Michelle Update and a Black History Tribute to Oscar Peterson

Tuesday Evening

Just to let everyone know that Michelle and I would like to thank you for your kind words, loving support and prayers. I just phoned the hospital at 11pm and the nurse told me that Michelle's nausea passed once she started to move around. She ate very little, but did enjoy a cup of coffee. They've had her out of bed, but she's not going far. In the morning they will get her into the shower and remove the catheter. She's doing fine but is a little weepy, which is her nature. The nurse said she confessed to that and she is in good spirits.

I will post an update sometime tomorrow to let you all know how she is doing. Once again, thanks to everyone for your prayers and caring.

On August 15, 1925, Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was born in Montreal, Quebec. His father, Daniel, was a railroad porter and a self-taught musician. Because of his love, the Peterson household was always immersed in music.

Daniel Peterson was a strict disciplinarian and taught his children to strive toward their goals for success. When Oscar was still very young, Daniel scraped up enough money to buy a piano for the family home. Daniel didn't want his children to struggle at menial jobs as he had. To him, music was a way for them to better themselves. Opportunities were limited for black Canadians in that era.

Oscar began playing the trumpet and piano at age five. He loved the trumpet but his career with that instrument was cut short when he contacted tuberculosis. His sister, Daisy, then taught him to play classical piano and he studied under classical pianist Paul de Marky. Over the years, Peterson's talents took him to great heights.

Oscar Peterson suffered with arthritis from childhood, but you would have never known it when his fingers flew over the keys of his beloved piano. For the last six decades, Peterson was Canada's leading jazz artist. He has played as a soloist, an accompanist and a group member. He accompanied such jazz greats as Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Peterson suffered a stroke in 1993, but still performed and was an activist in jazz education. He was presented with Junos, a Genie and Grammys. In 1984, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and in 1987 was presented with the George Peabody Award. In 1989, he was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame.

Oscar Peterson left a great legacy to the world of jazz when he died at the age of 82 on December 23, 2007 in Mississauga, Ontario, just outside of Toronto.

Photo courtesy of
the National Archives of Canada.

I would like to thank Karen of Karen's Korner for this lovely award. Karen is a wonderful lady who blogs almost daily about her life in Arkansas. She welcomes visitors and her natural dialogue gives visitors a down-home feeling. If you have never visited Karen's blog be sure to stop by. The welcome mat is always out. Thanks, Karen for thinking of me. You are a dear friend.

I am still in need of one person for my Pay It Forward. If you would like to participate, follow the link.

Remember to do a kindness for someone today. Kindness brings hope. ~Blessings, Mary~