I Recommend This One...

 

Dean and I went to the Movies last night and the Movie that we saw was "Inkheart" which stars one of my favorites -- Brendan Fraser as the lead character, Mortimer (or "Mo"). He did a wonderful job, as usual. He was also in one of my other favorites, "Journey to the Center of the Earth." His co-star, Paul Bettany, who played "Dustfinger" was also outstanding! You might remember him as the Albino in "The DeVinci Code" (if you got to see that movie). I loved the young girl who played Mo's daughter, Eliza Hope Bennett, too. She was very good!

So, if you want to see a good movie, that would be one to go see -- put it on your list. I, for one, love the Sci-Fi, imagination movies and this one is right up there.

Enjoy!

Symphony by the Sea...

I don't know whether or not any of you remember the very proper, much into Classical Music, Colonel Winchester from the "M*A*S*H" series several years ago, or not; but David Ogden Stiers now resides in Newport, OR and once each season, he guest conducts the Newport Symphony. Well, Dean and I had the privilege of going to his concert last night and I must say, it was a real treat. My favorite number in the entire program was the closing one -- Symphony in D Minor (which you are listening to) by Cesar Franck. It moved me a great deal.


The program started out with a wonderful rendition of "America The Beautiful," and I could tell by the quality of the Symphony that we were in for a real treat throughout the rest of the evening. After introductions, etc., Maestro Stiers conducted a dreamy rendition of "Four Vignettes from 'The Winter's Tale'" by Lars-Erik Larsson -- a remarkable Swedish composer.

Next on the program was "The Incredible Flutist" by Walter Piston. This is a Ballet Suite written for Orchestra and, of course, I could visualize the dancers on stage performing to such beautiful music.

Needless-to-say, because I love my music and Classical is included in a lot of what I listen to, Dean and I had a wonderful evening. Dean felt a little "homesick" for the Symphony scene, though and came home very sad because he is not participating in the Symphony any more. Maybe in time, he will be able to join THIS one and be up there on stage again! His love for music far exceeds mine. Though I love to perform, I am content to be in the audience enjoying every minute of it.

More reflections on "My Journey"

Several months ago, while talking about our Salt Lake City adventure, I posted a rather crude drawing of the home we built there. I got a surprise from Debi, who was "cruzing" the neighborhood a few weeks ago. She sent me a picture of the house! So, for those curious folks wanting to see the house "in person" -- here it is! The thing that amazes me is that they still have the same red front door and really, nothing has really changed -- after all these years (built in 1962).

And now, to continue my journey. We lived in the same house in Rowland Heights for 12 years. Gerry's untimely death in 1981 had me re-thinking my life and future. Those were scary times for me. I guess you might say, I didn't trust in the Lord as much as I could have, because I had no idea how I was going to be responsible for 5 children and keep a home and a job and my sanity. I prayed a lot, but still fear took over my whole being. That is when I met Dean. At this time in my life, he was an answer to my prayers.

And so, after selling the house and pulling up stakes yet another time in my "Gypsy" life, little Heather and I moved to Taos, New Mexico. Dean and I were married on the 25th of April, 1982 and proceded to build our first house. We purchased 2 acres on the Mesa (which was about 4 miles north of town), hired a Contractor and began designing our house.
The entire process was a labor of love and it turned out to be a pretty nice home. These pictures are recent ones and a lot of shrubery has grown up where there was none. We welcomed little Billy into our lives while we still owned this house.
However, we had taken a year and yet another move to go to Raton, New Mexico, where Billy was actually born. That move didn't last long, and we were fortunate to be able to move back into our home in Taos.

Being a Taoseno was a whole new experience for both Heather and I. We both grew in ways that cannot be explained, and yet it was a difficult struggle, too. I shall continue this journey at another writing.

Winter in the Mountains...

There is an amazing power that lies at the foot of a mountain, looking up at its magesty. Here is an amazing view of "Three Fingered Jack", so named for an early Pioneer who had only 3 fingers on one hand. This past Saturday, Dean and I took Billy to Hoodoo Ski Resort in the Cascades. It lies at the summit as you cross over Highway 126 between Salem and Redmond. It is a sweet little ski area, tucked away from all of the hub-bub of city life. I don't ski any more, but Dean attacked the mountain on ski's and Billy took to the slopes (mostly in the powder areas) on his snowboard. Me? I stayed in the lodge with a good book, some snacks and hot cider and my laptop for some cruizing of my own on the Internet!

Here are a couple of views of the early morning ski runs from my vantage point in the Lodge.








Dean got some amazing pictures on top, that I will try and include here.

Here is a beautiful view through the trees.




Dean and Billy on top, enjoying a beautiful, sunny day on the slopes.






There is nothing like a beautiful mountain view to give the spirits an uplifting feeling of "All is right with the world!" Dean loves the mountains and is so at home there.





All in all, a good time was had by all three Mickelson's. We may just come back and visit here sometime again before winter escapes and melts away into spring. I wanted to include here a little poem I wrote from something Dean said to me on the way home.

He says, "I love the mountains."
She says, "I love the sea."
He stands atop a mountain,
Surveys all that he can see.
She sits beside the seashore
And sees eternity.
Mountain or Sea?
Where, oh where shall we be?
"Come with me to the mountain,
Then I'll go with you to the Sea."

I had said to Dean, a very long time ago, "This is my ocean...how could I leave it?" And then, he said to me on our way home Saturday night, "These are my mountains!" Right here in Oregon, we have the best of both worlds. It isn't a really far drive from the ocean to the mountains, and if someday we decide to return to the mountains, it won't be a really long drive to visit the ocean. Contentment is enjoying the best of both of these places. I think I have become an Oregonian!

A Good Read...

If you haven't gotten your hands on Glenn Beck's newest book, "The Christmas Sweater," you should! I just finished reading it (well, a week ago) and it is one of the most heart-felt little Christmas stories that I have read in a very long time. This one could go up on my list right along with Richard Paul Evan's books, "The Christmas Box" and "Grace"! The beautiful part about this book is that it is partially a true story of Glenn Beck's life. He is a convert to the Church, you know, and an amazingly talented News commentator who just recently signed with FOX News with his new show.

My next venture into reading will be to read the series of "Twilight" books that have been recomended to me by several people. I have them on reserve at the Library, so it may take a while to get them.

Have a good year, and make one of your goals to read a good book or two!

Happy New Year!

Make a Smilebox greeting