Hello, Monday

So, I was going to weigh in on the Chick-Fil-A nonsense....But I am not feeling particularly insightful today; my strongly worded opinion, which will no doubt offend some, will have to wait until my brain can function on a productive level.

Instead I am doing something light & fun: I am linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday posting. Go check out her amazing hand stamped jewelry, accessories, & home decor. I love her work! 

My pictures for this Hello Monday's post are recent, random images from my phone. I am constantly driving my children crazy by shoving a camera in their faces. I love it.

Hello, DMB show night 2

 

Hello, Mama & big girl

Hello, searching for dragons

Hello, searching for GaGa & PooPoo

Hello, Lorax trees (aka, thistles)

                      

Hello, snacks & amazing fireworks show

Hello, vacation hangover at Aunt Helen's

Hello, rock stars & messy living room

Hello, sidewalk chalk paint

Hello, napping babies

 Hello, Bob the Builders

Chicken ranting will happen another day....

A Part of Me

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'

Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990)

  

 

 

Many times throughout my life I have been asked "why" I listen to this song or that one, "why" I like this band. I've gotten more than a few raised eyebrows & the occasional look of pitied amusement when I tell people how my husband & I met (college band geeks). The quote above pretty much sums it up for me. Music just is.

Most of my favorite memories revolve around music. My first radio I could listen to any time I wanted. My dad singing with the radio & just staying on one note if he couldn't quite reach the higher ones (sorry, Daddy). My mom sitting on the living room floor playing her flute along with Led Zeppelin records. My grandma & her piano. Family sing alongs. KU Band Camp & the discovery of jazz. My first solo in front of a crowd at Old Settler's. Practically running, while trying to play, on the damn marching field because my legs are so short. Laying on Tom's floor in the dark, listening to whatever composer he put on the stereo. Introducing junior high kids to the wonder of Adagio for Strings. Mary Chapin Carpenter on the radio the first time I told my future husband I loved him. Listening to the boys at Step Sing & anywhere else a few gathered (my personal faves: the pirate song & that Viva song). That sweaty night in Ellis Hall. Ars Musica. Sometimes I will call a friend just to sing her part of a song we love; she always knows it's me. Johnny Hartman singing to my first baby in my belly & her calming to that same voice late at night. Luther Vandross singing to my second baby; she recognized his voice, too. 

 

The most important people in my life have come to me through our shared passion for music. There is nothing quite like   

witnessing someone so immersed in their music they simply forget the rest of the world. Hell, there's nothing like that feeling.

It's heartbreaking when the world loses someone like that; a passionate lover of music....

I believe with every ounce of my heart & soul it is up to us left here on Earth to keep that legacy, that passion, that fire for music alive & burning as bright as possible. 

 

 

 

I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.

George Eliot (1819 - 1880)

Hello Monday

Hello Summer

Hello Backyard Sunset

Hello Chokehold 

Hello T-Ball

Hello Tent Acrobatics

Hello Strawberry Shortcake

Hello Baking Day

Hello Baseball Project

Linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday posts for the first time. Check out her jewelry & accessories. She is amazing.

I Would Rather

"I would rather be known in life as an honest sinner, than a lying hypocrite...."

Found this on Pinterest a while back & just stumbled upon it again tonight. Don't know who said it, but it's true. If you're going to do it or say it, own it. Be an honest sinner. If you make mistakes, own them. Own you.

Music

This is why I love music in more ways than I can describe.

Did you see his beautiful face light up when the music started? His voice is one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard. 

So, to the makers of music....Thank you. 

Beyond My Comprehension

I'm not even sure how to begin this post. I am infuriated & not exactly positive I can make my statement productively & without the use of my beloved cuss words, but I am going to try....

On Wednesday the Kansas House gave its approval to a bill called the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act. You can read more here & here.


In a sad, backwards, & bigoted nutshell this bill would allow business owners, churches, landlords, etc. to use their religious beliefs as an out (ironic, no?) to exclude people because of their sexual orientation. In other words, if your employer discovers you are a lesbian he can fire you because your lifestyle goes against his or her religious beliefs. If you rent your home you can be evicted not for your loud music or your illegal pet tiger, but simply because your landlord's religion disagrees with whom you share your bed. I believe cottage cheese is disgusting & I disagree with skinny jeans. But that doesn't mean I can discriminate against those of you who eat cottage cheese &/or wear skinny jeans. That would be dumb.


And this bill, should it pass the Kansas Senate, will allow for such behavior, citing religious freedom. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. The Jesus, Buddha, or whatever you want to call her I know doesn't care what you look like, how you dress, or who you lay down with at night. Not that sex should be a designated nighttime activity, but you get my point.

My question is this: Where does it end? If we, as a State & Nation, allow for this kind of blatant discrimination bigotry what's to stop others from citing "religious freedom" as a way to exclude or deny people based on their skin color, ethnicity, gender, or their own religious beliefs? 

This is a gigantic step in the most ignorant, backward direction. It frightens me that my children are growing up with such disgraceful behavior. And from our government.

I sent this to my Senator stating I oppose this bill & everything it stands for. I encourage you to do the same. 

Truth

Trayvon Martin 

It is 2012. There is absolutely no room for this type of despicable violence in the year 2012. He was a child. A baby gunned down ultimately because someone didn't like the way he looked, what we wore, the color of his skin....

It is 2012. There is absolutely no room for this type of despicable, ignorant, poisonous mentality in the year 2012. 

There just isn't. 

It's disgusting. 

It's stupid. 

It has to stop.

Public Apology to March 5

Dear March 5, 

I mistakenly cursed you in a very harsh manner on Facebook earlier this morning. I would like to right this wrong by internetly apologizing for my egregious error. It's your evil cousin, March 8, that's the real douchebag. 


Sincerely, 
Me


If you have yet to read about my morning's excitement on Facebook, I strongly encourage you to do so. It's been a hoot & a half. 


That being said....BRING IT ON, MARCH 8, NOT MARCH 5TH. BRING. IT. ON.

Gratitude

Earlier I posted a Facebook status about how the children were driving me to be an asshole today. And they were. Screaming at me, each other, & just creating a overabundance of mayhem (way more than usual). 

But they're here. On this Earth with me.

The past month has created within me a barrage of emotions, from joy to empathy to sorrow. The birth of a long prayed for baby. The loss of a long prayed for baby....


I miss my babies born in to Heaven. A lot. And I am so, so, SO insanely, overwhelmingly, shout it from the rooftops grateful for my Karsen Hope & Owynne Faith who are here in my face every day.  I love you so very.


http://www.angeldayrunwalk.com/




 

Ridiculosity

Dear Universe, 

Thank you for having a sense of humor. Sometimes I don't appreciate your dry wit, cruel irony, or your innate ability to make a situation even more ridiculous. But most of the time I find you to be highly entertaining. 

Love, 
Me