November is quickly coming to a close. Indian Summer has been in full glory with warm days, beautiful blue skies, and fantastic fall colors. There are many blessings we can be thankful for this Thanksgiving. It is time to reflect upon the thankfulness of God’s love, family, friends, the...
I always find it interesting to learn more about favorite traditional hymns. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is such a hymn. Thomas Obadiah Chisolm was born in Franklin, KY in 1866. He became a teacher at age 16 and at age 27 became a Christian. In 1893 he was associate...
I’m sure you have had fun picking strawberries and blackberries. Maybe in your own strawberry patch or finding a blackberry patch beside a farmer’s dirt road. Where is nothing better than blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. YUM! Summer vacation was always a trip to see our grandparents in...
“June is bustin’ out all over.” This is one of my favorite songs from the musical Oklahoma. The magnolia and mimosa trees are blooming. The birds sing early each morning. A beautiful time to enjoy all the blessings of summer. Yes, it is hot! A glass of sweet ice tea...
February has a special connection to our hearts. There is Valentine’s Day and Heart Month. We share our love with family and friends on this very special day each year. One more way to share our love with others is to keep a healthy heart. There is research that...
2021 is going to be a year of great anticipation, new beginnings, hope, and promises. A time to look forward to jobs returning, multiple family gatherings, lots of hugs, eating inside a restaurant, travel, and music of all genres. A world becoming Covid-19 virus free with the much needed...
December is a month of anticipation. Taking time to light Advent candles brings quiet reflection. The word Advent means arrival. The advent wreath is a circle representing unending love of Christ and eternal life. Each candle gives us a special meaning throughout each week of December. The First candle...
This 2020 Thanksgiving will certainly be different. The possibility of sharing a Thanksgiving meal with your family or friends may not happen or be very limited. Since March, America has taken one day at a time; trying to understand the Covid-19 virus, a presidential election, riots, hurricanes, fires, jobs...
This Autumn has been particularly beautiful. I have taken some lovely drives through the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding state forests and seen God’s painted wonders. The days have been filled with amazing blue skies and warm temperatures. Just the right time for gentle walks through the local parks...
I was recently watching a television series and one of the episodes was about the July 20, 1969 moon landing. Millions of people were glued to their television as Neal Armstrong stepped down upon the moon surface and said” That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for...
This has been an unusual summer. Covid-19 has kept us at home with family and many pets. I have spent each day looking out at my backyard watching birds, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, neighborhood cats, and an occasional skunk bring me pleasure each day. Cardinals mate for life. It is...
July 2020 has certainly been an unforgettable month. Due to corona virus-19 July 4th parades, firework displays, large gathering for picnics, symphony concerts, and more events were canceled. Beaches were closed . Even the famous Coney Island Hot Dog Festival was reduced to 5 people eating in 2 groups,...
May is a month to celebrate the wonders of Spring. M – many blessings for the spring rains and warm sunshine. A – Abundance of new baby creatures. My back yard has seen new bunnies and squirrels scampering about. Y – Young people excited about riding their new bicycles...
Spring brings us signs of new beginnings, new hope. This Spring of 2020 has certainly been a time for renewing our faith, hope, and love in God. There have been many challenges that no one ever expected. Quarantine, isolation, social distancing, schools closed for the rest of the school...
In 2013, I had the opportunity to tour Ireland with the Knoxville Choral Society. During the trip, we sang in churches in Galway, Sligo, Kilkenny, and Dublin. Ireland truly is a beautiful green wonder!. The Cliffs of Moher are amazing. The people are charming. I particularly enjoyed the Irish...
February is the month to celebrate Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day. Valentine’s Day is time to exchange loving gifts, cards, and phone calls with family and friends. In I John 4:16 (KJV) the Bible states “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in...
Christmas is a time for rejoicing in the birth of Jesus. What glorious music is heard throughout this beautiful season. “Silent Night” is a German hymn that reflects this wonderful gift from God. Silent Night,Holy Night Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin...
This picture reminds me of a song I use to teach to kindergarten children, You may remember it. Five fat turkeys are we. We sat all night in a tree. When the cook came around we couldn’t be found, So that’s why we’re here you see! This was such...
Autumn surprises us with glorious, amazing sunsets. God has given us the pleasure of seeing these beautiful sunsets with the joy of knowing a new day is coming. Autumn will soon turn into the cold days of winter. Still, the anticipation of cold frosty mornings with winter blue skies...
Genesis 8:22 (Revised Standard) While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Psalm 104:19 (Revised Standard) Thou hast made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. AUTUMN IS HERE! As I write...
God gives us time to reminisce and enjoy the simple things in life. He wants us to share our joy and love with others in happy pleasures. Blowing bubbles is fun at any age. As my grandchildren have grown, I fondly remember teaching them to blow bubbles. There were...
Psalm 100: 1-2 (King James) Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. When I retired from teaching general music at elementary schools, I still had the desire to create music. There had been a...
Mark 14: 32 (NIV) They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”...
St. Patrick’s Day is a day of Irish glee! Parades, everything green is worn, time for drinking green beer, turning the Chicago River green, and even eating green Kristy Kreme Donuts. Music of Ireland is exciting, fun, happy, and beautiful. Traditional Irish instruments include the fiddle, tin whistle, bodhran...
Psalm 150: 3-6 (NIV) Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath...
Winter comes with gloomy, cold, rainy, snowy days. A fireplace for centuries was used to provide heat and cook food to castles, cabins, and homes. A place to gather for warmth, family time, peace, and security. In the 21st century a fireplace seems to be more for visual enjoyment....
Music is a beloved part of the Christmas season. From the Messiah’s Hallelujah” chorus to Burl Ives singing “A Holly Jolly Christmas” music brings precious memories. As I was shopping at the mall, I heard people humming along to the Christmas music. with smiles on their faces. Christmas parties...
Topaz is a transparent stone that can reflect a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, red, and brown. The other birthstone for November is citrine, known for its beautiful yellow hue. These colors are very prominent in autumn. The stones seem to accentuate this month of gratefulness. Thanksgiving is...
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. An opal is an amazing stone of iridescent colors. It can pick up the colors around it. Just like October, there is an array of vibrant colors surrounding us. Red, yellow, orange, rust, gold, and green cover the hillsides...
Blue is my favorite color. The beauty of a pristine azure blue sky brings happiness to my heart and a smile to my face. My bedroom is even painted a peaceful blue hue. This summer I spent a few days traveling to 4 national parks in Colorado and Utah....
A favorite character of The Muppets is Kermit, the Frog. He has a long term relationship with Miss Piggy. There is an understanding of love. However, Kermit admits that he has been somewhat of an outsider because of his color – GREEN. In his song, “It’s Not Easy Being...
John 3: 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (NIV) As the March winds approach, it brings fond memories of childhood. Running freely with...
“For unto us a child is born. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (King James) In December of 2007, the Knoxville Choral Society had the opportunity to travel to Israel. The concert tour was entitled: “Prepare the...