76 trombones led the big parade in The Music Man and while we aren't quite there yet, we definitely are a musical family. My father was a church music director, my mom played organ and piano. Myself and my siblings all played violin, piano and at least one other instrument. Truth is, I can't remember a time when music wasn't a part of my life.

And I'm glad for it. It is fun to pick up my violin and play duets with the girls or to sit at the piano and try to remember a couple of songs. One instrument that doesn't usually make an appearance is my old trombone. At some point I wanted to join the marching band in school instead of being in the orchestra and we happened to have a trombone, so that became my new instrument. Too many years have gone by for me to remember how to play very well. I can toot out a basic scale, but that's about it. But when Maddy found out that we had a trombone, she decided that she wanted to play it. Unfortunately, it just isn't a kid's instrument. Violins come in all sizes from super-tiny to full-size and you truly can start at just about any age. Trombones are just trombones. They are big, heavy, and kind of awkward.

None of those were obstacles in Maddy's mind, so we got out the trombone. I showed her how to hold it, she took a deep breath, and this happened:

That child has some lungs. I didn't think she would make more than a little splat of noise, but a reverberation of horn filled the house when she gave it a try. As you can see, playing the trombone requires some serious concentration. We were a little afraid that her eyes were going to pop out, but she pushed through it and did a great job on her first attempt. For about a week, she got out the trombone to practice each day. It was loud. Then after a few days of missing practice, we quietly returned the horn to its storage spot. I don't know how my parents tolerated us kids practicing violin, piano, trumpet, trombone, French horn, or flute in the house, we couldn't take a week of one brass instrument.

Leading the big parade may not be in our future, but at least we have music. Like gardening, it is one of those amazing hobbies that allows you to relax and rejuvenate. I'm glad my life is filled with both.

The Weekly Special
Bougainvillea - 10% Off
Turn your backyard into the paradise you've always wanted with bright, blooming bougainvillea.
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Expires 4/28/2021

Blooming bougainvillea are a showstopper. They are the start of every backyard paradise. To get the most out of your new bougainvillea, follow the tips below for planting, pruning and pest control.

1. Site Selection - Bougainvillea need full sun, so choose a spot in your yard that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day. Bougainvillea also prefer to be dry, rather than wet, be sure to select a well-drained location.

2. Watering - The most common reason for lack of blooms on a bougainvillea is over-watering. To make sure new bougies get watered properly, start by watering every other day when newly planted and then each month add an extra day in between until you are down to one watering per week. Be sure to adjust lawn irrigation so that sprinklers aren't soaking bougainvillea and plant raised out of the ground a little to increase drainage.

3. Planting - The best way to plant a bougainvillea is to leave it in the pot! Young bougainvillea have sensitive root systems and leaving them in the pot reduces transplant shock. Also, over time, the stress of confined roots contributes to more blooms. To do this, cut four large X's around the sides of the pot and cut away the rim so that you won't see it once planting is complete. Dig a hole and amend the area with well-drained soil such as our Kerby's Pine Soil and then plant the bougainvillea as you would any other plant, planting it so that the top of the root ball is about an inch above the surrounding area.

4. Fertilizer - Regular fertilizer will keep your bougainvillea growing and blooming. Use The Kerby's Special monthly for the first year. In the second year, fertilize in spring and fall with the Kerby's Special, and in summer, fertilize with Bloom Booster fertilizer.

5. Pest Control - Watch for little chew marks and holes on the leaves. It's a sign of a warm weather pest, the bougainvillea worm or lopper. Treat plants with Natural Guard Caterpillar Spray with Bt in the evenings to control and prevent.

Send a living gift to your favorite plant person anywhere in the lower 48 states from the Kerby's online houseplant shop. New plants added every Thursday at noon.

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