Teachers

The last several days I've been thinking about teachers I've had in my lifetime. Some had a teaching degree, others didn't. But, the lessons they taught were just as important as if they had a sheepskin hanging on the wall.

I've had the privilege of having some very good teachers in my time and some not so good. For example, my second grade teacher, Mrs. Carpenter was among my favorites. She made learning fun and gave detailed attention to each student. I didn't feel strange or like an outcast when I was in her class and enjoyed feeling part of a fun learning experience. When you consider I'm 50 years old, that's going back quite a few years. So, thank you Mrs. Carpenter. You made your imprint upon this mind.

Ive also had some good teachers in junior high and high school as well. But, some of the best teachers I had were in college. I think because I didn't take them for granted as much as I did when in grade school. There was a young classical pianist at Lamar University back in the day who was an absolutely brilliant pianist and accompanist. I learned to be ready for anything from him. No matter what the snafu, be prepared to carry on and focus.

I learned from being in a rehearsal with Doc Severinson that practicing for the sake of practicing is boring. Be prepared and let the music flow and be felt. There is a wild like beauty in the music of the moment.

A conductor of a symphony orchestra taught me how to make an entrance. There is something about a person's entrance into a room that can turn heads for no other reason than that of the "it" factor. Learning how to turn "it" on was an amazing lesson.

There are also the teachers who have their doors literally cracked open after hours in hopes of luring someone inside that needed extra help with an assignment or piece of music. Why? because it is those moments that called them to teaching in the first place.

God bless teachers. Even the ones who forced me to learn the ugly lessons. It wasn't for naught.

More Musings Later-

Rocky Balboa and 2011

As I watched 2011 introduce herself, I couldn't help but be thankful that 2010 was over.  In fact, I think alot of people are grateful last year is over. 

As I've mentioned in some posts last year, it was a year of sadness, grief, anger, despair, changes and huge lessons learned.  It wasn't for naught and that's a good thing.  The most painful situations are some of life's best lessons.  I was humbled and determined to be a good student and learn my lessons accordingly.  However, the bombardment of life crashing down around me threw me into a perpetual state of feeling punch drunk.  The scene in every Rocky movie where he is facing a huge opponent and is savagely beaten until he pulls himself up by the bootstraps to dig deep and discover his strength once again strikes a familiar chord. 

That moment in time when he is whirling from the intensity of punches is something we can all relate to.  In fact, instead of a huge fighter swinging hellacious punches at me, it was only 2010.  I've already begun the process of pulling myself up by my bootstraps and it takes time and constant determination.

In any event, hello and welcome 2011. 

Go ahead...cut me Mick.

More Musings Later~

A Smattering of Musings

It's been a long while since I last posted.  Yes, I am guilty of getting caught up in living.  I also noticed that I'm sick of looking at a dark blog.  While some of the things I post about are serious or dark, it makes sense to have a dark color draped over the words to set a mood.

Well, I'm sick of dark moods.  While I have struggled with 2010 thus far, I am ready to take the boxing gloves off.  I'm punch drunk and ready for peacefulness to ensue.  Fighting an invisible foe is exhausting.   So, I am dedicating myself to finding the lighter side of life and doing some much needed reflection. 

Life is different and change is inevitable.  All I know is that I have been preparing for change long before I was conscious of it.  As they say, the only constant in life is "Death, Taxes and Change."  Amen.

So, look for lighter posts in the future.  To coin Maya Angelou's title; "My arms are too short to box with God."

Goodnight Mrs. Callabash, wherever you are.

More Musings Later-

And so another year comes to a close...

Chapter 46 is coming to a close
As I close the chapter on 46 and turn the fresh new page of Chapter 47, I am amazed yet again at all the experiences, emotions and situations that life has handed me over the last 365 days. .

I've been surprised, shocked, amused, saddened, angry and silent.


I've encountered experiences that I never expected and some that I did.

I've been pleasantly surprised and bitterly disappointed.


I've thanked God for my blessings, and I've taken for granted still so much more.


I've lost people that I've never met, and think about them tonight.


It was a wonderful, difficult, gut-wrenching, sorrowful, happy, joyous, funny, frustrating year.




and, like all things, one year comes, and another is born.


Chapter 47 promises to be just as wonderful, difficult, gut wrenching, sorrowful, happy, joyous, funny, and frustrating as Chapter 46, but in a totally different, new way.


I am busily writing my next novel, "The Long Road to Extredition" and find the words come easier when I am nocturnal. With the writing of so many books for others, it will be a joy to see my name once again on the cover. Where instead of striving for Grisham, I am now struggling along to strive for Hemingway.


Alan Solomon, my friend and older brother that I've never met, is traveling to New Zealand in June to devote time to our next co-writing venture entitled, "He Played the Game". He hopes to find that the words flow more freely in the beautiful countryside of his home rather than Beijing where he currently lives.


So, we go where we are best, observe what we can and learn the rest. It's a new year, a new beginning and a new moment.

And, my eyes are wide open to the wonder of it all.

More Musings Later-