I've Moved

We have a new home ~ Click here for Julee's Jambalaya & Grover's Graffitti

Retiring The Jersey

I'm done blogging. If you're interested, I'm writing over here. It's been a pleasure playing with you.

Happy Birthday to Annie christens the new site.

Move Over Rachel Ray

Turns out, if you have the determination, work ethic, and awesome family support, you CAN have a degree and eat your good food, too! AND way to do it in 3 and 1/2 years!

Some of us have watched from afar; geographically and once in a while, emotionally. For me, in a happy-hour-sort-of-way, it feels like I’ve been right there with you on your amazing journey.

I am so proud of you. I don’t think I’ve heard you complain since around forever. You’ve worked hard, drove the miles, and studied diligently, all the while maintaining, cultivating, and reaping the rewards of employers, roommates, friendships, and family life. Not to mention Mike!

Congratulations Meghan on your graduation from GVSU! Not just on the degree but on your road to a happy life. So get going and yet---keep on doing what you’ve been doing all along.

I hope you get your dreams and can stop by happy hour and throw some books in the fireplace!

Kate & Mark! 2 down 1 to go. Way to go on setting them up, standing behind, offering solicited advice, intercepting when necessary, and letting them call you! I know you don't want the spotlight, but tomorrow you should sit tall and cry unashamed. That's just what parents do, and you've done it quite well.

Long Story Short ...

There are stories. They may or may not follow ...

Ode To East Coast '08

"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms."
Muriel Rukreyser

"Life can only be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards."
Soren Kierkegaard

"It is good to have an end to journey toward;
but it is the journey that matters, in the end."
Ursula K. LeGuin

"The universe is like a great mathematical game that is played upon a tremendous scale. Music is one of the purest forms of mathematics. The Architect who built the universe designed it that way. Music has the power to change a universe or destroy a civilization. If you don't believe me, I suggest you read the bible."
Johann Sebastian Bach

We're Good In Here

Sometimws When I Hear That Song ...

---->Getcha a guitar, learn how to play
Cut up some jeans come up with a name ...

It’s live blogging from the CMA’s
I've forgiven Brad Paisly for flagging my (his) music on youtube … and who doesn’t fricken LOVE Keith Urban?  So when the two of them opened the show, needless to say I went straight to my happy place. 
That’s right boys walk around and play them gi-tars. Hmmmm mmmm good—talent.

Grow out your hair ...
Start a band.

---->  Love, love, love Carrie Underwood's blue dress and she's not doin' a half bad job co-hosting.  We'll see.

---->Favorite Aussie ... sorry Nicole, the award goes to Hugh Jackman.  Going to "Australia" opening December 13.  For sure.

Single of the year ... George Strait beats Kenny Chesney ... there is a God in heaven.  My Tivo is blacking out-- C'MON what did I ever do to you?

---->Brad, don't say BFF on national TV, just don't.  Kelly Pickler--not a good enough voice and leaning towards dominatrix.  Also, flat, really flat. She sings flat.  Glitter microphone does nothing to help her out, either.  Fast forward.

----> Alan Jackson, yes I'm havin' a good time not punchin' a clock.  You and your band are truly authentic country and my heel-toes are a tappin' and I'm googling line dancing in Muskegon as we speak.  The locals in the aisle (all different shapes and sizes) are brilliant TV producing.  G with an O, O with a D,  T with an I, M with an E spells Good Time, and I just had one.  Rewind.

----> Billy & Miley Cyrus introduce---I'm getting sleepy---Song of the---sleepier---Year Zzzzzzzz. 

Songwriter of the year --- Stay by Jennifer Nettles. Classy, country inspired, white dress and the song wasn't bad either.  Are you a newbie?  Gonna have to download some of your stuff.

----> Carrie!  You're doin' ok, keep up the good work.   Another great dress, but blue again? 

----> Miranda Lambert.  Sweetie.  When asked to perform on the CMA's you should always go with bad ass.

----> Lady Antebellum. Hopeful for a new group. Wishin' for more (than 4 notes.)  Kinda bored, need another Mike's H.L.

----> Martina McBride. Nope

---->I'm not skipping any awards ... we're an hour into the show and they've given out two. 

---->Rodney Atkins. The scenes behind you--chevy truck, farmer cuttin' hay, flags welcoming home vets, lemonade sellers--and your hat told the story. It's Amurica!  God bless it.

----> Heidi Newfield? and John Rich  Wait here comes another award. (I had nothing to say about them except one wore a pink shirt and the other a red dress)  Vocal Group of the Year--and no Brooks & Dunn--thank you Jesus--wait I admit it---I love lots of Rascal Flatts' songs, I just can't stand to watch you--you and your crew cuts, dressed in all black and a white tie (when did that go out--about the same time it came in) tapestry jackets/shirts-- yeah--I'm talkin' to you and your non-wearing cowboy hat heads.  FF, again.

----> Taylor Swift. Ok, cool set and costumes, I'll give you a chance!  Even cooler dress. Very pretty. Oh that was way brilliant--a bunch of smoke and an outfit change.  AND another awesome dress, at that. But is it just me or do songs not have melodies anymore?  I don't see what all the fuss is about with you, dear. I wanted this to be the showstopper. I did! But it needed a voice..

----> Carrie you're doing better than Brad.  The pink dress is absofrickenlutely stunning.

----> Kid Rock.  Just as with the Rascals, I'd much rather rock out to your song than watch you sing it. Gotta love the Lions gear, though.    Show the back-up singers more, please.  Ha ha "Joe the strummer, and Joe the drummer.  Sippin' whiskey out the bottle. Summer time in Northern Michigan. We didn't have no internet. It's the simple things in life, like when and where.  I'm sorry but those are some of the best lyrics in any country song, ever. OK, I liked it more than I thought. A lot more.  Rewind.

----> George Strait.  Please, please, please, PLEASE keep rollin' on the river of love.  Have your back-up singers stand in a straight line and play the steel guitar, violin, hammond organ, and ukelele. Please have them wear funky orthodox Jewish type hats,  simple black dresses and khaki blazers. Have some of them with a full head of gray hair, mutton chops and little pot bellies. And for the love of all that's holy, please just keep wearing your stetson and singing the livin' b'jesus out of every song you sing.  Thank you.

----> Jason Aldean.  Mother trucker! Thank you producers--for having Jason follow up George. Gimme' those yellow pages--there's surely some hole-in-the-wall, smokey bar somewhere close-by where I can get my country on.

----> Whadda ya know another award.  The Horizon Award.  Lady Antebellum. Awwwww, they thanked their moms--guess I'll have to give them another chance.

Wow, I'm only half-way through and they keep talking about a surprise guest, and wouldn't you know it I have a special guest, too.  I guess you'll have to wait until I'm done here.  

---->    _ _ _    _ _    _    _ _ _ _ _!

10 points if you can figure out what I'm watching right now.  I'll give you a hint ... I'm crying.

Oh well, back on the horse.

---->   I got too excited earlier during Vocal Group, it's Vocal Duo that the has-beens get nominated for year after year, after year, after year. After year. When are they gonna be outta here?

----> Album of the Year ... holding my breath ... just like LeAnne Womack was in that piece of tin foil she had wrapped around her ...  Kenny Chesney is getting shut out and Carrie Underwood is battin' a 1000 with her wardrobe.  George Strait's Troubador wins. As it should be.

I'm gonna have to skip some stuff or I'll be up all night.  Wonder who the surprise guest is. Maybe Wynonna (new album in February) ... or better yet ... The Judds ... wouldn't that put the final nail in Brooks and Dunn's you-need-to-sail-into-the-sunset-coffin!  I can only hope.

----> Keith Urban  Need I go on and on here? Cuz I will.

---->  Widow of a fallen soldier, with their wedding pictures behind her.  Music has the power to help us heal, and I thank God for that power.  Her words. Simply moving and now I'm crying. Seriously.  By the way, the most emotional I've ever heard Carrie Underwood sing. Beautiful.  This was the showstopper. 

----> For the 2nd year in a row my Vince Gill annouces, rather than sings.  Bad form, producers, bad form.

----> I don't usually dwell on the outward, but damn Carrie, your stylist deserves a raise, and no skanky in sight.

----> Daggumit, I love Kenny Chesney's set, song, and band!  And did he go to Africa for those slides and that drummer!  'Member when I said Carrie's song was the showstopper? Premature. Who is singing with him?  Whoever it is makes me want to go to heaven--AND--Cuba. Good grief that was awesome and made Brooks, Dunn, & Reba look like a William Hung act.  I'm sorry for every bad thing I've ever said about you.   Here's my message to you ... sing with "The Whalers" from here on out.

----> Brad Paisley, Male Vocalist of the Year.  So now that you have that, would it bother you so much if I have you singing "Find Yourself" in the background on the California video. I say, spread the wealth and fine music around.  Mmmm k, thanks.

----> The Eagles in matching suits and ties. They better not be the surprise guest, cuz I swear they were announced and then that wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?

----> Almost done.  Carrie's announcing the surprise guest who will present Entertainer Of The Year.  Wow, they really built this up, it's gonna have to be---what the bloody---WHAT IN THE BLOODY HECK IS GOING ON---what the---what the---

Not nice. Not nice at all.

Shania Twain decided to grace our shores and spill out all over an otherwise awesome 42nd Annual Country Music Awards.

 

Just for that I'm preordering Wynonna's new album coming out in Feb ... did I already say that? And here's my very own special guest:

...I Always Start To Sing Along.

Observations

One thing I love about the internet is stealing things like this from other people's blogs.

In the three-quarters of an hour that Joshua Bell (one of the world's leading violinists) played, seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run — for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look.


This makes me frosty when I hear that tickets to the innauguration (which are supposed to be free) and an ice-hockey game at Wrigley are selling for $21,000.00

Take some time today to smell the flowers--and play a little John Phillips Sousa!

Thank-you Veterans (and those still serving)!

Great Americans

Attention half-full readers: Stop Here

More Observations:
Today the media (and I use the term loosly) released more and very recent (yesterday) footage of AIG CEO’s partying in Arizona. (Hopefully when Senator McCain gets home he'll go all maverick on someone) This comes on the heels of the galavanting, rebel rousing, and pedicure reports all post bail-out. I guess no matter what color your parachute is, it can do nothing to protect your tonails while jumping. What?

Dear IRS,
I feel that schmoozing with some big wig agent in a fancy pants resort would do wonders to get some of my stuff published, AND I haven’t had a pedicure in--ever—so I won’t be paying my taxes this year. Sorry for the inconvenience.

And Yet More Observing:
US postal service for the first time in history is contemplating massive lay-offs? Does this not make you feel that somewhere and at some point, someone has been milking the clock in the USPS? How long have we been e-mailing? Surely a trimming down should have been considered a bit earlier?
And speaking of stamps … if everyone had to slap a 43 cent one on every FWD: they send, you can bet that horse would ride off into the sunset in a real hurry.

Still more:
The Big Three automakers have spent a wad retooling their plants because congress demanded more fuel efficient cars, but Americans kept buying giant trucks and driving them around with 1 and 1/2 people in them. Now both are a little short on cash. Who do we blame here? I say, the SUVer's should pitch in for the auto bailout. If you had a product that people kept buying wouldn’t you keep producing it? It's called supply and demand.

Who will bail out the tabloids when we finally quit buying them. People!

Through The Years

I realize this video is a couple of years old, but enjoy the trip down memory lane, anyway and have a Happy 56th Anniversary!
God bless you Mom & Dad!

It's A Small World After All

I was stumbling around on the internet highway this morning and I found a first cousin that grew up 1 and 1/2 miles from me on the farm.  After reading only a few sentences on his blog, I came to realize it was more of a God thing than a stumble.

Best post election thoughts on President-elect Barrack Obama that I've read to date.

 Click here.

I'm refilling my cup and hanging out over there this morning with an old cousin and hopefully new friend.

I don't get offended easily or often.

Battleground State

Rarely do the YA's get to Day Four.
Day One is typically morning travel, noon-3 load-in and set up, 4-9pm begin workshop. Day Two is teaching workshop 8am-8pm. Day Three is morning YA rehearsal, workshop dress rehearsal and show. Tear down, load out, get to homestay's around midnight and then early call for Day One all over again.

Day Four is a rare day off. No travel, no rehearsal, no call time, no reds (6-8th graders), no blue crew,(high schoolers) no angels(4th & 5th graders). No nothing.

With the iPod loaded, and a few stars hanging on, we start out on her Day One and our first retirement tour. We pack a cooler, her winter coat, a replacement camera and open arms.

GR. E. Lansing, Ann Arbor, Toledo, Findlay and then small town Bellefountaine, Ohio. The political signs are everywhere, but I've conceded. My center is calm and I know who holds the future. It doesn't matter who governs us, and I will always call him President Obama.

We peek thru the gym doors and load-in is already in motion. A tap on the shoulder and then the first group hug since sayonara on May 15.

She's changed, cast members have changed, we've changed.

And yet everything remains the same.

"I knew you were coming," she says through the tears. In my heart I figured the surprise had not been leaked. Of course she knew we were coming. Because she knew we couldn't stay away.

And so we settle comfortably on the bleachers and start to soak in the YA experience.

Load-in, rehearse, group talks, fuzzy room, lunch, teaching, singer songwriter, suess, decades, hairspray, stomp, more group talks, fuzzy, dinner, more teaching, dismiss kids, director pep talk! Don't glaze over, don't slide through these last few towns. Finish strong.
Day Two: same as day one.
Day Three: Showtime

Somewhere along the 36 hours the town kids learn the show and she asks if we understand why she doesn't call!

The town people come, then 20 or so other Young Americans, and a dozen parents--to see and hear the magic and show stoppers. All of which is way too short.

The battle in our heart grows stronger. I want her to come home and I can tell she wants to. And yet, not. I want her to want to come home and yet if she did, she would leave a part of herself here. With them.

A brief space in time, in the middle of this great free country, our hears connect physically. Our smiles bounce from stage to bleachers, to our lovely cottage on the fishing lake, and back again.

We put up with her suitcase, and try not to nag about the stolen camera and lost cell phone. She puts up with our snoring. We visit with old and new friends. We learn, listen, and watch this amazing three days unfold. We celebrate late into the evening on election day in the USA. The text messages and phone calls are fast and furious as brothers and sisters, related and not, watch the historic celebration of their own choosing. Albeit, we're on somewhat different levels; Theirs' is an unbridled optimism. Ours is more subdued and a silent hope against disillusionment. . . It's their turn now.

Tonight the battle in my heart is not political. It's really not a battle, more of an ache. That damn circle of life ache.

But tomorrow is November 5th. It's a new dawn, a new day.

It's Day Four.

And The Award Goes To ...

If there

were awards 

for throwing

Halloween

Parties ...

All photos courtesy of the Paparazzi

Copyright laws will be strictly enforced.

People Mag, ET: 1st rights available. Let the bidding wars ensue. 

Put A Fork In It

2 ...

iWent for a walk yesterday

With my trusty iCamera

This is a sight iWon't

See again, soon.

iBye.

800 more packages 

320 more stops 

4 more sandwiches 

2 good-bye kisses

1 more post