Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I is for instruments

Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday Round 4 has reached the letter I. To enjoy the entries of other participants, click on link above or on the banner at left.









Whenever the our family gets together, their musical instruments come with them, or, if for some reason they are left behind, others will be provided.

L to R: Kristin with violin, Anna with violin,
son Otto with Colin Dipper concertina.
Kristin son Otto and granddaughter Anna Smith are here on the ferry to Seattle as they drove us from Port Townsend to SEATAC a few days after Christmas. As usual, their instruments were attached to them like extra appendages, and as soon we ascended to the passenger deck, they began to play. In background one of many of the delighted passengers dances his child to the rollicking fiddle tunes or Christmas carols. Here the musicians are in fiddle mode, but all are accomplished violinists. Same instruments, different styles. Kristin is concert master of the Port Townsend symphony where Otto has played a concertina concerto.

For Christmas granddaughter Anna received an accordion to add to her other musical instruments - although the violin is still her instrument of choice.

At family reunions those without their own instruments are provided with some other music maker.

At our first family reunion in 1991, Kristin Smith, Lenore Vanderkooi, David Vanerkooi, and Elnor Ragan, all professional musicians, are an accomplished string quartet. (relationships to us: Kristin is son Otto's wife, Elnor Ragan was husband Otto's sister, Lenore Vanderkooi is her daughter and David is Lenore's husband).

Son Stan and his wife Dianne flew out to visit us in early December, and here Stan plays my Gurian guitar. Otto and I tend to collect guitars. Stan is the one who found husband Otto's rare 1850 New York Martin guitar in a "Ladies' " size that has both beautiful tone and surprising volume.

In Ontario, Oregon, at my daughter's house at another Christmas, Grandchildren Cedric and and Myrtle Shock play carols on violin and piano.

And at a musical gathering of the family at grandson Joe's home in Port Hadlock, great-grandson Ocean brings out his very own instrument (we start them early!).

This photo at our home shows son Otto's delight as he plays our Mathushek grand piano.

16 comments:

nonizamboni said...

I could hear the music wafting through my computer! What a wonderful genetic legacy; the photos were priceless. Glad you shared this history and I couldn't help being reminded of Pete Seeger and his musical family as well.
Happy Wednesday, my friend.
xxx

Maggie May said...

What a talented family. I think I have seen some of these photos before.

Tash said...

These are delightful to see! So much joy in the music is plain to see in every photo. Most appropriate 'I' of a charming, super instrumentally talented family.

Ramblings From Spain said...

What a talented, loving, "together" family. A delight! x

Carol said...

Great photos... interesting post and a wonderfully talented family...

Janie said...

What fun that the whole family has music as a common interest. I love the great-grandson already with an instrument.
Wonderful I word!

Rinkly Rimes said...

The name Granny Smith sounds so down-to-earth and yet you obviously live in the clouds!

Unknown said...

Now this, this was a DELIGHTFUL post. Lovely in every way! It made my day. Such a blessing. Your family looks wonderfully special! Just like you, dear, sweet, Granny Smith!

Tumblewords: said...

So much talent in your family and a beautiful group as well. I found the ferry 'gig' very interesting, too!

J said...

Wow, how wonderful that everyone is so talented, and that you can enjoy sharing your music together.

Jinksy said...

This takes me back to family gatherings, too. We were pass masters at unusual, made up instruments - my Bro used to get some splendid tunes from a knitting needle, would you believe?!

Dragonstar said...

You have such a musical family! It must be such a joy.

Unknown said...

I like, I like! Thanks for recalling good times! What a fun perspective.

Unknown said...

I have been thinking of you today. I hope you are having a wonderful Friday! Are you doing anything special this weekend?

Sharon Rose Thomas said...

Wonderful! Thank You for sharing. Now if we could just hear the music and family talents you share

Cheryl said...

Oh, I wish my family reunions were like that!