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