Author Archives: Wright Flyer Guy

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About Wright Flyer Guy

Darin is a single adoptive father, a teacher, playwright, and musical theatre director from Kettering, Ohio.

MIAGD: Fixing the latch

MIAGD: make it a great day I replaced a latch on the front storm door all by myself. The fact I knew what to order was a complete amazement of myself. The hardware store, to me, is a fascinating place … Continue reading

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MIAGD: We’re All In This Together

MIAGD: Make it a great day Why must we continue to remind ourselves “we are all in this together?” When I was growing up, there was such a strong sense of community throughout the neighborhood, the schools, and the entire … Continue reading

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MY DAY: The Tired Spot

Usually I can wrestle fatigue, but tonight, I am losing the match. The past several days have been filled with organizing the study, prepping for the school year, teaching, and doing the run-of-the-mill household chores.  I wish I could find … Continue reading

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MY DAY: August 6th… 7th

My gosh! I fell asleep at my desk, twice. My morning hours were spent with scheduling private students for the 2017-2018 Season, and other multitasking, and before I realized it I had thirty minutes to shower before my first student … Continue reading

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MY DAY: The Weekend

Alas, a highly productive, yet, still relaxing weekend has come, and gone. Thursday, I spent a majority of the day working on the deck, and on some minor projects in the back yard. 8:30 PM, I walked two blocks to … Continue reading

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SPOTLIGHT: 40 years of drum corps

It hit me with a bit of, “Oh, no… it cannot be forty years…” Yes, Darin.  It’s been 40 years since you attended your first drum corps show in August 1977.  My band director, Paula Simmons, and her Ball State … Continue reading

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MIAGD: Foster Bags

MIAGD: Make it a great day Foster bags. They accompany foster children on their Tour: a tour of moving from one foster home, or group home, to another. Each son came with a TON of bags. Many, many, many back … Continue reading

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MY DAY: A Purr-fect weekend

It’s 12:43 AM, and we’ve finally arrived to the last day of July, 2017. August will be greeting us in about twenty-three hours, and I always feel the weight of my fun summer schedule waning into the full school year. … Continue reading

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MIAGD: Learning More Perspective…

MIAGD: Make it a great day The past 48 hours have been interesting, fun-filled, and quite soul-defining. The van has completely died.  Despite the fact it was sold to me under the guise of the engine having been fully overhauled, … Continue reading

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O, FOR HISTORY: Father Flanagan

For over fifteen years, this Methodist boy has been a huge fan of Father Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. In 1917, Father Flanagan took in about six young boys, offering them a permanent home.  This was the beginning of … Continue reading

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MIAGD: 48 hours…. A Report Card

MIAGD: Make it a great day Oh, how miserable I should be…. But, it’s all life.  Bumps. Blessings. Enterprise Car Rental @ Loop Road = D-, you don’t just give my points away. Enterprise Car Rental Agent at Corporate = … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Flyer….

Four years ago, we were anticipating the long, drawn out process as Flyer reached the end. Mother spent four days with me, adding comfort, and holding back her own tears.  Friends and students stopped to visit for "that one last … Continue reading

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O, FOR HISTORY: The Last Steps…

Some family friends are on vacation, and their first stop was this afternoon at Campobello Island, the summer retreat for the Franklin Roosevelt family. Franklin’s parents had a cottage on the island between Canada and Maine, and spent many summers … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: Remembering Uncle Raymond

Today, July 25th, my great-great-uncle, Raymond Daugherty, would have celebrated his 96th birthday, four months ahead of his nephew, my grandfather, who would have turned 96 years old this November. Uncle Raymond was born in Boone Township of Madison County … Continue reading

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MIAGD: The backside

MIAGD: Make it a great day When I was a little boy, my grandmother had the most beautiful flower garden in her backyard. I wish there were existing photographs to document her work, and devotion to this natural artistry. She … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Organized & Catching Up

My study is finally tidied, and organized. I spent several hours organizing music, and putting all the copies from on-line music purchases into binders.  That process ended at 2:30 AM. I rose at 6:30 AM to complete another organizing-project.  The … Continue reading

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O, FOR HISTORY: 48 years ago…

48 years ago… Wow! I was seated next to my great-grandfather, John William Garrett Clary, on his Davenport (sofa) in Elwood, Indiana.  My great-great uncle, Alpha Jones, was seated on the other side. Grandpa Garrett was five years old when … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: The Capitol Steps…

Washington, DC; July 12, 1974. I am standing between my grandparents, Leroy and Donna Barmes, and our Indiana 6th District US Representative, Elwood “Bud” Hillis on the steps of the United States Capitol building. We had just returned to the … Continue reading

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MY DAY: “Things That Never Die”

The pure, the bright, the beautiful That stirred our hearts in youth, The impulses to wordless prayer, The streams of love and truth, The longing after something lost, The spirit’s yearning cry, The striving after better hopes — These things … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Caught…

Elwood, Indiana; 1971 “Here’s your letter to Santa as I copied it down in cursive. Now, you can copy this using your own cursive.  When you’re finished, fold up your letter, and place it in the envelope and Mommy will … Continue reading

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MIAGD: Look past the rain

MIAGD: Make it a great day This is the view from the bus window this morning. It feels like we are looking out into a world-sized Claude Monet painting.  Here are days when our world feels blurred, entirely without focus. … Continue reading

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MIAGD:  Freedom

MIAGD: Make it a great day  The entire house is being freed of things no longer needed. It’s amazing how having additional, no longer needed things around the house can serve as anchors.   People can also be anchors to … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Satisfied

It’s nearing midnight, and I am ready to drag my self up to my bedroom for complete slumber. Most of my days start only a few hours after the previous day ended.  Tonight doesn’t seem to be one of those … Continue reading

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MIAGD: Changing it up a bit

MIAGD: Make it a great day “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~ Nelson Mandela My son, on a number of occasions, has commented on how comforting the basement … Continue reading

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MY DAY:  Morning to Morning

It’s nearing 1:15 AM, and I’ve now belted two mornings together with my day.  I was wide awake at 7 AM, Sunday morning, and by 10 AM I was on the bus to downtown Dayton with my camera, and he … Continue reading

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