Monthly Archives: October 2020

Some dear friends, Marie and Jeff Mee, just visited Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop masterpiece, Monticello, and I was taken back through a myriad of my own visits since 1974. I think my visit-count is 22. It’s one of my historical happy … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day There are a number of songs about Mondays. “Rainy Days and Mondays.” “Manic Monday.” “I Hate Mondays.” And of course, “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & The Papas. I’ve enjoyed four productive and relaxing … Continue reading →

I know my deck time is limited as the storm moves into The Miami Valley but I’ll hang on until the very last minute. About an hour ago I received an alert for a severe thunderstorm warning and it’s beginning … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I’m sitting on the deck in unbelievable 63-degree weather, a cool breeze wizzing through the tubular chimes surrounding the deck, and watching the weighted darker clouds racing beneath the brighter clouds above them. Last … Continue reading →

For my third birthday, 1967, I received this little blue rocking chair and foot stool from my great-great uncle and aunt, Alpha and Clara Jones. Uncle Alphie was a younger brother of my maternal great-grandmother, Belle Jones Clary. He married … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I go back-and-forth between my love for black-and-white photography and colored photography. Black-and-white photography can be even more thorough at telling the story. However, I also find it very honest, chic, and dramatic. When … Continue reading →

If (1895) Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about youAre losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,But make allowance for their doubting too;If you can wait and not … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day “I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It’s nearing 10:00 AM and I’ve had a leisurely three hours of talking to Josh for thirty minutes, prepping breakfast for myself and the pooches, eating our breakfasts, recording a ten minute video with … Continue reading →

I am wound up at 1:00 AM, Friday morning, for two reasons: I had a productive day and accomplished those little necessary things that always need attention, and I’m keeping updated by my sister regarding my niece. Dena texted that … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day It was nice to have a morning off from teaching class and to enjoy a longer time on the deck for breakfasting and reading before the temperature plummeted to a damp chill. I’d hoped … Continue reading →

I’ve actually got an unexpected fifteen minute break in my schedule which is quite nice considering the deck is a collection of some favorite things: a strong breeze mastering five sets of wind chimes, sounds of nature and Shroyer Road … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day DEAD POETS SOCIETY came out 31 years ago, several years into my teaching career, and Robin Williams’ John Keating had a terrific impact on my career and on my life. Carpe Diem. Seize the … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day My Grandpa Leroy and Grandma Donna took me to Indianapolis for special outings, several times a year. Our visits always included interesting sites or entertainments, as well as neat places to eat. One particular … Continue reading →

The entire day was proof that I thoroughly love what I do for a living. 9:30 AM began with online classes that finished up 20 minutes before private lessons began. Those lessons ended at 10:45 PM and I began watching … Continue reading →

Due to five students being out of town with some schools out tomorrow, I was done by 9:50 PM, this evening. Folks ask me if I get exhausted teaching all day. Yes, sometimes I get a bit tired, but I … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I’m quite comfortable on the deck with a slight breeze moving about with heavy grey skies shrouding The Miami Valley. Since The Boys are “on holiday” in The Cotswolds, our weekly morning chat did … Continue reading →

Saturday is my Sunday evening and Sunday begins my teaching week, often pretending to be Monday. The highlight of my day was when, at 8:30 PM, Amazon delivered my magnetic backed racks for the side of the refrigerator. Those little … Continue reading →

I was raised in an optimistic home and Mother always insisted we stick to our optimism no matter how severe the blow. Mother demonstrated confidence often masking the weight she carried at times. This has been a week of “some … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Due to a very light rain, I took breakfast in my study and the rest of the morning reading and prepping my online classes for the coming week. Friday was a physical washout and … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Even with a healthy breeze, it honestly does not feel like 55-degrees at 8:30 AM as the sun is sharing its brilliance. This is my longest day and the one with the least amount … Continue reading →

My first time to vote, 1982, was a midterm election and it was second time to work at my precinct’s polling site. I can still remember the exhilaration of moving that first lever inside my voting booth. Tonight, as I … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The 55-degree weather doesn’t seem all too cold and the overhead umbrella of bright blue is refreshing as I eat my lunch on the deck. I finished teaching my on-line classes at 2:00 PM … Continue reading →

It’s only 62-degrees but the fierce sun has warmed us a bit, allowing some non-bundled up time. From beneath the deck, the aroma of Downy fabric softener wafts up through the boards as some towels dry. The clouds are particularly … Continue reading →