Swan Song...

I think I might have sung my last solo, duet, chorus participation, or any other performances.  Last Sunday, January 21, 2018, Dean and I sang a duet at church entitled "Come Unto Christ," accompanied by Laura Buckmaster.  It is such a beautiful song with words that are meaningful. 

I agonized over the melody at first, because I just couldn't get it into my head.  You see, I have to pretty much memorize everything I sing these days due to my poor vision. Once I got the melody into my head, I could pick it out on he piano.  I played it over and over again.

And then there are the words.  I had to blow the music up 115% and type the words in a huge, bold font so I could see hem in case I lost my place.  Next, I started memorizing the words and putting them to the melody.  Agonizing!

In the end, with a couple of rehearsals with the pianist, we were ready for our contribution to Sacrament meeting.  I don't think I have been this nervous since high school and all the performances I had to do then.  I missed a few words and phrases, but managed to "patch things up" and keep going.  Dean did a stellar job and I thank him for his wonderful talent.  I came away feeling defeated.  "I just can't do this anymore!"

I remember when singing was such a wonderful, fun experience for me!  From the sixth grade, when I tried out for the Christmas Program (yes, they had them back then!) and was told I had an "angel's voice" with a 2+ Octave range, to my first singing lead in "The King of Rio Rico" in the ninth grade, to the alternate lead in "The Mikado" in high school, to the lead in "Promised Valley" when I was a young mother in the Stockton, CA Stake.  Singing has forever been a part of my life.

I have sung in numerous choirs, choruses, trios, and quartets.  I have sung solos in church, on the stage, and in my heart!  I have sung with my mother, my sister, and friends.  I love those memories.

Last Sunday, I sang with Dean in church.  I believe I am getting too old to go through all of that learning and memorizing to do this any more.  And so, I believe that Sunday was my Swan Song, so to speak...my last public singing.  I will continue to sing to the Lord in my heart and let Him know how grateful I am for the gift he has given me.  It grieves me that I can no longer see the music to play the piano or read a new song, but I cannot stop the aging process, just "swim" with it.

My Cup Runneth Over...Section Two...

One of the primary reasons I visited the Provo/Orem area of Utah was to go to A Santa Monica Ward Reunion in Springville.  Oh, my, that was an awesome event.  Some of these folks I had not seen in over 50 or 60 years.  My how they have changed!  

I brought my daughter, JerriAnne and we met my brother, Darell and his wife, Joan and his daughter, Michele there.  We had a wonderful meal and reunion, although it has only been a couple of years since I saw them!  My "little brother," Burdell Moody-Jarvis also came to visit the reunion all the way from Gold Canyon, AZ.  How wonderful to see him again.  He is a part of my family and I do so enjoy visiting with him.

Here are some of thr people I did remember:  (although some of their names have escaped my aging memory!)

                                                       Duane Nichols and Marjorie

There was Nancy Mills (LeSuer) Richard Jex, Doug Chester, Alice Cole, and Duane (Gary) Nichols.  How wonderful to connect again after so many years!  A sad note:  Some weeks after the reunion, Duane Nichols passed away from a bad heart.  I was saddened by that news.

Visiting with the Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren is always a joy!  Debi's little one's come to visit often and so we played in the back yard.  I love those little squeekers!

In this section, I will  also recall my trip from Debi's house in Orem, Utah to Heather's house in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I was going to rent a car for the trip, but Debi insisted that I fly...she didn't want me to get in an accident, I guess.  I will admit that my driving is kinda scary these days!

So, I boarded a plane in Salt Lake City and flew to Las Vegas, where Heather picked me up.  I had a wonderful stay with Heather and family.  I am ashamed that I didn't take very many pictures while I was there, but the ones I did are choice.

We did a lot of running around with and for the kids. It is always wonderful to be able to see what the kids, Parker and Hailey, are up to.  Parker is running Cross Country this year and has so much enthusiasm for the sport.  He is also an A-Number One Baseball player!  Hailey has tried out for the Volleyball team and she has a gift for the sport.  She made the team!

While I visited, Mark and his two children came to see us.  We did get a lot of photos of that visit.  Heather and Rich's new Puppy did some photo bombing!  (But I can't seem to find those photos

Another visitor came to see us while I was there!  It was my Granddaughter, Elissa!  She is such a sweet addition to this family!  We had a wonderful visit while we were all there together.  She had to share with me all of her plans for her upcoming wedding next August (2018).  I am so excited for her.

The major event that happened while I was at Heather's, was the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21st.  Unfortunately for me, it was pouring rain in Las Vegas, and no eclipse of any kind was visible!  I did get to get some good pictures from my husband's camera.  He was situated in Newport, Oregon and it passed right over him!

 

That event was pretty much the end of my trip to Utah and Nevada.  What an ending, eh?  I flew back to SLC and in a couple of days, boarded a plane home,  This trip was a memory that will last a long time.  It may be my last solo trip, as my traveling legs just aren't what they used to be.  Although, Dean and I still have some trips planned that I hope I can get up the strength for!

Until next time, bye-bye from a rambling traveler!  

Beauty And The Beast...

Newport, OR has some of the most amazing talents.  Friday night (a week ago) Dean and I attended a local production of "Beauty And The Beast."  Twenty of the cast members were from our Newport Ward and the Director, Jodi Hannah, goes to my Church.  Her husband, Brian, was the man responsible for the set design and building.  He is amazing.  He also played "Lumier!"  (Hr was so funny!)

The costumes were superb, the set design was outstanding, and the acting and singing were something akin to a Broadway Show.  I loved Mrs. Potts and her little teacup, "Chip!"  And Belle's father stole the show with some of his humorous antics.  He is a good friend of ours, and we always see his personality light up the stage.

In my mind, this performance should have won an "EMMY!"

How are we so fortunate to have such talent in one small area of the world.  It takes me back to my High School days, when we were blessed to have Don Bluth (Creator of "Feivel", the little mouse that comes to America; and "Land Before Time"; and "The Secret of NIMH" and more!).  He directed such plays as "The King of Rio Ricos," "The Mikado," and others.  He also directed and wrote all of our Road Shows.  I was privileged to star in a few of his productions and, as a Ward, we had the time of our lives.  He later took his talents into the community and opened a small community theater in Santa Monica, CA and my sister, Christine, starred in some of his plays.

These are the experiences that the youth, adults and families of the Church will hold dear in their memories for their whole lifetimes.  I know I have.