Bible Study and Sunflowers

Lots of random thoughts going through my mind today. 

I already mentioned my mother's birthday which was Tuesday this week. I decided to make her cake after all, it was just the thing to do and because my 9x13 pan was in the sink soaking off the baked on BBQ sauce from the ribs this week, I pulled out her old round cake pans that have the lever (for lack of a better word) that slides around the pan to loosen the cake. They don't make 'em like that anymore...I always thought that was so cool, so much so that I found some at a garage sale and bought each of my daughter's a set. Both girls took them for a while and then returned them saying they would never use them. 😮 I saved them for a while but when my daughter began to complain about how much stuff I had I decided to let the garage sale pans go. My mother's pans will have to be pulled from my cold, dead hands LOL! 

This is an Oatmeal Cake. Funny story...I was recently chatting with my brother online, we don't talk much...haven't talked much...ever. Anyway, we were chatting about things Mom used to cook and he was asking for some of her recipes. I asked him if he remembered Oatmeal Cake and he said no but that he remembered her spice cake. I didn't remember any spice cake but got to thinking maybe he meant the Oatmeal Cake after all. I asked him about the frosting because the frosting on Oatmeal Cake is very different and he said that was the spice cake. I then had to laugh out loud because I remembered my Mom telling him it was spice cake because she knew he wouldn't eat it if he knew it's real name! I even remembered her telling me it was our secret. Oh the memories that story brought back. My brother was a bit put out that I had kept that secret all these years, but honestly, I had forgotten about it. Oddly enough there are many people I serve this cake to that won't take it because of it's name. The same holds true for my Oatmeal Pie. Their loss. 

Technology has not been kind to me this week. Has anyone else recently tried to change the background on their blog? I tried again last night and still no go. I do not understand why this won't work. I even went to a different background site and the same thing happened so it must be an issue with blogger. I will try again when I'm finished posting this. 

A while ago...probably a long while ago now, I posted about taking some friends from church on an organ crawl to several of the organs in our area. This was shortly after we got the new organ at church and I had sent out an invitation for people to come take a look at it and see how it worked and what it could do. These two were the only ones who took me up on it. After we looked at it, it only gave them an appetite for more so we visited pipe organs and had a great time getting to know each other. As a result of that day, they have become great friends and she and I started to walk this summer and have a Bible Study together. I can tell there are many more adventures ahead for the two of us. I had noticed she's been carrying around a tumbler for water that has a lid and a straw...she takes it everywhere and I thought if I had one like it, maybe it would be easier to drink the large amounts of water I'm supposed to take in each day. I looked and looked and couldn't find one and today she brought me one she found and bought for me. It holds a big 32 oz., I have already put it to use and I can already tell it's going to be helpful! 

Is anyone familiar with the movie Calendar Girls? 

I watched it again recently and find myself identifying with the characters so much more this time....probably because I'm much closer to their age this time and have been feeling so pushed aside because I'm old. If you know the movie, you've heard this: 

The flowers of Yorkshire

Are like the women of Yorkshire.

Every stage of their growth has its own beauty,

But the last phase is always the most glorious.

Then very quickly they all go to seed.

Which makes it ironic my favorite flower

Isn’t even indigenous to the British Isles, let alone Yorkshire.

I don’t think there’s anything on this planet

That more trumpets life than the sunflower.

For me, that’s because of the reason behind its name.

Not because it looks like the sun

But because it follows the sun.

During the course of the day,

The head tracks the journey of the sun across the sky.

A satellite dish for sunshine.

Wherever light is, No matter how weak,

These flowers will find it.

And that’s such an admirable thing.

And such a lesson in life.

We talked about this at Bible Study today (not the movie but the idea of feeling put on a shelf or shoved aside) and it seems it's a real problem with many our age in our church lately. I found out it's not just me feeling this way. I don't know what I'm going to do about it, if anything but I can't help but feel I want to be respected and listened to and like the women in the movie I want to make a change...do something that matters. My friend and I invited others to join us in our Bible study and I'm excited to be reaching out to these women who are feeling the same way we are. I hope this is the beginning of something wonderful for us and for the church.  

"Every stage of their growth has its own beauty,

But the last phase is always the most glorious."

The strangest thing happened this year, we had some sunflowers pop up unexpectedly in our garden. We didn't plant them, but there they were and perfectly situated right in the back corner. So lovely! Such a gift! Again I am reminded of the prose from the movie,

"Wherever light is, No matter how weak,

These flowers will find it.

And that’s such an admirable thing.

And such a lesson in life."

The sunflowers in my garden have now withered and gone to seed...but I have not! I still have years of service left if the Lord so wills. So when I think of following the sun, I am reminded to follow the SON.

Summer

Recently one of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls did a reunion type series in 4 installments labeled Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. I'm going to try and catch you up on the last several months of my life by first bringing you Summer.

Last fall I wanted to brush up some of my piano and music theory skills and was pleased to begin working with one of the best musicians in our area. As it turned out she wanted to learn how to play the organ so we traded services. Susan is a local private music teacher and a talented performer on the piano and flute so of course she is taking to the organ very well.

She and I together with my Hubby on his euphonium gave a recital in August as part of the Organists of the Keweenaw summer recital series. Each summer the local organists put on recitals on local historic pipe organs to raise money for their upkeep. For our recital we used one of the oldest tracker pipe organs in MIchigan. I often wondered if I was crazy for putting myself through the stress of practicing and performing on an unfamiliar instrument, but once the evening was over I was glad we did it. I haven't. decided if I'm ready to do another any time soon though. 

I had great fun taking some inquisitive friends D and J on an organ crawl of some of those historic organs this summer. We had a good time getting to know each other better and formed fast friendships, especially between me and J. They live in FL during the winter and before they left we had established a routine of meeting for breakfast one day a week for breakfast. We have a lot in common, she's a very good listener and she really supports me in my work and ministry on the organ. J told me that after D, who's cancer is in remission, got home he fell fast asleep on the couch and when he woke up he said his dreams were of organ music! Warmed my heart! 

I was proud to see several of my piano students perform publically at Calumet's sesqui-centennial celebration this summer. The plan was to have different performing groups at each intersection downtown but because fo rain they put us under a small tent in the part which was right next to a large tent of vendors and the very loud MTU pep band. We also had to borrow a keyboard that unbeknownst to us arrived with no music rack, bench or power source. My students rallied like professionals and made the most of a difficult situation by helping me find solutions to each problem and then put on excellent performances that made people stop and take notice. It was a learning experience for each one of us and I was so proud of each one of my students!

Unfortunately I took a picture of each student that participated but I can only find few in my files. Where the rest have disappeared to I have no idea. I'm rather upset. 

Well it was quite the summer filled with music. I discovered some of my weaknesses but also some of my strengths and in these few instances I believe I wore my crown well. 

Hello Again

As I look out the studio window I can hardly believe my eyes. The sky has turned to what I call "ominous  gray", the last few leaves on my little tree in the front yard fight to hold on by a tiny thread and the garden lettuces that weren't made into summer salads now wither and turn to seed. Summer is gone, fall is most definitely here and winter is rapidly knocking on the door. My thoughts have turned more inward lately and I long to make a steady habit of blogging again. 

There is so much on my mind to share; I don't dare attempt it all in one post. I have decided I will begin with the most current news because it's the most important, and work my way back until I'm all caught up. 

October 21st...11:14 p.m. Amelia Grace - my first granddaughter was born...just missed my birthday by one day!! Momma and baby are healthy but Momma isn't snapping back as quickly as she'd hoped. They are all trying to get used to being a family and are putting off visits with friends and family until they get rested up a bit...yeah...I'm thinking that's going to be a while! I was so hoping to get to hold her this weekend, but they're not yet ready for visitors. :( Gran is trying to accept it and stay busy...I certainly have enough to do. Fortunately for me I finally have a smart phone and can easily receive and share photos. I think I need to start a new scrapbook!

We have begun "small groups" at church. We meet on Sunday night in lieu of the traditional evening service which of course has a percentage of folks coming unglued. I see some positive things coming of our group, but I'm not as open as our Pastor would have me be. We usually discuss the sermon from the morning, making life applications, etc. He's been speaking on Nehemiah and spoke this week about 3 distractions that keep us from doing the work God has for us...other opportunities, criticism, and fear. At small group he wanted to know our passions, what we believe God has for us to do. I said as little as possible because I still feel God's call to be an organist. That truly is my heartbeat but I can't figure out how it fits in His plan if we move to the gym (because our attendance has been up so much we are outgrowing our sanctuary space) and/or move entirely into contemporary music. How is it God is calling me to this ministry and yet I see my church moving in a different direction? I'm confused. I just cannot imagine my life of serving Him without music in it. Hubby is feeling it too as one reason he bought his euphonium was so we could play things together for church. I have to admit, it has been good for us working together on music. I hate the thought of us not being able to do that anymore. Hubby keeps going back to getting an organ for home so I'll have something even if our church music dies. I just don't know how to get it to fit or how we'll afford it, but I have worked so hard and learned so much I just don't want to lose it. He hasn't practiced in a while but he's down there right now and it is nice to hear him playing again. So this is one thing I've been addressing in my life - just what God has for me in the future. I am trying to come to the point where I can cheerfully accept whatever happens to my ministry as a church organist and in my heart I know God has it all under control and if I yield to Him there will be great contentment and joy...it's all part of wearing that crown. 

Photo Shoot

It's been a busy week...Sunday was the LSMTA Piano Recital, my students all did well. Hubby saved the day again by printing the programs at the last minute and serving refreshments when he noticed the rest of us got caught talking. 

Monday I went down the hill for organ practice time and had a scary trip back home; I'm trying to decide whether or not I should continue that trek during the winter months. Because of the snow, I've had several cancellations and reschedules lately, the reschedules I don't mind so much, but the cancellations sure cut into my budget at a tough time of year. I have three scheduled for today and two of them are very late...maybe they're not coming? 

I have a grocery trip I need to do for our Thanksgiving week, but customers have not been paying in a timely manner, so we are behind. Please pray I can pay bills and get the food I need to feed my kids when they arrive. 

I have a very long list of small projects that need doing...I won't bore you with it, just know that I am overwhelmed by it and by the amount of music I have to learn between now and Christmas so please pray for me. Daughter #2 is our budding photographer...she really does quite well and we are hoping to be able to purchase a camera for her for graduation. Last weekend she borrowed the camera from work so she could get some good shots of herself for her web page and resume and I mentioned how I'd like to have some good photos of me at the organ,so we took full advantage and had a great time doing a photo shoot. She took all these pictures, even the ones of herself (technically), she got everything all set up and all that had to be done was click the shutter. I hope you enjoy....

Our daughter #2 and soon to be college graduate in search of a job..Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Scientific and Technical Communication, a minor in Journalism and a certificate in Media with a concentration in Marketing. 

What I do: Communication, Collaboration, Photography, Design, Technical Writing, Creative Writing, Editing, Marketing, Publications, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Cumulus, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint.

And if the job has anything to do with bicycles, that will just be icing on the cake !

Hubby and Me on a brisk Sunday morning before church: 

And finally, my long awaited pictures of me at the organ. Mentor chose his favorite and wanted me to add it to my email signature and so I have done. He also told me I needed to share it with Gordon; he said "he'd be so proud":

Stay safe and warm!