Giving Thanks

Where has the time gone?
For one thing, I've been busy... my days have been full and blogging fell off the list. But I'm back!

Yes, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, time was spent with family and friends. Over the years I've noticed the lines between family and friends tends to blur. This is probably a good thing.

I am thankful that others cooked so I could travel and later play music. Of course, I did take food but it was simple compared to the turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes. The afternoon found me with close family and cousins where we laughed, told stories, and shared delightful dishes. Later, a special treat was spending the evening with Pam, a close friend.

Friday I was thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my sister, neice, and mother. And most thankful that I did not go shopping!

Saturday was busy between playing music at the St. Augustine Farmer's Market with friends, a drive to Citra, and a long visit with Bill's family. The leaves in central Florida are beautiful this time of year and I am thankful for the beautiful memories of the leaves, watching the football game, and sharing left-overs with more family!

It is amazing that the most important aspects of life are those that are almost free. They involve friends, family, nature, and simple music. Yes, I live a blessed life and am thankful for the time to step back and remember what is truely valuable.

Happy Thanksgiving (belated)

Back to Work!

Did you think I forgot about you?

No, but is has been a busy month.

 
 

So, what have you missed?

• Jury Duty… Two weeks of US District Court duty. This was relatively easy as my duty was all phone duty. The first week and a half there were no cases. Finally on Wednesday of the last week there was a case but my number was not drawn.
  
• Kitten… Did I mention a kitten adopted us the end of June? It was not our plan and the three older cats (13, 14, & 15) were not thrilled but SlipJig (new kitten) was thrilled with us. After "Jury Duty" ended I was able to arrange the spay surgery. She is now back to her normal self and this morning caught a dragon fly, two lizards, and a spider.
  
• Bicycle… the new bike is wonderful and I'm more committed than ever to bike commute (with the help of Tri-Rail). The person who stole my old bike did me a favor (in the long run). And they helped keep the economy stimulated in the short run as I bought a new bike. Yes, we did eventually find the old bike at the shopping center.
  

 
 

Work/School:

It is good to be back at PBCC although I do enjoy having time to work in the yard and around the house, go to the beach, play music, and bicycle. After 25+ years of teaching school you would think it is boring… but never. Difficult, trying, frustrating, and rewarding but never boring! Thank you to my students.

 
 

 
 

That is today's report which covers the last month. Hopefully the next report will be sooner rather than later.

 

Summer Rain

There is nothing better than a summer afternoon rain to give a break to a hot afternoon after two weeks of dought. You know the rain that comes down in buckets, cleans the air, and makes you want to run out and play in the puddles. That is exactly what is happening outside my window right now. Beautiful. Perhaps it will inspire a song or a poem...

Speaking of songs... yesterday the Old-Time Jammers from Pompano finally made YouTube. Pretty good as I have not posted a harp video yet and I've been playing harp longer than the Old-Time group has been around. But I diverge. You can find the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoFkVkHdN74 and I'm the banjo player in the beginning! With my summer hair!
For a different picture of me and my partner Bill, you can check http://www.efolkmusic.org/ArtMusic/ViewArtist.aspx?a=0&AID=1680. While there have a listen to some of my harp music.

Well, the rain is almost over and the humitidy is starting to build... this is south Florida. Enjoy the links.