Music to My Ears

Soft soulful notes swirl and dance in the surrounding invisible air. Hard driving beats of a drum set cut right through your chest. Guitar twangs, leg-slapping timing, head-bobbing motions, contagious smiles.

Music plays all around me. Everyday. Immersion is a relief. A pleasure. A douse of pure delight. Refreshing. Rebirth.

Smooth Jazz ~Soothing background sounds for driving; great for 'white noise' when hard-core concentrating is necessary for a project deadline. Feels like small, intimate club atmosphere in Chicago or NYC. Relaxing and sophisticated yet energizing and urban.

Country ~ Toe-tappin', sing-along tunes. Honest lyrics. Thoroughly and truly all our own. Fun, happy, sad, thoughtful, tearful, joyful, painful, God-fearing, poignant. Filled with values, laughter, shared experiences, emotions laid bare.

Top 40 ~ Monday through Friday work-day mornings. Tuned to a station that broadcasts what's happening in the mainstream by a team of hip DJ's. Trendy updates on who's hot and who's not.

Ecclesiastical ~ The old favorites. The contemporary offerings. Colorful melodies that act as modern reminders of the Lord's rainbow covenant.

Celtic ~ Generations from ages ago speak through the tales sending messages only my heart understands.

New Age/Deep Relaxation ~ Thorough, cleansing "exhaling". Re-centering balance. No concentration. Only feel.

Steel Drums/Caribbean ~ Dig the toes deep into heated white sand. Soak in the warmth of the golden sun on your face, your shoulders, your arms. Gaze out at the glorious sea shades of turquoise, aqua, green, teal. Sip a cold, fruity drink garnished with a vibrant hot pink paper umbrella. Now close your eyes......aahhh......

I hope music is a thread woven into the fabric of your everyday, matching mood and mind-set and need. Another beautiful dimension of life on this planet.

It Does Take a Village

When Hillary Clinton published her book, I had absolutely no interest in reading it. Seemed like a waste of time. Didn't like her politics, wasn't going to support this avenue of revenue for her.

One Sunday, months later, I was in our church's library and I saw a copy lying on the bookshelf. I walked over and picked it up. Flipped through it. Not a very thick book. An easy, quick read. So I sat down and skimmed through it. Aside from her pointed left-wing comments, the concept of the book was a logical one: We do depend on each other to guide, nurture, educate, prepare, protect our children. BUT...BUT... I, as the parent, am ultimately responsible for my own.

We cannot put the blame on a teacher or a scout leader or a coach or a neighbor when we are disappointed in the behavior or choices of our children. Morals, manners, personal integrity, faith, self-esteem, discipline must be given the means to grow and thrive in our own homes. As parents we most definitely have the right to choose who we want surrounding our children to keep them safe, act as good examples, and broaden their horizons in new and healthy and strengthening ways.

That's what LOVE means. That's how RESPECT develops. That's an EXPECTATION. That's our JOB.