"What exactly do you do, Mrs. Munger?"

Yesterday one of the new members of Center Stage, the honors choir at RHS, was at our house. Mondays we host the script writing for Renaissance Feast, where an average of 20 students come, eat, have fun, and work on this annual project. He asked me what I did, which I found kind of funny because he sees me at school every day!

It occurred to me that some of you might not know, either, so a few "blogs" are in order! :)

My time in college was spent pursuing music education. I love working with high school students, and in spite of not completing my degree, I am able to spend a good portion of my day doing what I enjoy! At Riverview High School I wear several hats in the Music Department. I began 4 years ago accompanying the choirs under the direction of Betty Mullett. There are 5 choirs (150 students) rehearsing on a daily basis. The following year she asked me to help coordinate the middle schools that participate in the annual Renaissance Feast, and also the ensembles that perform at the district and state levels in the springtime. This past year 8 ensembles came home with straight superiors!

Two years ago, Betty decided to expand the genre of music by beginning a vocal jazz program. Since she now had someone to assist her on a regular basis (me!), this was a dream realized for her. In the past year, the jazz group has really taken on its own life, and we perform with the nationally recognized Kiltie Jazz Band throughout the year. This coming May after State we are doing a 2nd annual Cinco de Mayo concert together. Betty has given me this ball, along with my other continuing responsibilities, and has supported the program to its fullest! Oh, and I also teach private piano and voice lessons at school in one of the studios.

Betty is an incredible director, and I feel as if I'm been in a master class for conducting the past 4 years. Not very many people have the opportunity to do what they love, and I know how blessed I am!

btw, a note about today in jazz history...It's the birthday of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, born in Kansas City, Kansas (1920). He helped originate the style of jazz called "bebop." Jazz players used the word "bebop" to sing a flatted fifth, but Parker didn't like to use the word for the way he played. "Let's not call it bebop," he said. "Let's just call it music."

16 Sweet Reasons To Birthday

Two days ago, Aunt Ruth posted reasons she would "birthday" upon completing her 50th year. Today, as my daughter Emma Ruth has her own day, I thought I would share some of the reasons to celebrate her 16th year:

16. She's in the middle of two other sisters, like the frosting of an oreo cookie or the bologna in the sandwhich
15. Beautiful smile
14. Fun to be around
13. Sweet
12. Incredibly talented
11. Bouncy (even when not cheering at varsity football games)
10. Committed to her friends
9. Hard worker, even when she doesn't feel like it
8. Encourager
7. Compassionate
6. Lives life to the fullest
5. Loves her family, no matter where they are
4. Is true to herself
3. Is passionate about what she believes
2. Loves God
And the #1 reason....I really don't need any of these reasons to celebrate her. I just love her. That's reason enough! No matter how old she gets or how far away she lives, she'll always be my irreplaceable Emma Ruth.

BIRTHDAY

ALL

DAY,

EMMA!!


WE LOVE YOU!

Childhood Trees

While growing up in a two story house, inside my bedroom I could view our backyard. My bed was frequently positioned near two nine-paned sash windows and from there I would read and watch the backyard activities. Some days I did more watching than reading. And there was a big, sprawling chinese crabapple tree right outside.

During these times I wished I had a porch to climb onto, like my grandfather's off his second floor study. This would have been ideal because she wasn't a good climbing tree, but on a porch, I could be in her branches!

Today I have a tree out my window in my one story house. It is very different than my childhood tree--a huge palm that shades that side of the yard and corner of our home. It towers up, but like my crabapple, isn't good for climbing. Our cat, Sammy, likes to sit in "his" window and watch all the backyard activity surrounding the tree like I did as a young girl.

I've told this story because I found this poem. I like it. It reminds me of my bedroom tree.

Tree at My Window

by Robert Frost.

Tree at my window, window tree,
My sash is lowered when night comes on;
But let there never be curtain drawn
Between you and me.
Vague dream-head lifted out of the ground,
And thing next most diffuse to cloud,
Not all your light tongues talking aloud
Could be profound.
But tree, I have seen you taken and tossed,
And if you have seen me when I slept,
You have seen me when I was taken and swept
And all but lost.
That day she put our heads together,
Fate had her imagination about her,
Your head so much concerned with outer,
Mine with inner, weather.

These are the ties that bind

Sociology 101: I can't stand living so far from my extended family. This morning I was talking with Garland about why it's become so difficult now, after 14+ years living in Sarasota. He suggested the possibility exists because of the significant events happening in the girls' lives...and there is no family closeby to share in these times. In return, we're also missing out on opportunities to share in births, rites of passage, showers, gatherings up north. We live just too far away to be at most things or to expect people to come down and see us. The picture on the right was taken at my high school graduation in 1984. Aunts, uncles, cousins all part of the celebration.

This past weekend my mother's family had a gathering on the farm of one of my aunts. While all of their siblings were able to attend, many of my cousins found themselves in the same boat as me. Our generation is spread out from Alaska to Australia and many spots inbetween. They say the world wide web has made our world smaller, and for communication it has, but it can't replace hugs, porch talks, barbecues...

...living life in the community of family. If you happen to have that blessing, savor it. They are the moments that truly matter.

At laaassssttttt........

...a car has come along....

A week ago, Katy purchased a 96 Saturn, 4-door manual, white with black trim. It's her baby--paid for lock, stock and barrel with part-time job and babysitting funds. She's been so disciplined not touching her "car account" for 3 years! And so, with $2000 in hand, she took another step into adulthood.

I certainly felt the role reversal going to the tax collector's to register, tag, and title the car in her name--remembering when I had my mother go with me to purchase my first car! Oh, the circle of life....

She is doing a great job learning a 5-speed! I think the best life lesson is her hard work paying off. She earned each penny herself, and even has $500 left to cover gas, repairs, etc....!

She got the bug for this car at our cottage while talking with my cousin Stacy. Stacy told her how she bought her own car with babysitting money in high school, and Katy decided then she wanted to do the same. Thanks, Stac!

Hillary's right about this--it does take a village!