Monthly Archives: January 2018

Forty-nine years ago today, my great-grandmother, Mary Belle Jones Clary, passed away. I remember clearly coming through the front door with Mother.  The phone was ringing and Mother hurried to answer it.  She was carrying her “fall” – hairpiece – … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day We just finished the Season of Thanksgiving and the Season of Giving.  Some will begin preparations for the Season of Lent.  As the studio revs up its busiest season each January it turns into … Continue reading →

It was a perfect Friday and I don’t think I could have made it any better. Thursday night I had dinner with my dear friend, Mark Monroe, and took the wrong bus home resulting in 3,000 steps. Perfect. Friday morning … Continue reading →

It’s not so bad when anniversaries are remembered at ten years, even twenty years. Thirty years? Oooh! Forty years? Ouch! We were definitely snowed in at 825 Main Street in Elwood, Indiana. My grandmother, Donna Barmes, was escorted on a … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I’ve never been able to explain the relationship my dog, Flyer, had with Wilbur Wright at his gravesite. On a warm November Sunday afternoon in 2000, I traveled out to a farm near Xenia … Continue reading →

When I was three years old my parents invested in a set of World Book Encyclopedias that eventually transported me all over the world and into the deep riches of our country’s history. The family no longer owns the outdated … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day We got a nice healthy blast of winter weather with a coating of ice and plenty of snow but the performing arts of Dayton and its many enthusiasts are ploughing right through the winter’s … Continue reading →

    The threat of this winter storm did not keep me in and I am rather surprised I have not been out enjoying it. The day was spent reading, napping, writing, napping, enjoying some homemade soup, napping, and watching … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I absolutely love God winks or Angel Wings Flutters. They seem to happen often in my life, and I have countless stories to what some folks refer to as “coincidence.”  At 53, I just do not believe … Continue reading →

My great-grandparents, Garrett and Belle Clary, who lived seven miles northeast of Elwood on their family farm, formerly the Vinson and Jones, drove into town for a funeral.  Grandma Belle was wearing a new mourning or funeral dress she’d recently made. On this beautiful … Continue reading →

I typically do not wear T-shirts. Once upon a time, I did but if I should perspire, I hate the way some collars begin to curl.  If I do wear a T-shirt it is under a casual dress shirt, for … Continue reading →

One of my current go-to books is BLUEPRINT FOR REHABILITATION: A Positive Approach To Guidelines. It’s fascinating. As a child I loved our World Book Encyclopedias. They were my fleet of frigates that took me everywhere. I think they were … Continue reading →

I love second hand book stores. 2nd & Charles is a fine store in Kettering’s Town & Country mall just down the street. I find a plethora of supplemental teaching material, as well as many music books. Once home to … Continue reading →

After lunch I retraced my steps through the Schuster Center lobby and the “stages” or boxes were being dismantled. Here are two of those beloved elves: What we see at The Schuster Center each year is not the complete Rike’s … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day This was my lucky day! I just happened to sneak downtown for lunch and some errands, and caught The Schuster Center’s production team elves dismantling the Rike’s Department Store window displays. They were gracious … Continue reading →