STOMP

STOMP by Kirk Franklin

From the time I could hear sounds music has been an important part of my life. Growing up mother played the piano and sang. My siblings and I would sit/stand around and listen or even sing along. We even took piano lessons. I rank about last among the three kids. Mother played by “ear”, and we loved to hear her play her rendition of “boogie woogie”. It was so lively you wanted to kick up your heels…and we did. Music and dance was good at the house. Just ask the “Brightsville Shuffle” fellow.

As we grew each sibling had a different beat in their heart. Sister had that “shag” going on, I “grooved” with Motown, and brother “rocked out” with KISS and QUEEN. Our taste in music continues to change as we become older. I’ve seen more gospel/praise, country, bluegrass, etc. around our homes. All types of music is good for the soul.

I personally love all types of music because the sound, rhythm, and lyrics allow my emotions to feel beyond the unimagined. I can totally immerse myself into a song, close my eyes, and feel; thus, I begin to move. Any song that can make a person feel to consider a new possibility is worthy of listening to.

Now…church related music. I love the hymns, praise, 7-11, whatever. Most often people make decisions about church songs by what others say, how the music sounds, etc. without really taking into account what God has in store for us through these various types of song worship. I really missed a good sermon on music and other topics Sunday I’m told. (I was visiting mother and dad at their church in SC.)

Anyway…..

• I love music, will continue to sing out loud…on key or sometimes off key.
• I love music, will continue to sing my Motown and dance to it.
• I love music, will continue to sing in church and share my talent (ha-ha), and sing songs in the choir I might not like but hey! I sing to worship and praise my Heavenly Father…not you.

Help me because Spring is coming our way, and I am still "winter lazy"!!!

Every time new life erupts from the earth's floor a smile comes across my face. There's just something about the beauty that the earth unfolds. I know that we sometimes help out by planting seeds but what glorious finds we see when birds/insects help with their in-flight transport of flower pieces.

How can you not love this picture!

One of my azaleas as the blooms are beginning to fade and fall.

Camellias are so beautiful. I love to place them in my home.

What am I going to do? My yard really looks bad...I mean bad. I've done nothing to prepare for Spring. And...Spring Break begins tomorrow at 3 pm.

Sorry yard! I am flying to mom and dad's on Saturday for a few days of relaxation, eating whatever (yes, you WW girls...whatever I want), sleeping late, lying by the pool, eating (again), reading to my heart's content, eating (again) and working in the yards with my dad to include planting flowers, cleaning the pond area, cutting the fields as I sing with my ipod at the top of my lungs and breaking beaver dams. This is my idea of complete and total fun at my mom and dad's. Just laid back enjoyment and maybe some homemade popcorn at the end of the day. Yum!!!!! Yum!!!!!

Wish you could come with me!!!

Amazingly 8 hrs becomes 13 hrs and a whole lot of fun ---

Our day Saturday began at 10 in the morning as we headed to Montgomery for an afternoon of lunch and an ASF play. The drive is always one of “catching up” with each other’s news. We arrived and had lunch at one of our favs…Panera Bread. I tried a new Hot Panini..tomato and mozzarella cheese. Oh wow, yum,yum!!!

After lunch we headed to the ASF Theater for our play. Nearing the parking lot we noticed that there weren’t many cars there, but we were a little early and sales had been reported as being off for the remainder of the season. So we didn’t think much of it…until we walked through the doors, saw the gated partition down, and no one really in sight but the ticket ladies. After a quick inquiry about the afternoon matinee and a check on our tickets at the “Call Window”, we found out that our tickets were scheduled for the night (7:30) performance. WHAT?

As we left the theater thinking of our mistake, our many chores back at home (which we were to do upon our 6 pm return), time change for the night, we decided to remain in Montgomery, not lose our money (for tickets already paid for), and see the 7:30 pm play. Now we needed to figure out what to do for the next 6 hours.

First, we went shopping (my advantage) for about2 hours and then back to Panera Bread for a cinnamon crunch bagel topped with honey walnut cream cheese (advantage for both of us). Another yum moment!!! We spent almost an hour sitting in the lounge area in the most comfortable chairs talking non-stop. It was so much fun to just sit and relax.

Then we needed to decide where to eat, yes eat again. After talking about a few restaurants, driving to 2 nearby for a look at their menus, we ended up at Five Guys…just 2 shops down from Panera Bread. By this time we are so deliriously in tune to funny that it is ridiculous. We enjoyed a delicious cheeseburger and homemade fries. Now this was comfort food.

Guess where we headed now? Yep…to the ASF Theater. We arrived a little early to see a few more cars in the parking lot. There were people now mingling towards the stage area as the announcement was made that the doors were open for seating. We finally made it to the play.

Our trip home was another good ride with great conversation and did I mention a “Blizzard” stop in Troy.? Oh well, talking/sharing/bonding, relaxing, and eating lots of good food just makes an “8 hour to 13 hour day event” a whole lot of fun!

What would I do without my friends?

What would I do without my friend? I knew from the moment I met you that you and I would bond like sisters. It is such a rarity when 2 girls are on such a level plain but yet different worlds apart. I always remember the time that I was scared to share one moment of truth about my son for fear that you would judge my motherhood. Little did I know that this was the defining road to friendship for us. Your son was just as normal as mine. God love us!

What would I do without my friend? I’ve come to appreciate the road that this friendship has led me on. Her adventurous nature has made me more aware of my life’s journey and more aware that my life doesn’t have to be contained. I have become more aggressive in my life and it is entertaining! I never know from moment to moment when we met what glorious tales we will weave. Another sister.

What would I do without my friends? You know who you are! You’re the one who reminds me of myself in my younger days (You ol’ hippy!) You’re the one who can not upset me, even if you tried. You’re the one who makes me laugh…just laugh. You’re the one who makes me think too much…STOP IT!!! Ha-a-a-a-a I adore each of you. I respect you. I love you.

Let’s groove………………………………

Time Warp for Me....

Sometimes in your life you're dealt a card that you knew was coming sooner or later. You just never knew when. Thankfully I have seen the card played and now know what's ahead. I rest in the knowledge that my God is awesome.

Ok blog readers.....I'm fine. It's a very personal issue right now that I may be able to share later on.

Right now, I need a "music time warp" so bear with me. Maybe you might even enjoy the sounds and get your feet moving and become wrapped by the music. Ah-h-h ...........such was the days.

I loved this type of music. (The Temptations)