Saturday, August 27, 2016

Ukulele camp stories last forever

Ukulele camp stories last forever: I toss my ukulele, chord sheets, and gear into the back of Carolyn’s van and off we go to ukulele camp.




Here is the link to last week's column about going to ukulele camp. Carolyn Powers and I had the best time. I hope you enjoy reading as much as we enjoyed the experience. Just click on the title on the above first line. As always, thank you for reading!

Lou Ann 



Monday, August 22, 2016

Go West, grow up with the country...

Go West, grow up with the country: The three of them pull into my driveway and take off their helmets as if they can’t breathe another moment with them on their heads. They shake out their hair, and send Meryl, the spokesperson, to my door as the other two hold up her bicycle. I open it just as she is to ring the bell.


Here are the three bicyclists from left to right: Cat, Meryl, and Pat!


I always love hosting the folks who stop by on their bikes and listen to their stories. These three are traveling from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. Read all about it in this week's column. Just click on the above link! Thank you for reading and, as always, enjoy! 

P.S. If you are traveling across country on your bike or in your car...stop on by...my door is always open.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Step back to Stevenson’s world, circa 1887...


Step back to Stevenson’s world, circa 1887: Saturday morning dawns clear and calm in the Adirondack Mountains. My cousins invite me to join them on a trip to Saranac Lake to the farmers market. I love visiting farmers markets and bragging about my own!


This was the fireplace in the cottage of Robert Louis Stevenson.



These flowers were growing on his porch.

This was his bed!


And, of course, this is Mike!



Here is the link to this week's column on visiting the cottage of Robert Louis Stevenson. I love the story of visiting the cottage, but I also love the wrap around story of meeting Mike.

Just click on the above link or the title and there you have it. I hope you enjoy this lovely adventure from last weekend!

Lou Ann

Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Because your health is important...


Shape Up Steuben Community Meet Up
Dr. Rudy Kachmann, MD
Sitting Disease is Killing Us, author and national speaker
Potawatomi Inn, Thursday, Aug. 18
11:45-1:00 Jimmerson Lake room at the Inn
 
This is me practicing ballet!
 
 
 On Thursday morning Dr. Rudy Kachmann, MD will be speaking at the Shape Up Steuben Coummunity Meet Up. I am so excited to go to this meeting and here him speak. Years ago when I was just a young mother I had a back surgery. Dr. Kachmann was my surgeon. He was confidant that I would heal quickly and correctly and I did. On the morning after the surgery his nurse, who was a yoga instructor, visited me. She knew I wanted to mend so quickly. I had a farm to take care of, children to take care of, and a teaching job. She said to just get up and walk. And I did.

I am anxious to again to inspired by this man who has given his life to health care, and not just surgeries and prescriptive medicine. Get up and walk.

I will see you on Thursday at Potawatomi Inn at 11:45.

Lou Ann
 

Saturday, August 06, 2016

Everything is just perfect in the Adirondacks

Everything is just perfect in the Adirondacks: rom my balcony view, the world spreads out in front of me. For this column the world is not that of cornfields and the land that I am grounded in, but that of pines and woods and water and family. This land is St. Regis Lake in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.


One of the twelve original boats built for St. Regis, The Idem.




                                     Jonah and Uncle Dean. The kids have to ask permission to leave the table at every meal.                                        A hug will get you dismissed quickly!


Family sing-a-long night!






Here is the link to this week's column. Just click on the above title or link. I hope you enjoy it! It has been a wonderful week in the Adirondacks with family. Enjoy!

Monday, August 01, 2016

Yep, I still own the same Jeep, but now I have over 200,00 miles!!



Wednesday, February 09, 2005


Confession...

I own a Jeep. There, I have said it. Some of you don't know me personally, but now you know the truth. I own a gas, guzzling SUV vehicle. I also protest against drilling oil in Alaska, support the Brady Bill for gun control and will be in the Vagina Monologues.

But, before you close out....just let me explain. I have to own a Jeep, I mean it is part of my storytelling. I have a great license plate that says STORIES...I have bumper stickers that give the world a clue as to who I am.

My Jeep is my house on wheels...my Laura Ingalls Wilder wagon..the first flight of the Wright Brothers...

I write in my car (not a safe practice!!)...read in my car (also not a safe practice!) sometimes enjoy other activitie in my Jeep (I'll not even go there!!)...I cry and eat McDonald' burgers in my Jeep (did I say McDonald's, I meant soy burgers from the health food store, really I did!!

I carry microphones, work out clothes, walking shoes, scraper,tapes for the tape player, 8 pair of ice skates (well, you never will know when you run across a lovely patch of ice, meet 7 folks who also need skates)...a cowboy hat (!)...musical instruments..empty and full water bottles, candy wrappers (they were from a hitch hiker I picked up once, and that is the truth)...and a lovly prism that bobbles from my rear view window.

Today my Jeep will turn 100,000. I have had three Jeeps during the past few years...all run 250,000 mles..I think Jeep should be reading this and letting me do their commercials..I am a walking (I mean driving) testimony to their durability.

Besides, I think I look cool in my Jeep. When I work at schools, the kids are all impressed when they carry my stuff out to my Jeep, "is that yours?" they ask in amazement.

"Yes," I say with pride looking at my beginning-to-be-rusted, bumper stickered, covered with Indiana salt Jeep,
"Yes, that baby is all mine!"

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...