Monthly Archives: July 2020

Thursday afternoon, after feeding the dogs at 4:00 PM, I laid down on the bed to read and promptly fell asleep, waking at nearly 8:30 PM. Fortunately, after a dinner of steak and a baked potato, I actually slept quite … Continue reading →

As I was finishing up breakfast on the deck, the grey hovering clouds began spitting and were kind enough to wait until I had cleared the deck. The day was wet with intermittent showers, sprinkles, or mist that seemed to … Continue reading →

The teaching week is done and I’m relaxing in the chase lounge on the deck with no breeze but a very comfortable night. This week zoomed by, quickly, with students making remarkable steps in the process. It’s such a damned … Continue reading →

Flyer, the best dog in the world. I love and have loved all my dogs, but Flyer was just something beyond special. Beginning July 21, 2013, 73 folks came to say “goodbye” to Flyer as her departure time became clearer. … Continue reading →

The deck is fairly quiet except for cicadas sawing away at their one tone trill and the tree tops sway to the northerly breeze that caps an element of perfection. Teaching a full day of 10:00 AM til 10:15 PM … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day No onions. No pepper. No allergies. Three times this morning, my eyes have watered for some beautiful I looked-for moments that truly filled my heart with joy, peace, and love. 7:00 AM, a text … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I love a good breeze and this morning’s deck time feels wonderful as a cool, quick breeze causes a stir with the wind chimes, rustles the leaves, and keeps me wanting more. Last night’s … Continue reading →

The last of the truly great artists from Hollywood’s Golden Era has left the set for her dressing room, the final, “and that’s a wrap” has been called out. 1968, Elwood Theatre on Main Street, Elwood, Indiana. GONE WITH THE … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The morning is light, bright, and breezy with a southernly wind waving its hand to create a comforting start to the day as I complete some items before teaching from 2:00 – 9:15 PM. … Continue reading →

In July, 2013, I first learned the ancient Native American legend of a cardinal’s visit from a dear friend, Valerie Marsh, following the death of my dog, Flyer. For the past seven years, cardinals have been a constant addition at … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I was prepared to sleep by 1:00 AM, but busied myself with more reading and before I knew it, 2:30 AM was upon me; I posted a note for my son, in London, that … Continue reading →

I can definitely say that this has been a productive day despite the morning rain showers and a day that dragged on with high humidity, making everything feel weighted in dampness through this evening. I got a ton of reading … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day My friend, Sue Branson, lived in Lynchburg, Virginia, and had told me about Thomas Jefferson’s other plantation, Poplar Grove, years before it restored. She shared this article about his typical three day journey to … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The deck is so comfortable despite the humidity beginning to rise for a day with temperatures expected to be in the upper 80s. The Quartet is lounging about the deck, hoping for some kind … Continue reading →

I can definitely say that this has been a super day, even with a few stumbles due to the wind and the storm. Thursday through Saturday was the laziest of days. I just could not find the button to switch … Continue reading →

This week seems to be somewhat prophetic for marching bands this upcoming season. Monday, I finished breakfast on the deck and moved inside to write in my study. Within a few minutes, I heard pounding percussion! I made a second … Continue reading →

Every year in mid-July, a group of historians, researchers, authors/biographers, and Lincoln enthusiasts gather in Springfield, Illinois to celebrate the life of First Lady Mary (Todd) Lincoln. This year, due to current circumstances preventing us from venturing to Springfield, one … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The morning could not be any nicer even though there’s still a sense of dampness still remaining from Sunday’s heavy rain showers. The last of the Mary Lincoln day lilies are here for the … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day My day is off to a somewhat late start because my morning chat with Joshua centered around the topic of Jacobson vs. Massachusetts (1905) and it seems I’ve done a good job of modeling … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I am in between Zoom meetings on this extraordinary beautiful day with the most agreeable weather and I would be far too distracted outside on the deck. (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM) fellow arrangers.  … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s a super boost to the day when you hear the familiar text-tone that always puts a smile on your face before your day even officially begins. The morning was repetitive as any other … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Morning and early afternoon have come and gone, and true to form, I’ve accomplished little this day except reading, listening to documents and presidential podcasts. The morning began like any other Thursday morning: FaceTime … Continue reading →

Unless you can swear “For life, for death!” – Oh, fear to call it loving! The teaching week is over and I feel drained from the energy expelled during a tremendous amount of fantastic lessons. I climbed into the one … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s been one very busy, long four days of teaching great students who are climbing higher in their skills, each day. It’s exciting. Other than that, precious little else has happened around The Haasienda. … Continue reading →

The weekend was quiet for this year’s Fourth of July, but in no way was it dull, but rather, relaxing and restful. HAMILTON dominated Friday and Saturday, as well as reading, napping, dog time, and watching documentaries. Sunday, teaching resumed. … Continue reading →