Monthly Archives: August 2013

This week was a banner week with successful endocrinology and doctor appointments.  Monday, I visited my endocrinologist for a routine exam, and blood draw.  My BP was perfect, and my weight had dropped 17 pounds since my visit in May. … Continue reading →

A few Saturdays ago I went to the Oakwood Farmer’s Market and really enjoyed meeting some of the folks, and thoroughly loved the fresh produce.  I returned this morning, knowing I would be meeting two music/theatre friends, Raymonde Rougier and … Continue reading →

It’s a hot, muggy Friday afternoon here in the Miami Valley.  The day commenced with our regular 6:45 AM walk, with MapMyRun shorting me about a quarter of a mile. After breakfast and a shower, I reported to my doctor’s … Continue reading →

For several years, Amy Kress, the mother of one of my students, has always spoken highly of her Dyson vacuum. At the time, I needed a quality sweeper that could tackle all the pet hair – a cat and three … Continue reading →

Labor Day weekend is one of my favorites. Kettering hosts one of the most fantastic festivals and parades in the state of Ohio during this weekend. The bulk of the activity takes place in my own neighborhood, and there is … Continue reading →

For the past 20 minutes I’ve been sitting out on the deck snapping green beans. It’s been a somewhat quiet morning and one with little productivity. I casually said to the dogs, “Well, kids, it’s been one month today since … Continue reading →

There is certainly nothing wrong with ordinary.  Some days, ordinary is quite the welcome visitor. Aside from teaching, there is not much on the docket for this week save my endocrinology appointment, a doctor’s appointment for my quarterly check-up, and … Continue reading →

One month from today I will turn 49 years old. I honestly don’t know what to make of the approaching number. In many ways, I do not feel like I am about to turn 49. On the other hand, I … Continue reading →

Well… I honestly do not know where to begin. The acting by Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, and David Banner were exceptional performances. I also felt that Vanessa Redgrave, John Cusack, Jane Fonda and James Marsden turned in fantastic performances. Forest … Continue reading →

A wonderful actress, Julie Harris, has passed away. CBS Announcement of Julie Harris’ death. I got to meet Ms. Harris in the late 1980’s when she was touring in DRIVING MISS DAISY. Playwright James Prideaux, a Ball State graduate, wrote … Continue reading →

Living in such a high profile location can be taxing when it comes to heavier traffic, but the advantages far outweigh waiting to back out of my drive.  What I love most are some of the people in this neighborhood. … Continue reading →

For at least a year now I’ve heard about Aullwood Gardens, a part of the Five Rivers Metropark system here in the Miami Valley, from Emily Webb. Most often, when I was on this side of North Dayton with time … Continue reading →

When I went to bed the evening of August 24th, 2012, I had no idea how, within a few hours, my world would be altered.  A curse from twenty-years before was to be repeated. It is now 12:15 AM, August … Continue reading →

National First Ladies’ Library E-news NFLL InTouch August, 2013 Visit Our Gift Shop Carl Anthony’s biography of Ida Saxton McKinley will be released Nov. 1st! Available for Pre-Order at our gift shop! $34.95 – Pre-Order Price Click here for on-line … Continue reading →

With the start of the new school year comes the start of my new fall teaching schedule. Although I love having my mornings free to write and research, I have to force myself to stay on task so that I … Continue reading →

I drove to Meijer to get a bag of dog food, not feeling like driving out to tractor supply store in Beavercreek. I got distracted in the garden section and ended up buying 10 bags of crushed stone for $.79 … Continue reading →

I don’t know if it was the new schedule, the full moon, or the long teaching schedules for Monday and Tuesday (Wednesdays and Thursdays are actually longer) with 14 students each, but my butt was wiped out on this beautiful … Continue reading →

I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced so much change within a short period of time.  And, despite some departures that I sorely miss, the transitions have been tenderly welcomed, and smooth. The dynamics of the family structure changed in late … Continue reading →

My day did not begin until 8:15 AM, and I feel as though I wasted a good portion of it. Our walk was a little longer, and without incident: no unruly dogs owned by those who do not know how … Continue reading →

For some reason, this morning seems like it is on a slow motion setting. Generally, I seldom fumble for energy. In fact, I do have a good deal of energy yet there seems to be a slight battle with a … Continue reading →

I’ve always valued PROCESS. I live PROCESS. I teach PROCESS. And I respect PROCESS. I tend to forget, however, that grief is also a process.  45 minutes after Flyer’s passing, The Kids and I were on our walk, maintaining our … Continue reading →

I love it when spontaneous things happen. Saturday afternoon, my friend, Suzanne, and I were trying to figure out what to do for the evening since we were both free.  I noted a Facebook post by Dawn Roth Smith requesting … Continue reading →

The tie of this blog post implies I am going on a trip; however, I am simply taking time off for the next nine days. I have no plans other than to write, read, watch documentaries, spend time with a … Continue reading →

I don’t recall when I first became interested in Watergate, but I do remember scurrying home from Washington elementary school when I was in the fourth grade to watch the Watergate hearings on television. Much of it was beyond my … Continue reading →

Last night I began my ninth year working Beavercreek high school’s show choir camp. It is one of my favorite weeks in the summer, and last night was especially enjoyable. I had to returning instrumental combo members who graduated this … Continue reading →