Finished up band rehearsal today and as usual I'm exhausted! My brain is working overtime which I'm sure is good for it. I'm giving myself a quick break and then will begin practicing over and over again various drum stick patterns. I'm also working on swing rhythms and fills on my drumset. Need to get the triplets on various toms as well as the snare.
Mark and I ran over to the Drum Store on Linden Street in Old Town Fort Collins and I got a Djembe drum and Mark got a digeridoo! I think we are going to start a drum circle at our house and rotate between different houses. Should be fun!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
You, Too, Can Be a Musician at Age 50 and Beyond
Music has always been a part of my life. As a child, my brother Tom and I used to play the "Name That Tune or Artist" game as we did our dishes chore in the evenings. Even today, I think we both know every song and artist coming out of the 1960s and 1970s.
I sang in the school choirs from junior high through college and in several church choirs, too. At the age of 14, I got my first guitar and taught myself chords. And in college, I put posters up around campus to hold auditions in my dorm room for singers and musicians to join my band. Our band won the college talent show and we ended up playing several gigs for pay at the local colleges!
Off and on over the years I've played a little guitar on my own. But with retirement upon me and this new opportunity arose through the New Horizons Music Program to learn new instruments, I've become more motivated than ever to develop my musical skills.
The New Horizons Music Program was started 20 years ago by Roy Ernst, a PhD in Rochester, NY. Roy's philosophy was that, "...Anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to play in a group. Thousands of New Horizons musicians have proven that to be true, many starting in their late retirement years with no musical background at all."
I love Roy's philosophy, "...the style of instruction must be completely supportive and free of competition and intimidation...Your best is good enough." As Paul Simon said, "Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die".
Music chases away boredom and learning an instrument keeps your brain exercised which is so important as we age! I know there are 182 New Horizon Bands across the country. Why not check out their Web site at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/nhima.html and jump in with both feet!
I sang in the school choirs from junior high through college and in several church choirs, too. At the age of 14, I got my first guitar and taught myself chords. And in college, I put posters up around campus to hold auditions in my dorm room for singers and musicians to join my band. Our band won the college talent show and we ended up playing several gigs for pay at the local colleges!
Off and on over the years I've played a little guitar on my own. But with retirement upon me and this new opportunity arose through the New Horizons Music Program to learn new instruments, I've become more motivated than ever to develop my musical skills.
The New Horizons Music Program was started 20 years ago by Roy Ernst, a PhD in Rochester, NY. Roy's philosophy was that, "...Anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to play in a group. Thousands of New Horizons musicians have proven that to be true, many starting in their late retirement years with no musical background at all."
I love Roy's philosophy, "...the style of instruction must be completely supportive and free of competition and intimidation...Your best is good enough." As Paul Simon said, "Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die".
Music chases away boredom and learning an instrument keeps your brain exercised which is so important as we age! I know there are 182 New Horizon Bands across the country. Why not check out their Web site at http://www.newhorizonsmusic.org/nhima.html and jump in with both feet!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sara's Baby Shower
Had a fun time yesterday at Sara's baby shower with family and friends! Many thanks to Dani for hosting it and to Rachel for organizing and leading the games. Sara and Zach got many needed baby items and were very appreciative of everything. Sure wish Holly could have joined us as well as our Minnesota and East Coast relatives but this just wasn't possible due to the distance and ridiculous cost of airline tickets.
Sara is a beautiful pregnant lady who is ready to have her body get back to normal; not an uncommon thought for most pregnant ladies at this stage of the pregnancy. She only has 1 1/2 months to go! Wow! Seems like it's gone by quickly.
Click on the photo in the right column to get to a link of additional baby shower photos.
Sara is a beautiful pregnant lady who is ready to have her body get back to normal; not an uncommon thought for most pregnant ladies at this stage of the pregnancy. She only has 1 1/2 months to go! Wow! Seems like it's gone by quickly.
Click on the photo in the right column to get to a link of additional baby shower photos.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Springtime Schedule
It's spring...what a beautiful time of year; with the crocuses out and the tulips and daffodils not far behind. Leaf buds are clearly changing the look of the deciduous trees and there is a hint of green mixing in with the brown dormant grass. Knock on wood, our temperatures here in northern Colorado have been hovering in the 50s and 60s and most days we see sun. We are starting to tackle the usual yard tasks and spring cleaning is underway!
As I look at the calendar our activities are picking up, too. We are still having concert band practice twice a week for 3 hours each day and my drums and guitar lessons are once a week. Mark's swing band has a concert tomorrow night and Saturday is Sara's baby shower! Sunday is another concert that we'll be attending...our director's Pops Band concert.
April is starting out busy, too, with an Opera and Tea fundraiser, a Wine tasting fundraiser, a dinner party, and another concert/dinner to attend. And, with the weather getting nicer all the time, we want to start walking and biking more. We're planning on doing some hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park, too. And, we hope to get into a drum circle soon, too, as one is currently being formed.
We had dinner last night with an old friend and former co-worker, Stu at the Oskar Blues restaurant in Longmont. It was so nice seeing him again! Sara and Zach were able to join us, too! We are hoping that my sister-in-law, Stephanie's travel schedule works out so that she can spend a day with us in April, too!
I plan to take lots of pictures at these events and will post them here as they occur. I hope everyone enjoys each day to its fullest. Time is a precious commodity so do what you've always dreamed about doing. You are never too old to try something new! Just have the courage to try!
As I look at the calendar our activities are picking up, too. We are still having concert band practice twice a week for 3 hours each day and my drums and guitar lessons are once a week. Mark's swing band has a concert tomorrow night and Saturday is Sara's baby shower! Sunday is another concert that we'll be attending...our director's Pops Band concert.
April is starting out busy, too, with an Opera and Tea fundraiser, a Wine tasting fundraiser, a dinner party, and another concert/dinner to attend. And, with the weather getting nicer all the time, we want to start walking and biking more. We're planning on doing some hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park, too. And, we hope to get into a drum circle soon, too, as one is currently being formed.
We had dinner last night with an old friend and former co-worker, Stu at the Oskar Blues restaurant in Longmont. It was so nice seeing him again! Sara and Zach were able to join us, too! We are hoping that my sister-in-law, Stephanie's travel schedule works out so that she can spend a day with us in April, too!
I plan to take lots of pictures at these events and will post them here as they occur. I hope everyone enjoys each day to its fullest. Time is a precious commodity so do what you've always dreamed about doing. You are never too old to try something new! Just have the courage to try!
Monday, March 21, 2011
I Need Motivation!!!
Why can't I stay on track with my lifestyle change? I've slacked off on my daily movement!!! I need to walk more or get on the elliptical more as well as lift weights regularly! And, I MUST track my Weight Watcher points better!
I do great for a couple of weeks and then the scale sets me back! I lose all motivation when I see even a 1/2 pound gain when I know I was on track precisely all week!
I need suggestions to keep me going!
I do great for a couple of weeks and then the scale sets me back! I lose all motivation when I see even a 1/2 pound gain when I know I was on track precisely all week!
I need suggestions to keep me going!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Visit with Sara and Zach Today
We had a nice visit with Sara and Zach today! We brought the Krispy Kremes...yummy! Sara and Mark put dinner in the crock pot then Sara and I made a quick trip to Homegoods. Zach ran out to get a haircut and Mark stayed behind to put the last paint touches on the baby's room; he painted the closet pink! The room has come together quite nicely!
After we all were back at the house, I pulled out my camera and started the pregnancy photo shoot. I really appreciated Sara and Zach having patience while I went through different poses and shots with them together and with Sara by herself. This was the first of several I hope to do throughout the summer. Click on Sara's latest photo on the right and you can see a few of the pictures I shot.
We wrapped up our visit with a nice dinner and then headed for home. Sara really looked great today...just beautiful! She is starting her 33rd week of pregnancy and I can't believe she only has 2 months (or less) left to go before the baby arrives! Exciting!
After we all were back at the house, I pulled out my camera and started the pregnancy photo shoot. I really appreciated Sara and Zach having patience while I went through different poses and shots with them together and with Sara by herself. This was the first of several I hope to do throughout the summer. Click on Sara's latest photo on the right and you can see a few of the pictures I shot.
We wrapped up our visit with a nice dinner and then headed for home. Sara really looked great today...just beautiful! She is starting her 33rd week of pregnancy and I can't believe she only has 2 months (or less) left to go before the baby arrives! Exciting!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Update Time
The latest on my weight loss journey...not so good this week. While I was on target for my points this week and up'd my activity I managed to gain 1/2 pound! How discouraging! Guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing and see if a weight loss can kick in over the next week or two.
Getting excited about seeing Sara and Zach on Sunday! Going to try my hand at a pregnancy photo shoot. I'll take more pictures of Sara than Zach. I'm trying to think of poses that are not the goofy traditional ones.
Looking forward to Sara's baby shower next weekend, too! It was so nice of Sara's friend, Dani to hold the shower at her place! Should be fun!
Still have to practice drums tonight. Spent the afternoon in Old Town browsing some of the shops.
Getting excited about seeing Sara and Zach on Sunday! Going to try my hand at a pregnancy photo shoot. I'll take more pictures of Sara than Zach. I'm trying to think of poses that are not the goofy traditional ones.
Looking forward to Sara's baby shower next weekend, too! It was so nice of Sara's friend, Dani to hold the shower at her place! Should be fun!
Still have to practice drums tonight. Spent the afternoon in Old Town browsing some of the shops.
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