Tuesday, July 24, 2012

A Carpenter

What was a concert with a name like "100% Chance of Rain" without a Noah?

Well, I can't tell you because we had one. He had a full beard, brown in color, kind eyes, wide hands, and a voice that poured like molasses.

Somehow my mom got him up on stage. His wife got him to build all the sets. It was quite impressive really. And real.

He has never sung solo since this concert. (Well, that isn't true. But I don't know how aware he was of the next time. For a later post...I promise.)

As we processed down the center aisle with our poster board animal suits slapping against our bodies, the melodious tones of his voice lifted through the hall. "Two by two" he sang.

It was the first time I bore witness to his kindness and generosity. He is an unassuming man, kind, but firm. He is the one behind the scenes, turning all the ideas my mom, Jo, and Grace had into things better than they imagined. All was done without complaint.

He will always be "Noah" to me, following God's word when no one else does.

He has only one flaw...he is a Steeler's fan. Well, in the Bible, Noah wasn't perfect either.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Another Big Idea

So, Mom, Jo, and Grace did not stop creating after starting the nursery. Oh no, nothing could stop them now.

Their next big idea was a little thing called "Music and Arts Week". I am certain it was mostly Jo's idea, but Mom and Grace jumped on the creative, "be involved" bandwagon without hesitation.

It took place during the summer.......kill me now.

"Kara," says Mom, "there will be no whining. You are going to enjoy this and put a smile on your face, or there will be no outside when we get home."

This was an effective threat for me, so I pasted a big smile on my face and pretended the crafts, the music, and the "togetherness" were wonderful.

Jo was in charge of the lessons, and Mom was in charge of the music. We would rotate between different activities, making things for the big concert at the end of the week.

Our first program was called "100% Chance of Rain" and by the end of the third day, I was starting to genuinely enjoy myself. The music was awesome.

When we practiced for the concert, we did so on wood risers. I wore sandals so I could tap my feet to the music. The clacking sound echoed through the hall, and everyone could hear me keeping time to the song. I was quite pleased with the effect.

I also was chosen to play the xylophone for one of the songs. I felt pretty important, let me tell you.

With a theme like "100% Chance of Rain", you have probably guessed we were learning about Noah and the Ark. Part of our week was spent making costumes of various animals out of poster board, grocery sacks, and construction paper. We each got a partner and during the concert, processed down the aisle "Two by Two".

I was a turtle. I think Maria was a raccoon. I can't remember what Alex, Blossom, Georgie, and Jack were. Phillip and Roxi were rain drops. They were too young to be in the entire concert. So were Lela, Wendy, and Bill.

All in all, the week was a big success. By the end of it all, I thought this "big idea" was a pretty smart one. However, there was one unfortunate moment...

Mom made me wear tennis shoes during the concert.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Summer Activity

I rose at 7:00 every morning during the summer, and by 7:15 I had eaten and was heading down to Miss Holly's to see if her boys wanted to play.

I think I always woke her up...and the boys. Even though she stood there in her robe, with groggy eyes, I still asked, "Can the boys come out and play?"

Sometimes they were ready to go, but sometimes I had to wait. I would occupy my time by playing in the lot across the street. There were no houses on the opposite side of the street, which created a HUGE playground for all sorts of things.

The boys down the street, one was my age and the other was around Maria's age, helped cook up a bunch of great activities. They liked Star Trek, so I'm gonna call the older one Captain Kirk, and the younger one, Scotty.

Once Kirk and Scotty came outside, there was the world of kickball, Hide-and-Seek, Ghost-in-the-Graveyard, dodge-ball, four square, and hopscotch. Maria played with us because I made her do so. You can't really play these games with only three people.

We even turned the vacant lot into a series of underground tunnels...which would eventually be used to cover us during World War III. (That is for a later post.)

This is what I was meant for...gettin' dirty, organizing games, and livin' life.

Of course, my mother decided to infiltrate summertime with Music and Arts Week.

Ugh...