For the Mouth Speaks What the Heart is Full Of.....

Oops, missed blogging two days in a row, but you know what, that's OK. It certainly didn't mean I didn't have joy filled days. It was dance recital time which always brings me great happiness.  This year Lisa decided to base her program on Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, primarily on the old movie where Gene Wilder characterized Willie. It's been years since I have seen that movie and after seeing Lisa's production I feel the need to search Netflix or Amazon Prime to enjoy it again. And it's always delightful that the people sitting behind you (who have no idea who you are) chat about how wonderful the show is, and how much craft, time and effort is put into the production, especially by Miss Lisa (my daughter..... insert proud mother)

Here's us, me, Lisa and Bailey. Bailey and Boone (the cat) came home for the weekend from her current job assignment in Champaigne, IL. to dance in the recital. And then she left again yesterday afternoon to return. It was a short, very short visit....and it feels a bit empty without them. Because she is staying in a Residence Inn, they allow pets so she was able to bring Boone. Makes her so happy to have someone to cuddle with after a long day of work.

Yesterday morning I went to church and the first words that our Pastor spoke was to talk and pray for the victims in Orlando, FL. Up to that point I had not read a newspaper or turned on the TV so it was a shock to hear of such devastation fueled by hate.  He continued with a reading from the Gospel of Luke 6:37-38
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

And continuing to verses 43-45,

43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Such lessons to be learned from these few verses, inwardly do not judge or condemn and outwardly forgive and give good things from the heart.  "Hate will never win", to quote James Cordon from the Tony Awards last evening. 

"In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of - moments when we human beings can say "I love you," "I'm proud of you," I forgive you," "I'm grateful for you." That's what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff."  ~  Fred Rogers 

Until next time,

Peanuts and the Gang

My daughter owns and operates her own dance studio.  Twice a year she and her students perform for friends and families in a dance recital.  For the last several years her recitals have all been based on a movie, play or book.  She holds tryouts for the "leading" characters and the remaining students all play a part in the productions  Peanuts and the Gang was the theme of December's show.  After a bazillion years of trying to take pics during the actual dance recital I realized that if I came to the dress rehearsal I could stand as close as I could, move around and not bother anyone except a mother or two that was attempting to do the same thing.     I take probably 3-400 pictures, but needless to say, I only publish less than 100.  This is the first batch....presenting "Peanuts and the Gang"

Lisa and her notes...the smile on her face tells the whole story of her love for this.  

I love watching these cuties dance, and you can tell by the many smiles they do too.

Until next time.....

A Fun, Fun Day

Well, I am happy to report that after 8 hours and 3 technicians today, I finally have AT&T Uverse, internet and telephone.  Whoop whoop...they had to run brand new cable into the house after the repair technician thought everything was good to go for a new install.  HA...thank goodness I had a good technician that knew what he was doing.  So that is over after 3 tries...but what do they say, 3rd time is the charm.

About 2 weeks ago, when my sister-in-law was here visiting we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo where my daughter takes some of her dance students to perform.  How fun for the girls and how fun for us to watch.

The girls getting ready to perform....

Make-up put on...

Aunt Mary Jo and my two grandaughters....

Bailey doesn't dance anymore...she is just too busy with school and work, but she is there to support all of the dancers...

My daughter...talking about her love of her studio and her students....

Family....daughter and granddaughter number 1 (age)

Daughter and granddaughter number 2 (age)

Daughter and son-in-law, Sam

Granddaughter and boyfriend...

Now off to the zoo....

Hey...Come on over and see what I've found....

hmmm....not  too much to him, probably not worth it.

I'll just go back and chew on my cardboard box....

More animals....look at the nose on the top left, shaped like a perfect heart.  And check out the nails on the bottom left bear.  Now I ask you who wants to volunteer to clip those babies....??

Best seat in the house on top of Dad's shoulders.....

Just a cutie-patootie...

Came across this couple...they were doing a photo shoot advertising "bags"....Interesting.

A juggler wandering around....

And finally, what you see from the zoo...it is really close to downtown Chicago...what a view!!

A fine fine day spent at the zoo.

"How beautiful it is to be alive."  ~  Henry Septimus Sutton

Until next time.....