My Good Fortune

For what do I feet fortunate? Here's some things:

• having a successful son and daughter-in-law
• living in a wealthy nation
• living in a free and liberal society
  
• able to be independent and own two homes
• owning a home on a beautiful river
  
• having a Ph.D.
• having an intact family with everyone alive, well, wealthy, and married

They all seem rare or scarce, so I was wondering: what the odds that God would plop me down here on the earth at this time and place with all these things. After all, each seems rare or scarce among humans.

So here's my odds:

1.     Having a son and daughter-in-law earning > $100,000 each: 1 in 100

2.     Living in the top dozen wealthy nations: 1 in 6

3.     Living in a free and liberal society: 1 in 2

4.     Not dependent but able to own two residences (in the city and the country): 1 in 200

5.     Owning a large country wooded lot on a river near a metropolitan area: 1 in 500

6.     Having a Ph.D.: 1 in 50

7.     Family intact (all 12 siblings and spouses alive and married): 1 in 35,000

So, I wonder, what were my overall chances that I would simultaneously have all those things in my life? 

The odds of experiencing all these factors simultaneously—living in Portland, OR with a lot on the Sandy River, having a Ph.D., a successful son, and an extended family of 12 siblings and spouses who are all alive, well, married, and wealthy—are approximately 1 in 1 trillion.

Astonishing Virtuosity in Our Family

Our youngest sibling, Dorothea Anderson, displayed her amazing virtuosity in a May 2024 performance

of the difficult Mendelssohn's Piano Trio #1. The blistering first movement demands considerable technique. Note the tempo

 Here's a clip of this molto allegro agitato :

Here's a snippet of the familiar melodic theme of the 2nd Andante movement, which is to be played "con moto tranquillo."

 

She performed with Emily and Kevin, professional musicians from the Portland Symphony.

 

They both offered us some insights into Mendelssohn's music. Here's Kevin suggesting Mendelssohn has a more melodic nature compared to Beethoven. 

 

 And Chopin as Well

And we enjoyed the unexpected pleasure from Dorotheas of the Op 9, #2 Chopin nocturne..

 

 Dorothea's Passion

How do we develop a passion for a valued activity? Dorothea is perhaps an unusual example of how a passion develops and provides powerful energy to succeed and constantly transcend our activity but still not everyone seems to have even a small passion to develop something in themselves.

Donna Hosted

Donna made the arrangements at Mary's Woods, and the chapel was a wonderful venue for the recital. Donna arranged a reception as well in the large lobby afterwards.

A Post Script on Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn himself was a child prodigy and gifted pianist. He did not write the piano trio for any particular performers, and the trio is considered quite difficult for the piano.  Interestingly, ,Mendelssohn wasn't employed in the traditional sense. He came from a wealthy family, and his passion was music. So he pursued a career in music itself, wearing many hats throughout his life: In his primary role as a  composer, he produced a wide range of works including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano pieces, and oratorios.

He was a highly talented conductor, and he championed the works of other composers, especially Bach. He is credited with reviving interest in Baroque music. As a pianist and organist he was recognized as a virtuoso performer. Mendelssohn founded the Leipzig Conservatory and played a role in shaping the next generation of musicians. In fact, he played the piano part at the piano trio's premiere on February 1, 1840, at the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

A Second Post Script from Kevin about Mendolsohnn's in North Portland

Kevin will be performing at Mendelssohn's, which is located at 3955 N. Mississippi. It features classical music and cocktails with an interesting schedule of entertainment such as Musical Theater Karaoke and Operaoke, a commedian/musician, the Portland Men's Choir, the PDX Sax Quartet, and Kevin at some time in the future. Will someone in the family organize a gathering at Mendelssohn's?

 

Memories from Diane Richardson

    My mom (Mildred Woodley) and Sandy's father (Roger Pellens) were brother and sister. Roger and his wife Betty lived next door to our grandparents, Harry and Amanda Pellens. When my brother and I were growing up, Sundays often found us going to Hartwell (Cincinnati suburb) to visit the grandparents. And a big plus was seeing my cousins. (I just went to Google and looked up 8456 Curzon Ave., Cincinnati. Grandma and Grandpa's house is on the left; Betty and Roger's on the right.) 

Grandpa's House on Curzon Ave, Cincinnati

Grandpa's house had a fairly large garage where my brother would hide from his noisy cousins. It also had a chicken coop, and there were chickens when I was really little. Betty and Roger's house had a lot that extended to the street behind it (Anthony Wayne), and their drive was off that street. Their yard was big enough for badminton or croquet.

The Stagecoach

But the highlight was the swing they had in their side yard. It was one of those old glider-types with a bench seat on either end. It became our stage-coach, and the stone patio was our saloon. Since my brother was older, Grandpa trusted him to light the old kerosene lantern, and we would pretend we were in an old Western saloon, etc. When my brother died in 2019 Sandy orchestrated a bouquet, and the card inside reminded us of the good times around the lantern! 

(Here's a picture in the swing taken in about 1988 when we visited Betty and Roger at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The swing is out at the cabin right now awaiting new arms. Unfortunately we can't see the shape of the original arms but they were probably fairly simple since the whole design is rather crude as if homemade. Dick)

England and the Queen

When my first husband Sean and I lived in England Sandy came over and visited, and traveled around the country on her own. I vaguely remember that we drove to York, but frankly, not sure I'm right on that. She spent a few days in London before heading up north to Nottingham, and she told us this story: She was near Buckingham Palace and there was a large crowd because word got out that the Queen was due to appear. She asked a local bobby "Now where is the best place to stand to see the Queen?" to which he replied, "0n your feet, luv, on your feet!” I've never forgotten that.

Mt. Adams

Sandy had an apartment for a few years on Mt. Adams in Cincinnati. I remember one Christmas Sean and I went over, and a bunch of us went around caroling. I seem to recall her parents were there; her dad had a really good voice. His favorite hymn was "Faith of Our Fathers". I don't know if Sandy has a favorite or not.

Another childhood memory—I was jealous of Sandy because she lived next door to my grandparents, and said that she got to bake cookies with Grandma Pellens (I referred to Grandma as "grandma" but to Judy and Sandy she was MoMo.

Aunt Betty's mother and father, the Wistners, lived with Sandy's parents for a time. I remember her name was Bessie and I think his was Will, but not really sure. My dad loved to play cards with them whenever we visited. After a time someone—Uncle Frank?—lived in an attic room. Not sure the relationship there.

And that about does it. I'm enclosing a picture of the "stagecoach crew" taken at our house. Sorry it’s not dated, but I know it’s before 2011, since Judy died in the fall of 2011.

My love to you all,

Diane