High C's in Heaven

I grew up in a home filled with all kinds of wonderful music. My parents filled our home with music from all over the world, and all across the musical spectrum. One of the things my father introduced me to is Opera, and I still enjoy it today. I remember being amazed to hear those wonderful voices as they soared through amazingly high and and low notes. I remember watching PBS with my father, and listening to the great Opera singers: Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Beverly Sills. I remember my father listening to Pavarotti on LP's on Saturday mornings, as he sat with his coffee. I remember my mother humming "La Dona Mobile", one of her favorite arias. As I started my day today, I read that Luciano Pavarotti passed away after a long battle with cancer. They called him "King of the High C's". This morning, Heaven's chorus has a wonderful new star. Fare thee well, maestro. I hope to hear your voice again, when I make my own journey home. You will be missed.

The Time Machine

As I grow older, I am amazed how easy it can be to travel back in time - how things can be like a time machine right out of something from H.G. Wells. My 11 year old daughter in in the Miamisburg Color Guard, and each year they march in the Homecoming game.

Last year, I was in the high school parking lot, watching the practice for Friday night's game. The band was marching on the back side of the parking lot, the girls were spinning their flags, rifles, and sabers,as the metronome clicked out a steady beat. Standing there, behind the cars, I was suddenly whisked away. For just a moment, I was back in Texas, standing in the Permian High School parking lot .... I was 16 years old again .... and and watching my friends ready for the Friday night half time show. It took a moment for me push away the mist of memory, and realize where I was. I wondered how many of my friends might have experienced the same sort of thing, the same thick, misty air of days gone by.

Then, it came to me, as the cliche' says, in a song. So for anyone out there who has ties to Odessa, Texas and the Permian Panthers, I offer you this ride in a time machine. I wish you a happy journey, and I'll see you again soon!

(Mojo...Mojo...Mojo...Mojo...............................................................)

A Creed for Daily Life

My daughter's band director, Mrs. Patti Bennet, shares this quotation with her students every year. I was so inspired, that I wanted to share it with you. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Read this. Repeat. I hope you find inspiration as I did. Thank you, Patti.

Pledge to Yourself

By Marva Collins
This day has been given to me fresh and clear.
I can use it or throw it away.
I promise I shall use this day to its fullest, realizing it can never come back again.
I realize this is my life to use or to throw away.

I am the only person who has the power to decide what I will be.

I make myself whatever I am.

My Son's Hero

My son has a hero. His hero is not a professional athlete, not a movie star, and not even one of those Marvel characters. Although he may not be the typical six year old's hero, he well deserves the title. My son's hero is Bill Harley. Bill Harley is a singer/songwriter/storyteller from Seekonk, MA. The first time we saw Bill, my son kept waving his hands, trying to ask for a song. He wanted to hear "Macaroni and Cheese". Bill was not able to sing the song that day, but, after the show, sang a few bars of it for my son. That was it. We were hooked. The Cd's we bought were played over,and over, and over again. That Summer, we went to Mississippi on vacation. While at a lake, my son began collecting milky quartz from the grounds and the shores. When we asked him why he was collecting it, he told us it was for his "best friend" Bill Harley. It seems that my son believed he needed these rocks, because of his song "The Milky Way". So, we came home, wrote a letter to Bill, and carefully wrapped up the milky quartz as a gift. Bill responded with a wonderful handwritten postcard of thanks. It was very cool! Later, my son and I went to a storytelling festival in Chillicothe, Ohio. As soon as my son saw him come on stage, he was crying out, "Look! Look! It's Bill Harley! Look!" He looked out, smiled, and waved. My son and I listened to several storytellers, and then we saw Bill. He loved every minute of Bill's story. Once he was done, we walked out to the front. We found the manager, and asked if Bill would be coming out to sign autographs. My son was jumping up and down, saying "I want to see Bill Harley! I want to see Bill Harley!" The manager walked us back the performers trailer. He knocked on the door, and told Bill he had a fan outside. I was amazed. He came right out to see us! My son, was star struck. Then, Bill Harley did the most amazing thing. He crouched down to be at eye level with my son. I told him that this was the boy who had sent him the milky quartz. His response? "Hello, Robbie! The quartz was great. Thank you!" I was blown away. How many children write to him? And he knew my child's name? Wow! We were about to go, when I realized that we had forgotten our camera. I told Robbie I was sorry about that. Bill asked us to hold on, and went to get his own camera! I took the picture of Robbie and Bill together. He asked me to email his wife, and we'd get the picture. Sure enough, we did. (Thank you, Debbie!) The next time he was in Cincinnati, we went to see him again. Again, Bill recognized Robbie. Again, they had a wonderful picture taken together, and again I was amazed. Here is a man who takes the time to pay attention to my child, who remembers the letters he has written to him, and takes a picture with him every time. My son thinks of Bill Harley as his hero, and I for one, think that fits perfectly! If you ever get the chance to see him, GO! It will be a great time for all.

Dinner

Tonight, my boys and I went to a pig roast at the near-by Park View Methodist Church. The boys had balloon swords made, complete with balloon belts to place them in. Of course, it did not take long for everything to pop! We brought my "famous" Cinnamon bread to share. I had some delicious pulled pork, and the boys chose hot-dogs. After playing a very cool home made ball game, we went for a ride in a horse drawn carriage. The boys thought that was very cool. All the people we met were very nice indeed, and all invited us to come to Sunday services. What a nice place to visit, and a nice way to find some potential new friends for us all.

Me

Well, this is me. My 11 year old daughter took this photo this morning. So, now you know what I look like!

Hello

Hello! Cass Lovely here. This is my first Blog. My mother, Edie, has been posting some very cool things on this blog spot. I thought I'd give it a try. So...Hello! I can't wait to share with you. Don't forget to post a response!