Nutcracker rehearsal by Ballet Indiana

 It was a lot of fun watching Ballet Indiana rehearse the Nutcracker. They were all so graceful and smoothe.  But, the real impressive thing about this school is that their classes are strictly training.  Any practicing for the Nutcracker Ballet was done outside of  regular class time.





"We love our home, our students and what is happening here.  We have a healthy environment-- the parents share their talents—we respect them they respect us." 
 Keith Martin

  Look how symetrical their formation is!  They did not pose for this picture I took it as they practiced.  They moved with grace and their formations were very pleasing to the eye.  Of course the music for the Nutcracker is great to listen to as well. 

"We’re primarily a professional Ballet School. B.J.’s background and my background are purely classical dance . We don’t integrate it with the jazz and things like that or other forms of dance. We’ll do that in the summer intensive, but during the year it’s strictly the ballet technique, the pointe technique…

We’ve had very high training and we both love what we do so, therefore, we are not frustrated teachers. And so we are able to pass down to students what we have learned and we continue to learn as well through our students."

    B.J. Martin played the role of Nutcracker.  The soldiers pictured here are boys from Delaware Elementary School, a Title I school in Evansville.  What a wonderful opportunity for those boys.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

     

 

 Kelly Hutchins made the main character, Clara's, dress. She, as well as a couple other mothers, were happy to sew to help out.  This was Ballet Indiana's first public performance. 

 

Kelly has worked as a professional fashion designer; a job that has taken her around the world. She is pictured here adjusting the dress for Clara.  (My first news article was about the opening of Hooray! a children's store owned by Kelly and located downtown Newburgh.

A White Christmas: Fun in the Snow

The family spent a little time out in the snow with Janine's new pup on Christmas day.  They had fun running around, throwing snowballs at one another, and breathing in the fresh air.  The puppy ran after anyone who was running.   Puppy picked up a large snowball and began running around with it in her mouth like she was part of the fight. 
Janine named the puppy Annabelle.  She may not know her name yet, but she definitely knows she's loved.  Janine has always wanted a dog and now, at last, her wish has come true.  It truly has been a special Christmas.

This picture is of Matthew trying to grab the big snowball from Annabelle's mouth.  Puppy had fun running all over with that huge snowball.

Bruce in making a snowball.  He enjoyed throwing them at me as I took pictures.  I wasn't bothered at all by that because I was inside looking out the Kitchen window.

The snowball is in Annabelle's mouth.  I think she plans on getting somebody with it.  She may be trying to communicate her snowball fight plans to Matthew.  However, Matthew is being pelted by Bruce and his sisters and is having difficulty translating the muffled puppy talk.

Christmas fun

Love this picture.  It was taken by Aimee Blume while looking through  the clubhouse deck door at the party inside.  See Santa?  That's Barbara Barrett.  She brought in a sack full of presents for guests.  They had to roll doubles for them.  I guess the Indiana Calendar was a hot item.  Lisa Mathis ended up getting that.

Barbara Barrett is standing next to the food table.  The dips and finger foods there were made following her family recipes.  They were scrumptious!  Barbara is an Attorney in Evansville, but there's a whole other side to her that's creative and artsy.  She sews beautifully and also enjoys writing.  Anyway-- thank you Barbara for taking on this party!

This is the beautiful Busche De Noel Ammie Blume made for the party!  It is a Yuel Log-- really a work of art.  Aimee teaches Culinary Arts at Ivy Tech and she writes for the food page of the Courier & Press.  I'm happy to say she is also in my writing critique group.

Thank you, Aimee, for taking the time to make this wonderful cake for the party!

Taken from the Blog: Famous Funny Quotes, Love Quotes, Inspirational Sayings, Short Quotes, Cute Life Quotes, Cute Poems, Movie Quotes, Friendship Quotes.

Memories...

Here I am in my late thirties performing a kata to earn a black belt.  I was pretty flexible and strong at that time.  The woman in the background is Karen Braun.  She was someone I practiced with.  I moved away from Kenosha in 1999 not so long after this picture was taken. Karen continues on in that program and has a 4th degree black belt now.

Of course performing Katas was just one part of what we did to earn our belts.  We also had some sparring.  Three on one.  I am facing all the black belts in this picture.  They are in one big horizontal line.

I enjoyed being part of the program at Parkside University in Kenosha Wisconsin.  Although I'm not in shape and wouldn't be able to remember most of the katas, there were other lessons learned that will never leave me.

Christmas Joys

Christmas Joys


Evergreen boughs that fill our homes

With fragrant Christmas scents,

Hearts filled with the loving glow

That Christmas represents;


Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,

Festive holly berry,

Little faces bright with joy,

Loved ones being merry;



Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,

Silver bells that tinkle,

Christmas trees and ornaments,

Colorful lights that twinkle;



Relatives waiting with open arms

To smile and hug and kiss us;

These are some of the special joys

That come along with Christmas.


By Joanna Fuchs

Matthew and Friends in Alaska

This picture was taken in Alaska last summer: Adam, Kyle, Joe, and my son Matthew went on that trip.  They have since been inspired to pursue the art of mountain climbing. 

Matthew sure looks comfy in this sleeping bag.  Believe it or not, that bag can tolerate weather up to -30 degrees. The picture makes me smile because I think of all the family camping trips we went on; Matthew was the one that always ended up on a root, or in a puddle, or in some way made horribly uncomfortable during the night. In spite of that he loves to camp, however, I think he's decided to sleep on hiking/fishing trips from now on.  I bet he did sleep well in Alaska. I'm looking forward to hearing all the stories when he comes home for Christmas.  I'm sure there was a bit of discomfort out in the back country, but hopefully he was warm and dry. 



Mom

Anyone who knows my mother knows she's oozing with creativity and is very good at the artsy things she takes on.  She's so generous with her gift-- most of the things she makes she gives away.  My dad too.  Her work, like my dad's, requires a lot of patience.  She's actually painted scenes inside of Emu eggs.  I don't have any pictures of that, but I do have a picture of the puppets she made me for a halloween story I wrote involving bullies.

The troll and bowls were made by my father and my mother made the Red Hat Lady sitting on my Serger.  She, herself, is a member of the Red Hat Society.  They have the best time getting together for dinner, riding in parades, and dressing in purple and red.  The poem below is what the Red Hat Society is based on. 

                                                                                                                  

Trolls

When the temperature begins to drop and the holidays draw near, I think of my family in Minnesota.  I go on a Sentimental Journey you might say.  The Buche de Noel reminded me of my dad because I do believe he used to actually have a Yule Log for the Christmas fire when he was young. 

These trolls are hand carved by my Norwegian father.  Silly me-- I thought I'd have the patience for sculpting and bought a little tool kit with different types of blades, found a small block of soft wood  (after trying a harder wood) and discovered that this carving stuff wasn't all that easy.  When I cut my finger, I decided it wasn't fun and set the tools aside.  Anyway, after that, I had an even greater appreciation for what my dad did/does.  Did you notice all the trolls have fish on their lines?  Yep, dad's a fisherman.  They live on a lake connected to a chain of lakes so his summers are spent doing what he loves.  If he's not on the lake, he's in the garden working with rich black soil.  They have many flowers and fruit bearing plants/trees.  I love where they live.  The side of their house facing the lake has a large window.  It's very scenic and peaceful.

Buche De Noel

                                                                                                                                                           Aimee Blume, a very talented friend of mine, made this Buche De Noel to teach those who attended her Kitchen Affairs class how to do it.

This cake is inspired by the Yule logs that were traditionally burned on Christmas Eve.  Aimee did a great job making the color and texture of the cake look natural--ready for the fireplace.  She has mushrooms, fungus, leaves, and moss (all yummy) to make it real interesting to look at.  Aimee is going to make a Buche de Noel for our Christmas party as a hostess gift! How sweet is that?!

                                                                  

Cancer Article, Book: A Case For Adventures by Katie Kerr

Janine Perkett, Lola Perkett, Cary Pallin, Bruce Perkett, and Eric Pallin

The woman in the blue is Cary Pallin, a Radiologist from Kenosha, Wisconsin.  What great person!  I have always admired her strength, intelligence, love of life, and sense of humor. Our kids used to play together when they were young. She's always been an inspiration, but I've been thinking about her more lately because of the recent article I did for the Evansville Courier & Press on a program called ConKerr Cancer.  It made me reflect on her job--what important work she (and her husband) take on!   One of their kids plans on following in their footsteps-- that child had an interesting internship in Tanzania.  I can't imagine...

The article I wrote was the cover article for the Warrick (the county I live in) Tab in the Courier.  The boy pictured, Ryan Kerr,  had bone cancer.  His mother started making cheery pillow cases for her son and others in the hospital when he had to be there for treatment. He has passed on, but people like Shirley Stephan, the local woman pictured above, continue to sew for other children with cancer and life threatening diseases, keeping his memory alive.  To find out more about how the program was inspired and has spread, go to http://www.conkerrcancer.com/.

The young woman holding the book is Ryan Kerr's sister, Katie.  She wrote a book A Case For Adventures to help children understand what it's like for a classmate or friend to go back to school after having treatment.  I haven't read it, but I do want  to order that book and encourage people to donate her book to hospitals with children facing this problem.

Pondering Ventriloquism, Sweet Farts, and Leaf Blowers

Isn't ventriloquism wild?  It's amazing to watch someone seemingly "throw their voice."  According to Wikipedia, "...Originally, ventriloquism was a religious practice. The name comes from the Latin for to speak  from the stomach, i.e. venter (belly) and loqui (speak).[1] The Greeks called this gastromancy (Greek: εγγαστριμυθία). The noises produced by the stomach were thought to be the voices of the unliving, who took up residence in the stomach of the ventriloquist. The ventriloquist would then interpret the sounds, as they were thought to be able to speak to the dead, as well as foretell the future."  I'd give anything to go back in time to see an ancient ventriloquist.  Wonder what he/she wore ?  If stomach noises were considered to be noises of the unliving, I wonder what they thought stinky gas?  If two people with loud stomachs sat in the same room, would the unliving be having a conversation?

Speaking of interesting noise, at the last writers conference I attended, I learned there is a new picture book out called "Sweet Farts" by Raymond Bean.  I don't know this, but Raymond was probably teased about having gas because of his last name.  At least he made the best of it-- nothing like turning things around, making money off it...   The picture book is about the invention of "sweet farts"-- eating one of those candies would produce the yummy smell of that particular flavor out the other end, if you know what I mean. I haven't read this, but I think the idea is funny and kids will love the book!

I haven't been thinking about ventriloquism or gas until this evening (went to Jalisco's and watched Terry Tator : Live from Las Vegas when we got home), but I have been thinking a lot about noise. This is because I now go for two mile neighborhood walks. I'm raising my metabolism and learning to hate leaf blowers at the same time.  Whatever happened to the good old rake?  They say we need more exercise, what are we blowing leaves around for?  The machine is sooooo loud and obnoxious!  Of course the beautiful autumn days when the sun is shining--it's not too hot or too cold--is when people think it's the perfect time to blow leaves. It's awful meeting up with one of them on a walk, but I swear there's nothing worse than getting comfortable on your deck watching the birds, the blue sky, the green grass and colorful leaves only to be blasted out of tranquility by a leaf blower.

Planting Pansies

 Our daughter, Janine, busy with planting the Pansies she recently purchased at Colonial (where she works) for a dollar.  We also have a vase filled with beautiful pink roses on our kitchen table.  I would take a picture of that right now, but I'm just too tired.  She gave me two rose bushes for Mother's Day one year and takes care of them for me. Take my word for it, they're gorgeous!  Thank you Janine for bringing such color into our lives!

"The thief took the dog right from the owner!! He was walking the dog & she grabs the leash!!"

I received an email that is circulating in the Evansville area.  Thought I would share it.

"The thief took the dog right from the owner!! He was walking the dog & she grabs the leash!!"



An 81-year-old Evansville man wants his dog back.


"Help find this man's dog... An 81-year-old Evansville, Indiana man wants his dog back. The rare breed dog was taken from the owner on Tuesday right before his eyes, and he thinks it was no coincidence. The two walk in downtown Evansville every day at the same time, just before heading to mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The suspect is described as a bigger built woman with medium brown hair. Orman says she was about 5'6 to 5'7 and appeared to be in her 30s. She was driving a maroon SUV with a hatchback. If you have any information, please contact Evansville Police."

Dog Stolen In Front Of Owner – news video of man & picture of his dog

tristatehomepage.com

Indiana University's Homecoming Weekend

Isn't this picture precious?  My husband and I went to visit our daughter, Suzanne, at Indiana University this last weekend.  It was IU's homecoming game and people were pumped up for it!  The lady in pink standing with my daughter was on her way to a tailgate party.  Her dogs were dressed in IU wear from the hats on their heads to the little shoes on their feet.  They were adorable! After I took a couple pictures of her, others asked if they could take pictures too.   I think she was stuck in that spot for awhile.

We stayed at Suzanne's apartment.  I was amazed at how clean and wonderfully cozy her room was.  She has some really nice photographs.  She's grown into a pretty young woman and we couldn't be more proud.  The football game was a good time.  We also caught a soccer game there that evening. 

The one little kink in the hose was when driving home on Oak Grove in Newburgh.  I was driving with the window open and a bee flew into my eye and stung me two or three times.  I almost drove into the ditch (they have really deep ditches off that road).  My husband grabbed the wheel and saved the day.  Sooo-- we made it home safely and I have just a bit of a swollen eye.

Engelbrecht's Music Festival in Evansville, Indiana

  There was a music festival at this orchard last weekend.  Engelbrecht's had eight different bands play on stage in this gorgeous country setting with apple trees all around.  I got out of my car to take a picture of their sign. I braved walking down into a ditch and then up on a bank.  Not a bad picture I thought. On top of that, I was very proud of myself for daring to walk in a ditch--there might be a snake ya know. When I was finished with my picture taking, I hopped back in the car and began driving down the long country road toward the festival.  The late afternoon sun was in my eyes, but I appreciated the temperature and was thinking about how lucky they were (and the Fall Festival people) to have it so nice. My mind did an about face as I suddenly began to feel something squirming in my pants!  I couldn't believe it!!!!  Whatever it was, was over an inch long and on my upper thigh.  I kept driving toward the full parking area--people all around.  I wanted to jump out of the car, scream, and take off my pants. But no.  I remained civilized.  The mystery creature squirmed and squirmed as I drove through the bumpy field in the direction the parking attendant told me to go. These were my tight pants.  Probably a good thing or it could have been scampering all over the place.  I hate to even think about it.  Anyway, I parked  got out of the car and did a little dance. I think the grasshopper that shook out was stunned because he just sat on my shoe for a while.  I know we were both relieved "the situation" was over.

Once at the festival, I enjoyed watching people and listening to the music. There was a wine and beer garden, a place for people who wanted to camp; round, white tables and chairs set near the band area with autumn centerpieces on each one.  People from the Rivertown Butchershop were there with a big grill cooking yummy things to eat.  One of the local bands that came later was called The Pits.  I asked to take their picture because they were with some fans that wore t-shirts that spelled their name.  It was tough getting them in the right order--for a while they spelled spit. 

I guess they plan on hosting this festival every year.

Scenes from the Midsouth Conference in Nashville, Tennessee

The woman on the far right is Kristi Valiant.  She was awarded Honorable Mention for the Illustrator Contest held at the Midsouth Writers Conference.  The thing about Kristi is, not only is she filled with talent and an incredibly hard worker, but you can tell she really enjoys what she's doing.  She is in my SCBWI (The Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators) critique group in Evansville.  Kristi is also the new Regional Advisor for the SCBWI in southern Indiana.  I'm pretty certain I speak for everyone in the critique group when I say, we are proud of her as well as grateful for her sharing her opinions honestly.  She is a very knowledgeable person. 

This picture was taken at the conference as well.  The woman on the left is Christie Atherton, the leader of our Evansville critique group. Like Kristi, she is a person with a lot of talent and working hard at her craft.  Standing with her is a woman from her online critique group.  Yes-- Christie is in two critique groups.  She also writes for the Evansville Courier & Press and goes to school.

I managed to get Laura McGrail (sp?) in a picture too (she's in the blue and white shirt).  She traveled separately from the rest of us--her husband and daughter came along to have fun in Nashville while she attended the conference.  Laura is a School Psychologist in Henderson.  She travels  once a month to meet with us at the Barnes & Noble in Evansville.  She's another talented writer...

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Aimee Blume : (  We roomed together at the Embassy suites where the conference was held.  She is a feature writer for the Evansville Courier, a musician (plays the bag pipes), a chef, a teacher, and writer of fantasy fiction.  I didn't get a picture of her because while everyone was socializing Friday night, she was up in the room working on an article.  I intend to rectify that one of these days soon!  Oh yeah, she also rescues animals!

  Between these women, the book "Writing the Breakout Novel" by Donald Maass, reading in the genre I write, learning from the experts at conferences, and working on grammar and punctuation, I should finish editing my manuscript one of these days and I'll be darn happy about it because when I say finish I mean I'll like it myself.

A Model of the Church and Farm my Dad Grew up on Made by Ordean Synstelien

 Two weeks ago Bruce and I went to Knoxville, Tennessee. We saw the Smokey Mountains, listened to bluegrass music, and visited some of my relatives. My uncle Ordean has a workshop where he spends time making things out of wood and polishing rocks. He really does nice work-- the lid on the baptismal font in the front of the church even lifts off!

The model below if of the Lutheran Church my father's family attended. Note the hymnals-- they donated the 'new blue hymnals' in memory of my dad's brother, Duane, who was hit by a train as a teenager.

            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 My uncle, Ordean, made a model of the farm he and my dad grew up on. There weren't very many pictures to go by so he got together with his brothers and sister to remember how things were inside and out.



His work is very detailed.  I really felt like I'd stepped back in time.  Life was a lot different then.  I could see how much more work was involved with everything they did, but that was the way it was--it was ordinary to them. 

This is a model of the house they lived in (above).  The school (below). 


This is a picture of the school they went to.






The restrooms were a little different back in the day.

 

Attitude

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on

(left)Katherine Martin, Donna Feagley
 and Diana Kellogg(right)
Doyne Moreland (background)

(Taken at the LakeRidge Crossing Clubhouse)

the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Charles R. Swindoll quotes (American Writer and Clergyman, b.1934)

Katherine Martin (center) founded C.J.'s Bus in response to her personal experience surviving a disaster.  This bus goes to disaster sites to help care for young children that have parents busy with what the weather placed before them.  The bus is named after her child C.J. who died in the 2006 tornado that hit Evansville and Newburgh.  The other women in the photograph are from the Altrusa International of Evansville club.  They are presenting Katherine with baby dolls and match box cars for the kids on the bus.

Playing with the Cats

Pets are for Life, Not Just for Christmas

Pets are for life, not just for Christmas.



Each of us waits for the joy of a home.


Take one of us in and you'll never go kiss less,


So long as you treat us as one of your own.

                                            Nicholas Gordon



 

I went along with my daughter, Janine, to play with the kittens at the Warrick Humane Society yesterday.  It was a real good time once we got past the initial smell. When we walked through the main door, we were hit with whoowee something fierce.  It was like I had put my nose directly into a dog's mouth. with each breath I wanted to gag and I actually did a couple times while I waited for my daughter to sign us in.  I admit I gag easily, but it was pretty bad.  I thought please God make the Cat Room a better smelling place!  It had to be.  I told her I'd spend some time with her here.  But, I can't breathe!  She'd forgive me if I just couldn't breathe, wouldn't she?  Janine has always loved animals-- lately I've been trying to spend more time with her doing some of the things she enjoys doing.  Lucky for me the cat room was tolerable.  It smelled like catfood--a big step up from whatever we were smelling before.

There were some cute little kittens in this room.  All the cats loved Janine.  The black and white one on her lap couldn't get enough attention.  We spent about an hour with them before we had to brace ourselves for the smell in the hall .  When we left the room we expected the worst, but it was gone.  I don't know what they did, but that putrid cloud of stink was completely gone.  And everybody lived happily ever after.  The end.  Or-- did they?  When we got home our cat Biggles sniffed Janine and when she tried to pick him up, he hissed at her.  Someone got their feelings hurt.

                                                   

Cats

There's a cat sitting on my foot

My leg is feeling numb

I really should be nasty

And kick it up the bum

But, it's so cute, I have no choice

I just have to let it sleep

So, I'm momentary paralyzed

And lost the use of both my feet

And now the other cats arrived

So enchanting and appealing

The purring gets so loud and shrill

That I lose my sense of hearing

And then she jumps onto my lap

And rests her head upon my arm

Further 'paralyzing me'

With her captivating charm

And so, each day I spend my life

Like some disabled fool

Thank you God for inventing the cat

I didn't know you could be so

CRUEL!

By Paul Bearer

Janine and her friend Eddie

Janine and her friend, Eddie.

The Town Of Don't-You-Worry

Well here they are.  My kids. At one time or another I have worried over each one of them. Matthew, (the one in the middle : ) ), is going to try my fragile nerves next-- he is going to Alaska soon.  Lots of people go to Alaska, right?  Big deal.  Sounds like an interesting place to visit. I agree.  It is an interesting place to visit.  In fact my husband and I chose to go, to that place where the sun never sets in June, on our honeymoon trip, 27 years ago.  If you imagine renting a car, a little hiking and climbing, a ferry boat ride to see the glaciers, and a picnic on the beach, then you imagine the sort of trip we took; the sort of trip most people take.  Matthew and his friends are not like most people, however.  They will be kayaking in water that contains whales, white sharks, and all sorts of sea creatures.  They will be hiking in the back country where there are no trails.  I'm reassurred they'll be fine because they have a map, compass, and have read literature on the habits of bear.  There will be very little communication so it's just me and my lovely imagination to fill the silence while he's away.  As much as this worries me, I'm thankful that he dares to live.  To taste life in a big way.  The experiences he has, have been/will be wonderous.  They're all smart boys-- while they are in Alaska, I think I'll visit The Town Of Don't-You-Worry.

The Town Of  Don't-You-Worry

There's a town called Don't-You-Worry,

On the banks of River smile;

Where the Cheer-Up and Be-Happy

Blossom sweetly all the while.

Where the Never-Grumble flower

Blooms beside the fragrant Try,

And the Ne'er-Give-Up and Patience

Point their faces to the sky.

In the valley of Contentment,

In the province of I-Will,

You will find this lovely city,

At the foot of No-Fret Hill.

There are thoroughfares delightful

In this very charming town,

And on every hand are shade trees

Named the Very-Seldom-Frown.

Rustic benches quite enticing

You'll find scattered here and there;

And to each a vine is clinging

Called the Frequent-Earnest-Prayer.

Everybody there is happy

And is singing all the while,

In the town of Don't-You- Worry,

On the banks of River Smile.

                           I. J. Bartlett