Music and Machines!

Last week, Patrick got a new toy...Rock Band 2! While in real life he has less-than-average musical ability, his intense love and appreciation for music, combined with his above-average interest in video games (hey, it pays the bills!), makes this a virtual hit. He's currently plunking on the guitar, which I must say is a much better option (for all of us) than the microphone. I never knew he had such a wide vocal range: 3 octaves at least! (Unfortunately, I don't think most songs demand that kind of range...!)

Speaking of music, I realized recently how much music Spud is exposed to already. I listen to music constantly at work, every time I’m in the car, and some evenings before Patrick gets home and turns the TV on. Now that all 5 of his senses are developed, I hope he appreciates the musical environment he’s being brought up in.

All 5 senses you ask? Yep – my pregnancy update email informed me that my little potato can now hear Patrick laugh (and really, who couldn’t?), feel me nudge him while I’m lying in bed just to make sure he’s still real (and because I love watching my belly dance!), taste variances in the amniotic fluid (which my diet can apparently impact), smell whatever it is he might be smelling in there, and see light and dark. When I read that last part, I worried that I might end up with a baby with eyesight like a mole, since I always wear at least 2 layers of clothes – so now I walk around randomly flashing my belly to the light as often as possible, so Spud can actually get an idea of what light looks like before he’s jarringly made aware of it.

Then on Saturday, we headed to New Richland, MN for Patrick's grandfather's farm auction. After almost 80 years of farm work, George has finally decided to retire. (Although we all know he hung onto at least one tractor and a few other pieces of equipment....just in case!) The day was truly a unique and special event. Nearly 500 people attended (someone from Alaska even called in to bid!), dressed warmly in coveralls and work coats. The auctioneer was straight out of a movie - I was actually surprised at how much I understood him.

Besides being a memorable cultural experience, the auction brought together nearly all of the extended Byron family. After the auction wrapped up, we spent the next several hours together in the emptied-out machine shed reconnecting with distant relatives, eating, drinking, and sharing stories. Of course, I mostly ate...but who can expect me to resist all those yummy treats?!?! Spud clearly loves the sweets.