Category Archives: Family Life

…South Shore Drill Team…

Thursday, April 2, 2009, I volunteered for the Winter Guard International (WGI) competition at Fairmont’s Trent Arena next to our home. I was working with Carol Dittoe at the volunteer check-in booth, and we heard there was an all-male guard … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Catching my breath…

I feel as though I am finally catching my breath for the first time in a month. Where do I begin? Well, I am vocal director for Beavercreek High School’s production, The Pajama Game. The director and I are up … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…The Isles of Innisfree…

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day – one of my favorite holidays (and I do not even drink). Eleanor Roosevet on her wedding day. Tomorrow is also the 105th anniversary of Eleanor & Franklin Roosevelt, the 25th Anniversary of my friends, … Continue reading

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…Don't Quit…

There is a fascinating young man in college. I never had him as a student, but saw a good deal of his set designs while he was still a high school student. They were incredible. He posted something in his … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Friends, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Spirituality, The Secret, Theatre | Leave a comment

WEST SIDE STORY – the 1995 Cast

Who are they, and where are they today? Some current photos of a wonderful group of performers from Theatre Under The Stars 1995 production, WEST SIDE STORY.                                     

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…Now, Sunday…

Another busy week behind us… Beginning last Monday I was not feeling well, and my temperature hovered around 100-101 degrees. My sister-in-law, Stacia, had been taken ill with strep last weekend, and then my brother, Destin, got it this week. … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, School, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Farewell, Socks the Cat…

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Socks, the cat who won international fame during his years in the Clinton White House, was euthanized Friday after months of treatment for cancer. Socks was adopted by Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor of Arkansas. … Continue reading

Posted in Family Pets, First Ladies, Politics, U.S. History, White House | Leave a comment

…Welcome to the 20th Century…

Last night I told my son that I was officially a part of the Twentieth Century. “But, Dad, this is the Twenty-first Century.” Yes. That is true. But, I finally did a very Twentieth Century thing – I finally got cable … Continue reading

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…Dad Daze…

There are some days when I just don’t see myself being old enough to be a father. And other days, I feel as though I am the age of a great-grandparent. Being a father is certainly an experience – and … Continue reading

Posted in Family Life, Humor, NACAC, Parenting, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Five People We Meet in Heaven…

Hmmm… interesting. I just finished watching the movie, THE FIVE PEOPLE WE MEET IN HEAVEN. I have always believed we each have a place in one another’s lives – affecting one another in ways beyond our awareness, even beyond our … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Entertainment, Family Life, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Norman Vincent Peale, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…And the weekend is here…

The long week is over, and the weekend is upon us. Most of the week was spent in writing on the Wright Brothers’ musical, teaching, helping Jose with homework, prepping students for college auditions, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, building … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

The Nephews…

This afternoon, I sent a note to my brother, sarcastically reminding him that it has been a while since I have seen photos of my youngest nephew and godson, Fred. There were tons of photos with Parker, his eldest, and … Continue reading

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Science vs. God

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, “Let me explain the problem science has with religion.” The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Inspiration, Norman Vincent Peale, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda, The Secret | 1 Comment

Counting blessings…

Jose’s youth group had an interesting discussion on how “doubt” is often crucial to faith. The youth were asked that upon waking this morning, count your blessings, and to walk through the next few days in a state of gratitude. My friend, Jeff … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Harry Truman, Indiana, Inspiration, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Weekend of Winter Guard…

The long, long weekend is over… If parents work shifts at the Winter Guard International (WGI) or percussion contests, money will be applied towards your child’s marching band account. So, I volunteered for Saturday. Kathy Symes, the parent coordinator, and … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…And it's finally the weekend…

I cannot believe Friday is upon us, yet, I am so thrilled it is here.   Last Friday I had breakfast/lunch with Bill Hetzer, and taught the remainder of the afternoon. After teaching, I went in to watch TWO AND … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Indiana, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Parenting, School, The Haasienda, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…George Carlin – Ten Commandments…

I was watching a PBS Special on George Carlin. The guy was incredible! I had never heard his TEN COMMANDMENTS, and this was brilliant… and so true! GEORGE CARLIN ON THE 10 COMMANDMENTS from “Complaints and Grievances” (HBO special) Here … Continue reading

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…How Firm Thy Friendship…

Tuesday, January 13th, began as any other normal day, and seemed to continue as such. My son, Jose, returned home from school at 3:15pm, having taken his 7th period final semester exam. I began teaching at 2:00pm, and was thoroughly enjoying … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Entertainment, Family Life, Inspiration, Music - Band, NACAC, Parenting, Single Parent, The Haasienda, U.S. History | 2 Comments

…It's a Sherman Brothers wolrd after all…

Last night I saw the stage musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and began wondering if the Sherman Brothers had penned some of the new songs. Yes, indeed! They are still living, and still writing music! Sherman Brothers are Academy Award-winning … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Disney, Entertainment, Friends, Inspiration, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

…It was uncategorical – a stage burning oracle…

IT WAS TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS! “It was more than spectacular – to use the vernacular – it’s wizard, it’s smashing, it’s keen.” Forty years ago, I opened a Christmas present, and to my delight was a cast iron model of the … Continue reading

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…Advice from the Bush twins…

I heard the recording of the Bush twins reading their letter on The Today Show… it was beautiful. What great young women these lovely gals have turned out to be. CNN) — Jenna and Barbara Bush know a lot about … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Family Life, Friends, Harry Truman, Parenting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…The Beverly Hillbillies…

I got the first season DVD of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES and watched at least three epsiodes last night. First off, the familiar theme song that opens the sitcom was not written yet. The opening montage  –  Jed shootin’ food, seein’ the … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Family Life, Humor, Movies, The Haasienda | 1 Comment

…Cousins…

I have been blessed with numerous cousins on both sides of my family. Due to where I was born in the mix, most of my cousins are either older or younger, and growing up, I never felt as though I … Continue reading

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Healthy Choices for Healthy Living…

The evening of New Year’s Eve, I received an email from a friend I’ve never met in person. We actually met on-line in an Internet group to which we both belong. This particular email resounded with me, as it seemed … Continue reading

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Ringing of the bells…

Wednesday morning I drove to Columbus to attend the funeral mass of a friend’s father. I met Katie Pfister-Musick in the late 1980’s and absolutely fell in love with this incredible actress. Despite the various moves between the two of … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Christianity, Entertainment, First Ladies, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Religion, Robert Schuller, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment