Saturday, February 26, 2011

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

Friday, February 25, 2011

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

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"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!


Sunday, February 13, 2011

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

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

Friday, February 11, 2011

Lifted from the Indianapolis Star!

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Here is a cartoon from today's Indianapolis Star! Thought you all would enjoy this one. Come on, Superintendent Bennett, I am waiting to hear from you, and I am ready!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

How cold is it?

Dear Readers,

My grandmother used to say, "When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen." I don't think I paid any attention to her. Winter was just winter...cold and perfect for sledding and skating. I don't even remember my mom or dad complaining about the cold or the snow. Now that I pay my own heat bills, drive on ice and don't sled or skate near as much as I should, I pay attention.

I do think I am one of the few that likes the winter because of the beauty, just great beauty.

So today, with the wind chill at 30 below, I will boil water with blue food coloring, toss it in the air and take a photograph. I will post it later, if it works.

This is probably the last spell of winter, so enjoy it down to your toes. Spring is coming, I can hear it in the early morning.

Lou Ann

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Hmm...what do we do on snow days?

What to do on a snow day!  (Just click on the link for the full story!)

Jennifer from the Herald Republican was over yesterday afternoon to do a story on 'what to do on a snow day?'

She spent the afternoon making puppets with us and drinking tea. The house was cozy, warm and we were all definitely waiting for snow!

The above is the article she wrote for the Herald. Here are a few of the photos she took as well.



This is our puppet of Mike, Deadline Guy!
(He is the editor of the paper!)

Matthew and Karen working on Harley, the cat puppet.

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...