Burns Night!

There is something magical about theater. The magic is in the rehearsing and then the show. Tonight in Taylor Hall my speech students will be sharing Burns' poetry. Along with the poetry will be Mark Gropp, bagpiper extraordinaire!

The show starts at 7:00, but come early to get a good seat. What better way to spend a cold winter's night? Bring your date or your kids or your grannie...everyone will love the evening.

Come fill up our theater's empty seats!! See you tonight!

Let’s think about our hearts every month...

Let’s think about our hearts every month: 

My sister, Jessie, had a heart attack in September. She called me from the hospital and told me nonchalantly, as if she were at the movies or the mall. At first it didn’t register with me. She said it again, “I’m in the hospital. I just had a heart attack.”

Here is the link to this week's column. Just click on the top headline. I wrote about February and heart health month. This column is for all of you ladies out there. Enjoy, and as always, thank you for reading. Now go get those hearts healthy!!

Lou Ann

My luv is like a red, red rose...

On Wednesday evening, February 10th, my students will once again take to the stage reading the poems of Robert Burns. I love this evening watching my students share these poems.

Again this year the works of Burns will be paired with the lovely tunes of my piper friend, Mark Gropp. Mark and I met years and years ago and we have a great working arrangement. We also have a standing joke that if I die first he will play the pipes at my wake; and if he dies first, I will tell stories at his!

Please join us on Wednesday evening at 7:00 in Wells Theatre on the Trine University campus. It will make a great Valentine's Day date with no expense except perhaps purchasing a red rose for her hair!

Here I am with Mark after last year's performance!

My visit with an island legend...

My visit with an island legend: 

My bike swiftly moves past the lighthouse and on down the road toward the Sound side of Ocracoke Island. I turn right at the faded and frayed sign announcing Pamlico Gifts, the home of Roy and Elizabeth Parsons. Flowers are abundant although they are a bit droopy in this heat of summer as I park my bike near the back fender of their old station wagon. They don’t actually go anywhere in the car, but it is a great storage shed!

I bought this picture from Elizabeth a few years ago.

Dear Readers,

On Sunday I usually post my current column, but this week is different. I just heard of the death of Elizabeth Parsons on Ocracoke and decided to republish this article I wrote about Roy and Elizabeth. Just click on the above link...My visit with an island legend.

One of the saddest things about her death for me is that I have the loveliest letter from her on my desk. She was next in line for a letter from me and she never got that.  Her last lines to me were..."Write me. Would love to hear from you. Take care. God bless. Love, Elizabeth."

Lou Ann

House Concert

In case you missed my house concert here is a little video clip of the event. Thanks to Jennifer Decker for putting this together. Let me know if you are interested in being on my mailing list for my concerts!

Full moon, planets add to January’s beauty...

Full moon, planets add to January’s beauty

Photo by Ken Oguss

This weekend promises great beauty with the full Wolf Moon
and the five planets. For us in the Midwest the skies are
clear and as beautiful as ever!
As always, thank you for reading!!
Just click on the above link.

Five little planets all in a row....

Beginning this morning, January 20th, for an entire month five planets are visible during the pre-dawn hours. These planets are Venus, Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars.

It has been ten years since the five of these planets have shared the morning sky. So take time, at least one of these mornings, to make early coffee or build an early bonfire and go watch these beautiful event.

Photo from EarthSky.org.