Big Guy ! Gosh, I'm sorry you fell. I will be thinking of you tonight and tomorrow. Please make sure all systems are still GO.
HI JEANIE ANN; I FIRST SAW ANDRE IN 2002, HE WAS ON PBS, LIVE FROM TUSCANY; I COULD NOT TAKE MY EYES OFF THIS MAN WITH HIS VIOLIN. HE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS. DREAM OF ALL DREAMS. I GET TO MEET HIM IN JUNE ON THE 12 IN VANCOUVER, HE IS A GENUINE PPERSON ,WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET.
I am so happy for you Elaine. Be sure to tell us all about it. André has changed my life also in so many ways. He has brought his beautiful music into my life and has enriched it so much. The first minute I saw him and heard him play I was in a panic to get all the DVD's and CD's I could find.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Vancouver - in fact I know you will. Hugs
i too have alot of his dvd"s and i have alot of his music i take with me in my car,i have over50 cd:s and 30 dvd: ilove his music and that , andre is a very honest person and his family means alot to himand he has endeared himself to me with his spirit.
Hi Elaine: Isn't it nice to know a "Celebrity" who isn't in the news for all the wrong reasons?
I too appreciate Andre doing good with his fame
Hi Shirley,
Sorry you fell, i am happy that everything is ok though. Sorry to ruin your fun piano but at least now when i see your name I wont have to wonder. lol. Good picture of andre jeanine ann, His hair is really out there from all of the wind. I was just watching the Dresden concert again and i noticed how short his hair was! He cuts it himself. Thanks guys
-Jeff
You all have been very busy today.
First of all Jeanine Ann, that's a great picture of André. Yes, it certainly is yummy! I love it.
Jill, I'm sorry to hear that Jack Egan has died. He wrote a very interesting book and I enjoy the history of Australia and the incredible detail he put into this book.
Shirley, I'm so sorry to hear you fell! Just take it easy the next week or so, because it takes a while for everything that got hurt, to be felt. I'm happy that you didn't break anything. No more testing the concrete to see if it's hard!
What a day. Monster and Timmi had a bath at the vets today. Monster had a lot of undercoat hair that needed to be brushed out. Being a Feral Cat, she develops a good 3 pounds of winter coat. Timmi, not so much.
When I brought them home, Monster was in such a good mood. I honestly believe she felt better and so pretty. She jumped on my computer desk, kissed me, smiled ... and ran around the house. She was in a super good mood the rest of the day.
Isn't it amazing that animals know when they are looking good? (and I have to believe her skin felt better without all that thick short hair)
Timmi felt like velvet, he is always soft. He gained a little weight, and is 15 pounds now. Vet said he is a little tubby, and could lose a pound or two. He sang all the drive to the vet, while there, when getting his bath, and all the way home. First thing he did at home was run to his bed and lay down. (I had put nice clean pillow cases on his pillow while he was gone)
And how was YOUR day?
My newest, Joey, is a Maine Coon. Unfortunately he does not like to be brushed. Hopefully he'll get used to it. He goes out some; leaves the house looking shiny and spiffy black and white. Comes home looking black and tan with muddy feet. The other two have short hair which although it sheds is certainly not like Joey's which tangles and knots. But we love him. I guess I should say I love him. Eddy, my tiger, is getting used to him, but Benny hisses and spits still. He's the oldest so guess he didn't want a baby brother. Vet said Eddy (Oedipuss) should lose some weight also. He's pretty hefty.
This is how my dogs act after a few hours at the groomer. They know that they look great, smell wonderful, and look like they have lost some weight as that undercoast is brushed out. Plus the groomer usually adds a little ribbon bow on their collar or puts a colorful bandana around their neck. We all end up in a great mood.
That reminds me of my poodle, Mike. He absolutely pranced when he was looking good.
Sally, I bet Monster was so happy, because she was home again, mine always act like that and they also sing all the way to the vet, but never on the way home, the do know, they go back home again. Cats are smart.
Hope Shirley your boo boo is getting better and yes it is soooooo true, I was also more embarrassed after my car came back on its wheels, more than I felt the bruises.
The picture Jeanine Ann is nice, I like the hairdo and the smile.
Piano why did you not choose the violin as cover???? I named one of my cats Poubelle, in French it is the garbage can because she always tries to empty it, haaaaaaaaa!
My concert days for 2OO9 are: in Montréal l9th of April and in Bamberg l4th of September, have all a nice spring day, we are having 11 C which is 5O F
JUST TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I DO PLAY A FEW INSTRUMENTS, NOT VERY WELL, BUT I DO PLAY THE PIANO ALL MY LIFE, HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ONE, THAT IS WHY MY NAME. THIS NEVER TAKES AWAY ANYTHING FROM ALL ANDRE'S PEOPLE, OR HIS ORCHESTRA'S PLAYS AND THEIR MUSIC, I REALLY LOVE THEM ALL. BASICALLY, I ALWAYS BEEN A LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVER, NOT THAT MUCH LIKING MUSICALS OR OPERETTS, BUT NOW, I CHANGED MY TASTE AND INCLUDED ANDRE'S MUSIC ALSO, THANK TO MY MOM, WHO KNEW THEM ALL.
BILL, WHERE ARE YOU? I NEED YOU SO BAD!! I DO NOT CARE IF YOU WOULD COME IN CHARTREUSE COLOR OF SHIRTS AND SHORT, OR EVEN YOU BRING A CHARTREUSE COLOR OF SNOW SHOVEL!!! IT IS SUCH A BLIZZARD OVER HERE, I CANNOT EVEN LOOK OUT MY WINDOWS. HELP! HELP! HELP! BILL, BRING A LITTLE SUN, WOULD YOU? KATI
Did you get your Andre newsletter today? It led to his Twitter page too.
I am doing better today, ibuprofen works wonders.
& at the bottom it said "we learn to walk by stumbling" (a Bulgarian proverb).
Somehow it seemed fitting.
Our public radio is now having their pledge time & they were announcing a cd
called String of Pearls, but the announcer goofed & said String of Girls, that created
some humor. I'll tell you what, a laugh a day is good for what ails ya. Katie, don't you dare send that mess our way!
SHIRLEY, I DO NOT KNOW, HOW MUCH OF THIS YOU WILL GET, KANSAS HAVE IT ALSO, IT IS REALLY BAD. I HOPE, IT DOES NOT TURN NORTH TOWARD FARGO, THIS IS THE LAST THING THEY NEED. i JUST FINISHED MINE AND MY NEIGHBOR'S AFTER 21/2 HOURS OF HARD WORK. VERY HEAVY, VERY WET. I DO HAVE AN 8 HP SNOWBLOWER. KATI
Shirley, you will get some of this storm, maybe day after tomorrow, maybe just rain, but it does go your way. Kansas gets it pretty bad tomorrow. Kati
SHIRLEY, IT IS STILL BLOWING, THE WINDCHILL IS 0, GOING YOUR WAY, LEAVING US TOMORROW. GOOD LUCK! KATI
Has anyone noticed how Andre has signed off his message from Tokyo on his website. "Big Hug"....Andre.
Now where has he picked that up from ???
HE LEARNED IT FROM JEANINE.
Don't I wish!!! Take a look at new 30th Anniversary Tourbook - on The Daily Rieu page. BIG hugs
Hmm, it does have a ring of familiarity doesn't it?
Hugs are nice, like carrying your own basket of sunshine wherever you go,
I DO AGREE~
SHIRLEY, YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY! THE STORMS IS GOING MORE SOUTH, SO IT WILL MISS YOU, BUT OTHER STATES LIKE KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, WILL GET IT. WE HAD ANOTHER FEET BY THIS MORNING, ON TOP OF 2 FEET YESTERDAY, I THINK, NOW, WE ARE AT THE LEVEL WE SUPPOSED TO BE, JUST TOO BAD, IT DID COME DOWN SO FAST, AND AT ONCE. KATI
Kati, I think we will get lucky, looks like Saturday will be our worst, have winter storm watch out but should have very minor snow. My only concern is the freezing temp at night, my redbud is gorgeous, my tulips are starting to bloom, lilacs also, not good for them! Up above, talking about "hugs",just ask a child or a grieving friend how important they are. Sometimes a hug or a smile can change someone's whole day. I can never have too many of either.
ACTUALLY, I AM VERY HAPPY WIT HMY 3 FEET OF SNOW! I DO HAVE SOME POWERFUL SNOWPLOWS. MY HEART GOES OUT FOR THE PEOPLE IN FARGO, ND. I PRAY SO HARD, THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE MAJOR FLOODING! POOR PEOPLE, ANIMALS,AND ALL! TERRIBLE NEWS, IN THIS VERY COLD WEATHER. KATI
SHIRLEY, THIS HUGE STORM TOTALLY PARALYZED COLORADO. JUST TOO MUCH SNOW, TOO FAST. YES, THE COLD IS THE PROBLEM, IT IS STILL 0 OVER HERE, MAYBE BY THE TIME YOU GET IT, WILL EASE UP A LITTLE. IN THE MEANTIME OTHER STATES GET IT FIRST, LOTS MOISTURE COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH. GOOD LUCK. KATI
Shirley, Shirley, Shirley ~ I thought I was the only one prone to 'falls'. I am wishing you a very speedy recovery time.
I too fell on some black ice back in January, trying to shovel out the drive to get my car out. As I slipped, it seemed like in slow motion...but as I was coming down to earth, my eyes were looking all around me looking to see if anyone was outside and saw this perfect 10 doozie of a fall; as it was twlight, I felt no one saw me so while I was down for the count ~ I proceeded to make
"snow'angels" and laughing like a loon, to think I made this embarrasing fall. In preperation to get up off the ground,
I heard my neighbor accross the street
SHOUT TO ME -- HOLD!! DON'T MOVE!!, I gotta get my camera. AHHHHHHHHHHHH, I felt me face go shades of red/purple as
I gingerly (yea right) up righted my self and ran into the house and haven't been outside since.....anyways my dear friend Shirley, take it easy, and BE VERY CAREFUL. May your boo-boo's heal fast. Your pal, hit-the-deck-Judy ~
Oh Judith, I've always been a "faller", take after my grandmother.
When I was about 10 or so she & I went to the post office, which had about 12 steps.
It had snowed a little that day & as we came out to leave she missed the first step
& went bump, bump, bump, all the way down, hitting each step to the bottom.
It was so funny I just stood there & laughed so hard I wet my britches. She started laughing too,
so there we were, like two sillies laughing so hard. At least she was not hurt. A man came over & asked if she
was hurt & she said only my dignity. I thought well what about mine!
We both have had our share of falls, never had broken anything til once when she was in the hospital, she fell & broke her hip.
She was older then & it wasn't so funny.
My funniest time of falling was when,earlier, I had put an air mattress out on the patio to deflate.
I thought I had opened the valve, so when I opened the back door I just jumped onto it to squeeze the rest of the air out
well guess the valve had shut back up cause when I hit I went straight up in the air before I landed. That time my neighbor did see
& he laughed so hard, said I bounced all over the patio before I stopped, & then I rolled. I had to laugh too even though it hurt so bad,
it took me a couple of weeks to heal myself that time. Right now I'm doing ok though, this time I just went splat.
I really do try to be more careful now but sometimes life happens, ya know?
Anf knowing you dear Judith, you'll probably be singing "for she's a jolly good faller", now won't you? be truthful now...
Wow Shirley, you really have me pegged,
just as you are alright, I will sit here
and will be serenading you with several
rounds of "for she's a jolly good faller", only in jest. I am glad it was nothing serious. You and I could go back
with some dandy stories of our "fallen"
but happy lives. You have a WONDERFUL week-end - stay safe and sassy. :]
Judith, it takes one to know one. haha
We could have a real giggle fest I'll bet.
Hi my gigglie pal~Shirley, oh I'll bet if we got together we could really make
a whole night of giggles, laughing, crying tears of sheer good ole honest laughter coming from way deep down inside of our souls. It's been a while since I shared such a festive time with a dear friend ~ but I sure do remember them. Does the soul good to release these hidden giggles that just seem to surface and make you feel so silly. As I always say, "I can get older, but I don't ever have to grow up", that's what makes me a happy-go-lucky person. I
see no need for doom and gloom. Smile, giggle, laugh out loud, don't ever stop singing and dancing to the beat of your
soul's content. Happiness to all.....
What a refreshing outlook. I think we all could use some it.
Marilyn my new friend, just jump on board the Giggle Bus along with Shirley and myself. I will make as many pick ups
of all my friends so we can get together
for a marvelous time laughing all around
stopping to pick up all the happy people with those great big smiles and mischief in their eyes. Several years ago, I volunteered with a tour group that made trips to Atlantic City for their much needed trip to see the Ocean and spend their hard earned money. We played games, we were consumed with laughter, jokes, pranks from the start of our trip till we all returned home. That was really a rockin "party bus", I
still keep in touch with the ladies and gents and we reminense about the great times. Has anyone ever given any thought
to hiring a bus, and those interested, all meet, and go to an Andre Concert. I'll bet that would be one trip we would never forget. We'd get to meet each other, let loose and have fun, go to the Concert and really complete our day with the BEST Andre Concert ever??
Oh well, this kid here, with the starting of senior skin as my grandson says to me, can still dream. I recently
found out - that these dreams, really do
come true - just as long as you hold on to the magic of our youth, and never grow up.
We had a wonderful night at the Mary Duff concert last night. She put on a beautiful show, sang for over 3 hours, all lovely Irish and Country music. It's a great advantage to be Irish, isn't it? They have a very appealing way about them. Her backing band was fantastic, five very clever male musicians/singers. I've never seen her without Daniel O'Donnell before but she can really put on a great concert by herself.
She seems nice too. She came and talked to everyone still around later on.
Sounds like Mary's Concert was everything we hoped for and maybe a little more. I still have 6 more sleeps and then it is my turn, bring it on. 3 hours is a long time for one artist to spend on stage, I know she has a 15 minute break. I think that just shows how much she loves performing. Come on Boonah next Friday.
Don't forget Mary is coming to US and Canada from the 11th to 30th of May.
11-13th Tri-Lakes Center, Branson, Missouri, USA 417 336 0261
15-16th Tri-Lakes Center, Branson, Missouri, USA 417 336 0261
18-20th Tri-Lakes Center, Branson, Missouri, USA 417 336 0261
22-23rd Tri-Lakes Center, Branson, Missouri, USA 417 336 0261
27th Centrepoint Theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
29th Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto, Canada
30th Fraser Auditorium, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Jill, I just knew her concert would be special. Like you, I've not seen her without Daniel but I have no doubt she is a winner all by herself. Like Grayeme says, she will be in our Branson area in the month of May. I'm hoping we can see one of her shows(Daniel will be in Branson too but his is November).Have you heard Mary sing White Rose of Athens? I'll tell you what, she's every bit as good as Nana, the lady who made it famous,in fact I think Mary sings it better. She really is the"sweetheart of Ireland".
A big "hello" from André in Tokyo on "The Daily Rieu" page.
Hello back to you André! I'm sure that the concerts are wonderful as always.
I don't think I have heard Mary sing White Rose of Athens. My favourite is The Working Man and I also love her singing Rose of San Antone. She sang both these songs so my night was complete.
How far from Branson do you live? I hope you can get to see her. We have about a four hour drive to Sydney.
Jill, it would be hard for me to choose a favorite of Mary's, she's so good on so many.The White Rose was on her "The Very Best Of", vol. 1&2, but they are now out of stock. As for Branson, we live about a 2 hr drive away.
I met Andre about 18 months ago through his DVD's. The first thing that struck me was his EYES. I am not a poet, at least, but I was so inspired by his eyes that I wrote two poems. Now, after a year I finally decided to share these simple poems with his fans.
MY MAESTRO's EYES
I look into my maestro's eyes
and through the windows of his eyes
I can see his soul...
His soul of laughter
of beauty
of love
of music!
Dear Lord, hear my humble prayer
and take this soul
and cut it into little stars
so that the brightness
of these stars
could enlighten the whole world
With Laughter
Beauty
Love
And last but not least
With heavenly MUSIC!
THE EYES OF ENDEARMENT
Through your eyes of endearment
I can see
your love for children
the Little Angels from Nagasaki
the protege of Akim Camara
playing lullabies to your orchestra's infants
as they are smiling back at you.
I can see
your love for nature
changing the Sahara Desert into The Garden of Eden
touching a red poppy in yellow fields with tender hands
gazing at the sunset and bidding the sun farewell.
I can see
your love for people
smiling adorably at the very young
caring for the old-aged, the sick, the less fortunately
giving people the freedom to laugh and cry...
I can see
your love for all living creatures
strolling with your dog, Xander, through green pastures
stroking the mane of white and black horses
playing serenades to the birds in your garden.
I can see
your extreme love for Marjorie, Marc and Pierre
The most important three in your life
and hand in hand you and your family
are capturing the hearts, the passion and the souls of the whole universe!
Ilse van Graan
Virginia
South Africa
it is very beautiful, it does say it all!
What a beautiful tribute to Andre. By looking into his eyes & seeing all of this,
you have also shown us a glimpse into your own heart.
These are lovely words written by a lovely person.
I'm so glad you decided to share it with us. Thank you.
Dear Lise, The poems are just so beautiful that they brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute to André. Big Hugs to you
Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful poems.
New Photos of André in Tokyo and JSO from Pierre on "The Daily Rieu" page.
I have only recently discovered this wonderful man and his orchestra and his music has become a life saver. I care for a gentleman with altzimers and the d.v.d's of Andre's music have the most wonderful calming effect on this man(and me) the whole atmosphere and mood change the minute i press the start button on the d.v.d player. Thank you for making both our lives so much more pleasant and enjoyable
Hi Carol, it's amazing the affect he has on everybody. I can't imagine the world without him now and yet he has only come into our lives relatively recently.
I will second that Jill. I cannot imagine my life without Andre. Hugs