Local couple taking lights, camera and action to save historic buildings in Angola -- and here, too - News-Sentinel.com

Local couple taking lights, camera and action to save historic buildings in Angola -- and here, too - News-Sentinel.com

We are so honored and delighted to have this historic restoration happening in our town. Last night the Angola Historic Preservation Commission gave the OK to begin the restoration of the facade to the original 1931 look. I don't have an opening date yet, but I will certainly announce it when I do. You can also follow the restoration on Facebook: Brokaw 1 & 2 Theatre. The Facebook page is full of videos and photos and objects found in the dark of night. The News-Sentinel in Fort Wayne did a wonderful story as well. Please just click on the above link for the full story!

I have always been proud to live in my town, but I am especially happy for this lovely piece of history coming back to life.

Easter is about rebirth and forgiveness...

Easter is about rebirth and forgiveness - KPCNews: Kpcnews

This week's column is about so much that you will just have to read it for yourself! Just click on the above link.  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and a Happy Easter to all of you. This photo is from my dear friend's garden. Jake and Steve Wahlig have one of the most beautiful gardens in town. You can actually see it from the library and often their flowers grace the check out areas. Thank you to Jake and Steve for making a town just a little more beautiful!  Lou Ann

"In The Quiet" by Rhon Van Erman

I would like to share this piece of music with you. It was written and performed by my neighbor and friend, Rhon Van Erman. He is a very talented musician as you will see.

Rhon wrote this piece for Good Friday so I used it today in lieu of a church service. There are many more selections on his youtube channel. 

Thank you, Rhon, for such a beautiful piece.

The First Spring Rain...

Rainstorm in Union Square by Childe Hassam, 1890

This morning was the first rain storm of Spring. I heard it begin to rumble in the West and within minutes rain was pouring down on this old house of mine. It was such a lovely sound with the pelting rain and the thunder. I used this poem last night at the Cherry Blossom Festival so I wanted to share it with you tonight as well. Enjoy. 

Spring Rain by Sara Teasdale

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain.

I remembered a darkened doorway 

Where we stood while the storm swept by, 

Thunder gripping the earth 

And lightning scrawled on the sky.

The passing motor busses swayed, 

For the street was a river of rain, 

Lashed into little golden waves 

In the lamp light's stain.

With the wild spring rain and thunder 

My heart was wild and gay; 

Your eyes said more to me that night 

Than your lips would ever say. . . .

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain. 

Cherry Blossom Festival...

Wednesday evening, April 1, one of my effective speaking classes will be hosting Cherry Blossom Festival. This evening will provide beautiful spring poetry accompanied by harpist, Sarah Davenport.

I think what will make this festival even more charming is the fact that I have several international students in this class, and they will be sharing poetry in their native language.

The event begins at 7:00 in Wells Theatre on the lovely Trine campus. Come early to get a seat. There is no admission fee.

April brings us a month filled with poetry...

April brings us a month filled with poetry - KPCNews: Kpcnews

One small shelf in my studio!!

April is National Poetry Month so here is my weekly column celebrating it! As always, thank you for reading, and what is your favorite poem? Just click on the above link for the story!

Morning Sunlight...

There is something so beautiful about early morning sunlight. As the daylight grows longer, I notice the shift in sunbeams in this old house. Morning sun now streams into my dining room for a brief time giving way to new shadows. light, and well, I must admit some dust and streaked windows.

We wait for spring, all of us. I think those of us in northern climates seem to hold our breath a bit longer hoping it really does appear. Perhaps we are somewhat like the Ancients in our rituals hoping the sun will appear and rise, gardens will flourish, and so will we.

Our rituals are a bit simpler in nature: putting away and snow shovel and bags of salt, hauling out the garden gloves and the wheelbarrow, hanging out sheets and quilts on the line to air out after winter's staleness. Mine also include the first campfire and bringing my bicycle out of the garage.

In my impatience to find blossoms on the stems in the gardens, I find myself drooling over bouquets of flowers of tulips from local flower shops. This morning as I was working in the studio, I noticed the sun shining on the bouquet on the table. With a quick snap I had a photo and the sun had moved off to share warmth in another corner of my house.

Enjoy. Spring is here and all will soon follow.

With the joy of spring, get outside and enjoy...

With the joy of spring, get outside and enjoy - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column. Just click on the above link and enjoy. The photographs are  from my friend, Robert Foster, who is an artist, photographer and poet. The two photos were taken in his garden on the first day of spring just hours apart. 

Happy Spring!

Snowman stories usher this winter out the door...

Snowman stories usher this winter out the door - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here are the last of the winners in the snowman writing contest. I had so many entries this year that I had to make two columns for the writings. Please thank all your children and students for a job well done. I think another contest will emerge at the beginning of next school year so keep watching! Just click on the above site for the stories!

This photo was taken by Bill Eyster for my Fringe card last spring. No, my garden does not look like that...yet. It is still under a great cover of snow...but it does set me dreaming.

Is this farewell to winter? We shall see.

As always, thank you for reading.

Lou Ann

Full Moon over Arizona Skies...

March full moon taken by my son, Abe.

Last night the full moon was stunning rising up over the mountains of Arizona. I have spent my week here with my son and his family, and last night we all watched the moon rise.

When asked why I was going to Arizona for spring break, I calmly said, " I have two stars and a full moon waiting for me." My two stars are Holly and Brianna, and the moon speaks for herself.

Later after the baths of the little girls, we sat outside singing all of our star and moon songs. That is the best way to end an evening, especially with the full moon in the big sky.

I hope you took the time to watch the night sky, not just last night, but every night!

Worm Moon of March...

Tonight's full moon promises to be spectacular as always. Here are a few facts to help you enjoy it even more!

The March full moon has several names: Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Worm Moon, and Lenten Moon. You can imagine which each one means. I think in Northern Indiana this year we would be happy to be the Sap Moon as I understand from my friends who tap, we are a bit behind. As for the worm moon, the ground is still covered in masses of snow so I doubt we will see many worms.

It is also the furthest away so it will appear to be the smallest full moon of the year, 2015.

I am in Arizona and I will watch the full moon rise with my two darlings, Holly and Brianna. We will sit outside singing our moon songs while we wait for the beauty to erupt from the Eastern skies. 

Where will you watch the moon appear?

The photo was taken by Bruce Fingerhood for EarthSky.org.

Enjoy.

Just the beginning of something new....

I have decided to try and put together poetry using my own voice. Everyone reading my blog knows how much I love poetry. Here is my first try, and I need to thank a wonderful young man who is in graduate school for technology. Ryan first developed the app for this at Trine University and has now helped me carry forward.

When we met on Friday I asked Ryan if he ever thought anyone would use this app for poetry. His smile told me he did not.

Enjoy. Let me know what you think.

So here is Walt Whitman's On The Beach as read by me!

Til tomorrow. 

'

You never know what a snowman will do at night!

You never know what a snowman will do at night! - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column! There are four winners in this week's story and four more for next week! I had so many wonderful stories that I just couldn't put two in the column.

A special thank you to all the teachers and parents who took the time to write with children.

I was so impressed with the stories and the great imaginations.

As always, thank you for reading. Just click on the above link to read some great stories. The photo below is from one of the stories. I have tried everything to straighten it out, but alas, you will just have to turn your head a bit to the right!

Until tomorrow!