"Memories, light the corners of my mind."

 And, as long as we are on the subject of performing.......performing seems to run in my family. Two of my sons have been paid performers during their lifetimes. They both play instruments and sing, like their Grammy Award winning Dad. They have musical talent. They have other talents, too. My daughter is a talented artist, creating beautiful collages. Also, two of my boys, will go down in history, for appearing on stage nearly naked, in High School. They are responsible for a drastic change in Talent Show rules!!

I played the flute, in school, but gave that up decades ago. Recently, I have been trying to re-create my flute skills, by practicing on a tin whistle. I do this yearly, near St. Patrick's Day, hoping for a long- anticipated career,  as a tin whistle player. I'm discovering that, from year to year, I don't remember much about playing my musical instrument of choice.!!

Remember, that old saying about "riding a bicycle". I looked up the facts, and bicycle riding skill is procedural memory.  Procedural memory involves the use of muscles.That's why we remember how to do it......even if years pass, from ride to ride. The other type of long term memory is labeled declarative, and no muscles are involved. That's what we can't remember things like names, phone numbers or episodes from our past life. Supposedly, remembering how to play a musical instrument is procedural memory. 

Well, I'm beginning to question this procedural memory theory. I don't seem to be making much improvement. I've got a month to practice, until a possible performance. Don't add the date, to your Google Calendar, just yet.

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Gracious God. We don't remember all of the things, that You do for us. We are grateful for Your everlasting love and grace. You are our sword and shield and our ever-present strength, in time of need. Forever and ever.

 

"I have a feeling we are not in Kansas, anymore."

 I believe that I have never been accused of being a very deep thinker. However, that doesn't mean that my introspection is therefore shallow. I prefer to consider myself just a tad "quirky". My thoughts and words just tend lean toward the absurd and obscure. 

Quirky. I've written before that I would like to have the Kansas State Song, "Home on the Range" sung, at whatever type of memorial service my children would like to hold, in my honor........and the "Jayhawk Fight Song", too. I also like "Great is Thy Faithfulness". But, I don't want them to use, "Amazing Grace" or "How Great Thou Art." I'm dead serious, about these thoughts.

Absurd.So, as I currently reside "where seldom is heard a discouraging word", let's just ponder "words". "Words are friends. In bad times they keep you company." wrote Peter Balakian. I have quite a few lady friends that simply abhor memorizing words. They just refuse to do it. Not me, I have been memorizing poetry, prose, song lyrics, since I said my first word.  My first performance may have been when I was a just a toddler performing "Down Went McGinty", while standing on my Grandmother's dining room table. My head is full of memorized dittys.

Obscure. I sincerely believe that the author, L. Frank Baum, is perhaps, the greatest philosopher of the modern era. For example, noting where we were born .......My daughter and I believe, that just like Dorothy Gale, we Kansas Girls are sweet enough to help you with your heart and courage, but mean enough to drop a house on you. Don't mess with me or my daughter.  Lions, tigers and bears beware.

And, when my courage fails me, I try to remember what Glinda said, "You've always had the power my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself." Great thoughts, for any type of thinker.

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God: You are our refuge and our strength. Relying on Your strength, makes us strong. Your steadfast love endures forever.
 

 

 

"You'll never be quite the same."

 Three and one half weeks on a beautiful tropical island, reminded me of a poem, written by Rachel Field. Years ago, I read her poem. "If Once You Have Slept on an Island", and sent it to my mother. My mom, Dorothy of Kansas, had just moved, after a lifetime on the prairie, to Long Island, New York. I thought she  would enjoy it, and she told me that she did.

My most recent island experience did not include a lighthouse or a ship whistle. That's kind of East Coast New England, but otherwise, I'll have you know, island living in the tropics is something I will never forget. 

My memories will be of being passed (on the right side), on a two-lane road, by a single motor cyle, carrying a family of four. Dining on fish, cooked with the heads still intact, and eating plantains prepared in every way imaginable. Nibbling on fresh mangoes, passion fruit, bananas, coconut and papaya. Swimming in the ocean and collecting barnacle shells (because they have a hole in them), to put into a future crochet project. Beautiful and unique sunrises, every day. Cool, salty tasting ocean breezes and yummy pina coladas served in fresh pineapples.

And, just as Rachel Field writes, I'll  "never be quite the same."

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Did Lord: New experiences are amazing and awe inspiring. We appreciate them. But, sometimes, our everyday lives seem dull and lack luster, compared to short-lived vacations and exciting travels. Show us how to appreciate, every minute of our lives. We should count our many blessings, constantly. 

P.S. Rachel Lyman Field is also the author of one of my favorite childhood books, Hitty: Her First One Hundred Years.