Blog

It was the first day of December, 2020. The Christmas lights twinkled in the wet dark after I tied them onto the porch railing. It was my hope that this ‘lighting up’ for the holidays would awaken my hibernating Christmas spirit. I felt a stir somewhere deep inside me as my Spirit made a slight movement. All it was, however, was Spirit rolling over under the covers. “I’m going back to ... Read More about A Christmas Vignette

On Saturday, May 18, 2019, from 7 to 9 pm, a group of Hutchinson arts supporters will be hosting a world’s first! On that night, local poets, musicians, and artists will be coming together in a wonderful show of creative expression. I am so honored to be able to participate as one of the poets and will be reading poetry from my book, Love and Lovers. The evening is centered around the poets, ... Read More about A Unique Poetry and Music and Art Event

Since I received so many positive responses to my blog post about Dad and the Doolittle Raid, I decided to add a part 2 to the story. My oldest son phoned me and brought it to my attention that Dad had given him his WWII flight logs as well as his engineering logs from his time on the base at Norfolk, VA in the early 1940s. With amazement, and while we were still having our phone conversation, my ... Read More about More Doolittle Doings with Dad

So, on Tuesday morning I was sitting at the kitchen counter with my first cup of coffee while trying to fade into some sense of coherency. My usual routine is to sip coffee and scroll quickly through my emails and Facebook messages on my phone. Occasionally, something will catch my eye, and I will stop scrolling for a second to see if there is a message that I need to check out. On Tuesday morning ... Read More about A Little More Music Dies

So, as I listened to the news yesterday, I heard that the last surviving Doolittle Raider, Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole, had passed away at age 103. Cole had been the co-pilot on the lead B-25 bomber piloted by Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle on April 18, 1942 in what became known as the “Doolittle Raid.” Also known as the “Tokyo Raid,” this was the first U.S. air raid to strike the island of ... Read More about Dad and the Doolittle Raid

So, for today, I’ve decided to write a little "ditty" for you. Since my book signing of Love and Lovers will be happening this weekend, it seems like a good time to share a bit of "limerick-y" poetry with you. My birthday was last week, and I wrote this poem just for fun and frivolity.   Birthday Thoughts Today, I have made it to seventy-three. That’s years that I’ve lived. Can ... Read More about Birthday Thoughts

So, lets talk about writing. A few days ago I attended a meeting of the Kansas Authors Club that focused on the difference between a memoir and an autobiography. Because I have recently dipped my toe into the writing pool, I was excited to learn all this and came home inspired and ready to write more. A memoir is now on my list of writing projects, and I am looking forward to seeing where this ... Read More about Book Release – Love and Lovers

So, if you read last week’s blog about my grandmother, Bubbie, you have probably concluded that she was a good cook. She was also young at heart. One of my fondest memories of Bubbie is the time when she travelled up to Ann Arbor, Michigan to take part in my 21st birthday celebration. When I was a student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a fun and special tradition for celebrating ... Read More about Bubbie’s Dream Tree – Part 2

So, let’s talk about my maternal grandmother, or Bubbie, as we called her. One of the earliest memories I have of her is an early evening in 1954 when my family went to my grandmother’s house to see this new-fangled picture box called a television. My grandparents were one of the first families in my town to have one, and I was excited to get a look at this “step into the future.” Programming at ... Read More about Ancestor No. 2 – Grandmother Bubbie – Part 1

I wouldn’t be paying homage to Granddaddy if I didn’t mention his invention that has made its way into most all of our lives, even in many countries around the world. I’ve told you that my grandfather was an inventor…of many things that are used in numerous diverse applications. But first, I should tell you a little about his Hartmann Thunderbird Sprinkler, his Hartmann Truflo Pump, and his ... Read More about Granddaddy’s Dream Tree – Part 3

Last week’s blog post featured the story of two baby owls that my grandfather found while on his annual trek into Oklahoma prairie land with friends to hunt rattlesnakes. Milford Willis Hartmann, or Granddaddy, also had what might be considered a very strange hobby. At least, I always considered it very strange, and not one that piques my interest for sure. However, my grandfather was ... Read More about Granddaddy’s Dream Tree – Part 2

This is the first in a series based on my previous blog post, “Dream Trees,” where, in my dream, I saw a roomful of Christmas trees decorated with ornaments and items that represented specific people. Instead of Christmas trees, however, each post in the series will focus on a Dream Tree to represent one of my ancestors. This first story features my maternal grandfather. So, let’s talk about ... Read More about Granddaddy’s Dream Tree – Part 1

So, “dream trees?” What does that mean? Did someone dream of trees or something? Well, kind of… Early this morning, I awoke from a very vivid (and in color) dream. As dreams usually go, how I happened to be in the situation has no context. I was just there. It seemed like I was visiting somewhere in Mexico and staying with a local family which consisted of Mom, Dad, and 8 stair-stepped ... Read More about Dream Trees

Last week, I received a piece of mail with “Social Security Administration” in the return address corner. It was one of ‘those’ letters. You know, with return addresses like “Clerk of the District Court”, “(Area) County Law Enforcement Office”, and “Internal Revenue Service.” You just naturally react with, perhaps, a slight gasp, and your mind spins around with questions like, “What now?” or “What ... Read More about Innocent Threat

So, I’m taking another first step. It’s a little like dipping one’s toes into the deep end of the pool; however, I would never do that if I could avoid it. I don’t like pools. I don’t like bodies of water contained or not contained, and the idea of dipping any part of my body into one of them results in an unwelcome anxiety attack. Hmm… why did I use that analogy? I don’t know. It was the first ... Read More about First Step

Dedicated to my percussion partner in counting, Bob Lee         I couldn't think of anything to say. Just a thought Without a thought ... ... Read More about Thought-less

So, let’s talk about the ‘drive-thru.’ More specifically, I want to talk about drive-thru windows at fast-food restaurants. The ‘drive-thru’, aka ‘drive-through,’ is considered a replacement for the ‘drive-in.’ The ‘drive-in’ has parking spots where you still order from the car and someone will bring your order out to you. You never need to leave your car. The ‘drive-thru’ (yes, this is ... Read More about Drive-thru Dilemma

So, let’s talk about passwords. According to Wikipedia, “A password is a word or string of characters used for user authentication to prove identity or access approval to gain access to a resource, which is to be kept secret from those not allowed access.” If you read this at a slower tempo 2 or 3 times, it might start to make sense. Wikipedia also states that “The use of passwords is known to be ... Read More about Passwords

So, let’s talk about what it is like to awaken in the middle of the night and realize that, yes indeed, you are drenched. Wait, am I dreaming? Maybe. After a couple of minutes, it became clear to me that dreaming was over. I was cozy under the covers until the reality hit that I was wet. My nightgown was wet. The bed sheets were wet. Ugh. This feels terrible. It felt like I had been in a sauna ... Read More about Drenched

Recently, I was sorting through a box of memorabilia from a time in my career when being a girl ‘drummer’ and/or girl ‘percussionist’ was not the norm. In fact, it was far from it during the 60’s and 70’s. While looking through miscellaneous programs and posters from gigs that I played, I came across one specific program that immediately sent me back to center stage in the colosseum in Pullman, ... Read More about But you’re a Girl!

So, we have established that the ‘end-of-cycle’ signals for both the washer and dryer are E-flat. However, the rhythms are in 6/8 time and could be played together if only the appliances would cooperate. So far, that’s not happening. The good news is that there is a different tune that plays when you open or close the doors to both the washer and dryer. After some experimenting with the ... Read More about My Washer and Dryer – Part 2

So, let’s talk about my washer and dryer. Actually, I want to talk about the signals that they play when you open the lid or the door, and the ones that play when the clothes are done washing or drying. I happen to have Maytag appliances, and I became curious one day when I heard their signals playing. I was sitting at my kitchen counter, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, and thinking of ... Read More about My Washer and Dryer – Part 1

So, let’s talk about the kitchen floor. More specifically, my kitchen floor. Be happy that you don’t have to look at it.  I don’t even want to look at it. But, it lives with me, so I have to ‘look it in the eye’ periodically and remind it who is the head of this household! At the moment, we are experiencing a slight altercation. I prefer to walk across it to get from counter to fridge to counter ... Read More about The Kitchen Floor

Recently, I was thinking about who I actually am……..as in what category do I fit into with regard to nationality. Since I was born in the United States, I think I am considered an ‘American.’ However, so much media and social media diversifies everyone into labels: African-American, Asian-American, Arab-American, Mexican-American, Japanese-American, Chinese- American, Native American etc. So, ... Read More about An American

“No problem,” I responded to the person who just thanked me for taking her to the clinic for her doctor’s appointment. “No problem.” Have you ever used this phrase or have had someone respond to you by saying it? This little phrase, ‘no problem,’ wasn’t a bother to me until recently when a couple of people brought it to my attention that it drives them crazy to hear it, and that it is not ... Read More about No Problem

So, let’s talk about ‘primary’.  According to Merriam-Webster, primary is: 1.     First in order of time or development 2.    First rank of importance or value 3.    Of or relating to preparation for something else 4.    Of or relating to a primary election/primary candidate I want to focus on #4 (oh, we’ve been here before, ha ha). We all probably know what a primary election is ... Read More about Primary

So, are you in your ‘right’ mind? Has anyone ever said to you that you are “not in your right mind?” If you are not in your ‘right mind’, then where are you? Is there a ‘wrong mind’? Are you in it instead? Or, has it ever been said to you that you are ‘right-brained’ or ‘left-brained’? I think I am primarily a right-brained person because I tend to be more ‘artsy’ than mathematical. However, I ... Read More about Mind Over Matter

So, I was looking up stuff on Google today, It’s amazing what computers and internet have given us! I can still remember life before there was television, or tv as you might call it. There were phones with rotary dials, television, when it did arrive on the scene, was in black and white and only on from 3 pm to 7pm or 9pm on the weekends. Oops – I digress……….. Back to Google – what is that ... Read More about Google

So, I was in the post office the other day, waiting in the front of a long line for my turn to go to the window and purchase some stamps. There were 7 or 8 people in line behind me, and I had waited for 4 people to have their turns as I moved to the front of the line. Suddenly, a man of medium build, dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, threw open the lobby door and ‘stamped’ in. “Where is your ... Read More about Oblivious

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone when they preface what they want to say with “Let me be perfectly honest’? Or, “To be totally honest with you…”? or “Let’s be honest.”?  Most likely, you have. So have I…….. This past week, I was listening to a radio program where the guest used these phrases a lot. In fact, “ad nauseum!”  His syntax was so heavily peppered with these that it ... Read More about Honest

A few months ago, during a symphony rehearsal break, one of the young players in the percussion section asked me if he could ask me a question (did he realize that he just did?) “Of course,” I replied as I was adjusting the tuning pedals on the timpani. My assignment on this concert was to play timpani, as there were other players to cover all of the percussion parts. I looked up from the ... Read More about A Question

So, let’s talk about the number 4… Originally, I wanted to write about the words four and forty. I have never been able to understand why the number 4 has a ‘u’ in it and that the number ‘40’ does not. What’s the deal! In my opinion, the English language is complicated enough without confusing us with stuff like this! With high hopes of getting an answer regarding 4 and 40, I got on my ... Read More about The Number 4

So, let’s talk about my new bed. I love this bed. It’s one of those fancy-schmancy beds that can raise the head section and/or the foot section as well as relax you with its several options of massage features! Sleep should elude me no more! And, indeed, with the head raised about a 3-count lift and the massage on medium speed, I am able to get about 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The massage ... Read More about My New Bed

So, I learned a long time ago to beware of people on pedestals, even if I’ve put them there. I think it has to do with ‘trust’. Even if the pedestal isn’t very high, the fact that one is on it brings a set of expectations along that dance around you and keep you in a constant awareness that at any moment, it can all go down. And it did! What seems to hurt the most, is the trust, or now, the ... Read More about Toppled