To the woman who:
- endured numerous choruses of the seven-part harmony of "Are we there yet????",
- received enough macaroni necklaces that, if they were diamonds, she would have been richer than Bill Gates,
- cooked enough spaghetti / bean soup / beef stew to feed an army (and she did! *LOL*),
- worked in enough classrooms to qualify as a teacher,
- baked enough birthday cakes to truly be the "Ace of Cakes",
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY NANNY!!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
"Oh nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!"
I don't know if this is only in Oklahoma...but I sure hope not. Awhile ago I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few things. I walked out into the parking lot headed for my car. Directly in front of me was a young Black lady dressed in fatigues - obviously from Vance AFB.
As we walked up the aisle of the parking lot and she reached a battered pickup truck, we both heard a loud rumbly yell, "HEY LADY!!" The young woman almost jumped out of her skin and turned to look in the direction of the roar. I stopped several feet behind the young woman to make sure she would be okay. An older caucasian man, easily 60-65 years old, big and burly, jumped out of the passenger's side of the truck. She looked pretty frightened - then he snatched the hat off of his head and yelled, "Thank you for serving Ma'am! I appreciate it!" I saw all of the tension drain out of her and she stood up straight and faced him directly and said, "You're welcome sir, it's an honor!"
I watched her walk to her car with her head up high and pride in her step. My face was wet by the time I got to my car and I was thinking that I sure hope this isn't the only place that happens. I hope it's happening everywhere!
Please remember - the branch of the military doesn't matter - if you see a soldier, airman, seaman, marine, etc., thank them! These days there is no such thing as "Peace time service".
As we walked up the aisle of the parking lot and she reached a battered pickup truck, we both heard a loud rumbly yell, "HEY LADY!!" The young woman almost jumped out of her skin and turned to look in the direction of the roar. I stopped several feet behind the young woman to make sure she would be okay. An older caucasian man, easily 60-65 years old, big and burly, jumped out of the passenger's side of the truck. She looked pretty frightened - then he snatched the hat off of his head and yelled, "Thank you for serving Ma'am! I appreciate it!" I saw all of the tension drain out of her and she stood up straight and faced him directly and said, "You're welcome sir, it's an honor!"
I watched her walk to her car with her head up high and pride in her step. My face was wet by the time I got to my car and I was thinking that I sure hope this isn't the only place that happens. I hope it's happening everywhere!
Please remember - the branch of the military doesn't matter - if you see a soldier, airman, seaman, marine, etc., thank them! These days there is no such thing as "Peace time service".
Monday, March 30, 2009
"My oh my...my oh my..."
*GASP* Oh my poor Sue Sue!! You don't know the song from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"??? It's near the beginning after Brad and Janet have the flat and walk through the rain to find someplace with a phone. They saw lights a ways back and figure there must be someone there that can help them. They walk up to the castle singing as the song plays:
"Over At The Frankenstein Place"
In the velvet darkness of the blackest night
Burning bright, there's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain
Just the same, there has got to be
Something better here for you and me.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
The darkness must go down the river of nights dreaming
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life, into my life.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
At the end of the song the motorcycles roar past, Brad and Janet jump out of the way and knock on the door to be greeted by....dnh dnh dnh....Riff Raff!!!! *LOL* Honestly this movie is worth watching for the pure camp of it if nothing else. And in my opinion....Tim Curry made one HOT transvestite! "I'm just a sweet transvestite....from Transexual, Transylvania...." *G* Of course, my favorite song is "Time Warp" and I would love to play Magenta!
I must say though, I absolutely love the one you recommended, "There's a lighthouse on the hillside, that overlooks life's seas..." Have to find the rest of the lyrics for that one! Thank you thank you! *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS*
"Over At The Frankenstein Place"
In the velvet darkness of the blackest night
Burning bright, there's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain
Just the same, there has got to be
Something better here for you and me.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
The darkness must go down the river of nights dreaming
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life, into my life.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
At the end of the song the motorcycles roar past, Brad and Janet jump out of the way and knock on the door to be greeted by....dnh dnh dnh....Riff Raff!!!! *LOL* Honestly this movie is worth watching for the pure camp of it if nothing else. And in my opinion....Tim Curry made one HOT transvestite! "I'm just a sweet transvestite....from Transexual, Transylvania...." *G* Of course, my favorite song is "Time Warp" and I would love to play Magenta!
I must say though, I absolutely love the one you recommended, "There's a lighthouse on the hillside, that overlooks life's seas..." Have to find the rest of the lyrics for that one! Thank you thank you! *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS*
Sunday, March 29, 2009
"There's a liiiiiight...."
Okay fine...so the rest of this line is actually, "...over at the Frankenstein place..." but the first part of it was very appropos. *LOL*
In case you couldn't get the emails I sent or couldn't open the pictures due to size - here they are just as I promised:
First - the pencil sketch - matted in deep blue velvet:
And now the oil painting - matted in maritime red textured and tufted velvet:
So what do you think about the pictures themselves and the matting and frame choices? I found the "driftwood" styled frames at Hobby Lobby and thought they were just what I needed.
Let me know what you think guys! *G*
In case you couldn't get the emails I sent or couldn't open the pictures due to size - here they are just as I promised:
First - the pencil sketch - matted in deep blue velvet:
And now the oil painting - matted in maritime red textured and tufted velvet:
So what do you think about the pictures themselves and the matting and frame choices? I found the "driftwood" styled frames at Hobby Lobby and thought they were just what I needed.
Let me know what you think guys! *G*
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"Do an arabesque...now a big plie..."
"...this is the way we do ballet..."
Anyone remember that song from the Kate-sters ballet recital? *L* Well...I came across another reason to remember it...the famous "Flight of Spirits" mural at the Oklahoma State Capital building. I have seen this mural and it is absolutely gorgeous. I also find the ladies in the mural fascinating as well. I found the information and pictures below on various web sites and hope you find it interesting as well. My apologies for the size/quality of the pictures - these are the only ones I could find.
Between 1920 and 1929, five extraordinary women came into the world from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee, and Osage Nations. They were destined not only to change the face of Oklahoma, but the world of ballet as well.
Flight of Spirit merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson’s depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Mike Larsen's depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representational in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions.
Flight of Spirit is located above the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be seen from both the fourth floor and the fifth floor gallery.
First born in 1920, Choctaw Rosella Hightower came from a large family in Durwood, close to Lake Murray. Hightower toured internationally and was engaged in an enormous repertory, including the “Black Swan” pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev in his 1961 London debut. A year later she started l’Ecole Superieure de Dance in Cannes, which integrated jazz, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. She later served as Director of the Marseilles Opera Ballet and the Ballet of Paris Opera. In 1975, the French government named Miss Hightower a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s premier honor. Sadly, Ms. Hightower passed away on November 4, 2008.
The next oldest, Moscelyne Larkin was born in Miami, OK, in 1925, to a Shawnee-Peoria Indian and a Russian dancer, who trained her. She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1948, dancing many leading roles, and later enjoyed being featured as the prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.
Betty Marie (later Maria) and Marjorie Tall Chief were Osage sisters born only a year apart. In fact, Maria’s birthdate was only ten days after Larkin’s, on January 24, 1925. Upon high school graduation, Maria became an apprentice with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Later, as she was headed toward becoming the highest paid prima ballerina of the era, the company requested that Maria change her name to Maria Tallchieva. Proud of her Osage heritage, Maria refused, but finally compromised on “Maria Tallchief.” She married famed Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who created her signature roles in “The Firebird,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker,” among others. Today she is still popularly known as “Oklahoma’s Firebird.” Even though the marriage to Balanchine ended, their artistic collaboration continued for many years through the New York Ballet.
Maria’s younger sister, Marjorie, born in 1926, became the first American Indian to become premiere danseuse etoile with the Paris Opera. Known for her classic, dignified style, she worked with the American Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet.
The youngest of Oklahoma’s ballerinas, Shawnee Yvonne Chouteau, born 1929, descends from Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, who established the state’s oldest white settlement in what is now Salina, in 1796. Only 14, Chouteau was the youngest American ever accepted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1960 they established the University of Oklahoma’s ballet program, the nation’s first accredited dance degree. They went on to organize the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet in 1963 (now Ballet Oklahoma), which they ran for ten years.
So...this is the way that these marvelous ladies "did ballet". I couldn't find any pictures but there have also been 5 bronze statues, one of each ballerina in costume in a signature role, created for the Vintage Gardens of the Tulsa Historial Society. These statues are called "The Five Moons". There was also a ballet created especially to honor them titled "The Four Moons". It contains 4 solo dance parts to honor the heritage of the ballerinas - since Maria and Marjorie Tallchief are both Osage, their heritage shares one solo dance part, hence the 4 instead of 5.
One day I hope to be able to see the sculptures in Tulsa. I also hope you enjoyed this little bit of Oklahoma history.
Anyone remember that song from the Kate-sters ballet recital? *L* Well...I came across another reason to remember it...the famous "Flight of Spirits" mural at the Oklahoma State Capital building. I have seen this mural and it is absolutely gorgeous. I also find the ladies in the mural fascinating as well. I found the information and pictures below on various web sites and hope you find it interesting as well. My apologies for the size/quality of the pictures - these are the only ones I could find.
Between 1920 and 1929, five extraordinary women came into the world from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee, and Osage Nations. They were destined not only to change the face of Oklahoma, but the world of ballet as well.
They are, officially, Oklahoma’s treasures: Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne Larkin, Maria Tallchief, and Marjorie Tallchief. These ballerinas all danced during the 1940's with the Ballets Russes and the Grand Ballet de Marquis de Cuevas.
On November 17, 1991, these five friends enjoyed a rare reunion during the dedication of the Flight of Spirit painting of them in the State Capitol rotunda.
Flight of Spirit merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson’s depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Mike Larsen's depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representational in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions.
Flight of Spirit is located above the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be seen from both the fourth floor and the fifth floor gallery.
First born in 1920, Choctaw Rosella Hightower came from a large family in Durwood, close to Lake Murray. Hightower toured internationally and was engaged in an enormous repertory, including the “Black Swan” pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev in his 1961 London debut. A year later she started l’Ecole Superieure de Dance in Cannes, which integrated jazz, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. She later served as Director of the Marseilles Opera Ballet and the Ballet of Paris Opera. In 1975, the French government named Miss Hightower a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s premier honor. Sadly, Ms. Hightower passed away on November 4, 2008.
The next oldest, Moscelyne Larkin was born in Miami, OK, in 1925, to a Shawnee-Peoria Indian and a Russian dancer, who trained her. She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1948, dancing many leading roles, and later enjoyed being featured as the prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.
Betty Marie (later Maria) and Marjorie Tall Chief were Osage sisters born only a year apart. In fact, Maria’s birthdate was only ten days after Larkin’s, on January 24, 1925. Upon high school graduation, Maria became an apprentice with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Later, as she was headed toward becoming the highest paid prima ballerina of the era, the company requested that Maria change her name to Maria Tallchieva. Proud of her Osage heritage, Maria refused, but finally compromised on “Maria Tallchief.” She married famed Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who created her signature roles in “The Firebird,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker,” among others. Today she is still popularly known as “Oklahoma’s Firebird.” Even though the marriage to Balanchine ended, their artistic collaboration continued for many years through the New York Ballet.
Maria’s younger sister, Marjorie, born in 1926, became the first American Indian to become premiere danseuse etoile with the Paris Opera. Known for her classic, dignified style, she worked with the American Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet.
The youngest of Oklahoma’s ballerinas, Shawnee Yvonne Chouteau, born 1929, descends from Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, who established the state’s oldest white settlement in what is now Salina, in 1796. Only 14, Chouteau was the youngest American ever accepted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1960 they established the University of Oklahoma’s ballet program, the nation’s first accredited dance degree. They went on to organize the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet in 1963 (now Ballet Oklahoma), which they ran for ten years.
So...this is the way that these marvelous ladies "did ballet". I couldn't find any pictures but there have also been 5 bronze statues, one of each ballerina in costume in a signature role, created for the Vintage Gardens of the Tulsa Historial Society. These statues are called "The Five Moons". There was also a ballet created especially to honor them titled "The Four Moons". It contains 4 solo dance parts to honor the heritage of the ballerinas - since Maria and Marjorie Tallchief are both Osage, their heritage shares one solo dance part, hence the 4 instead of 5.
One day I hope to be able to see the sculptures in Tulsa. I also hope you enjoyed this little bit of Oklahoma history.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"Time won't let me....oh no..."
Well, the song actually says "wait that long" but my problem is more like "let me do what I want". *L* I apologize for not posting again - It's been a busy past two weeks and if it has slowed down at all it's not by much.
Last weekend we were in OKC since Eric had Small School All-State Honor Band on Saturday. On Sunday morning he was flying out for Vision Weekend at Rice, so we decided to just spend the night down there. We had a really good dinner at the Red Lobster right near the hotel, did some shopping, dropped him at the airport Sunday morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping at Penn Square Mall. Then on Tuesday he flew back into Will Rogers so Laura and I made a trip after work to get him. That pretty much blew Tuesday night. The rest of the week was work and the Y and then I had to work for a few hours Saturday morning. Phew...I'm REALLY glad today is Sunday. Except for doing laundry, I'm catching up on emails and basically being a slug.
Oh...okay...well...I fibbed a bit. Apparently we are also going to clean the aquarium. *L* I have a choice of now or later so I'm sorry dear Sisters...I believe I will choose now so that it's over with. The remaining fish - Daemon the angelfish, Blueberry the fruited tetra, Glowee the orange glo-fish, and Albert (Algae algae eater) will thank us. Hey! It's just about the only way I get near water around here! *LOL* Well, aside from shower water anyways. So, gonna go and make the fishies smile. Love ya's!
Last weekend we were in OKC since Eric had Small School All-State Honor Band on Saturday. On Sunday morning he was flying out for Vision Weekend at Rice, so we decided to just spend the night down there. We had a really good dinner at the Red Lobster right near the hotel, did some shopping, dropped him at the airport Sunday morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping at Penn Square Mall. Then on Tuesday he flew back into Will Rogers so Laura and I made a trip after work to get him. That pretty much blew Tuesday night. The rest of the week was work and the Y and then I had to work for a few hours Saturday morning. Phew...I'm REALLY glad today is Sunday. Except for doing laundry, I'm catching up on emails and basically being a slug.
Oh...okay...well...I fibbed a bit. Apparently we are also going to clean the aquarium. *L* I have a choice of now or later so I'm sorry dear Sisters...I believe I will choose now so that it's over with. The remaining fish - Daemon the angelfish, Blueberry the fruited tetra, Glowee the orange glo-fish, and Albert (Algae algae eater) will thank us. Hey! It's just about the only way I get near water around here! *LOL* Well, aside from shower water anyways. So, gonna go and make the fishies smile. Love ya's!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
"With the echo of Mendelssohn's tune...."
And it's a pretty good echo! *L* The concert began with the ESO playing Mozart's "Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551". Very pastoral and very nice. I freely admit that I did snooze a few times but hey...I've been up since 6 am so cut me some slack! *G* Next we had a brief intermission and then our competition winner. The music was Mendelssohn's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, op. 64".
Marat Gabdullin is a very nice looking young man who was born in Russia and began studying the violin at age 5. By age 7 he was a soloist in a performance of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor with the Ufa Chamber Orchestra in Russia. My ears, especially when it comes to violin music, are completely untrained, my brain, however, is NOT...and Vivaldi at 7 years old is pretty doggone good!!!
Not only did he play the entire performance (approximately 40 minutes of music) from memory, he also showed a presence and sense of performance you don't generally see in someone in their early 20's. The violin was no more and no less than an extension of his arm. If you watched his face as he played you could actually see love for the music and love for the mere sound of the violin flow across it. In fact, it appeared that his love of the music was so great that, when he received a standing ovation, he almost looked embarassed - as if to say, "I'm just the vessel but isn't this music awesome????" *L*
Marat won the 1st prize of $3000 and apparently the competition was quite stiff. They introduced the second place competitor and, for the first time ever, awarded a second place prize because this young man was also so good. Doug Newell, our Maestro, explained about getting some pretty well-credentialed adjudicators to judge the performances and he was really glad that he didn't haveto make the final decision - the three finalists were all that good!
All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - David and Marilyn have excellent seats! *LOL* I'm generally up for taking their tickets any time they offer them. They have front row in the balcony and since it's such an intimate venue they are probably among the best seats in the house. Aren't connections wonderful sometimes?? *G*
Marat Gabdullin is a very nice looking young man who was born in Russia and began studying the violin at age 5. By age 7 he was a soloist in a performance of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor with the Ufa Chamber Orchestra in Russia. My ears, especially when it comes to violin music, are completely untrained, my brain, however, is NOT...and Vivaldi at 7 years old is pretty doggone good!!!
Not only did he play the entire performance (approximately 40 minutes of music) from memory, he also showed a presence and sense of performance you don't generally see in someone in their early 20's. The violin was no more and no less than an extension of his arm. If you watched his face as he played you could actually see love for the music and love for the mere sound of the violin flow across it. In fact, it appeared that his love of the music was so great that, when he received a standing ovation, he almost looked embarassed - as if to say, "I'm just the vessel but isn't this music awesome????" *L*
Marat won the 1st prize of $3000 and apparently the competition was quite stiff. They introduced the second place competitor and, for the first time ever, awarded a second place prize because this young man was also so good. Doug Newell, our Maestro, explained about getting some pretty well-credentialed adjudicators to judge the performances and he was really glad that he didn't haveto make the final decision - the three finalists were all that good!
All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - David and Marilyn have excellent seats! *LOL* I'm generally up for taking their tickets any time they offer them. They have front row in the balcony and since it's such an intimate venue they are probably among the best seats in the house. Aren't connections wonderful sometimes?? *G*
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