Saturday, August 30, 2008

Everydayness

"Everydayness" or in other words: a normal day. I remember when my life was full of them. Of course, with four children there was always something going on, but it was always normal goings on. Now my life is nothing like normal. I guess there is good and bad in this, but I'm choosing to focus on the good.

Some random non-normal things:

I saw a lady walking her dog... but the dog was sitting in a doggy stroller!!! I thought dogs needed exercise. I was driving by so I didn't get a close enough look to see if the dog was wearing an outfit that matched its owner.

Yesterday we had a freak rainstorm that I promise only hit the high school and nowhere else. It just happened to hit while the band kids were out on the parking lot running through the show. I was nearby in my car and didn't get one drop of rain on me.

Speaking of rain, the night before I hydroplaned on the parkway. It was freaky scary. I didn't do anything to cause it like braking or speeding. I was just driving along the wet road and all of a sudden my car went slightly, so very slightly out of control. For just a split second I thought I would lose control.

It's cookie dough time for the theatre department. I love the convenience of the frozen cookie dough and being able to pop in some cookies for a quick snackage emergency.

Grissom actually won a football game last night.

I've picked out the topic for my Music History research paper: The Transition from the Recorder to the Transverse Flute in the Baroque Orchestra.

My oldest son's car, our old family minivan which he loves so dearly, is standing on its last, uh, wheel/tire. It has a mind of its own on whether or not it would care to start on any particular day. Needless to say, this has caused some major how to get to work issues.

I have to give a half-recital next semester and I've already started planning it. I think it will be in March. I get to play part of the Boling Jazz Suite with a jazz combo backing me up. I'm so excited!

I want to clean my house. I guess maybe this is the most non-normal of all this randomness.
Better get busy!

In closing, let me share a poem that touched me, because I yearn for the return of normalcy in my life. Maybe. I enjoy the excitement of life, but not the down parts. I don't know who wrote this poem, but I like it.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky, and want, more than all the world, your return.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

she graduated






So far now two of my children have graduated before me. I'm so proud of Kristen for hanging in there, for working so hard to help provide for her education, and for her intelligence and wisdom and sense of humor that made it easier for her. I know it wasn't easy, and there were moments of discouragement. But the good news is she loves her major, she loves what her future holds and can't wait to get back into a Master's program to help fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a librarian. I love you Kristen and was glad to be able to be with you to celebrate this important accomplishment in your life. I'm next!

Saturday, August 09, 2008

08.08.08

Today's cool date will never happen again in my lifetime.

Where am I on today's cool date? I'm in Kansas City which, by the way, is not in Kansas. I'm staying downtown at the Westin. It's a very nice hotel.

I'm attending the National Flute Convention. It is flute heaven. I've tried different flutes (not for me, but for my students so I can recommend flutes)... (okay I confess, I did try the $13,000 and $15,000 Haynes flutes), anyway, I've bought music, listened to some very good flute playing, some amazing virtuostic flute playing, some mediocre flute playing, and some interesting piccolo playing. I've been to several classes from performance anxiety, to flying fingers, to problems of "maturing" flutists. I've walked alot, eaten at a couple of really nice places, stayed up too late, and have actually found a few minutes to practice.

I'm on my way to a concert. This sure is fun!