Just realizing...

I just realized that I left for China a year ago today. Kimberly and I left with the folks from Global Indiana from Indianapolis on this morning. We flew to Washington D.C. and then on to Tokyo. We had a two hour break in the airport at Tokyo and then on the Beijhing. The rest is, of course, history.

Have been thinking about this all day as the news pours in over the wires.

My friend Mari has been trying to locate her family all day. Disconnected world and lives, and yet connected in so many ways.

Reacting in a small town..

I was down at the local coffee shop early this morning where the talk was entirely on the earthquake in Japan and the aftermath that will follow. Tsunamis, stock markets, health risks from the nuclear power plants. We, in the Midwest, send our thoughts and reactions to everyone involved.

One of my best friends, Mari Williams, is from Japan. Her family still lives there. There are several students at Trine that also are unable to connect to their family and friends for who knows how long?

What we can do, we will. In the meantime, compassion is all we have to offer.

Garrison Keillor

(I lifted this photo, he did not have a podium!)

Last night Garrison Keillor performed at the Embassy in Fort Wayne. Kathy and I bought tickets months ago and we (along with several hundred folks from the Midwest) were not disappointed.

The stage was set with a single stool and microphone. There was no introduction. There was no intermission. There was not even a bottle of water on the stage. Just Garrison with his red shoes.

For two hours he shared stories from his beloved Lake Woebegone. The audience, made up with older folks, loved each moment of the show.

Thanks to the Lutheran Foundation for bringing him to Fort Wayne!

Last snow of winter (again)?

Last evening I was invited to dinner at the home of Carolyn and Elton. (We are planning the retirement party of the century!) It began to snow on the way with large flakes, reminding one of cotton candy!

With huge windows facing the prairie, we shared a lovely dinner while watching the snow fill the fields and meadows. By the midnight hour, when I left, there were over three inches of snow and still falling. The streets and roads were empty as I drove home.

This morning the sky is azure, the sun is bright, and the snow is dazzling. The truth is, I was ready for one more storm.

Lou Ann

This week's column on my great carpool buddies over the years!

Just click on the link! Enjoy!Carpool buddies

Square Dance Calling!

Now that my teaching career is behind me, it is time to branch out into the arts! Last night was my first full-time calling with my new band, The Grasscreek Band! They did a great job and we had so much fun.

We are available for hire so if you are in need of a hoedown, give us a call. It is great entertainment for all ages!! Do-si-do!

(Seriously, we are booking now for the Autumn season in Indiana!)

Farewell Hamilton Schools!

Some columns can only be written once, and this is the one for me. After 30 years at my school, I have decided to take early retirement and move on to be a gypy and a full time artist. It was a difficult decision, but one that needed to be made. It was a wonderful experience, enjoy the column. Just click on the link!

Farewell Hamilton Schools

Of course it wasn't the last snow..

In my hometown of Angola, our big issue now is the budget for our salt and snow removal. We have already gone through half of our $120,000 budget for the entire year. This means that by the time winter is over (when will that be??) the salt supply and the money will be diminished. We will certainly be hoping for an easy November and December of next year.

Whatever the case, the kids in our neighborhood and all of northern Indiana have attended school for just one day!

Lou Ann

"Stay Tuned...Angola, 1964"

Here are a few photos from the show this past weekend! Ah, one day of rest and ready to hit the stage again! It was a wonderful show, lots of folks attending, and a cast and crew any director would be proud of! If you are on Facebook, the entire album is there!

The last snow of winter??

Winter has come back to northern Indiana after a brief hiatus last week. I actually viewed dirt and old winter grass in my yard, and if I would not have been so busy, I would have actually worked out in the yard.

Ice began coating sidewalks and streets by late Sunday night with several inches of snow. The world is a winter wonderland and absolutely breakthtaking. It is one of those winter snows that you think might be the last one so you need to embrace it!

Here is a photo from my back porch!

Walking home late last night.

I came home late last night after walking home from Valentine's dinner with my wonderful friends. The beauty of a small town is that I can walk just about anywhere. We chose a local restaurant, The Hatchery, to be our Valentine's celebration evening.  We drank bottles of wine, told stories, and stayed until the waxing moon was high in the sky and Orion was prevailing over the end of winter. We walked home at the Midnight hour down the middle of the quiet streets and noticed most lights were off in this sleepy town.

Our evening conversation led me to share this piece of writing that I found on one of my favorite blog sites, The Drawing Board. 

I hope you enjoy it as well.

"The beauty that emerges from woundedness is a beauty infused with feeling; a beauty different from the beauty of landscape and the cold perfect form. This is a beauty that has suffered its way through the ache of desolation until the words or music emerged to equal the hunger and desperation at its heart. It must also be said that not all woundedness succeeds in finding its way through to beauty of form. Most woundedness remains hidden, lost inside forgotten silence. Indeed, in every life there is some wound that continues to weep secretly, even after years of attempted healing. Where woundedness can be refined into beauty a wonderful transfiguration takes place. " -- John O'Donohue

Valentine's Weekend...

Ahhh, it is Valentine's weekend...in my small town it is a very sweet event. All
the local florists have signs in windows for roses and tulips. Trine University's gala black tie affair is tonight and my favorite restaurant, The Hatchery, is taking reservations only!

I love the thought of this day, even though it is a Hallmark event, there is something so sweet and thoughtful about the day.

On the other hand, it is difficult for folks without dates and sweethearts. So I decided to share thoughts for those of you alone on this day:

Buy yourself flowers (see the photo of mine)

Go to dinner with friends, really good friends.

Make a snowman with a heart (the weather is perfect for it!)

Take the little people on a date (I am taking Matthew and Jonah to see The Frog Prince this afternoon!)

Buy chocolate, really good chocolate.

Remember wonderful Valentine's Days
 of the past, but only with your best friend!

Go bowling (OK, probably not for me!)

Read that book that has been sitting by your bedside!

Put red satin sheets on your bed and sleep right in the middle of the bed!
(plain white cotton sheets will do as well!)

I must say my favorite Valentine's Day was eight years ago when I met Philip in a lovely old cabin outside of Asheville. He had flowers in the room, a special book for me and hidden behind a dresser was a telescope. There was a note that said, "Since I can't buy you the stars and the moon, here is the next best thing." It was the nicest thought ever.

So, on this lovely night, if you can't be with a special someone because of geography or affairs of the heart, please enjoy the weekend in your own way!

This week's article! Enjoy and buy your tickets!!

Stay Tuned...Angola 1964