Perhaps God...

I just spent the most wonderful evening at my aunt and uncle's home. It was a small gathering of family to preview my cousin's new CD. Her name is Laurie Roberts, and her CD is "Perhaps God" and it is amazing! I had to fight back tears the whole time we were listening to it. If you know me at all, then you know that holding back tears is not something I do well. I am a crier!

Some may think my opinion of Laurie's CD is probably tainted by my love for her. All I can say is, cousin or not, this is a great collection of songs. Almost all are written by her. One not written by Laurie, but a favorite of mine is her rendition of Amazing Grace. This song holds a special place in my heart and brings back so many family memories. The lead in from her "Every Day" right to "Amazing Grace" is magic!

"Sing Hallelujah" is so beautiful. It draws you right into worship. There is a special family surprise that touched my heart. No spoilers here though... you'll have to hear the CD for yourself.

I love just sitting in a family gathering listening to the stories go back and forth. You learn a lot about your own family history that way. What a unique thing a family is. There are riches in the shared stories, songs, tears, and laughter. I am richer for owning a piece of Laurie's heart and soul in the form of her music. Richer and blessed.

Music, Books and Memories

That's my little Sis and I sitting at the organ in our home on N. Meridian Road. We called it the "White House" because the former owner was named White.

I began my piano lessons on this organ. Then a family loaned us a piano for a couple of years until my mom bought us one. It was a huge, heavy Oak upright that has traveled everywhere I've gone. I'm sitting at my desk, right next to it, as I type this.

The first song I remember learning on the organ was Long, Long Ago and oddly enough, it was in an old song book I acquired recently.

"Tell me the tales that to me were so dear. Long, long ago... long, long ago. Sing me the songs I delighted to hear. Long, long ago, long ago..."

I have been traveling back in time, seeing long forgotten images. Grandma sitting in an old metal lawn chair with my little sis on one knee, and I am sitting in the grass, with my head resting on her other knee. She is reading "I Like Kindergarten". Sis and I loved that book.

I loved any books that were read to me or that I could read. I scoured the bookshelves at our house. My grandparents had an odd assortment of books. A lot of religious books, a copy of The Yearling, Cross Creek, two Dana Girl Mysteries that had belonged to our aunt, and our set of Childcraft Encylopedias. Sis and I had several Golden Books, Dr. Suess books and a small selection received as gifts; Daddy Long Legs, Dear Enemy, and the Bobbsey Twins, to name a few.

As I grew older, books were added to my collection through the school's Scholastic Book Club. I loved that little newsletter with all the colorful book covers and descriptions. I would study it from front to back, carefully making my selection. "Run Wild, Run Free, White Fang, Misty of Chincoteague, Ring of Bright Water, The Incredible Journey, David Copperfield, Anne of Green Gables.

I still have a tremendous love of music and books. I listen more than play these days, but I still spend a great deal of time reading. Books can take you away from yourself, and sometimes they can help you find out who you really are.

I'm Still Here...

It's been a while since my last post. Life has been busy! During the time I've been away, my sis was taken to the hospital (but she is fine now), my niece found an apartment with a friend (I helped her move), I got my computer problems ironed out (so far), and my Grandma Martha turned 90... that's a brief look.

I have been gathering materials for my planned art projects. Now it's a matter of getting organized and finding the time to do them. I'm big on planning and bigger on procrastination! This may give insight on why I chose the following quote...

"Besides the noble art of getting things done,

there is the noble art of leaving things undone.

The wisdom of life consists in the

elimination of non-essentials."

— Lin Yutang

Well, I still have some work to do on figuring out what my "non-essentials" are. I like to keep everything!