Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A first . . .

I was singing at an area nursing home this afternoon.  A big resident get-together celebrating everyone with a "January" birthday.

Cake, balloons, punch and streamers  . . . . and me!

This bunch likes Elvis . . . so I sing "Burning Love" . . . and I'm in a groove.  I'm giving it all I've got!

People are singing with me on the chorus . . .

One lady is moving her feet around like she was dancing . . .

People are clapping their hands . . . people are nodding their heads . . . people are tapping their feet . . .

We finish up . . . people applaud . . . and I'm feeling good.  I mean, I'm feeling an Andy Griffith kind of "goooooooooooooooooddddddd!

That's when a lady from the back yells out . . . "TAKE IT OFF!"

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Monday, January 19, 2015

A needed and most welcomed new addition to our family . . .



Well, hello there to another new year!

My wife and I decided that starting the year with a new furry friend would be something good to do. 

After looking at, and talking with, several area dog rescue groups, we decided to work with Caroline Edgmon at DFW Collie Rescue.  After a month of conversations and applications, we came home this last Saturday with Murray, an 8 year old Scottish/Farm Collie.  

He's a looker, isn't he?

Sweet as can be, and glad to have his new forever home.  

Adopting an older dog was not our first idea.  However, as we looked at various rescue group web sites, we were constantly remarking that there were so many older dogs.  And there were.  Murray was the first dog we visited with when we drove out to DFW Collie Rescue for the first time.  It was pretty much love at first site.  

I fell in love with him, and he fell in love with my wife!   

Hmmm, that might me a good title for a new song!  Anyway, he sure likes the women folk!

More to come on the adventures of Murray.  More to come about singing, guitars, equipment and various adventures that are coming my and our way in 2015.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Monday, January 5, 2015

The numbers of 2014 are in . . .

I've gone over the math for 2014.  I am surprised, and very pleased . . .

I sang to 837 older adults in 2014 at the retirement/assisted living/memory care centers from January through the end of October.   I did not sing in November due to illness and a bad back.

In December 2014, the 1st Church String Band performed at 8 venues and sang for a total of 510 people.

I also performed twice for the Be Our Guest Meal at our church in 2014, to about 280 people total (dinner attendees and volunteers.

And let's not forget VBS.  I sang for VBS here at the church, as I have done for years in a row  . . . to about 175+ people daily (children, youth volunteers and adult volunteers) for 5 days . . . that's 875.

I sang for Operation Fun, here at the church, about 6 times to 16 people (children and volunteers).  That adds up to 96.

The numbers should all add up to 2,595 people I performed for this year, and I know I am missing a couple of gigs that aren't on my tally sheet for some reason.

Again, I am surprised, and very pleased.   Hoping to sing to 3,000 people in 2015.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>



Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year . . .

2014 was a busy year indeed.

I don't believe I have ever had a year when I accomplished as much as I did this year, with the quality I was able to achieve on pretty much every project I started and finished.  I'm 57, and I truly feel as creative as I have ever been in my entire life.  I believe I'm doing my best work right now.

I wish I could say the same about taking care of myself!  That will be a major life goal for 2015.

I've never been as busy at the church. I've never been as busy singing and playing either.  Our 1st Church String Band (an all volunteer band) had 8 gigs this month singing to over 500 people.

Except for November (bad back), I sang for the residents and staff at 5 area retirement/assisted living centers each month.  I also sang 3 times for our "Be Our Guest" meal at the church, and I sang several times for our "Operation Fun" after school program on Monday afternoons during the school year.  This was the first year in some time where I did not sing in any of the children's hospitals in the area.  The focus of the year was singing for older adults.

Serving on the Board of a UMC camp and retreat center kept me busy as well, including taking 3 business related trips to Arkansas.

2014, unfortunately, was so busy that I was unable to make it to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico to serve as a chaplain or to sing in the Philmont "Wannabe Band" during the summer camping season or in September for the Fall Leadership Conference at the Philmont Training Center.  Hopefully I can return to New Mexico sometime in 2015.  

2014 was the year I/we lost Joe Laughlin, my adopted big brother and best friend.  I've written about Joe several times this year, about his life and death, and this blog is dedicated to his memory through the next year.  I still miss him, as does his wife and family.

All-in-all, a year with most of the to-do list checked off.  Those not checked off can easily be carried over to 2015.  Now, to focus on work and singing, and in getting into better shape physically, so I can do even more toward making a joyful noise wherever I am.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

I don't feel dressed without having a pen, pencil and notebook with me!

I'm at the age where I pretty much know what I like to have with me in terms of every-day-carry.   I like 4"x6" sized notebook...