Yesterday was parent-teacher-child conference. And I'm very proud of my Chicklet. She's a math and science whiz , got a great evaluation in English as a second language, gym and dramatic arts.
Her chosen reward? a book!
She's been working very hard this year, and we've all noticed that she's matured a lot this year (we = homeroom teacher, English teacher and myself).
She was so proud to show me a powerpoint presentation her project group worked on about lizards (I'm thinking of contracting out that part of my job to these 9 and 10 year olds... it was that good).
Considering I've been having a crap week.. this was just what I needed.
Oh.. she wrote a lovely little composition about friendship. I'll have to share it with you soon, kids are wise.
Enjoy this tune, Chicklet and I really love these guys.. The Alternate Routes a great bunch of guys with a great band that we discovered when we went on our summer Chick Road Trip to see Taylor Hicks in concert...
A while back I was looking for a song that reminded me of my bro Travis and his lady Pam (hi!)... and this seemed like the perfect song. (Go on and dance, I'll wait)...
I've been humming this a lot lately... *sigh*
Well, it's been a long and trying year.
I've been blessed with...
The love of my Chicklet, ma puce, mon ange, my sunshine!
Dad's hands to hold... still bigger than mine
The support of my friends - My SP buddies and The Hoochies and Hotties
(this song is for all of you... all y'all are stuck with me)
and fine bloggers I've met on my journey... (I REALLY need to update my links...)
And I've had the arms of a good man to shelter me from the storm. I love you honey...
I may get a post in before the New Year comes, but if not...
May your eyes be filled with stars May your heart know the Joy of Love and may you dance in the moonlight...
I know I will.
Happy New Year my dears...
Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!
It was a whirlwind trip and there is much to tell, but I know many are awaiting anxiously, with baited breath(get the worms out of your mouth, we don't like those! ewwwww!!! unless they're gummy worms, but not once you've chewed on them... ewwwwwwww!)to hear of the "Taylor Experience"(my fourth installment and the Chicklet's third!).
Chicklet and I headed off on our road trip to see Taylor Hicks in Watertown NY on the day before the concert. We stopped on our way to buy ourselves a copy of his book. I wanted something to read as I sat on the sundeck and caught a few rays... I debated bringing it to the concert to see if I could get him to sign it and chose to bring a CD instead - I was not lugging a huge purse to this.
We made great time, the customs agent at the border between Ontario and NY State was sweet and I didn't even have to mention Vince's name(I think that may have actually gotten us in trouble... quite frankly).
We promised our Big Sis Dixie we'd share the Onion Video...
Here it is in all it's glory! (The squealing? The Chicklet LOL!!)
I'll post more (just needed to get this video out there for all y'all to enjoy!) including our encounter with the man himself (how I managed to keep my cool and not sound like a nut is beyond me), and the great new band (well, new to us) that we had the pleasure of meeting after their performance as the opening act for Taylor. We will be heading out to see them in concert as soon as we can. The Alternate Routes... you have to check them out! The most gracious and sweet guys, and talented beyond words!
Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!
I know some people have been waiting for an account of the trip and a review of the show.
I haven't been in a frame of mind to write lately, and Youtube kept eating my videos(I know.. Taylor is yummy.. can't really blame Youtube for eating.. um... wait! it's all about the music! right Travis?)and I'd about given up.
I thought maybe I should put a few pics up of The Chicklet, myself at the concert (man it was hot out there...)and a few of the Soul Man himself.
I must say we had a blast with our Hoochie sister and Chicklet's auntie Pia, and we had a blast with some fellow Soul Patrolers.
There are stories of thongs and a few inside jokes (Whadawadawadawadawadawhat? DUCK???).
We met a sweet and humorous waiter who waited patiently as I attempted to stop laughing long enough to answer him(I don't believe I was successful).
The Chicklet got her flight wings and after a few short flights, has become a seasoned traveler(although she still reads along with the safety card during the preflight message and knows all about how to open the exit doors).
I tell you, there are only a few grey seats in those airplanes and on EVERY flight we were seated in the grey rows..(something to do with Taylor? I say yes!).
What can I say about the concert... the man was outstanding and demonstrated to us what true showmanship is. He mixed it up, had us singing along and when he blew that harmonica... *sigh*.
He was in GREAT form! Wait.. did Youtube actually relinquish some of my videos??? Quick, somebody pinch me! (But not too hard, I don't want y'all to leave a mark.. *giggles*).
The high pitched squeal? Chicklet!
A great time was had by all, women fought over a sweaty towel, Chicklet loves the South and wants to go back.
And I'm jonesin' for the next Taylor concert.
That's all folks,
Love you all more than my luggage (which only carried 3 pairs of shoes)! Hugs, smooches and gropes!
July 4th... where will you be this Independance Day?
Great men and women have made the United States the country it is today...
These men and women keep it that way...
HappyIndependenceDayto all my American friends!
Last time I flew, I saw a member of theUnited States Militarysitting on the ground at the aiport terminal, listening to his tunes and waiting for his flight. He looked like a child. So young.
I watched as so many people walked right by him, maybe they didn't notice him.. he was wearing his camo gear after all(yup blends right in to the wild decor of America's airports... Washington Dulles looks JUST like the desert - Heaven Knows there ain't much alcohol in the Nation's Capital).
I made my way over to him, crossing the stream of people walking hurriedly on their way(like salmon going up a stream to mate - well, you never know what the purpose of some trips are now do you). I stopped at his feet and crouched down, creating an obstacle, understanding how rocks in a stream might feel as salmon jump over them in their frenzy(yeah, I know.. rocks don't have feelings... they don't right?).
He looked up at me with a slight look of wonder on his face, such a young face. I felt a little twinge in my heart, I imagined how his mother, sisters, girlfriend might feel. I smiled at him and extended my hand, although the mom in me just wanted to reach out and hug him. He beamed back at me, and I caught a glimpse of the little boy he had once been, standing on the edge of a lake, skipping stones with his trusty dog by his side.
I shook his hand, this boy, this man, this hero. All I could say was:
'Stay safe'
He smiled, big, REAL big, and thanked me. I gave his hand an extra squeeze and said:'No, Thank YOU sweetie.'I let go of his hand, stood up and disrupted the flow of passers by and walked away, towards my next destination. I was going home to my family and I was going to hug them BIGTIME.(I looked back once, to take one of those mental pictures... so young).
I get the feeling this hasn't happened to him very often if at all. Leave it to the Canadian to promote goodwill!(we are nice aren't we...)
I don't know where he is today... Is he with friends and family, enjoying a backyard barbecue? Will he be holding his sweetheart in his arms as they watch the fireworks tonight? Or will he hear the sound of guns and bombs go off, the night sky filled with fire as he huddles with his comrades in arms, defending his flag.
Remember the price of FREEDOM. And no matter how you may feel about that war, respect the soldier who would die for you, for your flag, your freedom, your right to disagree.
Stay safe my friends.Enjoy your freedom.Thank a soldier.
Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!
Music from a lazy Sunday - warning.. Bestaudiocodes are on the fritz for some reason.. and I've been having difficulties with lifelogger so.. I'm putting up some videos... be patient, it's worth the loading time.
I was having an easy Sunday folks. I was still recovering from the flu, so I’m afraid I don’t have much to say as of yet (thank God for all y’all). But good news.. I’m eating! I was going to do a little review of my trip south to see the sweet Taylor Hicks and about getting to meet all the fantastic folks I got to meet, but so many of my wonderful blogging friends have done such a stellar job. I mean how many different accounts do you folks want? But I will regale you with my adventure going home in the following days.. leave it to me to have adventures in luggage…
For today, here's a little snippet that stayed with me from my trip down South… Memphis and Beale Street. My host, the gracious Couch, took me to B. B. King's.. and WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
We drove by Graceland on our way to Birmingham and it gave me shudders.. BIG TIME.
Oh.. and by the way.. On this day in music history in 1957, Elvis Presley bought the Graceland estate... which we drove by.. did I mention that already?
I thought I’d share some of the songs that were playing in my house this weekend as I made Irish Guinness Beef stew, shamrock punch (the Chicklet’s own invention and a new family tradition), green jell-o (yes Travis.. green jell-o), leprechaun gold cake, bangers and green mash (we’re making a whole weekend of St. Paddy’s)… and sweet and tangy Veal with peaches (not so Irish but yummy indeed).
All these songs had me shakin’ what my momma gave me and tapping my feet… The Chicklet got quite a kick out of this music, she'll do just fine that one!
As I joted these songs down in a list I noticed that a lot of the artists I was listening to recorded in the studios of the Birthplace of Rock’n’Roll: Sun Records, located in beautiful Memphis, Tennessee … Just standing in front of the building where Rock’n’Roll originated is enough to give you chills… (Thanks for humouring me Vince). So I've decided to showcase these artists.. At some point I'll give you a bit of history about Sun Records, Sam Phillips and the artists that recorded in that hallowed building.. but for today, I'll leave you with the music...
Elvis Presley - yes.. I LOVE Elvis, and I've made certain the Chicklet inherits this love of the King. So.. Black Leather Elvis (THUD) and the song that started it all when Sam Phillips rushed over to the radio station from the studio and the DJ just kept playing it and playing it.. over and over again... all night long (it's the second of Elvis' Sun Recordings).
Johnny Cash- The Man in Black
Jerry Lee Lewis – The Killer himself! WOOOOOOOOOOO!
Howlin’ Wolf - I'll be Back Someday
Carl Perkins - yes.. the original 'Blue Suede Shoes'
Also on this day in music history in 1971: The No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was ``Me and Bobby McGee,'' Janis Joplin. This song is the second posthumous No. 1 song of the rock era, it reached the top of the charts almost six months after Joplin's death. And yes Vinny, Erin was channeling Janis and has exquisite taste in footwear...
A heartfelt thanks to those who have inquired either directly or indirectly about my absence and health, it’s much appreciated. Your kindness will be returned to you at a moment when you need it most.
Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!
and pride
