bridget unhinged i think i started teaching her when she was four. (back then i taught four year olds. i have since discontinued that venture, mostly because too big a majority of the parents of the four year olds couldn't deal with the squeaking and would make their kids quit too soon) her parents are supremely supportive and her and all her siblings are involved in music. the family took a trip to nashville to scope out colleges for her older sister when she was five. bridget came back from that trip and told me she wanted to drop out of school to become a violinist. i told her she needed to learn how to read cause reading is important. hehe. more recently, (she is seven now i think) she won a state poster contest of the topic 'what you want to be when you grow up' that was a picture of her playing the violin. she had to go to the state capital to accept her college savings bond. (i blathed about this recently, i just don't remember the page) but just this past monday, bridget brought me a present. all my young students know my favorite color is green. i always ask little ones what their favorite color is. most of my more observant students also know that i like gem and mineral jewelry. i have a pretty wide collection of pendants. recently, bridget's dad was laid up in the hospital because he fell outside and broke his leg really badly and she bought me the most beautiful turquoise/green necklace and matching earrings. 'i'm gonna put this on right away. it even matches my outfit perfectly.' she got the biggest smile on her face. 100204 what's it to you? who go blather from