Ah, then you know, Patty:

This is typical:

Joe Evans, our bass singer almost died three weeks ago. His heart had actually stopped. His wife, Corrie was transferred to an Alzheimer's Unit yesterday afternoon, and his sister was taken to the Emergency room yesterday. He had a serious virus infection not long after almost dying and wasm so sick at our last practice that he couldn't sing standing up for fear of passing out. He doesn't think that he'll be able to find the strength to come to practice tonight, even though we'll be practicing right across the street from him.

Ken Mewes, one of our new members, has been suffering from bronchitis and has missed the last two practices. He's also setting his a capella doo wop group aside, as they are putting together a full band and expanding to include soul music, the Temptations, and who knows what else. How much attention he will give to the Messengers remains to be seen. He couldn't sing at the Sentinels practice last week, but this week he managed to squeeze some notes out. But, their tenor, Larry, has a virus now, and their baritone is in Florida for the winter. On top of that, Ken is working his way through some major adjustments as a result of his divorce and the custody of his son.

Larry, of the Sentinels (who has the virus) has stepped out of the Messengers, because he has been asked to join yet another "oldies" band.

It's a nightmare trying to schedule practices, because half the time, someone can't make it and it's hard to work out harmonies when everyone isn't there.

The Men's Chorus that Joe, Frankie and I sing in often has less than half the men there for practice.. especially the Saturday morning practice. That means that we accomplish very little, and half the guys who sing the following Sunday who weren't there for practice show up to sing, and sing loudly. Just not the right harmony.

And that's "normal." Sometimes, it's much worse... like having quartet practice with only two people. Or me singing solo as a quartet (the harmonies are REALLY difficult to get right when that happens.)

I'm sure Ron, or anyone who sings with other people know what we're talking about.

And yet we "proceed with the proceedings," as my father used to say.

Jerry