Category Archives: Family Life

Went and climbed a mountain…

By the time I finished blogging, and uploading photos, it was 12:30am here in New Mexico. However, I was wide awake at 4:30am Ohio time (2:30am NM time). Around 9:00am Jose and I were fully stirring, and planning the day. … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Vacation & Travel, Walking/Hiking | Leave a comment

Crossroads…

Since my days at Ball State University, I have always marveled at the many individual journeys that meet at particular crossroads throughout our lives. Crossroads are exciting! We never know when certain fellow travelers will cross our own path, joining … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Every day life, Family Life, Inspiration, Joel Osteen, NACAC, Norman Vincent Peale, Parenting, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, The Secret | Leave a comment

An early Christmas…

At 3:45pm – Albuquerque time – I met my newest son, and Jose met his new brother. It is so amazing how three people – complete strangers – immediately merged as one family. Jose, Valerie (the adoption worker), and I … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda | 7 Comments

Changes…

Today, the snow is gently falling here in Kettering for the first time. It seems as though the weather has officially changed into winter. This particular change seems in keeping with life in the Haasienda. Tomorrow morning at 0715 hours, … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Fowler, Indiana, Indiana, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Trent Arena, Walking/Hiking | Leave a comment

A Day of Thanksgiving…

What an unusual, yet exciting year! I have received so many blessings this year, and I hope, as an individual, and fellow traveler on Planet Earth, that I have been able to be a blessing to others, as well. My … Continue reading

Posted in Darin's Career, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Friends, Indiana, NACAC, Playwrighting, Private Students, Single Parent, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

School Referendums…

I grew up in a wonderful Hoosier town, thirty some miles north of Indianapolis. It was called, “The Heart of Hoosierland.” When I think back on my youth, I am always filled with beautiful memories of those days, and times … Continue reading

Posted in Indiana, School, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Is anybody there…?

This week has been saddened by, yet, several more youth suicides due to bullying. Regardless the struggling youth’s issues, we adults – parents, teachers, neighbors, coaches, directors, youth leaders, etc. – need to take the lead in this universal epidemic to … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, NACAC, Parenting, School, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

UPDATE: Flyer

It is Monday night, and the wonderful pet with whom we were prepared to bid farewell is an entirely different creature than the one from last Wednesday through Friday. When we brought her home Friday afternoon, both Jose and I … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, The Haasienda | 1 Comment

Flyer in Photos

Photos of Flyer the past several years…

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Band Camp, Wisdom Teeth, A Wedding & ACTION…

I think I passed three of the most enjoyable days of my summer! Thursday morning, I had a two hour lesson with one of my graduated seniors, Ryan Crouch, and as always, it was a great time – and tons … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Darin's Career, Dayton, Drum & Bugle Corps, Drum-Major, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Miami Valley of Ohio, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, Private Students, School, Single Parent, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

A Muslim & Jewish White House?

In recent months, President Barak Obama has been needled by underground, or less-publicized media, and individual blogs for his support of Muslims celebrating their faith. I was just reading a passage in First Lady Hilary Clinton’s book, AN INVITATION TO … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Inspiration, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

State Farm Insurance & Carl's Body Shop

Normally, I try to steer clear of posting particular personal frustrations, but this one has been particularly aggravating, and consuming a good deal of my time this week. In short, someone backed into my automobile, and I continue to receive … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, The Haasienda | 1 Comment

Wal-Mart Optical = FAIL

Ugh… I was not completely keen on going to Wal-mart for glasses; however, my vision plan included the optometrist from the nearby Wal-mart. Some of the other optometrists were in Centerville, Beavercreek, and Vandalia. I was being lazy. However, when … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, The Haasienda | 2 Comments

Does it really matter?

This has been an amusing several days for news. Lindsay Lohan is sentenced to jail and rehab… Mel Gibson has been acting up, again… Touch Down Jesus will be rebuilt – full body from Indiana limestone… The Barefoot Bandit has … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Biblical History, Blogroll, Broadway, Christianity, Darin's Career, Disney, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Great Britain, Humor, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Performing, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Royal Family, The Haasienda, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A New Weekend…

The deck is damp from last night’s rain showers, but the air is crisp, and cool at 68-degrees. The morning is beckoning those of us who have been besieged by the overwhelming heat and humidity of last week to come … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Miami Valley of Ohio, Old River Park, Parenting, Playwrighting, Single Parent, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Just a Thursday…

This morning had me hopping – doctor appointments, pick up prescriptions, and rush back home to teach a 10:30am lesson! Began the day with tons of energy, and by Noon, I was alternating between reading and napping. The heat, even … Continue reading

Posted in Darin's Career, Every day life, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Private Students, Richard Nixon, Teaching, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

Voles

This afternoon while sitting on my deck writing, I saw something move out the corner of my eye. As I looked over by the wooden privacy fence, I saw a black mouse-like creature move under a hosta plant. It retreated … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, The Haasienda | 2 Comments

A relaxing holiday…

It is Monday, 1:00pm. The end of the restful, and enjoyable holiday weekend is creeping upon us.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the most perfect days we’ve had in weeks. Saturday was a bit steamy, but not too hateful. Sunday, … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Founding Fathers, Friends, Harry Truman, History Channel, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

I belong to a home-town on-line group. The original premise of the group was to keep alumni connected, and to share stories about life in our little Hoosier community. Since the 2008 presidential election I have contributed little to the … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Every day life, Inspiration, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

We… Hold… These… Truths…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Barak Obama, Broadway, Carillon Park, Christianity, Colonial America, Composing, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Dayton, Deeds Point, Disney, Documentaries, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, History Channel, Humor, Indiana, Inspiration, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, PBS, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Performing, Playwright, Playwrighting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Richard Nixon, School, Single Parent, Smithsonian Institute, Spirituality, Teaching, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, The Secret, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House, Woodland Cemetery, World History | Leave a comment

All in a day…

I fell asleep at 11:30pm last night, exhausted from seven straight hours of labor – not bearing a child kind of labor – yard labor. I was wide awake at 1:30am when my son’s video game blasted something away. I … Continue reading

Posted in Blogroll, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Thursday… July 1st

Teaching only three days in the summer means long days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; however, having the additional two week-days – plus the weekend – to work around the house, write, and spend time with my are wonderful. This … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Darin's Career, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Miami Valley of Ohio, Musical Theatre, Old River Park, Parenting, Playwright, Private Students, Teaching | Leave a comment

Red River Valley…

  RED RIVER VALLEY arranged and adapted by Arlo Guthrie From this valley they say you are going We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile For they say you are taking the sunshine That has brightened our pathways … Continue reading

Posted in Barmes Family, Clary Family, Family Ancestry, Family Life, Indiana, Music - Band, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

The Wright Connection: A musical journey

Although I am a passionate historian, I must admit that I was rather lazy in my study of Dayton history. Normally, I am on top of my historical surroundings, and learn as much as possible. However, when I moved to … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Composing, Dayton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, First Ladies, Franklin Roosevelt, Katharine Wright-Haskell, Kitty Hawk, Miami Valley of Ohio, Museum of the US Air Force, Musical Theatre, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Playwrighting, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, Woodland Cemetery, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

Smithsonian is born…

Well, not exactly… This is the date in 1829 that James Smithson of England died (and not because Germany beat them in the World Cup in 2010). Here’s the story… How our country built The Smithsonian Institution

Posted in Great Britain, Smithsonian Institute, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House, World History | Leave a comment