Morning Folks 06 24 08

Well, I am not usually so impressed by a movie that I would write a review, but yesterday Ed and I saw one called Young at Heart. It is a documentary that I heard about on Sunday Morning CBS a few weeks ago. When I saw it was showing at the Bijou in downtown Chattanooga, I told Ed we HAD to go see it and away we went. I was not disappointed, in fact I was blown away. We were two of 8 people in the theater and it is a shame because I think everyone should see it.

I suggest that each of you run, don't walk, to the nearest theater where it is playing before it disappears. If you have to drive a ways, it's well worth the time and the gas. For you folks at home in MA, it is currently showing in West Newton and a theater in Arlington. If you just can't seem to find it anywhere near your home, I hope you buy the DVD when it comes out. This movie is for anyone who loves to sing, loves to listen to singers, loves people and loves life. We laughed out loud, cried and just thoroughly enjoyed the whole 2 hours. Can you tell I loved it?

Without giving too much away it is about a Northampton, MA chorus called Young At Heart that is made up of senior citizens. These elders, some of whom had never sung in public until they were over 80, sing rock and roll in a way you have never heard before. James Brown's I Feel Good is one of the songs they do and Dylan's Forever Young will just amaze you.

You see the chorus at rehearsal, get to know many of the members of the chorus and the director.

All the performances are terrific but one or two numbers will stay with you.
There is a performance at a local jail that you won't forget. And I have a crush on Fred Knittles. He's 83 and what a voice he has. You'll love him, too.

The chorus director, Bob Cilman, a youngster at age 53, has been their director since 1982. Of course there is a lot of turnover in the members and in this group that's a special challenge for director and chorus alike. I do wish the documentary told a little more of the director's story, but maybe that will come out in the feature film I heard they were making about the group.

Here is a link to the trailer for the documentary that will give you a little teaser.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3uOOhm8Fj8

Please go to see this movie. You will not regret it. I am going to buy their CD on- line because I just can't get enough of them. They are just finishing up a tour that included Boston and Northampton, New York City and CA. But, they have been to Europe more than once and I think they even traveled to Australia for a tour.

Go to their website www.youngatheartchorus.com/ to learn a little more about the group, if you like. But don't preview too many of their songs. It might spoil the surprises.



I hope you see it. And may you be Forever Young like these folks are.

Have a great day!
Love,
Suz

Start of Summer 2008 06 22 08

Morning Folks!

What an absolutely gorgeous Sunday morning here in Ooltewah. I hope you are enjoying your day as much as I am mine.

(remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.)





The back deck on our house has this magical pull, for some reason, for both humans and hummingbirds alike. The view in one direction is just of houses and backyards, some power lines and a school.

But, we are up high on a hill, the deck is 10 or 12 feet off the ground and if you look to the west, there are woods and all you see are trees and sky. We are treated to some pretty amazing sunsets, too.

This morning, like most mornings, I brought my coffee out on the deck. Having run to the store to pick up the Sunday Chattanooga Times Free Press, I was all ready to spend some time with the latest news and shopping flyers. Now, when I am on the beach with the latest summer novel, I always have every intention of getting deep into the book, in fact I eagerly look forward to it. But, for some reason, with the ocean right there in front of me, my eyes are drawn to the water and I am lost at sea. And this morning, like when I am at the ocean, trying to concentrate on reading was just as futile.

The warm gentle breeze, the vivid colors and the occasional soft scent of nearby flowers, the birdsong, and quiet activity of the local wildlife was just too distracting, too mesmerizing.

So, I folded up the paper and just settled in and took in what was happening all around me, just enjoying being in the present moment.

A rabbit out by the neighbor's fence nibbled on the grass under the young apple tree and a bluebird sitting on a branch above, appeared brighter blue than usual against the pale yellow of the abundant golden delicious apples there. Along with mockingbirds and sparrows, chicadees and mockingbirds, the dove family of four roosted in a nearby oak tree, cooing and enjoying each other's company and the cardinal couples we always see were sharing their songs with anyone who would listen. I didn't even mind the squirrels hopping around digging near the tree trunks; and those of you who know my history with squirrels might find that surprising.

As I sat there taking it all in, I wanted so much to share it with someone. Ed was working so I couldn't share it with him. And the memory of spending time out there on the deck first with Kitty and Rick and then with Dad and Inez when they came for visits in May was still fresh in my mind. For me, those times out on the deck were the best part of their visits, but I don't think there was a day as beautiful as today during their times with us.

I think the hummingbirds thought today was especially beautiful, too, because they were showing up a little more frequently than usual and coming every few minutes.

So, I decided to get the camera.

Taking the pictures and trying to get the hummingbirds on video broke the spell a little for me, but I just had to share it with y'all. And I can go out there tomorrow and experience the same thing again, so I didn't really mind.

I know each of you has a little bit of heaven on earth some where in your lives and I hope you get to enjoy it today. For you that might be a garden or a spot in the sun or by the water or just cuddling with someone you love. I have been reading a lot lately about how being in the moment, just in the present, is the way to find peace and some even think that at that moment when there is no past or future but just the 'now', we are in the presence of God. So, I guess it would be appropriate to feel as if there was a little bit of heaven on earth for me when I was surrounded by such peacefulness and beauty. If nothing else, it certainly soothes the soul.

Having some of you here with me would have made it perfect, but for now this will have to do. Now, the video is a little rough, and I apologize, but you should be able to get the idea. For some reason I couldn't post through the blog site so I am trying to do it through YouTube. Hope it works.

either click on the following or copy and paste in your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyleKIuL1XQ


Happy Beginning of Summer. Happy Sunday. Happy Week!
Love,
Suz

Rabbits Everyone! June 1, 2008

Did you say them, people? Did you say your rabbits? Or your Lapin Blancs as my cousin Heather says. I am writing this blog on Saturday evening for publication tomorrow so if you are reading it on the 31st, this will be a reminder.

I haven't posted a blog in a while, in fact not since Mother's Day. I had a lovely Mother's Day thanks to my sons. I spoke to all 4 of them and got a call from the grandkids. Ed gave me the chair I wanted for lounging outside and the Carol King Tapestry CD. Love it.

But the rest of my month was busy and fabulous!

First, we had a beautiful display of pinks and reds in our garden early in the month.

The perennial dianthus went crazy.


And the rose bushes, all taller than me, were spectacular.

Then, after most of the flowers had gone by, we had visitors from the north. Our friends Kitty and Rick took a detour on their way home from a family graduation in Colorado and spent a couple of nights here in TN.

The weather was awful and it was not a good showing for someone's first visit. We tried to show them the view from Lookout Mountain, but there was none. We drove around a little while, girls in the back, boys in the front. And then, believe it or not, we spent an afternoon at the art museum. And we ate a lot. No pulled pork for Kitty this time, but maybe next time. What a visit we had!


Rick chose the room with the big bed but no satellite TV.


Kitty bunked in the room with twin beds but it did have Satellite and frequently she disappeared to catch something on MSNBC or CNN.

"Corn bread or biscuits, Rick?" "I won't make that decision for you, Kitty."


"So, GW, Daddy Bush and Cheney went into a bar..."

"Sorry Sue. We won't talk politics anymore." "Yeah, right!"

The view from our deck was still nice in spite of the weather while we sipped mugs of coffee in the morning and a glass or two of wine in the evening. Watching the hummingbirds at the feeder, a peaceful time with lots of laughs and great conversation. I didn't even mind the political discussions! And I missed them the moment they left. But, they promised to return!

Then, a week or so later, our second round of company arrived. Dad and Inez flew up from Florida to spend the Memorial Day weekend with us. We were very honored because they don't fly too often. This time the weather was beautiful. We spent lots of time on the deck with them, too.

The deck is up high on the house and overlooks our backyard and woods beyond. It's very peaceful there and people seem to gravitate to it.


Watching birds and chatting; Dad enjoying a cigar and reading a book; looking through old photos. It was really special for me. Dad and Inez had a suite using one of the guest rooms to sleep in and the other room across the hall was their own private TV room, for when they wanted to check out Fox News.

Dad and Ed spent some of their time watching golf.
I never thought I would see the day when my father would corrupt my husband, but there they were watching golf. Something we were subjected to every Saturday and Sunday afternoon growing up. I didn't even hang around long enough to find out if Match Even was playing. (It's an old joke from when I was about 10. When they flashed those two words up on the screen I thought it was the name of a golfer and Dad's been bringing it up ever since!)

They were terrific guests, too but didn't want to do too much gallivanting around and were content to just hang out.
We did drive them through the downtown Chattanooga area, girls in the back and boys in the front, and up to Lookout Mountain and that day the view was almost perfectly clear.






We watched the Incline Railroad for a while and had ice cream at the bottom. We had some nice meals out and some leisurly breakfasts in. And we were both so happy to have them in our home. I hope they come back again soon.

It was a wonderful month...Oh yes, we also celebrated 2 years as a married couple the 20th of this month. (Thanks for the cards Joey and Liz) It has been the happiest two years of our lives. I am so lucky to be able to say that.

Oh, and my baby Bill turned 32 on the 21st! I know what y'all are thinking. I am too young to have a 32 year old son, but I was a child bride...the first time.



So there you have it. I think I wrote enough to make up for the lapse in posts. We are off to OK for a while for Ed to take some classes. Wish us well. It's been a little busy in the tornado department lately!

Have a great day and come visit us some day!!! There's a bed all made up and waiting for you!
Love,
Suz

Morning Folks May 9 2008

I received the following from my friend Cheryl who lives out in Oregon. Thanks, Cheryl. I liked it so much that I thought I would post it here. I added the pictures from my own collection. Better get a hankie!

"Mothers (or mothers soon to be) If you send this to just one person, it should make it all the way around the world by Mother's Day. (or if you don't, that's okay too


This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
'It's okay honey, Mommy's here.'
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work withspit-up in their
hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.

And all the mothers who DON'T.

This for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at
football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?'
they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,'and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store
and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead,
but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year. And then read it again. 'Just one more time.'

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their
daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?' in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring
are at home -- or even away at college ~or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later askingthem to please pick them up.
Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school,
safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew abutton on a shirt,
all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear
down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door
and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you
hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for
young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers. Single mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us...


Please pass along to all the Moms in your life, if you've got the energy left."

So, from me, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers or to those who have a mother or who have lost one; or who are like mothers to someone; or who love the mother of their children; or who love any mother at all. Yes, it is a day to remember mothers, but for me it is also a day for me to remember how blessed I am to be one.

Love, Suz

May 1, 2008 RAbbit Rabbit Rabbit

Did you catch Good Morning America today? They were talking about Rabbit, Rabbit. They only say it twice, still, to get a mention on a national news show sort of validates our rabbits, don't you think?

I hope you remembered yours. I got a message from my former sister-in-law, Carol, who informed me that she remembered hers. It's nice to know that she will likely have great luck all month!

And Happy May Day, everyone. Speaking of May, I found a blog not long ago that I love and would like to share it with you. I found it indirectly through a painting that I googled and posted here before. The writer of the blog is an artist, the wife of a minister and today is her birthday. I don't know her at all, but through her blog, I am just captivated by her watercolors. From her blog it seems to me that she hasn't a clue as to how talented she is, either.

I liked some of the watercolors she has on her blog so much that I wrote to her and asked her about purchasing some prints. They are very reasonable so I think in the future, we may have a few Wanda Slaven prints on our walls.
To see this talented woman's blog, got to
http://www.brushstrokesfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

Or click on the link on the right side of my blog. That should get you there, too. Go back to some of her older posts and you will find her artwork peppered throughout. The banner on her blog is made up of all original works as well. I hesitate a little to direct you to her blog since it has such a professional look to it.

Enjoy your May Day and the pictures posted here. Have a great one!

Love,

Suz