What Was I?

On By Piano girl9 Comments

A calm voice
Soothes the heart
Like a quiet breeze
Soothes the rose

A harsh voice
Stirs up conflict
Like a strong wind
Stirs up dust

What was I today?

The boisterous wind
Leaving friends
And strangers alike
With dirt in their eyes?

The gentle breeze
Leaving nothing behind
But the faint memory
Of a well-timed smile?

What will I be tomorrow?

The Oklahoma winds are strong this week. A chance of storms in our forecast. The last two afternoons, outside car duty, have left me with dirt in my eyes. That unpleasantness caused me to think of how I react in certain situations. I have a choice to be calm or stormy. Tomorrow, may I lean more toward the first.

Sleeping

On By Piano girl8 Comments

In the quiet
Of the morning
Stoically
Standing
Seeking no attention
Trees line its ridge
Bare, unmoving
No colors
To catch my eye
And yet, I stop
And stare
As it sleeps-
I imagine its base
Collecting warmth
From the sun’s rays
Storing the energy
Soon required for waking
Pushing flowers up
Thru the forest floor
Opening patient buds
On the trees
Crying out-
Spring is here!
But not today
Today, the mountain sleeps
And I watch
Grateful
For its presence

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

On recent visits to my parents, one-stop has become routine on my way out of town. A perfect spot for a photograph of Pinnacle Mountain. Each time shows a different aspect of the current season. And while I love the colors of Spring and Fall, the above Winter view was beautiful in its own right. It reminded me of our need for rest, renewal, and the approaching Spring.

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl6 Comments

Hearing Again, Listening

Some stories we hear over and over. Ones from our childhood, our family’s history. It is easy to hear without listening. But when we really listen, we often learn something new. View that familiar story in a new light.

Yesterday, I heard a story I’ve heard before. But somehow, this time was different. This time, I saw the parents, my parents.

I was two years old. We lived next door to my grandparents in the country. (My parents still live in the same house.) Mom had done office work but was not working at this time. Dad worked as a carpenter.

One morning, I woke up covered in red whelps. Quite upsetting for young parents. They loaded me in the car, and we headed to see the doctor.

I had an allergic reaction, most likely a food allergy.

Grandpa and Grandma had a milk cow. And I had been drinking fresh, raw milk. Apparently, something in the cow’s feed did not sit well with me.

The prescription was simple. Go to the grocery store. Buy ham and applesauce. Only feed her those two things for an entire week.

Here’s the catch. Mom and Dad only had eleven or twelve dollars to their name.

They went to the grocery store. Bought ham and applesauce. And all three of us had the exact same menu for the following week.

Mom always laughs when telling this story. It is not viewed as a negative story. It is a doing what you must story. But this time, I heard it as a sacrifice story.

My parents did not ask anyone for help. They did not complain about eating ham and applesauce for a week. They did what was needed to take care of me, thankful for a solution.

I can picture them as I’ve seen in photos. Young, first-time parents. Nervous and concerned. Loving their little girl. That little girl just happened to be me.

Morning Drive

On By Piano girl4 Comments

The deluge
Was instantaneous
No drops of rain
Marking dry pavement
In individual circles
With their warning-
Here we come!
No, a flood
Soaking me
From head to toe
Leaving me
Floating
On my back
Waiting for the sun
To dry my skin
As it teaches my heart-
Emotions may arrive in a flood
But the memories
They are drawn from
Remain in the warmth
Of the sunshine
On my face

Why is it always during morning drives? It happened just yesterday. Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. One single thought-Boy, I’m missing the kids.

The missing quickly changed to remembering. Remembering followed by looking forward to upcoming visits.

I know I’ve said it before. But that’s how it goes when you’re the parent of adult children. Today, I’m thankful for texts and phone calls. ❤️

Lightbulb

On By Piano girl12 Comments

This week, my 3rd-5th grade classes have been utilizing our new keyboards. Moving beyond simply exploring. Recently, we had a lesson about line notes and space notes. Learning to recognize the differences on the staff and identify by letter names.

Every Good Boy Does Fine. F-A-C-E face.

After a brief review, I explained how to find those same notes on the keyboard. Students were divided into three groups, rotating between three activities. One was playing the notes on the keyboard.

Fifth graders can be a challenging group. Wanting so badly to grow up, yet still kids in so many ways. Acting tough, not knowing when to stop, etc. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect from them with this lesson plan.

Halfway through today’s class, I hear, Mrs. Morris! Come listen to this! Not only had this student found the line and space notes, but he had also created a rhythmic pattern and was playing it over and over. 

When it was time to alternate, I could see he was not ready to move on. He got the staff paper for the next activity but headed back to a keyboard. He wanted to write down what he played! I told him to keep working on it. 

I have tried to connect with this student. There always seemed to be a new wall going up. Maybe this was a start.

Class ended. Students left. Then my art teacher friend came in for lunch. Apparently, as the kids passed her in the hall, this friend waved his paper toward her. Hey! Mrs. Pordash! I really like music now! ❤️

Could this day get any better? 

Tonight, were parent/teacher conferences. Guess who stopped by the music room to show his mom what he did today? Here was my chance. As he stood at the piano, I said-You made my day today. You probably didn’t realize that. But I need you to know that you made my day!

Yes, I got a little teary-eyed. But, oh my! A lightbulb turned on for him and brightened my day in the process!

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl3 Comments

In my younger years, cemetery visits puzzled me. Not the initial ones to say goodbye and pay respect. I had attended the funerals of my grandparents.

It was the return visits I had trouble understanding. Marking anniversaries, birthdays, holidays year after year. Wouldn’t they just bring more sadness?

Yesterday, I visited the cemetery with my husband and mother-in-law. The place we said goodbye to my father-in-law six years ago.

I am no longer puzzled. Yes, there is sadness. But more importantly, there are sweet memories. And so many reasons to be thankful.

Missing two sweet souls from this photo. ❤️

Walking down the path
To where we said our goodbyes
Remembering you

The Invitation

On By Piano girl9 Comments

The snow fell
Light and fluffy
Gusty winds
Caused confusion
As to how much
But the snow fell
White and bright
On the ground
It called my name
In the morning
Here I am!
It called again
At mid-day
Still waiting!
It tried one more time
Daylight is fading
You’d better hurry–
Cautious steps
Bended knees
Body outstretched
On the ground
Giggling like a child
Answering the invitation
To be wrapped up
In a moment
Of pure joy

The snow finally came. And yes, I made my snow angel. Gone are the days of playing in the snow until our hands and feet are frozen. These days, I enjoy its beauty from the warm inside. But I could not let this snow pass without making that snow angel. I’m so glad I listened to my heart. And that my husband was there to help me up off the ground!

Guess who? ❄️

Waiting for Snow

On By Piano girl16 Comments

White sky
Whooshing wind
Bare trees
I sit inside
And wait
Certain I’m not
The only one
Waiting…
For the scene
To turn upside down
Or is it right-side up?
Waiting…
For the white sky
To release its weight
And fall, fall, fall
To the ground below
Welcoming the waiting
Into its cold
Yet, joyful
Embrace
Begging us
To stay and play
Until…
Our toes are cold
Hands are frozen
Cheeks are rosy
Until…
The warmth
Beckons us
Back inside
Until…
Our cold toes
Frozen hands
Rosy cheeks
Thaw from the outside in
Or is it from the inside out?

Snow Angels

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Certain winter scenes
Always bring a smile
Whether adult or child
Experienced or novice
A sweet innocence
Emanates from faces
As they lie down
On their backs
In fresh, fluffy white snow
Fluttering their wings
Up and down
Up and down
Before standing up
To view the temporary
Angel portraits left behind
At least, 0ur earthly imaginations
Of what angels look like-
Magnificent creatures
We do not understand
Yet, believe they are sent
At certain times
To protect us
That, I have experienced
Though I haven’t seen one
I have also never
Made a snow angel
Maybe one day soon…

We are under a winter storm warning here in the middle of Oklahoma. Sleet? Freezing rain? Will we actually get snow? Our current projection is seven inches of snow. As for any snow angels, stay tuned. 😉

Tulsa, Oklahoma February 1, 2011

Read my story of protection here. Thankful

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl9 Comments

I picture my mom
Gently folding the edge
Of an embroidered
Cloth napkin
A needle piercing
In even spaces
Crafting tiny holes
For a thread to weave
Over and under
Giving the fabric
A new strength
A renewed purpose

Hem me in
Fold in my
Rough edges
Sewing
A seam
Of hope
The stitches
May hurt
But they will heal
Giving my heart
A new strength
A renewed purpose

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5