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

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.

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...

The song from yesterday was " Chim   Chim   Cheree " from  Mary Poppins . Quite a few guessed it right! In keeping with the music theme, here is a piano memory of mine: ~~ When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I remember having a get together of close family at our house. I don't know what the occasion was, but my grandma brought us a gift from her best friend in Germany. It was a hand painted music box that played a little German tune. I remember it sounding fairly similar to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."  Chairs were set up in a circle around the living room and the adults visited and caught up with each other. The kitchen was busy with food, and there was a lot of general commotion going on. I remember listening to that music box, then going to the piano, certain I would be able to play the tune. Nobody really noticed what I was doing, but I did play the song from start to finish, using both hands, with little or no trouble. Not thinking anything about it, ...

As a ballet accompanist, I am always trying to expand my repertoire so the dancers don't hear my same pieces over and over. I've found that every instructor wants something different. Some prefer more classical, some prefer music from actual ballets, but most don't care what I play as long as it fits the rhythm and feel for the combination.  One thing I enjoy doing, is taking a song I've known for years, and discovering it can have a "ballet make-over" and sound completely new. This song was like that. Because of the chord progressions, square phrasing, and 3/4 time signature, it made a perfect adagio when I slowed it way down and added some languid arpeggios. Like most of my improvisation, the result seems to be the love child of a dark, angry Russian, and Honky-tonk music. See if you can hear what song it is. I play the familiar melody about a third of the way through... I'm sure most of you will get it, but just in case, I'll post the answer tomo...

He walked through the crowded wet streets, stretching his stride as long as possible. If he could cover more ground quickly, he wouldn't need to break into a jog to make his train on time. He watched his feet, not glancing up at the people who passed by him, or the street performers hoping to attract an audience, or the preachers who handed flyers to whoever was within arm's reach. He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders so it wouldn't rub against his collar bone as he picked up speed and his heavy books began to bounce up and down uncomfortably with his movement. He turned up the volume on his iPod so he wouldn't be distracted by surrounding sounds. He just wanted to make his train without being bothered. Now only one street stood between him and the station. He could see that the cross walk light was green, and not wanting to miss the light, he ran. When it turned orange, he sprinted. And just as he made one final leap from the street, to safety of the curb, the l...

Once while on active duty, I went to a beach that charged $10 per car. I stopped at the toll both, holding a $20 bill out my window, when I remembered to ask, "Do you give any kind of military discount?" The man in the booth was older. He had white hair and was wearing a security uniform. He reached for my money, but as soon as I asked that question he handed it back.  "Yes. Well, no. We don't officially, but  I'm  going to," he said. I sat with my foot on the brake, waiting for him to tell me what the discount might be, maybe $5 instead?  "Just go on through, please." Surprised and grateful, I thanked him and drove through.  Another time, while in uniform, I drove my sister to the airport on my way into work. We stopped at McDonalds for breakfast, and after we ordered at the register, a man stepped up beside me and said, "I'd like to pay for the Lieutenant's meal please." More recently, my husband was on his way to drill for th...