Sheep May Safely Graze

This is just one of those songs that makes me happy.  I find it extremely peaceful and relaxing, and at the same time I find much energy and rejuvenation in it.  Enjoy!

Quote of the week

Starting out with some realness LOL

As we are waiting on some potentially very good news to be finalized, I am reminded of something that happened to me in theatre that first really taught me not to count my chickens before they've hatched.  That's never an easy lesson to learn, but once it happens and you can sit back and reflect on it, you know that nine times out of ten it is always for the best.

Back in my days at UNCG theatre, we had a summer theatre company.  I don't know if they still do this or not, but it was great back in the day.  As a student in the BFA program, you had to have at least one summer internship in order to graduate.  Summer theatre often provided that internship for most of us.  Since we were not a musical theatre program, finding a summer gig for straight plays was often hard for students, unless you wanted to do outdoor drama...nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, I auditioned for Summer Rep every year I was there.  The semester that Mom died, I auditioned yet again.  They were doing some good shows that year, among them were Blithe Spirit and Black Beauty.  Being a junior at the time, I had a pretty good shot of getting in that year and I was excited about the possibility.

Auditions came and went.  And, like every other audition at UNCG, we all sat around tensely waiting for the cast list to go up.  My audition was good and I felt good about my prospects.  They didn't do callbacks for Summer Rep, it was all based on the audition and your past work.  I was doing my 2nd show of the semester at the time.  We'd closed A Point of Order in February and now I was in the middle of rehearsals for The Illusion.  I was having a great semester for an undergraduate.

The day the list was going up, I was sitting on the steps out in front of Taylor Theatre.  My friend, Katie Childers came and sat with me and we had a cigarette.  She was one of the directors for Summer Rep that year, doing Black Beauty, the children's show.  The directors don't battle it out for the actors in Summer Rep like they might do during the academic semester.  They submit their lists and Jim Wren, who ran the Summer Rep, had final say.  Katie told me that Jim had told her earlier that day that she got all of her first cast choices.  That included me.  She wanted me to play the stable master.  I was so excited!

An hour later, the list goes up in the green room.  Guess who's not on it?  This guy!  I was very upset because I had made all of these grand plans in the last hour based on my participation in summer rep.  Luckily, I had not told anyone what Katie told me.  That would have been truly embarrassing.  However, as I made my way to a class in the Curry building, I ran into Be Boyd, one of my acting professors.  She was all excited and hugged me and told me congratulations.  When I asked her what she was congratulating me for, she said Summer Rep, of course.  I told her I wasn't in Summer Rep and she argued with me that I was.  I told her to go check out the list because I'm not on it. 

Be was pretty upset about it because at the beginning of the day, I was in Summer Rep but by the time the list was posted, I was not.  Jim had the final say in who was in the company, but I was not angry at him for changing his mind about casting me.  I'm actually thankful for it because I really needed to focus on myself that summer and my dad and also I was not right for Jim's show, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.  Brandon Cardinal got my spot instead and he was definitely more appropriate for it.  Of course, I was told they decided last minute to switch it up because what had happened to me personally that year, but I knew deep down that I just wasn't right for the roles I had been up for.  Still, I was disappointed because one minute I had it, one minute I didn't. 

Counting chickens....it's not the most fun thing in the world, but something we all have to do at one time or another. Fun fun!!

Kay Parker's Brownies

There are times when I occasionally stumble across something unexpectedly which brings back a flood of memories.  It happened to me a few weeks ago and I could not have been more thrilled about it.  I have to start by saying that my childhood, though it was overall very happy, had moments of deep pain.  I was different from other boys.  I was different from other children.  I knew that then but I did not know the reason behind it.  Sometimes I was made to feel different by the other kids, but as i look back now, I realize that those times were few and far between compared to the great times we had. I understand it now and am very happy to have had the childhood that I did have.  

Now, having gotten that out of the way, I grew up on a dead end street.  It was the best possible world for kids.  We could all play in the street safely.  And our neighborhood was just that.  It was a real neighborhood.  Everyone knew everyone's business whether they wanted to or not.  There were several generations of children on our street and you could always find us in each others' houses and yards.  

Almost every day you could find us in variations of groups doing something together...playing kick the can, playing school, playing G.I. Joe.  We often played tennis at the Griffin's private tennis court because they didn't mind.  We roller skated a lot in those days.  I remember that the Arnold's had the smoothest paved carport....perfect for skating.  There was a creek that ran behind Brandon's and Blair's houses and we'd often spend so much time there...racing makeshift boats or catching crawdads.  It truly was a magical time.  

And, of course, as I'm sure most of you can relate to, there were those times when we all froze in deathly fear as we heard one of our mothers call out not one, not two, but ALL three of our given names.  Amy Elizabeth Arnold!!!  Robert Laney Fornes!!  Blair Carson Davis!!  We all knew that someone was about it get it!  What I wouldn't give to hear that again....it would be sweet music now.

A few weeks ago, I was reading an old FBC of Monroe cookbook when all of these memories came flooding back.  The book was dated 1991.  I'm sure that most of you have church cookbooks that were made to raise money for the church.  Anyway, as I was reading the dessert section, I came across the recipe for Kay Parker's Brownies.  I think my heart skipped a beat.  The Parkers didn't go to our church, but Saundra Whitley, who taught 3rd grade next to Kay Parker for years, did and she had submitted this recipe.

If there was one thing that could always shut us kids up on Brookgreen Drive, it was Kay Parker's brownies.  Whenever she baked them, she would always invite whichever of us kids was around that day to come have one.  They were especially good fresh from the oven.  I cannot really explain why they were so good...they just were. Kay put a lot of love into everything she did and for me, getting one of her brownies was like her saying "thanks for being in our lives".  That's not what she really meant, but she was just that neat of a person to a 9 year old.  What I wouldn't give!

Try this recipe sometime for someone you love!

Kay Parker's Brownies

Bring to a boil:

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup shortening

4 Tbsp. cocoa

1 cup water

Sift into bowl:

2 cups flour (plain)

2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Add hot mixture to flour mixture.  Then add:

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. vanilla

Pour into 10x15x1 inch cookie sheet (greased).  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

Frosting:

Bring to a boil:

1/2 cup margarine

4 Tbsp. cocoa

5 Tbsp. milk (buttermilk)

Remove from heat and add:

1 box powdered sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp vanilla

Frost cake while still hot

It's been a long time since January 1st of this year.  I decided then to make my New Year's resolutions based on things that are actually doable.  Of course, in the back of my mind there are those stereotypical ones like exercise more, eat healthier, blah blah etc.  But I wanted my resolutions to be more about the little things in life that are important.  Things that I have lost my connection with that I want to get back. It has take me over half of the year to figure this list out, but I still have time to work on it.  As I start to feel more in control of my life, these things are all totally doable!

1.  Go To The Library

I haven't been in a library since I was in college.  And, then, it was out of necessity and not pleasure.  I remember, as a child, going to the library with Mom to check out a book or a record (I think I wore their copy of the Mary Poppins Soundtrack out!).  I felt so grown up when I finally got my own library card.  I can still see it...a blue paper card with a small metal insert that had my membership number on it.  As much as I have grown to love reading in my adulthood, I really want to utilize our public library system.  And they have so much more than books these days, who knows what all I can find there!

2.  Church

Growing up, church was a huge part of my life.  We were there every Sunday.  The music ministry at church was my haven...my sanctuary, literally.  I miss that and I need to get back to it.  

3.  Day Trips

We haven't really taken a day trip for about a year now.  The last one we took was to the Outer Banks.  We spent a lot of time in the car but it was a great day.  We got to see some wonderful historical sites and found one of the best restaurants ever when we took a wrong exit looking for fast food.  It would be great to do more trips like this because there is so much in this area to explore.  And I've come to the realization that these trips don't have to be extensive or far away.  I simply need to find things of interest in the area and get in the car and go find them!

4.  Dining Room Table

Plain and simple, we do not use our dining room table nearly enough.  Every day meals are usually on our laps in the den in front of the tv.  While that is great, I want to utilize my table more.  Growing up, we always sat at the table for dinner unless someone was sick...that was about the only way you got to eat in front of the tv then.  But, I love setting the table, obviously, and I think I would enjoy using my things more on a daily basis if we made the effort to eat at the table several times a week.  And, of course, having dinner parties and gatherings would also be more welcomed!

5.  Play Cards

I miss playing cards.  That was another activity we did almost weekly when I was growing up.  And I've played some cards here and there, but would love for it to be a more regular thing.  Grandmother and I always played Gin, the 11 card version.  There are so many card games out there and I have so many decks of cards (thanks, family!) that it is high time that I used them!

6.  Candles

I love the serenity that comes from burning candles.  We have a lot of candles that just sit in cabinets and drawers and I need to bring them out and burn them.  Some are scented, some aren't.  There is just a peace and relaxation that comes from the flicker of the flame that I cannot explain.  It just sets a wonderful mood of serenity.

7.  Read More Books

The older I've become, the more I enjoy reading.  Michael helped me get back into reading by loaning me "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" when we first started dating.  I loved it and then I realized that I owned all of these books that I had never read.  It was time to start reading them.  I used to read very slowly because my mind would wander and it would take me forever to finish a book.  I'm much better at it now, but I can still improve.  I enjoy reading, even though it makes me sleepy LOL  And I would like to read more.  I can do that!

8.  Try New Recipes

I have so many cookbooks, which I love to collect and read, by the way, that I need to start venturing outside my cooking comfort zone more.  I love to try new recipes, but I become afraid sometimes of new techniques.  I need to get over that and just try it.  I tend to stick to things that I am comfortable cooking and that I know I can make well, but after awhile those get old and I don't want them to overstay their welcome on our dinner table.  I think I need to try at least one per week.  Want to come taste test with me?

9.  Support The Arts

I don't see enough of the arts in my area.  With all of the colleges and universities close by, there are tons of performances to attend...music, dance, theater.  And usually, they are pretty fairly priced, if not free.  And the Triad also has its own thriving arts scene.  Lots of things are going on, many with people I already know.  So, it's time to get out and be cultured again!

10.  Going For Walks

And I don't mean for exercise, but for self care.  I used to walk all the time.  I would grab my walkman, listen to my music and take a stroll.  Since walkmans have all but disappeared, I haven't done it as much.  I have a small ipod somewhere.  I should find it and see if I can load some tunes up on it.  I love just going for walks because it gives me time to think and clear my head.  I love just observing my surroundings when I walk and it's always fun to take a new turn and see what's around the corner.  My neighborhood has lots to explore and I need to start doing it...with or without the music, but with would be better haha!

Quote of the week

Recipe of the week - Marinated Vegetables

This is a recipe that Mom use to make every now and then.  I've made it several times myself and really enjoy it.  It's a great cold side dish and serves a decent amount. 

Marinated Vegetables

1 can of French style green beans, drained

4 stalks of celery, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 can of garden peas, drained

1/2 can of pimento, diced

1/4 cup of salad oil

1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of vinegar

1 tbs of water

paprika

Heat salad oil, salt, sugar, vinegar, water and a dash of paprika until the sugar is dissolved.  Mix the vegetables together.  Pour dressing over begetables.  Let the mixture stand in the refrigerator for 24 hours.  Drain 1 1/2 hours before serving.  (It doesn't have to marinate or drain as long as directed) Keeps a long time in the marinate in the refrigerator.

*The last time I made this, I had a good bit leftover so I decided to freeze it and see how it holds up.  It did pretty well in the freezer.  Whew!

Enjoy!

A Prayer for Sweet Simplicity

Let There Be Peace On Earth

I realize that this is a Christmas song and it's August, so it's early, I know.  However, with the state of our country and the world right now, I need this song.  Here it is gorgeously sung by the Harlem Boy's Choir.  Take it's message to heart today and do something good for yourself and others.  Peace!

Quote of the week