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Showing posts from July, 2011

Magical Moment 540, "Pretty Girl"

I saw this beauty at the park. There was just something regal about the way she stood, unafraid in the sunlight. She let us get so close to her. So we threw her an apple, which she picked up and crunched. This shot reminds me of Susan in the Boonies' button at her blog,  Wild Life in the Woods .

Magical Moment 539, "A Good Balance"

A read a post, Plans and Sabotage , at Laugh with us Blog, and it reminded me of my own flub a while ago: ~~ When Eddie's mom and friend came to visit us a few months ago, we decided to take them to "The Lion King" on Broadway, the essence of a Broadway musical that we knew they'd love. The tickets were expensive, about $150 each, but we all agreed it would be a well worth it, once in a lifetime experience.  The tickets needed to be purchased all at once in order to get seats together, so I bought them a few weeks before their arrival with our credit card. Excited, I printed the tickets and looked them over. That's when I realized...I bought them for the WRONG weekend!!! I think my heart stopped for a second. Broadway tickets are like airline tickets...the prices constantly change and they're practically impossible to return. I immediately called the theatre, but couldn't get ahold of anyone. I called the 800 emergency number on the tickets, and sti

Magical Moment 538, "Boogie-Woogie"

This is another video from a recent performance at Gizzi's Cafe in NYC. Saint Louis Blues is definitely my favorite boogie-woogie tune to play. It always gets my foot tappin. Thanks Mr. Capps for teaching me that left hand boogie-woogie and walkin bass! (I'll be out for a day or two, but will catch up on all your posts soon!)

Magical Moment 537, "The Green-Eyed Monster"

My husband Eddie, is quite romantic. He brings me gifts, takes me on dates, and sends me flowers. One day we returned from lunch to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to our doorstep. I picked them up and noticed they were addressed to me! The return address was the flower company, so I assumed they were from Eddie. "Awww!" I mooned over them. But when I looked at Eddie, rather than seeing an adoring expression staring back at me, he looked completely puzzled. "Those aren't from me!" He accused, not so romantically or adoringly. I was just as surprised. I couldn't think of a single person who would send me flowers. It wasn't my birthday or any kind of special occasion. But curiosity, or was it something  else , overtook Eddie. He tore open the cardboard packaging like a ravage beast, searching for any clue of who the flowers could be from.  "It's from that one guy from that one place! I  knew  he had a crush on you!" I rolled m

Magical Moment 536, "Trouble"

I'm expecting company! My sister Erica, and best friend Deb will arrive today. When Erica and I get together, things like this happen: And when Deb and I get together, things like this happen: And when my little sister, best friend, and I are all together in NYC for a week, it makes my husband go like this: But he'll survive. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? ~~~ The wig explanation: Gaga For Erica How Deb and I have stayed best friends for nearly 18 years: Friendiversary A pretty safe bet for the next week: Giggles

Magical Moment 535, "Rose in a Canteen"

Sorting through a box of old photographs, I came across this one... Taken on a disposal camera about 7 years ago during some Army training as a cadet. I recall feeling very homesick, as it was a new experience, and very exhausted. I found a rose (I have no idea where) and kept it alive in my canteen of water for a few days before I was forced to throw it away during a room inspection. A vibrant red rose, bringing beauty to drab olive green.

Magical Moment 534, "The Enchanted Bus Ride"

I watched a little girl on the bus. For her, the ride was a new adventure.  For me, it was a routine inconvenience.  To pass the time, she played with her stuffed animals, a polka dotted kitten and princess bear. I scanned e-mails on my phone as I fought off motion sickness. Her feet hovered above the floor as she sat. She swung her legs back and forth, holding them out in front of her for a moment as she admired her pretty, glittery shoes...the ones that maybe belonged to her Halloween costume, but she convinced her mom to let her wear them out. My feet ached and I longed to kick my heels off throw them into a river. She pointed out the window to the flashing lights up ahead in the road. Exciting, like on TV. I inwardly groaned at the thought of another traffic hold up. She nearly burst with nervous glee when it came time to push the "stop" button. She smiled proudly when it lit up and chimed for all the bus to hear. But it wasn't the correct stop after all.  &q

Magical Moment 533, "Out With Mom"

When my older sister and I were little, our mother would take us on a pretty common outing. First we would go swimming at the YWCA, then she would take us next door to the library where we picked out books and movies. And for a special treat, we would walk across the street and get a bag of rainbow popcorn. That's what these photos remind me of. Eddie took these while he was at work in the park. He saw the trio in the park all day long and even into the night. Enjoy.

Magical Moment 532, "Trapped in the Tower"

There's an old legend at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, that someone once got locked in the clock tower. The clock tower today is automated, and plays a tune every hour. But they say that back in the old days, there was an organ up there. Well, the organist was trapped inside, so as a call for help, he played "Rescue Me" repeatedly on the organ until someone noticed and found him. (Or something like that, it's been a few years since college folks!) The lap top is my organ. My bedroom is the clock tower. I've been held hostage in my room for hours, with no release in sight! We've broken a temperature record, with the heat index at 115 F (46 C). My number one complaint about northern NJ (besides the traffic), is the hundred year old buildings that lack any kind of temperature regulation. So we survive the seasons on radiators and window air conditioners (I know, outrageous, right?!). Last year was our first summer here. On June 1st, Eddie and I drov

Magical Moment 531, "Practice Doesn't Make Perfect"

When I was a little girl, there was a piano competition that I practiced diligently for every spring. It was the Fine Arts Competition, and my small Christian school hosted several other schools who came to participate in the event. I competed every year from 3rd through 8th grade. I prepared months in advance and was  so  nervous when it was finally time to perform. The goal for me was  perfection . And with the judges watching, if ever I hit a sour note, I knew that it was over. I wouldn't place. My world would crash and I would be distraught for the next week (in fact I'm  still  a little bitter about the episode of '97!). Part of this, is the nature of competition. But I think much of it had to do with something I concocted in my own brain somehow. This idea of 'perfection equals success and anything less is  total  failure' stayed with me for many years. Even when I sang or played a song for a church service, a safe and accepting environment, I would become so

Magical Moment 530, "A Few Bucks and Some Wild Turkey"

Sounds like a good time, eh? No I didn't mean cash and bourbon, I meant  literal  bucks and turkeys! Still a good time...for me anyway. :)

Magical Moment 531, "Performance"

Last night, I played a show at Gizzi's Cafe in New York. I had a great time, seeing old friends and meeting some new ones. With my  album nearly complete , I am always looking for more places to play my music, and fortunately was invited to return to Gizzi's. Here's a video from last night. Enjoy!

Magical Moment 530, "The Ultimate Procrastinator"

I hear a lot of people talk about how they're "the biggest procrastinator ever." I'm sure most of them are exaggerating however, as I'd like you to meet THE biggest procrastinator ever...my husband. The culprit There are many examples I could share with you to prove this fact, however one always comes to mind that makes me chuckle. Eddie is in the process of finishing his Bachelor's degree. Most of his classes are online and the assignments must be electronically submitted by midnight every Sunday. Late one Sunday night about a year ago, I was sound asleep, snuggled up all warm and cozy in my bed. I was deep in R.E.M cycle when suddenly, I was yanked into consciousness as Eddie hastily shook me awake. Like a patient awakening from a 3 year coma, I mumbled, "What's happening? Where am I? What's going on?" Eddie was desperately trying to ask me something, but I could not put together what was happening. After a few seconds I gained my bearin

Magical Moment 529, "Deer in the Park"

Went on another deer hunting trip and took a few shots... I  saw  her through the grapevine... She didn't seem to mind me very much at all. Just kept munching away. This was her treasure. And we recently discovered that in addition to baby Fauna, there are  two  sets of twins in the park! We know that for a fact because Eddie saw both sets simultaneously. Always Bring Camera! When will we ever learn?! "I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her." - Ellen DeGeneres ~~~ Deer Hunting Fauna

Magical Moment 528, "No Excuse"

They say the first time you do anything is the hardest. Eddie jumping with the Golden Knights But I think the second, third, or fourth time can be just as difficult,  or even more so. Every Wednesday at the Bernards Inn The only difference between the first completion of a challenge, and second, is you've proven to yourself it can be accomplished. So there's no excuse not to finish the next time. Our first half marathon

Magical Moment 527. "Dance Like There's No One Watching"

Laying on the beach, listening to music, I noticed this kid. I'm not sure what he was dancing to because my tiny radio was way out of ear shot from him. But it made me laugh and I had to share... "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth."   —  William W. Purkey

Magical Moment 526, "Airglide"

I had a flash back today...it had something to do with parachutes. I harnessed up, and took off... But the gear I wore today, was significantly less than before, and  much  more comfortable. In the silent, peaceful sky, I remembered how beautiful it can be up there. Flying in slow motion... Just enjoying the sky and clouds... Today's scenery was just slightly different than in times past... And landing today, was  much  less dreadful than crashing into a hot, dirt drop zone. And the ride back... Was considerably more enjoyable than previous times... Which is better, you ask? Airborne or Airglide? Well, it's apples and oranges folks. But one thing I can say, you walk away from both with smile on your face.

Magical Moment 525, "Legos"

Today, I am posting a beautiful piece written by my older sister Regina. She recently discovered since going back to school, that she has quite an interest and talent for writing. She also found that it's an effective outlet for some of the pain she's felt the last few years. I wrote a song based on her words  here . And she guest posted once before  here . You can also visit her blog, She Lives in the Light . "Legos" by Regina Teague Boys and I are bored today. No motivation. Blah. I remember up high on a shelf in the boys' closet, is a blue tub full of Legos. I hid them away, thinking I'd get them out when the boys were older, and when Zach wouldn't think it was fun to dump them out and spread them alllllll over. Now, my areas of expertise in child playtime is not Legos. I only had sisters, one two years younger and one nine years younger. Barbies, house, dolls, tea parties, dress up--nope, no blocks mixed in there. Well, they are obsessed with Matchb