Another definition of Family.

Family. I realized another aspect of being part of an extended family today. I just got a call from my mother. Why? It's snowing major inches all over Michigan, and she just wanted to make certain that I was inside and okay. Then, I was on Facebook, and Roy, my 'other father', tagged me to ask if we were both home & warm. Next thing I know, I'm getting a weather report from Kentucky, and other friends checking on us here to. (friends, family..the lines blur).

So, family is a group of people who care about you, who during a snowstorm, call and check on you. They are those who offer to install your daughter's light fixture, or do your taxes, reload your computer, or check on you during a snow storm...who refuse all forms of payment, other than baked goods.

Family is amazing. Now I need to go bake cookies....

The past becomes the present

Thursday, 6pm, found me walking into church, grumbling at having to leave my warm house to drive in my cold car up to church on another evening. I have so few evenings completely at home. Keeping my coat on, to ward against the chilly temperatures inside of the sanctuary, I found a seat at the end of the row where the altos were to sit.

Gary, our fearless choir leader, handed me the cantata, and a copy of three hymns we are going to be singing for Easter morning. Here I found myself grumbling again, as I was told they would be familiar hymns...but having been raised in a Lutheran church, only one hymn was familiar to Me.

Then we got started. Gary explained the basics of following music, and I had to force myself to not roll my eyes. Such a negative spirit I was!

When we began to sing, everything changed. Hearing the beautiful harmonies that altos are privileged to sing. I found old skills coming back. I knew what a DS coda was, how to find a measure, what dynamic markings were. Everything I learned from Mr. Demarea, Mrs. Sopoliga, Professor Kurt, and Matt Bays, from years in high school choirs, college choirs, and the wonderful purple robed choir at New Community. It all came back.

Everyone was sitting, but I just couldn't. The words of Mr. Demarea, 'you can't get music from a folded instrument' prompted me. Ignoring the embarrassment, I stood up. Others in the choir looked at me, like 'what?'...but I had to. Standing up, I could properly sing, to get the needed support as the alto's part soared up into soprano range.

And my spirit soared with it.

I owe Gary an apology for my grumblings, and to God. I am so looking forward to next Thursday, for the chance to sing with a choir again. And amongst those sitting, I'll be the one standing up on the end, singing fortissimo.

He saw his Shadow

So, it's Groundhog Day. A day when the world looks to a small furry creature to decide if we get to endure an extra 6 weeks of cold and ice and snow. Big surprise...Phil saw his shadow. Personally, I'd have been surprised if he hadn't. After all, this is Michigan. We have 4 seasons here. Almost Winter. Winter. Still Winter. Then 2 weeks of blazing hot summer. Then rinse & repeat.

So, here we face another 6 weeks of winter. Probably more like 8 weeks of frigid north. I remember seeing snow in April a few years back! So, my snow shovel will stay inside, so that I can still be prepared to shovel my way out of the house. I have only vague memories of what the sun looks like.

But I have faith. One day, in the distant future, my daffodil bulbs really will fight their way out of the ground again. Shortly thereafter, I'll hear the one distinctive sound that always hearlds the coming of Spring for me...no, not a robin singin...it's the blissful roar of a Harley, racing down the highway.

Until then, I'll keep my slippers nearby, extra blankets on my bed, and the thought of blue skies hidden in my heart. Someday, the sun will return....I believe!

Magical Saturday Mornings

Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the entire week. It's like my own personal holiday that occurs weekly. Why? There is a certain magic to Saturday mornings. I wake up, after sleeping in a bit (when you get up at 5am on weekdays, sleeping til 7am is sleeping in)...and the day feels fresh, new. There is no place that I have to rush off to, and no reason to dress up. I can wear my favorite jeans if I want to (and I always do). The sun is shining, and seems to sparkle through my windows. I have such a feeling of well-being at those times.

I feel like I could do anything. The air is ripe with possibilities. The past is of no consideration; instead, there is a certain newness to the day. The day is fresh, and all that is needed to get started is a nice cup of tea. With a tea cup in hand, I sit and explore the possibilities. What shall I do today? Write a novel? Draft an amazing article? Begin a loaf of fragrent bread? Anything is possible.

Saturday mornings are not a time to be wasted. No TV viewing, no reading of books (my favorite addiction), nothing ordinary.

So, I'm off to continue on with my wonderful Saturday morning, off to explore the magic of the day. Enjoy the magic of your personal holiday!

Why I Write

The question comes to mind: just why do I write? It's been my dream since childhood, since I figured out that someone wrote those amazing stories that I read. But beyond that, why?

One reason I just discovered this morning. When I get to work, and while getting my morning mug of tea (yes, mug...at home I brew proper pots of tea, but at work, can't often)...I usually end up briefly chatting with my friend Sharon. As always, the question arises, how was your day/night yesterday? This morning, I found myself answering 'I had a good day yesterday.' Then as I walked down the long corridor through cubicleville, I found myself thinking, 'why did I answer that?' The work day yesterday, while productive, was a frustrating one. So why did I think my day was good?

Then I had it..the difference was that yesterday I spent time writing. All I did was to work on an article, maybe 20 minutes or so. But that was enough. When I spend time writing, I am happier. A bit of joy is released from my heart in the act of writing...and encompasses me.

So, now, realizing that, I will endevor to write daily. I know I can do that, because in November, I took part in NaNoWriMo, and wrote for 28 days out of 30. So, watch for new posts here on Tuesdays and Saturdays...and know that in between, I'm at my keyboard (or using my magical Scottish pen), and I am writing.

The word "tawny" flittered through my mind....

I didn't need my first mug of tea this morning. I got enough of an adrenaline boost on the way to work. I got almost all the way there, and had just turned onto Mill Road, and had just glanced down to check my speedometer, and when I glanced back up, my first thought was 'tawny'. Then the thought traveled swiftly around my mind, looking for something to link to. Then it clicked, and I swiftly swerved into the oncoming lane, to avoid hitting a doe that was just standing in the road. Just standing there. When I swerved, she sauntered off with an attitude of 'What?' like an annoyed teenager. I am just so glad that there wasn't a car in that oncoming lane. I can just see that accident report had there been a car there. 'Driver swerved into the path of the oncoming car, to avoid hitting a deer that spontaneously appeared in the lane.'

Good Morning!

New Perspective

It's midway through the first month of a new year. I've had a few magical Saturday mornings (I'll explain about the magic of Saturday mornings another time). But I've realized that this year didn't feel new...didn't feel any different. Then I realized it. The difference has to begin within me. So, now I have a new perspective, a new way of looking at this year.

This year, I'm going to focus on my writing more...submit more articles, finish my first book, and start a second one. When I've let it rest a while, I'll begin the revision process on that first book. I will post blogs much more often, frequently. I will continue to transcribe my father's stories, and ask for more.

This year, I'm also going to FINISH my various UFOs (unfinished object-meaning craft project). I've already been working on that this year.

So, my new perspective is to see new opportunities in projects, in writings, in life. Come and follow my journey here.