We love parodies, especially ones that speak truth like this. Enjoy!
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Today, as my daughter was on the phone with her friend ranting about the general atmosphere of getting more rather than being thankful for what we already have, I thought we should formally protest. I told her last night that she should write an open letter so she did. As she was was watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade today, she composed another letter to Macy's. I believe she's going to share them later on her own blog. In the meantime, let's do something positive here. I am VERY thankful that my daughter pays attention to the world around her and speaks out about the positive and the areas that should be improved. I'm thankful for my son who is always willing to help others even when it may be inconvenient to him. I'm thankful to have two such wonderful people in my life. What are you thankful for? Please share so that my daughter and the world can know some of us are not focused on getting more because today we are focused on the beauty already in our lives. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
One of my favorite things to do when I was teaching in the classroom was writing to music. I would turn on some instrumental music and have my students write a story based on the movie the music evoked in their minds. Well, why not do that here? I was listening to Sir James Galway playing Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2 earlier and thought it would be great for this. THEN, as I was looking for the video to share, I decided this Turkish March may be even better since it has a conversation between the flutes and the orchestra. Ok, I can't decide so you choose. If you play the video more than once to finish your writing, try not to edit. Get some paper or open your word processor of choice and let the music form the words and pictures. Don't over think it, just flow. Sometimes I just come across music that I love. Esperanza is so beautiful and versatile. While I love "Radio Song", I discovered the video for "Black Gold" a minute ago. I love it on so many levels. Enjoy! As I am preparing for Harmony Circles and building a repertoire list for the Lincoln Heights Community Choir, I tend to come across performances that are beautiful and powerful. This is one of the treasures that made my day worth living. Enjoy! Prompt: Write a 20 minute quick write as your future self.
Today is my 45th birthday. I have been planning my party for 4 years because it's truly a year of milestones. Tim earned Eagle Scout and just graduated from high school 2 months ago, with honors. He had several academic scholarships offered to him but he couldn't pass up the chance to continue fencing on a college level so he took that scholarship and he's leaving in three weeks. He'll be back over Christmas break to run a couple of camps at Positively in the Zone Arts Center. He and Tatiana have worked so hard on helping build the center into what it is today. Tim always said he visualized it being an important force in the community for years to come so we've all worked to make it just that. Tatiana is about to enter her sophomore year in high school but she has already set her road to success up very nicely. She has served on student council since sixth grade. She has really gained the confidence of her peers and teachers through her hard work to make school as pleasant and meaningful as possible. She and her team are in the final stages of their Girl Scouts Silver Award project. I really admire how through all that she has started her own business and is saving money for her Sea World camp where she will learn more about marine biology. Well, my party will begin soon. The DJ is already playing my favorite songs from the 70's and 80's, my husband and I are dressed and ready to groove on down the Soul Train line and I couldn't be more at peace. The arts center has given so many people joy, a voice and place to express themselves freely. I'm still working with the Girl Scouts, of course. I'm sure I always will in some capacity. As someone once told me, I bleed green. Working with the girls and volunteers has taught me so much and given me the confidence to share my gifts with the world. I love being able to pay that forward. I've been through so many stages in my life between the 1970's and now. Some things felt bad at the time while some moments made me dance. Today, as I look over it all, I see more evidence that all things work together for good for them that love God and are called according to His purpose. Let the next era begin! (Story about a family member inspired by 14 year old, Tim.)
One night I was watching TV when my children, Tim and Tat, walked in my room. "Goodnight, Mom" they said in unison. Yes, perfectly in unison. It was their nightly ritual to come in and say goodnight but tonight sounded different. Perfect unison. They went off to bed and I eventually did as well. As I was sleeping, I was awakened by the smell of buttery popcorn. At first, I dismissed it. I must be dreaming, I thought. Then, I heard, "CRUNCH... munch, munch, munch. CRUNCH... munch, munch, munch." I turned over to see Tim and Tat sitting on my bed eating popcorn. "Who told you to get into my Boy Scout popcorn and why are you up anyway? Go to bed!" "We left some for you." In unison, again. They then stood up and walked out of the room. Goodnight, Mom. I love you." Okay, this is getting creepy. That sounded more like one voice in stereo. I had trouble getting back to sleep but I finally fell off. Until... Buttery popcorn! What the what?! I got out of bed and went into the kitchen to see Tat and Tim sitting at the dining room table eating popcorn. "Are you seriously eating popcorn for breakfast with all this food in this house? And you've been in my Boy Scout popcorn again!" I noticed the sun starting to peek through the blinds. They looked at me and simultaneously, robotically said, "We left some for you." Since the popcorn did smell good, I decided to grab a handful to munch on while I took out the eggs, fruit, and bacon for breakfast. Then I got another handful. Then another. The phone rang but I didn't answer. CRUNCH... munch munch munch There was a knock at the door but we didn't answer. My mother walked in and stared at us. "What are you guys doing? I called and knocked. Trina, are you all eating popcorn for breakfast?" Tim, Tat, and I looked up at Momma and said, in perfect unison, "We left some for you." (Inspired by 7 year old Donna)
I've got nothing. It makes me kinda mad. I wish I had a glass of tea. Then again, I don't have to be sad. I can make up what I want to be. I can pretend I have a diamond. Look how pretty it shines. Oh, my! It's now a little troll. He's ugly but a friend of mine. Now, I'll dream a wonderful dream. I'll hold a cone of cold ice cream. I think I'll make it a triple dip: One chocolate, one peanut butter, one cookies and cream. I don't mind my hand having nothing. It really, truly is fine Because with my hand open and empty I can grab the world and make it mine. After today's event, I was thinking perhaps we should add a page for people who want to share what they write. I signed up for Fifteen Minutes of Fiction but I was thinking it would be nice to post some things in here as well. I'll think about that and please tell me if you're interested. In the meantime, I am going to share the two things I wrote today at the write-in. If you couldn't make it, that's cool. You can still do it. The first piece was a 5 minute poem about "nothing", chosen by a 7 year-old who was there. The second prompt was to write a story that centered around a family member, pets included. The story has no real time limit but we were all finished within about half an hour. I'll share each of mine as separate posts so you can share yours in the comments.
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AuthorTrina A. Carter was raised in Lincoln Heights, Ohio and graduated from Princeton High School. She also graduated with a degree in music education from Central State University. She is the mother of two wonderfully talented children with beautiful spirits. They inspire pretty much everything she does. Archives
July 2014
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