Went on another deer hunting trip and took a few shots... I  saw  her through the grapevine... She didn't seem to mind me very much at all. Just kept munching away. This was her treasure. And we recently discovered that in addition to baby Fauna, there are  two  sets of twins in the park! We know that for a fact because Eddie saw both sets simultaneously. Always Bring Camera! When will we ever learn?! "I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her." - Ellen DeGeneres ~~~ Deer Hunting Fauna

They say the first time you do anything is the hardest. Eddie jumping with the Golden Knights But I think the second, third, or fourth time can be just as difficult,  or even more so. Every Wednesday at the Bernards Inn The only difference between the first completion of a challenge, and second, is you've proven to yourself it can be accomplished. So there's no excuse not to finish the next time. Our first half marathon

Laying on the beach, listening to music, I noticed this kid. I'm not sure what he was dancing to because my tiny radio was way out of ear shot from him. But it made me laugh and I had to share... "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth."   —  William W. Purkey

I had a flash back today...it had something to do with parachutes. I harnessed up, and took off... But the gear I wore today, was significantly less than before, and  much  more comfortable. In the silent, peaceful sky, I remembered how beautiful it can be up there. Flying in slow motion... Just enjoying the sky and clouds... Today's scenery was just slightly different than in times past... And landing today, was  much  less dreadful than crashing into a hot, dirt drop zone. And the ride back... Was considerably more enjoyable than previous times... Which is better, you ask? Airborne or Airglide? Well, it's apples and oranges folks. But one thing I can say, you walk away from both with smile on your face.

Today, I am posting a beautiful piece written by my older sister Regina. She recently discovered since going back to school, that she has quite an interest and talent for writing. She also found that it's an effective outlet for some of the pain she's felt the last few years. I wrote a song based on her words  here . And she guest posted once before  here . You can also visit her blog, She Lives in the Light . "Legos" by Regina Teague Boys and I are bored today. No motivation. Blah. I remember up high on a shelf in the boys' closet, is a blue tub full of Legos. I hid them away, thinking I'd get them out when the boys were older, and when Zach wouldn't think it was fun to dump them out and spread them alllllll over. Now, my areas of expertise in child playtime is not Legos. I only had sisters, one two years younger and one nine years younger. Barbies, house, dolls, tea parties, dress up--nope, no blocks mixed in there. Well, they are obsessed with Matchb

The song from yesterday was " Chim   Chim   Cheree " from  Mary Poppins . Quite a few guessed it right! In keeping with the music theme, here is a piano memory of mine: ~~ When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I remember having a get together of close family at our house. I don't know what the occasion was, but my grandma brought us a gift from her best friend in Germany. It was a hand painted music box that played a little German tune. I remember it sounding fairly similar to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."  Chairs were set up in a circle around the living room and the adults visited and caught up with each other. The kitchen was busy with food, and there was a lot of general commotion going on. I remember listening to that music box, then going to the piano, certain I would be able to play the tune. Nobody really noticed what I was doing, but I did play the song from start to finish, using both hands, with little or no trouble. Not thinking anything about it,

As a ballet accompanist, I am always trying to expand my repertoire so the dancers don't hear my same pieces over and over. I've found that every instructor wants something different. Some prefer more classical, some prefer music from actual ballets, but most don't care what I play as long as it fits the rhythm and feel for the combination.  One thing I enjoy doing, is taking a song I've known for years, and discovering it can have a "ballet make-over" and sound completely new. This song was like that. Because of the chord progressions, square phrasing, and 3/4 time signature, it made a perfect adagio when I slowed it way down and added some languid arpeggios. Like most of my improvisation, the result seems to be the love child of a dark, angry Russian, and Honky-tonk music. See if you can hear what song it is. I play the familiar melody about a third of the way through... I'm sure most of you will get it, but just in case, I'll post the answer tomo