Oh how I wished

we still had a few good men such as these. Recall, if you will, their intellect portrayed through their speeches, their mannerisms and above all--their deeply committed sincerity FOR the people. Yes...all people. Their beautiful coherent sentences flowed like milk, tasted like honey and were clearly the profound manna from heaven. I listen to the "words" spoken by dubya and politicians of the like, shake my head and sorta laugh. Shallow, narrow-minded horrendous. Below is a song about a few good men that knew how to speak. Remember their words, their attitudes, their impact and what they stood for....


Abraham - Martin - John
Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.


Fourscore and seven years ago
our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation,
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal…
In a larger sense we cannot dedicate,
we cannot consecrate,
we cannot hallow this ground.
The brave men, living and these dead, who struggled here,
have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long remember,
what we say here,
but it can never forget what they did here.
It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here
to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced…
we here highly resolve that the dead
shall not have died in vain,
that this nation,
under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom;
and that government of the people,
by the people,
and for the people,
shall not perish from the earth.
Address at the Dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, 19 November 1863,
in R. P. Basler (ed.) Collected Works… (1953) vol. 7, p. 23,
as reported the following day;
the Lincoln Memorial inscription reads
‘by the people, for the people'.


Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.


And so, my fellow Americans:
ask not what your country can do for you—
ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world:
ask not what America will do for you,
but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Inaugural address, 20 January 1961, John F. Kennedy,
in Vital Speeches 1 February 1961, p. 227.


Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young.
You know, I just looked around and he's gone.


I have a dream
that one day on the red hills of Georgia
the sons of former slaves
and the sons of former slave owners
will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood…
I have a dream that my four little children
will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged
by the colour of their skin
but by the content of their character.
Speech at Civil Rights March in Washington
by Martin Luther King Jr.,
28 August 1963, in New York Times.



Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonna be one day.

* "Each time a person stands up for an ideal,
or acts to improve the lot of others,
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
and these ripples build a current
that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
- Robert F. Kennedy



Robert Kennedy was assassinated while campaigning
for the Democratic nomination
for the office of President.
His life cut short, in 1968
without opportunity to make the inspirational speeches
like those of Abraham, Martin and John.


Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill

With Abraham, Martin, and John.

The song Abraham, Martin and John was written in 1968.Words & Lyrics & Arrangement
by
RICHARD HOLLER

Does anyone remember this song? Most of this info is from a few other websites, After stumbling upon the first pic of Kennedy men on jamwall's blog, I just had to find and post the rest of this. My heart aches. I know, there are a lot of good men and women out there today, but am absolutely appalled by the direction our "leader" is taking the country and the mentality he evokes upon those that sit and nod their bobble heads in agreement.

home at last

as of 9 last night, and now i have a huge week with concerts, hosting honor's clinic etc, so when i find time to take a fresh breath, i'll figure something out to write!

Here's a real turkey for you!

Happy Thanksgiving, all! i'll be gone until sunday evening. hope you have a great rest and vacation with your families/friends/self. I get to spend the next 4 days with my husband, his family, my daughter michelle, my son ed, my sister jolene and MEANIE! (meaniebeanie2005.blogspot.com) WOOHOO!!! MEANIE!!! He loves to go shopping. We can only imagine what he says to the other patrons!

Meanie says

it's time for a new blog.
What should I write about?
--What i'm taking to the 25-people Thanksgiving feast?
--The gift Emerson Hall gave me that was Theda's?
--The story he told me tonight about how they met and her last dying words?
--My counseling session about how I view men?
--The Bobcats (rated 27th) beating their longtime rivals, the Grizzlies (rated 3rd)?
--Why my knees hurt?
--Our newly renovated home?
--Meeting with the perspective parents tomorrow (again) that plan on adopting Michelle's baby?
--How the 25-person Thanksgiving feast will be (1) without Mac Mcrae (sister in-law's father-in-law) therefore that whole clan will be eating with us. (2) i won't have all my kids with me (3) jolene won't have her husband with her (4) death date of beckie and her 3 boys.
--the weather?

Once upon a time....a year ago last September,

there was a very very old man in the school office. He was hunched over, looked very sad, and walked out. I watched him, in his flannel jacket, hat and wool pants as he made his way to the front doors. "Ellie, can I talk to you?" I heard the Supt. say. My mind awoke and I looked up, "Am I in trouble?", I laughed...it's my coined reply to him and the principal when called to their office.

"I think we're getting a Steinway." he said quietly. Awesome news for any music teacher!

"What? How? What model? Where will we keep it?!"


The gentleman that slowly walked out the door was Emerson Hall. For the past 69 years, Emerson and his wife, Theda, were together making money in various ways--photographing movie stars, oil wells, various businesses. They met a very long time ago, fell in love, travelled around the world 7 times, went on 30 African safaris, their experiences go on and on and on. Theda passed away a week or so prior to the day I watched him walk out that door.

"I'm not sure, I don't know which one, but Emerson's nephew, a Steinway artist will be playing one for her memorial service here at the school. Emerson may be donating the piano to the music department.

Whoosh. What a story! Unbelievable. I called everyone and told them about the piano.

A few days later, I saw poor grieving Emerson in the office again. Smiling, I introduced myself to him and he was pleased to meet me. He asked me if I had plans for the following Saturday, because there was something that I would be interested in.

"Of course I will attend." He mentioned Steve, his nephew to me.

His name was not familiar to me, but he has sold over 1.5 million CDs of his piano playing. Mmm. So Saturday, Scott and I sat amongst the very wealthy family and friends of Theda and Emerson. For over an hour, we listened to 17 songs played beautifully by Steve on the 7 1/2 foot Steinway. At one point, poor Emerson walked up and flung his arms around Steve's neck as he continued to play a medley of songs from "Out of Africa". We were all so touched. The gym and entrance were filled with their photographs, African bronzes, Theda's needlework and on and on. By the end of the concert, there was not a dry eye in the house. The spokesperson of the service returned to the mic and thanked everyone for coming. She went on to say that in Theda's name, Emerson wishes to donate the Steinway to the school. She called up the Supt., myself and we all hugged and showed our gracious appreciation to Emerson for the $70,000 instrument. She closed with, "And now you know the rest of the story."

However, my dear readers, you don't know the rest of the story yet, as there is a new chapter in this book.

After I got back from Leo's funeral, there was another piano in my music room- a baby grand Mason and Hammel. Gorgeous piano. Seems our dear Emerson decided we needed a nice piano for rehearsal in our room too. It's a $40,000 piano, and absolutely beautiful.

"I can't hardly get into my music room, it is so full of expensive pianos!"

"I know, Ellie, and I have an idea. Actually it came from one of our board members."

Back in the Supt.'s office I sat. I didn't even joke about being in trouble this time. We had a crisis on our hands! Too many expensive pianos! The baby was brought in on it's side and put on the rollers in the music room. When we went to get it out for the concert, to our dismay, it was 1/4 inch too wide!

"Ellie, we need a concert hall. We need a place to house these pianos, have your concerts in the atmosphere they should be. No matter what, we are going to have one!"

So, currently, one of the board members and I have been visiting with Emerson about this idea. The land has already been picked. Emerson has promised to secure the land as we asked him if we could name the Hall after Theda. I explained to him my dream of a Fine and Performing Arts Center where we can display the kid's artwork, have the plays, the concerts, etc.

Emerson expressed his appreciation for my care and concern for the students I teach. Then he told me that he is in the process of purchasing the biggest Steinway grand for our hall, for the kids' hall, for Theda's hall. The best of the best, the 9' Steinway Grand, $90,000.





And now you know ---the rest of the story.

I have absolutely

no idea as to what to write about. My mind has been completely blank, lately. I used to think about things during the day that would be good to blog about, get some pics, create the text in my mind...usually have too many topics to blog. However, lately it has been zip zero zilch. So, with that, I'll head off to school, teach my kids, come home and visit with Michelle (she comes over to see her momma everyday :o)) and continue to unpack our house.

What are your plans for the weekend?

moving really sucks:

while babbling and chatting last night, i was unpacking boxes...12 to be exact just for the kitchen and i'm half way through. i did, however, finally find my makeup and some of my "normal" clothes to wear. I also got some stuff moved down into my spare room and found some other things i've been looking for like MY pajamas and pillow. The living room still looks like hell, but at least my warm, fuzzy sweaters are on the shelf and i'm drinking coffee from my favorite coffee cup.

20 degrees out, more snow and it's almost the weekend, thank god. now, if only bush wasn't in office, things would truly be looking up!

Can you believe it?

I realized last night, after Michelle's OB appointment, Thanksgiving is next week! This year has just flown by! So, next week, we (Scott, Michelle and I) will meet Jolene, my son-Ed, his roomate from Japan-Chi, and hopefully Megs, and have Thanksgiving dinner with Scott's family. I am looking forward to that. We always have a nice time there. Of course, this year the holiday had to land on the dreaded 24th (beckie and her boys murder date). However, family will all be together for support, so that helps. Then ---we are going Christmas shopping! That's what I can't wait for! heehee

Honorable Discharge

Megan has a hole in her heart, it came up during her physical in Denver. They Navy decided it was too much---she will be on her way home via bus. I'm so sad for her. Going into the Navy is the biggest, gutsiest step she has ever taken. I feel bad for her.

DEFINITION 2:

DELICIOUS:
AdJ.

...................how a shower feels after MOVING for ten hours!

DEFINITION 1:

love:
n.
A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.
A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
Sexual passion.
Sexual intercourse.
A love affair.
An intense emotional attachment, as for a pet or treasured object.
A person who is the object of deep or intense affection or attraction; beloved. Often used as a term of endearment.
An expression of one's affection: Send him my love.
A strong predilection or enthusiasm: a love of language.
The object of such an enthusiasm: The outdoors is her greatest love.
Love Mythology. Eros or Cupid.
often Love Christianity. Charity.
Sports. A zero score in tennis.

v. loved, lov·ing, loves
v. tr.
To have a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward (a person): We love our parents. I love my friends.
To have a feeling of intense desire and attraction toward (a person).
To have an intense emotional attachment to: loves his house.
To embrace or caress.
To have sexual intercourse with.
To like or desire enthusiastically: loves swimming.
Theology. To have charity for.
To thrive on; need: The cactus loves hot, dry air.

v. intr.
To experience deep affection or intense desire for another.

Idioms:
for love
Out of compassion; with no thought for a reward: She volunteers at the hospital for love.
for love or money
Under any circumstances. Usually used in negative sentences: I would not do that for love or money.
for the love of
For the sake of; in consideration for: did it all for the love of praise.
in love
Deeply or passionately enamored: a young couple in love.
Highly or immoderately fond: in love with Japanese painting; in love with the sound of her own voice.
no love lost
No affection; animosity: There's no love lost between them.

[Middle English, from Old English lufu. See leubh- in Indo-European Roots.]
Synonyms: love, affection, devotion, fondness, infatuation
These nouns denote feelings of warm personal attachment or strong attraction to another person. Love is the most intense: marrying for love. Affection is a less ardent and more unvarying feeling of tender regard: parental affection. Devotion is earnest, affectionate dedication and implies selflessness: teachers admired for their devotion to children. Fondness is strong liking or affection: a fondness for small animals. Infatuation is foolish or extravagant attraction, often of short duration: lovers blinded to their differences by their mutual infatuation.

one moved, zillions to go...

loads of junk, that is. and, most importantly---the cats moved into the new house. tt, of course, put up the hugest fight i've ever seen. she did NOT want to get into the cat carrier. poor thing. she is a grouchy girl, now.

so, we are here. strange tho, i just haven't called it my new home yet. just need my furniture and stuff unpacked, i suppose.

Megan says,

"this is screwed up."
"they have yelled at me and i have cried so much"
"I won't break, tho'."

some days

i question my viability as a teacher.

Naughty Naughty TT

so far:

how it originally was and it's evolution of the kitchen/diningroom...


tear down a wall:

tear down another wall:

paint, put in carpet, new appliances:


make new counter and install with new sink:


so far, so good?

you goof!

--The ten top reasons I procrastinate-
1.








--Left handed people are always in their right mind.

--"good morning" is an oxy moron.

--If a man speaks in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, IT HE STILL WRONG? (heehee)

--God created a few perfect people, the rest are right handed :o)

--Chocolate: the catnip of the female world.

--They say I have A.D.D. but they just don't understand. Oh look! A chicken!

--I'm confused................wait............maybe I'm not!

--333 I"m only half evil.

--Yo! Fish! Bite me!

--EVEN IF THE VOICES AREN'T REAL, they have some pretty good ideas.

--Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.

__It's better to have loved and lost than to live with the psycho the rest of your life.

--Some days you're the windshield, others days you're the bug.

--What is the speed of dark?

--Where am i going and why am i in this hand basket?

(T-shirts from "What on Earth")

and while we are keeping things in perspective:

half of my pep band received 3 days out of school suspension because they made some really stupid decisions yesterday. Now, ALL of them didn't realize how bad their decisions/actions were, but most of them won't admit how bad it is. Tough lesson. Am I the bad guy? Probably to them, but only because I care. Will they do it again? I doubt it.

Putting things into perspective...

Why do I get so nervous before concerts? Because it matters.....they did well, very very well.


This choir pic is when we were performing Starry Starry Night, I had arranged it earlier this year...this one was for Leo. :)

UPDATE

-Just need to get the kitchen cabinets painted and the hallway.
-Carpet coming tomorrow.
-Thursday and Friday we have pep band for the Vollyball girls...road trip.
-When will i get to move?

This morning I:
-got up one hour early
-scrubbed the kitchen
-did all my laundry, including folded and put away
-took out the garbage
-made the coffee
-played with Georgedog the Cat (yesterday was his 2nd birthday)
-ready for school 1/2 hour early.....

Do you think I'm a bit nervous and antzy for the concert tonight??? The choir is singing: Fire and Rain, Blue Moon, The Rose, Castle on a Cloud (from Les Miserable) and my arrangement of Starry Starry Night. The band is playing, Cappricio Espagnol, By the Rivers of Babylon (in 7/8 time) and Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) from Verde's Requiem. We're ready, I'm nervous, always am, always will be....it means a lot.