Cat's Ukulele Songs

Aloha ukies! (Ha ha, that’s a play on “foodies”)

Recently I had to make a big decision. I conferred for many months in fact, with numerous friends (whether they wanted to hear about it or not!) and family members. I came to the best decision for me, which was to leave my parent uke group, Dover Uke Heads. Although I enjoyed my time with them, my friend Cheryl and I wanted to start a ukulele group in the town of Tillsonburg, so that is what we are doing.

One of the most memorable times with DUH was the Port Dover Santa Claus Parade in November 2013. That year that I had joined the United Drum and Bugle Corps playing snare drum with my sister and my daughter Samantha playing bugle and marching in the corps. Turned out that year both the Drum and Bugle Corps and the DUH were going to be in this local parade. Since our group leader was going to be there on the float with the ukers, I decided to march with the drum corps.

About a half hour before the parade starts the officials judge all the floats and the DUH float won “Best Non-Commercial Float”!! When I heard the news I ran over to the DUH’s to celebrate with them. I was so proud of everyone!!! So here I am  dressed to the nines in a bright green marching uniform with white rope epaulets, brass buttons, a silver-sequinned sash and a huge black hat with a big, fluffy green plume, and I’m jumping up and down, whooping and hollering with all these folks in yellow shirts. Ha ha. And afterwards one of the DUH’s said to me, “I know you were in uniform to be with the marching band but I could see that your heart was with us.”

And that sentiment was true for quite a while. I am now moving on to activities that make me happy, that I want to make time for and one of them is starting a new group. Beyond that, I have to point out that I am not a Senior, I work full time, I have 3 children to look after plus a next-husband, my car, yard and household. I can’t dedicate 30 hours a week to something that is supposed to be a hobby. Maybe someday when I am 65 years old and have all the time in the world on my hands, I might be part of a performance group again, but until then my life and my family are going to be my priorities. Of course, there is much more to it than that ~ which remains best unsaid.

I am really looking forward to what the future may bring in a new town, especially meeting new people. We are going to be teaching beginners at the Tillsonburg Senior Centre and eventually growing into a decent group of uke players. I hope you will wish us luck!