Music Education
In the 1920s, my grandmother earned a music education degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She got married, raised a family, served as a pastor's wife, and spent countless hours as a church volunteer, even on the national level. She and my grandfather eventually retired in Victoria, Texas.
After Grandpa died, her financial situation required some supplemental income. Without a teaching certificate in Texas, she could not get a regular teaching job, but a position as a teacher's aide in a music classroom was possible.
Most interestingly, the music students were all hard-of-hearing. Grandma taught them music using rhythm, dancing, and percussion instruments. Her favorite method was placing their hands on the piano while she played, watching them experience the vibrations of the sound board. She would have been thrilled to see the little girl playing the chimes yesterday.
Not As They Seem
Our church sponsored a table at their local "Summer Fest," and I took a turn yesterday manning the booth. As my show-and-tell, I spread three octaves of chimes on the table, and played harmonies while singing some hymn tunes.
A family stopped by to listen, and took up my offer to play the chimes. The two-year-old in her stroller was especially fascinated, and explored chimes of every size and pitch. Her father joined her, playing rhythms together and gently touching the chimes to different surfaces to explore the sounds. The child grinned in delight and spent almost twenty minutes having a grand time.
As they prepared to go, the older sister told the child to thank me. She didn't say anything, but I said "you're welcome" anyway. Then the sister explained that her young sibling had thanked me with sign language. It was my first indication that she enjoyed the chimes for their vibrations, not their sound.
What's the Cause?
Now that I'm 55 years old, does that make me eligible for "senior moments"? A friend tells me that they aren't because of age, but instead motherhood. I'll take her explanation as I rue a wasted 10 minutes looking for eyeglasses that were on my face!
Change
Many years ago, I often frequented Kinkos to make photocopies. Now this local store is called FedEx Office, and I visited today after a very long absence. I pulled out my coinpurse to pay 13 cents for one copy. But the machines no longer take coins! Had to use my credit card for a ridiculously small purchase.
Waltzing at Trinity's "New Orleans" Fundraiser
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Upcoming Wedding
Paul and Mariana
Playful
It's hard to be depressed when our dachsund looks at me with sweet eyes, wags his tail with abandon, and gives me his stomach to rub. Such obvious delight is a good lesson in life.
Growing Up
I took Peter to the pediatrician today for his annual physical. As usual, the nurse measured his height and weight. Not as usual, however, is that his new height is identical to mine!
Princess Leonore
Princess Leonore of Sweden recently visited the island of Gotland for the first time. Since she is titled the Duchess of Gotland, the Swedish province gave her a pony in 2014 at the time of her baptism. Her trip there last weekend marked her introduction to her horse, named Heidi.
First, her father brought her to the stables carrying a gift for Heidi and a riding helmet for herself.
But instead of concentrating on the horse, she turned her attention to other things.
In fact, taking a run through the nearby field of flowers proved much more interesting.
And after all that running, a child needs a little rest.
Mom (Princess Madeleine) finally caught up with her daughter.
But where are her shoes and socks?
Moms help one get properly dressed again.
Now it's time to get back to the horse. But the brush is far more interesting.
And the best part of all? That carrot, that the poor pony would have liked to eat!
Silver Lining
Always need to remind myself of the positives in life. One for today is the perfect weather we are having here. As my brother would say, "It's a bluebird day!"
