FAMILY PRIDE

LSU A CAPPELLA CHOIR FEBRUARY 19, 2009

I started this blog last Sunday, the 22nd, when I returned from spending four days visiting family in Mineral Wells (my dad), Dallas (my son Craig and his children, Cameron and Hannah), and Plano, where I attended the concert in the above video (and spent the next day with my sister, Jean). It was at a beautiful Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. The concert was an "Evening of Music", beginning with high school choirs from around the Metroplex, and highlighted by the performance of the renowned Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir. (Cameron is second from the top, on the left end.) If you wish to hear this brief video, you might want to click the pause button on the musical Playlist to the left of the blog, then click on the arrow to start the video. The video lasts only 53 seconds. To quote from the musical program, "The chorus is chosen each year from the LSU student population... Members of the choir have been named Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars as well as twice winning the national Met auditions. Graduates hold teaching positions representing all levels of education in twenty-two different states and two foreign countries. In addition, many are now performing with major opera companies throughout the world including the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Opera, Vienna Staatoper, LaScala, Munich, Antwerp, Paris Opera, the Chicago Lyric, and the Houston Opera as well as studying in prestigious graduate programs throughout the United States." Our family is extremely proud that my grandson, Cameron Young, (grandson of the late Ray Young, BHS Class of '54) was one of only three Freshmen to be chosen to sing in this choir. The choir toured portions of Texas last week performing in the Houston, Ft. Worth, and Dallas areas.

Cameron Young and friend Sarah *****************************************************

BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS attended the wedding of her granddaughter in December. She recently sent the following, along with the photo of the wedding party." This is almost our whole family (only two missing). The wedding date was December 20th, and of course, it was beautiful. I did dance a waltz with my oldest son. I was really impressed with everything. Our daughter did it all. Then a week later her son got married, but we were home and didn't attend. Anyway we have had an exciting start to the new year.

The back row is Tom, me, my daughter Cindi, her daughter Jeniffer and new husband Gabe, and my son-in-law K.W. On the left side is my youngest son Tom, Jr. and his wife Mayra and their two girls, Ariana and Isabella. On the right side is my oldest son Marshal and his wife Judy and their two sons, Marshal Jr. and Aaron."...BARB BARBARA, except for the silver hair, you look as young as your daughter!

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BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Santa Fe Trail Ride 2009

PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP belied any evidence of having had heart surgery in 2007 by riding horseback in the recent Santa Fe Trail Ride, from Abilene to San Angelo, to kick off the parade and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo that ends with performances this week. She spent two days and three nights on the Ride, along with her son Shayne Bomar, who also rode. (Photo on right.) Her great-niece Ashley Virden, (photo on left) age 11, was crowned Queen of the Trail Ride, and appeared briefly on Channel 8 when she was interviewed . PEGGY remains a role model for all us "senior" women! She never ceases to amaze me with her vitality and daring. At a recent medical checkup, her blood pressure was normal for the first time in 43 years! Talk about getting younger as you age! ("Benjamin Button")

By the way, PEGGY'S grandson, Tyce Green, who lives in Houston and attends a performing arts high school, was called back for a third audition this Saturday at Ithaca College School of Music in upstate New York. He also auditioned for NYU in New York City. He will receive a scholarship if accepted at either of these. I heard him sing Christmas Eve 2007, and next to my grandson (just kidding, PEGGY), he will be one of the most famous singers in years to come. Of course, Tyce is opting for a career in musical theater, and Cameron is preparing for a career in opera, so the chances they might compete someday are slim.

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IRENE PIEL BATTS had a recent checkup with the plastic surgeon in San Antonio. She is healing and doing extremely well from all the surgery. Darlene Smith (JIMMIE SMITH '57) recently retired as Runnels County Auditor and decided to move to Abilene. GLENN SMITH just returned from Taipei, Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan! He promises to write a synopsis of his trip for the blog. Next on his agenda may be Hong Kong! Want to share some of your family photos or recent experiences? Just send them to me -- or drop them off. We'd all like to hear about your "good stuff", too. 'Til next time... Peace and Love, Marilyn

THE AGE OF AQUARIUS, VALENTINE'S DAY, AND MORE

"When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars"...Age of Aquarius

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“(Astrologers) are excited because February 14^th the Moon is in the 'seventh house' and Jupiter aligns with Mars. That's just like in the song from the Sixties' musical Hair about the 'dawning of the Age of Aquarius!' Some are so inspired, they are inviting people all around the world to start their day with a Valentine's meditation for peace, wisdom and understanding. I'm with them!”...Jonathan Cainer

How very appropriate that the "dawning of the Age of Aquarius" begins on Valentine's Day! Where are my love beads? After all, my son called me his "hippie mom". I really do intend to start my day with a meditation for peace. Can't hurt.

As it is Valentine's Day week, let's start with congratulations to those couples we know who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. IRENE PIEL BATTS and husband David celebrated their 47th on the 10th, and VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN and husband Mike are celebrating number 51 on the 14th. My good friends, Jane and Joe Bush, are celebrating 27 years of wedded bliss today, and my sister Jean and her husband Mike Hill are also celebrating their anniversary (I forgot which one, Jean ~ sorry!) on the 14th. Photos of loving couples as well as my loving family members are in the slideshow, "Love Is In The Air" to the left of the blog.

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This precious little pair to the right has been visiting my back yard the past week. I guess they know it's Valentine's Day, too, as they have been billing and cooing all over the place. They are known as "Ring-Neck Turtledoves". In doing research on them, I discovered they are native to Africa, but bird breeders have brought them to the U.S. They come in a variety of colors, with the white ones being used by magicians. You know ~ the ones they pull out of a hat? I had a much larger pair take up residence two years back, but they stopped coming. Now these are here... possibly their progeny. Here's another photo of them:

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Speaking of love of another sort, how many of you were affected by what they are calling "The Miracle on The Hudson"? I get chills every time I see the picture of that huge airliner floating on the water, with people standing on the wings. I would love to put that photo on here, too, but I'm afraid I've already pushed my luck using the images I lifted from the Internet! That image is burned into my memory forever, though.

I watched mesmerized as Captain "Sully" alone, and then with his crew, was interviewed over and over. This man is so remarkable. What he said when he was asked by Katie Couric if he had any doubts that he could land that plane, will stay with me always. To paraphrase his remarks, he said, "I knew I could. ..All my life had been a preparation for that moment in time ~ education, training, and experience. I knew this was what I was meant to do."

Wow! Talk about a defining moment, when you know without a doubt why you were sent here! Your mission is so clear to you. I'm nearly 70 years old, and I'm still asking "why am I here"?

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I was thinking of doing a blog for February on "The Bony, Hungry Month", which is what the Cherokee call this month. If we were having to hunt game, and gather roots, nuts, and berries to feed our families, I guess we might call it that, too. However, I much prefer to think of February as the month of love... Romantic love, baby love, family love, and of course love of our planet. Don't forget about the love and peace meditation... And stay away from black cats and ladders tomorrow! You know it's Friday the 13th!

I'm waiting to hear more of the "good stuff" you guys wish to share with us.

'Til next time, here's some of my favorite Biblical verses:

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"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

I Cor. Chap. 13, 4-7

Peace and love,

Marilyn