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Showing posts from May 17, 2011

Magical Moment 473, "Where Has the Compassion Gone?"

I've been wanting to write about this subject for a long time now, but never felt the right words until recently. I try not to get on my soap box too much in my blog, but like today, I have a few exceptions: ~~ I was just wondering, where has the compassion gone? I don’t know if it’s because I’m simply noticing different things as I get older, or if it’s because I was raised in Nebraska, a land as different as night and day than New York City, or if it’s because the world really is losing its empathy for others. But I just can’t help but wonder, where has the compassion gone? Since the world did not end as Harold Camping predicted, I have heard more ridiculing comments than I can count, “What a bunch of dumb-asses.” But here is a group of people that believed something so fervently that they literally bet their life on it. You rarely see faith like that in the world. One of the first things I thought at 6:01 pm on May 21 st , 2011, was how badly their faith must be shaken right n

Magical Moment 472, "Honor Grad's Homecoming"

After a month away with the Army Reserves, Eddie will finally return home today from his psychological operations training. I am proud to report that he earned the highest score in every activity, making him the class's honor graduate. Since we both left active duty a year and a half ago, there have only been a few reminders of the difficult life that comes with being full time military. Conquering these challenges is a crucial ingredient to what makes a good soldier. So, it's no surprise to me that Eddie once again excelled, in the military and in life. Exceeds the Standard

Magical Moment 471, "A Silly Prophecy, Or Useful Reminder"

One day, a few months ago, I was expecting company. My mother's father who I had very little contact with my entire life was making a special trip from Philadelphia to New Jersey to see me. We were never close, I barely knew him, but it was a big deal that he would take a few precious hours out of his life to travel and see his estranged granddaughter. So, I cleaned the house. Rid it of the intolerable animal hair that he is notoriously allergic to. And I made a pot roast. Some might say an act of God that I cooked. I sat outside on the front porch with my dog, scanning up and down the road, waiting for his rental car's arrival. He was right on time. We ate pot roast. Chatted a bit. And then he left and I've not heard from him since. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but according to some pastor, Jesus will return Saturday around 6 pm. That's a handy little piece of information to have. I've seen it for the last few months on billboards and on the side of bus

Magical Moment 470, "Pioneer's Park"

During my quick trip home to Nebraska, we spent an afternoon at Pioneer's Park for a family picnic. Unfortunately, the record high heat, made it a  short  afternoon. The kids got overheated and the playground equipment scorched their little legs and feet. But before we packed up the fried chicken and headed home, we made a few mandatory stops. Pioneer's park staples if you will... The perfect picture of Nebraska. Open prairie, muddy little pond, wildlife. We love the elk. Though, the boys lovingly call them "reindeer." Regina (sister), Ethan, Beth, Zach, Mary (mom), Erica (sister) Another family had a day out as well. Glad they enjoy stale hot dog buns.  See those pillars waaaay over there? That's where I got married. Sorry Eddie. Too hot to walk over. Zoom will have to due for today. Here's a close up of them from nearly 4 years ago. *photo by  Frank Ekeler Normally, there are buffalo out here, but they must have been hiding from the sun. I never re

Magical Moment 469, "A Special Flower"

Lilacs are my favorite flower. Last week when I was home, we drove past a blooming bush in someone's yard and I swooned to my dad in the driver's seat, "Oooooooo. Lilacs!"  I haven't seen many this season and since they only bloom for a few, short weeks out of the year, every one is precious to me.  Later that evening, I heard my dad come in the back door. I peeked my head around the corner to see him coming upstairs with something in his hand. I immediately knew I wasn't supposed to see it yet. When he came into the living room, he handed me a freshly clipped bouquet of fragrant lilacs from a near by bush. "These are for you." He said. I pretended to be surprised, but I didn't have to pretend that I felt as special and precious to my dad, as a beautiful, rare flower.

Magical Moment 468, "Adagio"

I love playing piano for ballet rehearsals. It was something that intimidated me at first and took me a few months to understand and get used to, but now I feel pretty confident every time I go into work that I know just what the instructor is looking for out the pianist. I let the tiniest things get to me however, and when someone mentioned that I may want to try and learn more "classics" to play, I began to doubt myself. I like to take the songs I already know and put a new spin on them, like  Hotel California , music from Disney movies, and other out of the box songs. I've gotten positive feedback doing this too. (Though I have also forced myself to learn Coppelia, Esmerelda,  Giselle , and Raymonda Ballet music. Never thought I'd ever play anything like that!)  I'm one of the few non-Russian pianists on staff and when I hear the others play Chopin, or Rachmaninoff from a studio down the hall I shrink down to about 2 inches. So, this week, bound and determine

Magical Moment 467, "Tough Guy"

We sat in the living room when all of the sudden, 2-year old Zach, decided to get tough with his Papaw. Out of the blue, we hear his squeaky, little kid voice say, "You wanna piece a me?!" And then charge at his grandpa with all his might. It was so hilarious, we spent the next few minutes coaxing him into saying it again, which he did and I got on tape.  Zach  actually is the sweetest little boy in the world, which makes this clip all the more hilarious. And after all Zach's macho, tough-guy display, he screeches, "OUCH!" when he gets a little pinch in the ribs. Enjoy.