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Interesting morning of meditation at the
Kadampa Meditation Center
right here in in Lubbbock, Texas!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Neighborhood Watch?
It's actually the ice cream truck!
I would never have guessed if I hadn't heard those
tinny strains of "The Entertainer".
Hopefully, the kids will know.
Piddlin'
Sorting Tupperware
Emptying dishwasher...
Finishing little projects...
Cleaning out Caleb's ART drawer...
Sorting through the toy closet...
Cutting old bananas up for a freezer treat...
Enjoying the light show from my new crystal...
Listening to a favorite song all the while...
My favorite kind of day!
My friend, Kay
Kay and I
have been best friends for more than 40 years now, seeing each
other
through the highs and lows that come with each and every new season of life.
I've watched
and admired her as she moved so gracefully, it appeared to me,
from
classroom teacher all the way up to Deputy Superintendent of the
Northside
School District in San Antonio.
She has been
retired now for a few years, and when I received this word from
her today, I
couldn't help but think, "Well, yes! Good guys can finish first!"
I am so
happy and proud for her, someone definitely not given to pride,
which is probably why she is so respected and loved.
which is probably why she is so respected and loved.
Congratulations,
my friend!
I have some surprising news that I want to share.
Northside School District named a school after me at the board meeting this past Tuesday.
It is an elementary that opens in the fall of 2013 and is right next to the
John Folks Middle School (the supt) which opens the next year.
I am very honored and a little stunned.
It will be the Kay Franklin Elementary School.
Just wanted to share that piece of news.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Awe!
This gorgeous crystal,
a belated birthday gift from my friend, Tenna, came in today's mail.
a belated birthday gift from my friend, Tenna, came in today's mail.
We have celebrated each others' birthdays together for almost twenty years now,
and she always manages to gift me with something that goes
straight to my heart and soul.
straight to my heart and soul.
She knows me, and that is a gift in itself!
Confident pilot...
There were some cute smiley airplane pictures, but this one is my favorite!
Actually, there's a sweet story to go with it:
A cute little girl gave Sawyer three quarters when she saw him
sitting longingly in the non-moving plane, and her mommy overheard me
telling Sawyer that I hadn't brought quarters today.
sitting longingly in the non-moving plane, and her mommy overheard me
telling Sawyer that I hadn't brought quarters today.
The plane is moving in this picture, and he did have a grand time...really!
Changing lanes...
How interesting!
What worked for me two years ago, is not working for me now.
At that time, I kept very careful records of meals eaten, miles walked,
and journal entries made, not to mention tons of morning pages.
Truth is, I followed Julia's plan to the letter!
Now, two years later, anything that doesn't have some aspect of play in it,
just doesn't seem to get the job done for me.
Yikes!
I do believe I've been converted.
So, I went to Barnes & Noble and bought the most colorful journal I could find,
and now I make my entries in bright colors,
with no rules as to what has to be accounted for each day,
with no rules as to what has to be accounted for each day,
be it eating, walking, weighing or writing.
Let's see how that works for me.
I think I already feel lighter just putting down the rule book...ha!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Baking
Today, Sawyer arrived with a box of Lightening McQueen cookies for baking.
Here, he waits semi-patiently for them to cook.
And then...FINALLY!
"Mommy...Daddy...cookies are ready!"
I love that he chose to serve his cookies on a colorful birthday plate
left over from Pappy's 90th birthday celebration back in 2006.
Don't you just love it?!
I mean...you can not plan these things, but you sure
need to be awake to see and appreciate them.
Pappy's spirit lives on!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Beauty
I've followed Stephanie's blog for more than a year now,
and she continues to inspire me in so many ways,
not the least of which is to remind me daily
that BEAUTY is truly in the eye
and heart of the beholder.
Thanks, Nienie!
that BEAUTY is truly in the eye
and heart of the beholder.
Thanks, Nienie!
Enjoy!
South African quartet plays
for peace
Tessa
Kruger, 8 December 2010
A group of internationally acclaimed South
African musicians have come together to form a Quartet of Peace that is using classical music
to promote worldwide the ideals of
reconciliation, freedom and hope represented by South Africa's four Nobel Peace
laureates. Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk are
the inspiration behind the quartet's formation.
The Quartet of Peace consists of David Juritz,
also leader of the London Mozart Players; Suzanne Martens, previous concert
master of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and a lecturer in the University of
Stellenbosch's music faculty; Gareth Lubbe, principal violist of the Gewandhaus
Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany; and Peter Martens, former principal cellist of
the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and currently artistic administrator and
director of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.
Music fosters reconciliation
The remarkable project is the realization of
world-renowned luthier Brian Lisus' dream – held since Mandela's inauguration
as President of South Africa in 1994 – to use music to foster peace and
reconciliation in the world. His vision has become a reality as friends with a
passion for classical music and string instruments have rallied around him,
offering their assistance to get the Quartet of Peace project off the ground.
And since the eminent musicians have volunteered
their talents at no cost, the project has developed into a large initiative
receiving interest and support from the French minister of arts and culture and
the London Chamber Music Society, among others.
Lisus hand-crafted brand new string instruments
for members of the quartet. The four instruments carry the inscriptions of peace, reconciliation, hope and freedom on
the back - the Mandela cello is named Hope, the Luthuli violin is Freedom, the
Tutu violin is Peace, and the De Klerk viola is Reconciliation.
Message of peace
Furthermore, the musicians are taking the
message of peace to local and international audiences with the music of
accomplished South African-born composer, percussionist and poet Skeef, now
resident in London.Skeef's involvement in the initiative is interesting, as he
was a young activist during apartheid who co-led literacy campaigns in schools
and communities across South Africa. He currently serves on the board of
directors of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many other commitments.
The prominent artists were all inspired by the
idea of taking the ideals of Mandela, Tutu, De Klerk and Luthuli to the world. They
were also motivated by the fact that concert proceeds go towards Musequality
projects that uplift and heal children who are disadvantaged and at risk. One
of these, the Hout Bay Music Project, teaches 60 children to play string
instruments and drums and also offers lessons in life skills. Another, Melodi
Music in Soweto, starts children off on the recorder before they advance to
other woodwind instruments. The intention is also to help disadvantaged
children and child refugees on the African continent, as music is proving to
facilitate healing in youngsters who have experienced hardships early in life.
Lisus worked around the clock to complete the
cello, the last instrument made for the quartet. He said it had been a long
journey to see the initiative come to fruition, but the involvement of
"wonderful people" was overwhelming. The violinmaker added that he
looked forward to hear the musicians play on his handcrafted instruments and to
see the concerts supporting music projects for children around the world.
"The Quartet of Peace must make everybody
aware of the South African ideals; we want to inspire the world to peace and
reconciliation – to walk in the footsteps of Mandela, Tutu, Luthuli and De
Klerk."
Read more:http://www.southafrica.info/about/arts/quartetofpeace.htm#ixzz1qM9qc8Zo
What a lovely idea!
Given the date of the article, this is obviously old news.
However, today is the first I'd heard about it.
I was listening to the BBC while running some errands,
and heard a segment about a recent performance of
The Quartet of Peace.
and heard a segment about a recent performance of
The Quartet of Peace.
What a lovely idea!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Confession
Almost two years ago, to the day, I started reading and working Julia Cameron's
The Writing Diet, and it really worked for me.
I lost some weight, got into a consistent walking regimen,
altered my eating habits for the better,
and eventually even wrote a book, along with some poetry and essays.
Well, here I am, two years later, reading and working Julia's book again.
Today's Chapter 3 was about walking,
and once again I found myself resisting just getting on out there and doing it!
Instead, I wanted to read, watch a movie, eat, drink, or just about anything that
would "feed" the part of me that would rather settle into my Saturday
instead of setting out on what I truly believe is necessary for my
would "feed" the part of me that would rather settle into my Saturday
instead of setting out on what I truly believe is necessary for my
creative spirit and ultimate well-being...walking!
Before I could think myself out of it, I had my walking shoes on,
my cap and sunglasses in place and my Canon in hand.
It is so true!
Walking opens up all of those creative thought cells
that would otherwise stay closed.
that would otherwise stay closed.
Before I knew it, these pictures, along with their captions, found me,
and I was truly having fun, even though our neighborhood is not
the Garden of Eden, or anywhere close to it.
Fancy Free
Withered & Wise
Bejeweled Pine
"I caught one!"
Integration
Timing is everything.
This gift card was given to me at my 60th birthday party at the NCCIL,
a party I threw for a devoted and vibrant circle of friends.
It has ridden around in my billfold now for 4+ years.
Today I used it to order an assortment
of stain glass kaleidoscope coloring books for Caleb.
Coco gave us our first one last year, and coloring in them has been
one of Caleb's favorite artsy things we do together.
Now who could have imagined, at that party 4+ years ago,
that this is how I would use the gift card?
that this is how I would use the gift card?
And that I'd be enjoying all this unexpected wonderfulness in my life today!
Thank goodness for "curve balls" that surprise us into situations
we might never have chosen on our own.
There are NO mistakes!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Beware the Donut Hole
Rob and I have spent the better part of today dealing with the realities
of the much-talked-about Medicare Donut Hole,
within which Rob has now landed.
(This too shall pass.)
Nienie's story in PEOPLE magazine...
{My family featured in People Magazine on newsstands today}
I have been a follower of Stephanie Nielson's blog
www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com
ever since I saw her and her husband Christian interviewed
on 20/20 last year.
on 20/20 last year.
Theirs is an extraordinary story!
An Angelic Paperdoll
On our way to Katy, Susan and I stopped in Smithville at
Tom Tierney's Paperdolls, where we visited with this world-class artist and
came away with some of his amazing paperdoll art.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Welcome
This is the official web site of paper doll artist Tom Tierney. We hope you enjoy your visit.
For information about the 2012 Texas Paper Doll Party visit: www.texaspaperdollparty.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012
CutUps by Sarah Minibooks
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sweet little girl memories...
Since I only get to do boys, Mimi Susan shared her precious grand-girlies with me
in Katy, Texas. (Faelyn Rose & Gwyneth Avery)
in Katy, Texas. (Faelyn Rose & Gwyneth Avery)
Early Monday morning, Gwyneth tapped on our closed guestroom door
to inform us that there were "two girls in the playroom",
and that if Mimi and I came out to play,
"there would be four."
We declined the invitation for just a few more minutes in bed.
And this is Analiece, fondly referred to as
"that precious baby".
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Senior Coffee
Rob and I just returned from a week-long adventure...more on that to follow.
For now, here's a funny from this morning's stop at McDonald's:
Rob orders me a fifty-cent Senior Coffee,
after which he is instructed to drive to the first window to pay...which he does.
And then he drives off.
When I remind him about the coffee, he makes his way back to window 2
and sheepishly accepts the forgotten coffee.
We all had a good laugh, including the lady at window 2,
about the appropriately named
Senior Coffee.
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