I spent the day with three of my grandkids, Jack (10) Aubrey (7) and Andy (3) I watched while they and their three neighborhood friends played in the water in the irrigation ditch. Jack and his friend became engineers and built dams with rocks and broken bricks, creating whirlpools and reservoirs. Simple sticks became canoes and culverts became bridges. Three year old Andy spent a couple of hours throwing a plastic bottle into the water, running up the sidewalk, jumping in the ditch and watching it pop up from under the culvert. Childhood imagination is an incredible thing and I skipped all the expensive tickets to the water park. I forgot to add that Aubrey and her two friends kept moving the rocks in the dam so they looked "prettier" It drove the boys crazy. I loved it
Monday, June 9, 2014
ONE MAN'S TRASH ... The Landfill Harmonic Orchestra
Cateura, Paraguay is a slum that's built on a landfill. The 2500 families that live there survive by rifling through the more than 1500 tons of solid waste that arrives each day, looking for things to sell or recycle. Education is limited and the water supply is dangerously polluted. When it rains the entire town is flooded with contaminated water.
Out of the rubble and in an almost hopeless environment something special and truly awe-inspiring was created. An orchestra was formed with instruments made from trash.
A young man named Juan has a cello made out of an oil can and old cooking tools. He treasures his instrument and plays the Prelude to Bach's Cello Suite No 1... beautifully!
They all agree, "Life would be worthless without music." The human spirit can't be measured and with the formation of the Landfill Harmonic hope is once again alive. These kids have proved that where there's a will, there's a way and in this case...
"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
This video tells the story of how this all happened. Its not just the kids... there were some amazing adults that got involved. Truly an inspirational story!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE...
It costs nothing and is worth everything!
HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY!
Friday, June 6, 2014
LINDSEY STIRLING...
not just another violinist
When Piers Morgan told Lindsey Stirling the world had no place for a dancing hip-hop violinist it simply strengthened her resolve to be herself. “The same reasons I was told I wouldn’t succeed are the reasons people travel hundreds of miles to see me now,” she laughs. “Because it’s different. Because it’s something you haven’t seen before…”
Lindsey is a classically-trained violinist. She combines her love of the violin with her love of futuristic music and dance. Her You Tube video "Crystallize" has racked up an amazing 78 million views.
filmed at the ice sculptures... Midway, Utah
Stirling, a modern independent recording artist, was raised in a small Mormon community in Gilbert, Arizona. Her conventional childhood was rocked as she struggled with an eating disorder in early adulthood. Having nearly given up the classical training she worked so hard for, the violin became her comfort as she healed.
After being eliminated from America's Got Talent, Lindsey began composing and is now selling out concerts in Europe, America, Russia and Asia. "The challenge is to love yourself for who you are, be your best self, and to encourage others to do the same.”
Lindsey Stirling... a very young remarkable woman of a certain age!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
A LONG DAY...
Just sat through an eight hour seminar our school is hosting. Its based on the bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. I am exhausted to say the least and we have two more days to go.
Stephen and Sandra Covey
Dr. Covey is brilliant. This video clip is over an hour and a half long so you might not want to watch it all at once. It is, however, worth listening to. What is offered is profound. Hope you find it as worthwhile I as did.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
SUMMER IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ...
Cascade Springs in Provo Canyon
It took it forever, but it is finally here... early summer... beautiful blue skies and temperatures that stay right around eighty. I am loving every moment, knowing that the real heat is on its way.
The back side of Mt. Timpanogos
I live in the country on an acre. I keep most of it in grass because its easier to mow that to pull weeds. My little neighbor lady is in her 90s and not up to doing either one. This morning her son brought over two "lawn mowers" my favorite kind.
They will have those weeds down to the nubs in a couple of weeks.
At the age of 76 Harriette Thompson made her marathon debut. Now fifteen years later she just finished the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon as its oldest competitor, setting a new record in her age group of 7 hours and 7 minutes.
She trains, running loops around the small lake in back of her retirement community in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With no arthritis in her hands, knees or feet she says she only feels her age after a race.
"Some young girls come in limping. At least I don't feel that bad."
Harriette first began running to accompany a friend who was "walking" for leukemia and lymphoma. Because some of her friends had suffered from cancer she took on the challenge, generating more than $90,000
The mother of five and the grandmother of 10 she has lived a "grand life" as a classically trained pianist.
Harriette was a soloist with several symphony orchestras around the world and played three times at Carnegie Hall.
She sailed across the Atlantic with her children, relocating to Vienna where she infused them with culture and taught them a new language.
Still passionate about her music, it fills the halls of the retirement home she shares with her husband Sydnor. Her 9-foot, 6-inch Bösendorfer piano that once sat on the stage of the Vienna Concert House, now sits by the window of her living room.
Harriette Line Thompson a truly remarkable woman!
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Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/26/4934622/at-91-harriette-thompson-taking.html#.U40FN_ldXa4#storylink=cpy
