As promised

Here's an excerpt of the little accordion medley I performed at the church talent show. Believe it or not, I play it better on the video than I did in person. I was trembling so much I couldn't really keep my fingers on the right buttons during the performance.

Enjoy.

Somebody thinks I'm spectacular

After a super-long work week I came home to this letter in my mailbox. Email has really sucked the soul out of interpersonal communication. Getting a letter lights me up like no email or text message ever does. And to get this one from my nephew Colby (he's 7) was a huge highlight.

Around that big happy-faced heart are the following declarations (all spelled perfectly, a boy after my own heart):

You are so nice to me. You give me candy and dollars and toys.
I love you. You're nice.
You're cool. You're awesome.
You're smart. You're fast.
You're spectacular.
You're strong.
You're good at science. You're good at math.

I think toward the end there it gets a little autobiographical because Colby's good at math and science, but I'm definitely not.

And fast? Only if you consider a 10-minute mile while wheezing and whining all the way fast.

Notwithstanding, he got the most important part right: I am spectacular! And so is Colbster.

Springtime!

Listening to the NPR music podcast while jogging through the park this morning I had the most pleasant of surprises.

On came "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" by satirist Tom Lehrer.



My dad had a Tom Lehrer record that pleased my young, twisted mind to no end. "Poisoning Pigeons" was always a favorite. But may I humbly suggest "I Hold Your Hand in Mine"?

It's a showstopper.

Suspicious behavior

Yesterday all the Mormons in the South had a "Day of Service." My congregation did a donation drive to collect household items for homeless people as they move into apartments. One of my friends dropped empty bags and instructions on the doorsteps of her neighborhood earlier in the week and yesterday morning we drove around collecting whatever donations people left on their porches.

We looked pretty suspicious, I'll concede, inching down the street, scanning every doorstep and jumping out periodically to snatch something.

But two women and three kids in a minivan are hardly thief material.

Someone called the cops on us anyway.

When we saw the flashing lights in our rearview mirror, we figured maybe one of our tail lights was out or something.

The policewoman took one look at all the outdated kitchenware and sheets and bath towels in the backseat and waved us on.

I bet the person who turned us in didn't even donate. That can't be good karma.

Hau'oli lā hānau

She's a looker, my Grandma Jan. Always wearing her puka shell necklace, her big, bold laugh ready to sneak out at the first glipse of a gorgeous tropical flower or graceful dolphin, her soft white wash-and-go hair, her dark eyes flashing and and that sly little grin she pulls when she thinks you're not watching her make a trip to the freezer for some Heavenly Hash.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Supercalifragilistic

Today I bought a ticket to see Mary Poppins the musical in August. It was very expensive, but I don't care because it's MARY POPPINS. Loved the film. Love Julie Andrews even more. She's not in the musical, since she can't even sing much these days due to a tragic voice condition.

I'm sure there'll be some equally lovely young actress flying around the stage and teaching Jane and Michael Banks to mind their manners.

I don't go to many of the traveling Broadway shows because most of them are like Wicked or Phantom (ie. LAME).

South Pacific was swell though, and I'm betting Mary Poppins will suit me just fine.

Horsing around

Some little girls dream of ponies. I never did. The only time I find horses even remotely interesting is at the rodeo. Although, I do remember being quite taken with Man From Snowy River. I think that was more about the man than the horse, though.

Now my boss is making me go to this new horse show thing coming to Charlotte. People who love horses (aka people who love blueberry pie and motherhood and puppies) are all whipped up about this show. Larry King says it's the MOST EXCITING SHOW HE'S EVER SEEN!!! Oh boy, if Larry liked it, well then sign me up! BLECH.

One of the cofounders of Cirque de Soleil has created Cavalia featuring freaky acrobats in elf queen costumes riding horses. From the photos, it looks pretty weird. I'm trying my hardest to pawn the job off on someone else. Maybe by next week I'll succeed.