Originally uploaded by ein feisty Berg
Happy Anniversary to us! 20 years ago this month we departed the wedding on a 1982 Harley Davidson and spent 21 days on the road cross country.
Congratulations, Andrea!
Originally uploaded by ein feisty Berg
One of my skills, hobbies, and intentional pursuits for the past few decades has been “getting people where they need to go,” whether in mom’s taxi or in career / life.
Congratulations, Andrea! You have reached a milestone; graduation from high school! Another deep passion of mine is raising young musicians. Pictured here are seven high school students who participate in a variety of ways in marching band. Three of them are also members of Accidental Revenge, a fledging rock band which meets and rehearses in my basement. Two of the three belong to me. The guitarist is the young man in black behind Andrea.
What’s the difference between a career and a hobby?
Ten things I want to do be fore I die…..hmmm….are these things I want to do ONCE before I die, or things I want to accomplish or attain as a goal before I die? Are these hobbies, careers, or experiences? Do I want music to be my hobby, or my career? Do I mean I want to play the piano every day; or just play it once, really well? Do I want to hear just one standing ovation, or do I want applause every day?And the answer is…………….YES!
Summer Arrives 5 days after 18 inches of snow
It was that kind of day when the sound of a meadowlark could bring one to instant tears and the sun was shining in such a way as to cause one to remember in exquisite detail only the good in loves long lost.
What I really meant to say was……….
Some have pointed out that I talked exclusively about myself in the Blogs titled, “10 things I want to do before I die.” I began the series as a way of thinking through life, seeing how far I have come, and finding the common thread of dreams and motivation. What I meant to say was, “I did some things in unhealthy ways. I also did some things right.” Let’s define those things, correct course, move forward into the future.” I highly recommend this process to readers!
Nature’s Beauty attacks with harshness again
On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, it snowed again. Over two feet. Resulting in the high school closing for two days, me missing a day of work (I am paid by the hour); and power being out at the cabin for two and a half days. We returned to our turn of the century ways (the 1800s century). Candles came out, we bathed in snow melt and water heated on the woodstove, I returned to work sporting a wet head look. Yesterday we had running water in the kitchen again in two ways: 1) the power was back on, so the well pump provides water to the faucet, 2) the warm temperatures caused that two feet of snow to melt quickly, seeping in the back wall of the kitchen washing across the tile floor and cascading into the gap between the kitchen wall and the slightly lower main cabin. Thank God for small favors! Without the gap the yearly spring run-off would flood the living room!
Well Begun is Half Done
Originally uploaded by ein feisty Berg.
Well begun is half done. I love learning. I love knowledge. I covet a classical education. I want that black robe and a hood and a quaint little cap that says I have earned credibility and worked hard for knowledge. Not that I ever loved going to school very much as a youth. Sure, start of school was exciting; but by the time third quarter rolled around I was tired of the constant grind and ready to bolt or be carried away by my daydreams. Nevertheless, education has been an ongoing thread in my journey. Every chance I got, I took classes. Finally, in December of 2005, I graduated. 128 credit hours are needed for a normal bachelor’s degree. I graduated with 144 and walked in the ceremony the following May. A bachelor’s degree is not quite the PhD my brain has longed for before I die, but one has to start somewhere. One will never get a doctorate if one drops out of high school, or college. Well begun is mighty satisfying! P.S. The one on the Right DOES have a PhD!
The New Decade
Originally uploaded by ein feisty Berg.
Not much has changed in the intervening years (Except this picture is 2 years old 🙂 )
The List Contains 10, (ten things I want to do before I die)
Before I turned 40 I began writing books. I began teaching Language 101 and Manners 101 to my toddlers even through I said I would never home school. I loved playing the piano. I loved precisely rolled and folded fresh laundry neatly tucked exactly where it should be. I loved being a stay at home mom, yard-sale-ing; and I baked tons of bread and stretched chicken and beef to nourish my family on a very limited budget. Aside from budgeting and laundry; what did I want to do with my life?
I wanted to return to Colorado before I died.
I wanted to be a published author.
I wanted to be the quintessential Proverbs 31 woman.
I wanted to mentor younger women and be mentored by older, wiser women.
I began to say that my “Fantasy Island” would be performing on the stage at Red Rocks.
I wanted to find the best public education possible for my kids.
I wanted to spend time around stages, microphones, studios and musicians.
I wanted to invest my life, make a difference in my world, and make a difference in the lives of others.
I wanted to travel and see places unknown, via plane, and train, and auto, to experience “the good life,” in all its changing forms.
I wanted to be a person of knowledge and influence.
Well, Gentle Reader; the list contains 10; some general, some specific; yet remaining consistent through the intervening years; plumb with much of what I desired even in childhood. When we meet again I will endeavor to assess how I am doing; which goals are met, which are yet to strive for.
The 30s, Ten Things I Want to Do Before I Die
When I turned 30 I was single.I wanted to make my living in Music. I wanted to minister to musicians. I wanted to earn a degree in music. I wanted to provide for my son some of the material things I had missed and I wanted to provide such learning and education for him that he would be able to avoid the mistakes made by me; and his father. I wanted to date. I longed to be pursued. I wanted to write a book (published and paid). I wanted to marry a symphony conductor. I wanted to pay off my debts and feel freedom. I needed a full time job. I wanted to marry a radio personality. I wanted more kids before the biological clock ceased to tick. I wanted to be in full time Christian Ministry. How did I do?Well, I opened a music gift store which failed. I did a stint as volunteer interviewer of musicians for the local radio station. I took a college class in Music Appreciation. I sent my son to private school and paid the tuition by teaching music there. I began to date (5 guys). I felt pursued by two of them. I wrote volumes in my journal. I dated a symphony conductor, but he was not one of the two who pursued. I moved back in with my parents in order to pay off some of my debts. I beat the streets looking for a full time job and found none. I worked part time at a radio station, taught piano to 20 students, played piano at church, led the praise ensemble at church, married the night guy from the radio station, gave birth to a daughter, moved to Texas and gave birth to a son.