A Season of Singing

Tonight at the store, a freind commented on how nice the choir sounded for the Christmas program on Sunday. Since that was one of many compliments, I thought I should mention my complicity in the events of the season. The 2 wards of Lenexa and OP 2 combined their choirs and programs and sang in both wards on Sunday. I sang a solo of 'O Holy Night' (1 1/2 verses). Jordan Hale also sang a solo, a sextet sang a number and the primary children from our ward sang in our ward's meeting. There were about 60 people in the combined choirs and we had both organ and piano accompanists. Three of the songs involved congregational singing. Dennis Kinghorn led the combined choirs both times and I stood in when the choir accompanied his sextet piece.

As I've done solos, some people wonder how I can do it. To me it's all in realizing why I do the music and what the message is and who I'm singing to. I look directly at the audience one person at a time and try to present the music to them, phrased just so to make it touch them like it touches me. Other solos I've done this year include 'Danny Boy', 'O Thou Font of Every Blessing', 'O My Father' and 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief'. It's been a great blessing to share the gift of music.

Christmas at Grandma's House

My mother is brilliant. Every year she invites all the family that is in the area to her house for Christmas Eve at 6 pm. She serves boiled shrimp and goodies come from all of us and we read 'the Christmas Story', have a blessing and eat, talk and exchange family gifts. It gives Grandma an opportunity to see everyone and give out her presents to everyone without invading their special family day.

Her small house is stretched to the limit, but this year it was enhanced by a new sun-room in the back that is very well insulated and it took the overflow well. It was really comfortable.

It also gave photo-op a new life. I only put pictures up that looked presentable, so this is not everyone - sorry in advance to those left out.

Maria and Malorie shine with the new hat and scarf.

Genny and Dondi look fetching.

Drew and Drew, Jr. in a relaxed pose with Sabrina nearby.

Elena and Pete, and Farrah didn't make it.

But Johnnie Scott was there with his brother Isreal and Jessie.

Finally, Meagan and Tommie were there prior to Meagan going off to UT for pre-med schooling. We'll miss her.

White Christmas

Well, it really happened. We had a white Christmas. Most of the snow followed after rain and fog and lingered from Sunday through today to give us a white Christmas. This is the picture of the house even as the snow was beginning to melt away.

The lights were added on the Saturday before Christmas as the weather 'soared' to above 50 degrees, balmy enough to feel comfortable getting out on a ladder and hooking the lights to the gutters. The half price sale price the week before Christmas also helped push me over the edge. Another vindication of waiting to shop till the last moment.

Congratulations David

Marriage, that great institution is to be entered into again by my brother David and his fiance Julie Pickens. They will have the opportunity of turning the keys on eternity in the San Diego Temple on December 28th. I'm sorry that I won't be able to be there for the event, but I am pleased that both Debbie and myself have had ample opportunity to get to know Julie with our visits to San Diego.

On my last trip, I did a photo shoot just for the followers of this BlogSpot. I took this picture partially to prove that he really is going into this marriage with his eyes wide open!

Congratulations also on his final semester of medical school. When his final board tests are completed in February, he'll be able to practice all the disciplines he's studied. He has already been practicing for at least the last year. I know he's helped me out a lot.

Brilliant Crystal Days

One nice thing about the grey days of an ice storm is that it graduates to spendid days of crystalline wonder. Elena and I went out to capture the moments

This is Elena at the start of our adventure in wonderland.

Just looking through the trees in a different way can change the scene to marvelucci.

The nearby park had the most interesting photo-ops.

Even the grass was covered with the incessant rain from the days before

Elena decided to give her ice skating skills a try on the once safe sidewalk.

You can also see the effect of ice in the park. And if you listen closely, you can hear the crashing of ice.

Grey Days

These are the grey days of winter. Overcast, icy - even ice bound. School was cancelled today because of the ice storm. It rained while the ground temperature was 23 - 26 degrees last night, but it warmed up this morning to 32 and allowed the streets to be reasonably safe. Then it continued to rain most of the day, adding to the ice on the vegetation and threatening an evening of slippery conditions. It's supposed to warm up tomorrow, so we'll see ice falling from trees, wires and otherwise from the sky. Deb took this picture in the neighborhood of the trees.

On a sunny note - Our passports came, reminding us once again of our Anniversary trip to Mexico in January. Ole.