Quiet

This Halloween is quiet.  Alex is at the age where he really doesn't have an interest in trick-or-treating.  But in years past...Halloween was a crazy night.  It consisted of getting home and eating and getting homework done and the whole ordeal of dressing up, taking photos to document it all and then bundling up and trudging up and down the street begging for candy.  The part that was always the most fun, was once we got home and relaxed and started handing out our own candy.  Oh and the candy....and the resulting bursts of sugar powered energy and the inevitable meltdown's that came with the crash.  Fun times....  But as I sit here quietly this year...part of me misses it.  I don't get any trick-or-treaters where I live now, so the night has become uneventful.

This year I an hunkered down after weeks of being (what seemed like) constantly in motion.   Had I not dealt with the costume and candy craziness at work, I might not even realize it was Halloween. It seems like just another night.   Tonight I am feeling a little like this tired little bunny....my first baby on her first Halloween.

Somewhere there are little Elsa's and superheroes trudging about bundled up with their plastic jackolanterns filled to the brim with goodies.  There are moms and dads proudly, yet tiredly, walking them to each door making sure they don't trip on part of their costume, urging them to say "trick-or-treat" and "thank you".  Somewhere doorbells are ringing just as soon as you sit back down, but tonight for us, all is quiet.  And though part of me misses all that, there is another part that welcomes the peace.

The world is quiet here.” 

~ Lemony Snicket

Halloweens Past

They are all grown up now....but we sure did have some fun on Halloweens past.

"There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch."

~ Robert Brault

Here's to Persevering

I have long believed, that the reason children have parents is because they are not able to raise themselves. There have been times when I did what I thought was right and had to stand my ground despite the opinion of my children...and sometimes well meaning on-lookers.  I haven't given my kids carte-blanche.  I haven't bent to all their whims.

Perhaps another mom, would not have been so insistent at her child giving marching band a try....full well knowing that the child would much prefer to sit home in front of the computer.  Maybe another mom would have folded under the constant litany of  "1000 reasons why I hate Marching Band".  But I know my kid.  I have known him since he was an infant and before.  I have seen the things that excite him and the things that he can not bear.  I know the lessons he needs to learn to be a happy and successful human being.  In my  heart, I knew....I absolutely knew that if he gave it a chance....a real chance....he would love it.

So on that September night as we were driving home from one of his first competitions.....when he told me he had decided to stick with marching band throughout his high school career.....I felt somehow vindicated.  I was glad that I had trusted my instincts and put up with some of the unpleasant consequences....to get to that moment in time.  I wasn't sure any moment would feel sweeter to me than that one.  But I was wrong.  Every time I have seen him on the field, every time he comes home and talks my ear off about the drill....or walks around the house singing his trombone part is a source of joy.  I have seen him feeling discouraged, and getting up and going to the next practice and trying even harder.  It's thrilling to me to see that he's not just going through the motions.....but that he is invested...that he is trying to do his best.  It's thrilling to me to have conversations with him about the lessons that the Marching Band experience has taught him.  But the sweetest moment yet...was to see him performing on the field at the Carrier Dome.....giving it his all and being proud of what he had accomplished this season.

I'm proud that I stuck to my guns......that I did not give up on what I knew......but persevered.  I'm proud that Alex did not resist and gave himself fully to the activity...and persevered.  The young man that continues to procrastinate doing his homework in the next room is a different person in many ways than that kid I dropped off at the first marching band practice back in June.  I look forward to seeing him grow and keep on going through whatever comes his way....to become the amazing person that I have always known he can be.

“Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.” 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being There.....

It hasn't always been easy for Alex to be a member of our extended family.  He came a few years after the fact.....and after the novelty of the new little cute guy in town wore off....he was sometimes just this annoying little kid.  He often wore that title well.  

I was thrilled that besides having our family at Dome to support him.....he also had his cousin.  We were thrilled to spend some time in her beautiful company and though he's a little too awkward to say it, Alex was thankful that she took the time to be there for him.

Everyone arrives at their own truth in life.  One of mine.....one of the things that I am sure of.... is the importance of being there for the people who are part of you.  Time spent supporting your family and friends is never, ever wasted.

“The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn’t the family. If you don’t have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don’t have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, ‘Love each other or perish’.” 

― Mitch Albom

Celebratory Barqs!

It started after day 1 of Marching Band practice.  Alex wasn't so sure he was going to like Marching Band, but he had said he would try it and I held him to it.  I believed it would be a great experience for him.  So he reluctantly agreed to give it a try.  The first practice was a full day practice.   In addition to his water jug for practice, I packed him a good lunch as well as a gatorade and 2 cans of Barqs root beer.  I figured I needed to throw as many good things into the experience in the hopes that he might actually grow to like it.....and Alex, like his sister Cara, loves Root beer.  They are somewhat snobbish about their root beer, with Barqs being the favorite.

When I went to pick him up that first day, I am pretty sure he began telling me about all the reasons he hated marching band in the car ride home.  He reached for his lunch bag and took out the last can of root beer which he had saved as celebration of the fact that he had actually made it through the practice and continued to be alive.  Eventually, he began waiting until he arrived home, but he would always take the can of root beer out and exclaim with great ceremony: "Celebratory Barqs!"

Luckily......thankfully, Alex grew to appreciate Marching Band and take ownership of it.  I continued to send 2 cans of root beer to each practice so that he could continue his ritual of celebrating the small successes.

This weekend has been a long and exhausting weekend, as we traveled to Syracuse for the Marching Band Championships.  I know Alex has been getting tired.  This activity includes a grueling schedule with week day practices and weekend practices and competitions.  I think you can only keep up that pace for so long....  We arrived home late this afternoon, and after doing a few errands, I set about the task of putting away Marching Band until next year....lunch bags we have used on competition trips, water jug, luggage from the weekend, Marching Band Backpack....it is all put away.  We have loved it.  We are sad to see it go....we will miss it.....and yet.....we look forward to reclaiming our old routine again.

There was just one thing left to tie up all the loose ends and commemorate this momentous occasion....  Alex started out hating marching band and has now admitted that he likes it and is proud of his successes.  I have loved watching his work ethic and responsibility grow.  He has made it through his first band camp, grueling rehearsals, a couple of parades and now....his first trip to Dome.  This calls for celebration....in the way he has celebrated his growth each step of the way with a Celebratory Barqs!!

As for me....I am in need of a Celebratory nap!

“Celebrate the journey. It’s not all about the destination. Savor all of your successes, even the small ones.” 

~ Dawn Gluskin

Winners Everyone

Arlington Marching Band gave an amazing performance tonight. They came in 2nd place,scoring 96.10.

We are all beyond proud of their dedication, commitment and hard work.

" I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious”

~ Vince Lombardi 

Domeward Bound

Tomorrow the Arlington Marching Band will  be headed toward Syracuse, NY and the New York State Field Band Championship Competition.

March with all you have, give it all you have in you so that you have no regrets.  But remember it's not whether you win or lose.....but how you play the game.  Do your best and make yourself and your teammates proud of what you have accomplished this season!!

 “You only get one go at it... might as well Rock it.” 

~ Tommie Vaughn

Last Dance....

Thinking of this beautiful young woman as she prepares to perform her 'last dance' at Dome.  I know she will be fantastic and treasure every moment!!

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

~ Dr. Seuss

You're Invited

You have heard me talk about the Arlington Marching Band for several months now.  You have the opportunity to see them live in all their splendor this Saturday, if you so desire.  They are putting on a free public performance at Arlington High School on the eve of their competition at State Championships in Syracuse on Sunday.  The performance is at 2:00 on Saturday on the football field.  It will be well worth your time.  See you there!!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” 

~ Helen Keller

Happy Birthday Dear Friend

Happy Birthday to one of the most beautiful people I know.  She has known me for better or worse....and still hangs in there!!  There is no one in this world more deserving of a beautiful birthday celebration and a year filled with the desires of her heart than my old friend Vicki !!  I am so blessed to call her friend!!

"Beautiful and rich is an old friendship, 

Grateful to the touch as ancient ivory, 

Smooth as aged wine, or sheen of tapestry 

Where light has lingered, intimate and long. 

Full of tears and warm is an old friendship 

That asks no longer deeds of gallantry, 

Or any deed at all - save that the friend shall be 

Alive and breathing somewhere, like a song."

~ Eunice Tietjens :

Family

So happy that these three will be reunited in Syracuse this weekend while rooting for the Arlington Marching Band......and Alex!!  I am so lucky to have such an amazing family!!!

“It's not blood that makes us who we are," Dad said. "It's family. And it's not blood that makes us family. It's love.” 

―~Rose Christo

Thankful for the music.....

I think there are not many sights more thrilling than this one....filled with anticipation, pride, awe, thanks.  I have said it before, I will say it again.  I am so very blessed to have raised my kids in Arlington School District.....which provides so many rich and valuable opportunities for learning and growth for my kids.  We are so incredibly blessed by the gifts we have been given and continue to be given.  I am continually inspired by the talent, hard work and dedication of the staff and kids in the marching band, as well as the entire music and drama departments!!

I cannot thank them all enough for the gifts they have given!!

“Music is exciting. It is thrilling to be sitting in a group of musicians playing (more or less) the same piece of music. You are part of a great, powerful, vibrant entity. And nothing beats the feeling you get when you've practiced a difficult section over and over and finally get it right. (yes, even on the wood block.) Music is important. It says things you heart can't say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a hope: that, when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they're doing - and don't take music for granted.”

~ Dan Rather 

These amazing kids.....

It has been a long weekend!!  I have been spending a lot of time this fall on buses, around kids who are learning, and growing, and persevering and hoping.  I can't think of anything better that I could possibly be doing with my time!!  If you are feeling down on life and the future of the world, you should surround yourself with these amazing kids!!   Next weekend we go to Syracuse for State Championships.  But these kids are champions every day for me!! Go get 'em Arlington!!

“I love the relationship that anyone has with music ... because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. ... It's the best part of us probably ...” 

~ Nick Hornby

Sure they're pretty........

....................but how do I get rid of all of them? Therein lies my problem.  This is one of the reasons I have trouble enjoying fall.  I get overwhelmed by this problem...and trying to solve it with limited resources.  and then I ask myself......would I be a terrible person if I just left them all there until spring?  Questions to ponder.  But the important part is to not let a problem this trivial zap my spirit!!

"If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” 

~ Dalai Lama XIV

Out there....

"And out there

Living in the sun

Give me one day out there

All I ask is one

To hold forever

Out there

Where they all live unaware

What I'd give

What I'd dare

Just to live one day out there"

~ Stephen Schwartz

My heart

“The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.” 

~ Dorothy Parker

Love

I don't care what anyone says....it's not that easy to take a photo while you are moving and have it not come out a little blurry.

I often find myself wishing I possessed at least some of the answers to life's questions.  I often feel like I am just going through each day, hoping to get at least something right.  And then, as I am marching down 5th Avenue in NYC with my youngest in the marching band.....and I see his sister there with her friend cheering him on so enthusiastically....I know I have done something right  somewhere along the way.  I am so proud that my three love and support and value each other.  I pray it will always be so!!

"I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at." 

~ Maya Angelou

Autumn Day

“It was a beautiful bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it.” 

~ Diana Gabaldon

My Columbus Day

This was how I spent my day off....chaperoning the Arlington Marching Band as they marched in the Columbus Day Parade in NYC!! I guess I can cross that off my bucket list now.

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” 

~ William Arthur Ward

So Proud

We had a great time at the Arlington Marching Band Invitational.  We are so proud of Cricket on her last Invitational....and Alex on his first!!

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” 

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Rookie

As we get ready for the Arlington Marching Band Invitational tomorrow, I think about all my kids and their rookie years in Marching Band...past and present.  So proud of each og them!!

“Embrace each challenge in your life as an opportunity for self-transformation.” 

~ Bernie S. Siegel

Home

Always so happy to have all my babies home...if only for a short time.

“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.” 

~ Sarah Dessen

Arlington Marching Band Invitational

Marching band has been such an incredible influence and experience for my girls and now I see it working it's magic on Alex.  I am so thankful that we live in a district that gives us this gift.  If you would like to be inspired, if you would like to enjoy beautiful music, if you would like to believe in the future generation.....I suggest that you come to Arlington High School and support our marching band.

I share here the text from an email I received from the Arlington Band Boosters:

Arlington High School Marching Band 39th Invitational

     In a tradition spanning 39 years, this Sunday Arlington HS will host 8
marching bands from all over New York State to compete in the Arlington Marching
Band Invitational.  The competition starts at 1PM, but get there early to enjoy
our famous homemade apple crisp, have lunch at our concession stand, and enjoy
the beautiful fall foliage that surrounds our stadium.   Along with all the
amazing bands performing, this is a great opportunity to see the Arlington HS
Marching Band 2014 show "GO!"

When: Sunday, October 12th 12-4PM

Where: Arlington HS stadium

Tickets: Available at the gate for $8/$6 for Seniors and Students

"Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."

 ~Charlie Parker

Moon

“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” 

~  Tahereh Mafi

Poochie

He thinks he rules the house now....but it's helpful to remember he was once lost and alone and hurting...and even though he is a royal pain sometimes...we will always love him.  I guess it's fitting that it was because of Cara that he came to us, and he chose her for his human.  He used to be the only kitty...and now he is one of 4 furry family members....but make no mistake....he is the one who is king....and he won't let any of us forget it.

“A home without a cat — and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat — may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?” 

~ Mark Twain

Do Not Disturb

I have probably posted this photo before...but it bears repeating....and it certainly sums up my feelings at the end of this ridiculously long and exhausting day.

"Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two."

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be Still

"If you forget the way to go

And lose where you came from

If no one is standing beside you

Be still and know I am"

~ Joseph King, Isaac Slade

Autumn Memories

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” 

~ Henry David Thoreau

And so it begins...

And so it begins....I have a love/hate relationship with autumn.

I love the cool, crisp air.  I love the vivid autumn colors painting the landscape.  I love the food...apple and pumpkin picking....and all the accompanying apple and pumpkin food. There is nothing quite like apple crisp and pumpkin bread in autumn.  It somehow, just wouldn't be the same in July.  There is something beautiful about an autumn day with the leaves crunching underfoot....and the Indian summers have to be the best weather ever, anywhere....

But, about those leaves that fall to the ground....they pose a huge problem for me, in that I do not possess the tools or the energy or the know-how to remove them.  I live in a wooded area....so I have to deal with way too many leaves.  Autumn is beautiful while the leaves decorate the trees in such beautiful hues.....but when the leaves have all fallen and the branches are stark and bare it is far less picturesque and enjoyable. And there is the fact that autumn's days are numbered and with each day and each fallen leaf comes the promise....the threat....of winter.

I am trying to focus on the wonder of autumn, while it is here, and allow it to fill me up with enough beauty and joy to sustain me until winter has passed and I rejoice in the signs of spring once again.

"Fall colors are funny. They’re so bright and intense and beautiful. It’s like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary.” 

~ Siobhan Vivian

Autumn Sights

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” 

~ Albert Camus

Life is complicated

“Life is random. Life is complicated. Life is often unforgiving. And we must each live it anyway. And I don’t mean live it as if it’s a chore, something to be endured, survived. I mean, dig in, get muddy, howl at the moon, take pictures of sunsets, play in the rain, make love, savor your food, smile as much as you can. And cry when you’re sad. Live it despite the fact it pisses you off. Live it and pay as much attention as you can muster” 

~ Thomas Lloyd Qualls