Category Archives: Uncategorized

I’m seeing many friends debating whether to put up their tree and decorations before Thanksgiving while others almost apologetic for decking the halls before the turkeys are thawed. Just do it. Who cares what others think? It doesn’t matter what … Continue reading →

In 1987, I decided my college music-composition final project would be a very short oratorio, a concert piece that includes orchestra/instrumentation, soloists, and a chorus. My topic was to be Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 presidential campaign, concluding with his February 1861 … Continue reading →

Last week I posted this meme with some very thoughtful points in maintaining our mental and emotional well-being as the pandemic begins its second wave. I seldom follow recipes; I adjust them. I often hear “redirecting your route” from my … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The three days off seemed to drag, allowing me to accomplish so much, yet they sped so quickly that I wanted more time. I didn’t get to write as much as I had hoped … Continue reading →

102 years ago, November 11th, 1918, at 11:11 AM, The United States entered into an armistice ending its involvement in WWI, The Great War that would end all wars. In 1954, the traditional Armistice Day, with a tradition of standing … Continue reading →

Due to several Alter HS students being on a retreat I am done teaching by two hours and I’m glad to catch a bit of deck time before the night cools down too much. I may need a melatonin for … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day For at least thirty-seven years, I was called the nickname bestowed upon me by my maternal grandfather, “Honkin.” Grandpa Leroy and Grandma Donna were 42 and 40 when I was born in 1964, and … Continue reading →

I’m permitting myself to incorporate my utmost personal feelings. This video echos my feelings about some of the possibilities for so many citizens of our nation, especially our young girls. I first heard these words uttered by newly sworn in … Continue reading →

One cold February night in 1973, my Grandma Donna and I assisted Mother in packing her suitcase as she prepared for that anticipated moment when she needed to head to the hospital to deliver her second child. At age 8, … Continue reading →

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s rights movement. In a … Continue reading →

One day, while working my part-time job at the Elwood Public Library, Margie Steiner, an adult librarian, called me over from shelving books and introduced me to a gentleman by saying, “Well, this is Red and Donna Barmes’ grandson, Darin.” … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day I was so excited to vote in my first mid-term election in 1982 and my first general election in 1984. Thirty-six years later I was just as thrilled as I was each time I … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day As a child, I remember the minister reading the names of those who had passed away within that year. Then, we’d sing the majestic hymn, “For All The Saints It’s All-Saints Day, today, also … Continue reading →

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 →