Molly's Senior Dance Recital at Firestone

Molly will be graduating in two months with a special Visual and Performing Arts diploma. Each senior in the dance department had to choreograph a complete dance. Molly's dance is called "Impulse." She also had the great fortune to work with John Giffin, professor emeritus of the Ohio State University dance department. ( He choreographed a piece called "Manimals" that the senior and junior dance students performed.) He LOVED Molly's dance. He thought it was inspired, creative and unique. He loved her style and her dedication to her craft. He encouraged her to continue her choreography. The fact that he took the time to find David and myself after the show and personally tell us his thoughts spoke volumes. Molly will always treasure the little bird he gave her....and the rest....well, as always, it's in the pictures.

Winter Formal - 2011

Here we are! Our last Firestone High School Winter Formal. It's hard to believe that we have one more dance left. Sigh! Where does the time go??? Molly (and Stephen) you look wonderful. I love you!!

Choices, Choices

Our Molly is one lucky girl! Reason #1 - She applied to three (great) colleges: Alma College (Michigan), Slippery Rock (Pennsylvania), and Otterbein (Ohio). She was accepted into all three with an academic scholarship. Reason #2 - Two of the three would like her to play soccer. Reason #3 - She auditioned for all of the dance departments and made it into all three!! There is talent money scholarship as well for two of the three (maybe all of them....we're still waiting to hear back from one). I am very happy and pleased for her. I think she is surprised, happy and a little shocked that it all went so well. Now comes the hard part--deciding where to go. In a stroke of sheer unbelievability...her best friend Alana decided to go to Otterbein. Alana and Molly have been preschool friends, soccer buddies and classmates their whole lives. Molly went and looked at Otterbein first and loved the dance department. Then, Alana looked at the nursing program. Alana will also be on the soccer team and also be the kicker for the football team. It is amazing to me that with all the options these two have in regards to higher ed placement that they might end up at the same college. So...now we wait....Molly is a little nervous, but like I told her, with the choices she has, she can't make a bad decision. Stay posted to see what happens next!

The Epiphany of the New Year...2011

There is nothing I can give you which you have not; but there is much that, while I cannot give, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.

Take Heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.

Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within reach, is joy.

Take Joy.

And so, at this Christmastime, I greet you with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the daybreak and the shadows flee away.

Fra Giovanni

(Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c.1435–1515) was a Renaissance pioneer, accomplished as an architect, engineer, antiquary, archaeologist, classical scholar, and Franciscan friar. Today we remember him most for his reassuring letter to Countess Allagia Aldobrandeschi on Christmas Eve, 1513.)

The Longest Night

This entry should be dated 12/21/10, however, it took me a long time to figure out how to upload it from an ipad.....sheez! Technology! Anyway, this is the winter solstice PLUS a lunar eclipse. Great picture made on my school playground. It is one of my favorites!

Holiday preview

I am having so much fun with my new camera...I'm sure I will bore everyone to death before it's done...Anyway, I have discovered picasa and piknik. I'm sure before too long I'll move on to adobe light room, etc. and start running with the big cats! For now I'm pretty happy with my (almost) freebies. Stay tuned to see what else I post. MBL

Indian Summer

We have been so lucky this fall--those of us that live in NE Ohio that is. We have had a fabulous fall. Beautiful warm days, clear skies and moderate temperatures. Likewise, it's been a great soccer season too. (I love the game, but when the wind chill dips down or I can't feel my fingers, I'm out of there.....At one of last year's games, a cake that was brought to serve at the end of the game actually froze before we could eat it. ) This year we enjoyed the sunshine right along with the soccer game. This is a picture of my class with their fourth grade pals. We are getting ready to participate in first grade's "Insect Olympics." Together with their pals they see if they can jump as far as a cricket, dance like a bee, see like a dragonfly, emerge from a chrysalis like a butterfly and be as strong as an ant. Usually this time in November, this event would have taken place in the school gym. Lucky us, we could have fun being insects outside this year. I wonder what the winter will bring?