Fall reading...

In the summer I wrote about the book Twilight by Stephanie Meyers. I really loved it and was excited to read the second in the series and then the 3rd when it was released back in August. Somehow though, summer got away from me and I never was able to pick them up.


Fortunately for me, the same friend who turned me on to the first book bought the second two and brought them over a week ago. And she said I'd love them! And guess what? I DID!

So I'm here to shout out to anyone who's listening - pick up these three books!

They are in the TEEN Section of the bookstore and library. Ms. Meyers writing style helps you visualize every character and feel their emotions as well. The story line, as unbelievable as it might be, is compelling and you will want to know how it all ends!

If you read them, come back and let me know what you thought! I love a good book discussion!

Tweens & Cell Phones

My daughter had 2 friends spend the night on Saturday night. Two of the 3 actually had spent most of the day together and the natural progression was the "sleepover". After dinner, with cell phones in tow, they sat in her room, tittering and giggling - calling this boy and that boy and oh, maybe a girlfriend or two. Lots of giggling. Did I mention that?

I was watching t.v. and kept hearing the leaking toilet tank and went to the bathroom to fix it. On my way past my daughter's door I heard:

"9-1-1, What is your emergency?"

I about flipped! I flung open the door and there they sat - like deer in the headlights. I asked the obvious question:

"Did you just call 911?!" and they said:

"NO! No, we *67'd someone - look!!!" and my daughter gave me her phone.

The phone did show that she had dialed *67, so we were all a bit confused. We know what we heard. I launched into the "You have to be very careful..." speech and the "You could get into a lot of trouble..." speech. They were suitably mortified and freaked out - thought they'd be kicked out of school and girl scouts too! It occurred to me that maybe the boy's mom took his phone away and then tried to freak them out by answering his phone, but I know her, she's just way too nice to play that card! But I cannot figure out how they managed to dial 911. And if it really was 911, why didn't they call back? Don't they usually? I have no idea.

At 11:30 I threw down my parental law and made them leave their cell phones in the living room. Go to bed. Go talk. Go giggle. STOP CALLING PEOPLE! Normally my daughter's phone hits the living room at 9:30 - no phone in the room over night, so this was a treat. But I think I was the OGRE MOM, the MOM OF NO FUN!

How are you people handling your kids and cell phones?!

Passion and Joy

I just found out that my High School Music teacher passed away in June. There was a memorial for him on Sept. 16th. I am sad that I didn't know as I would have gone to grieve with the many people whose lives he touched. Here is my tribute to him as I wrote it on the In Memory Website that his daughter created.

My deepest sympathy to Susan and the children (who are all grown up now!). I cannot begin to imagine your grief as I sit here in my own small version of it.

Mr. David Humphrey was such a huge presence in my life at Poly. And not just in his stature! His passion was huge - his voice was huge - his joy when Kathryn was born was huge. I was fortunate enough to be there to experience it and I am so grateful.

In 1980 VAPA was a fledgling magnet program and a very small group of singers, including me, had the most extraordinary times with Mr. Humphrey. We had such excellent lessons in Music History and Music Theory. We would listen to amazing music together and have lengthy discussions about it. We would have off campus excursions which would probably get any teacher these days fired...donuts, Jack in the Box, Bunch a Lunch at Shakeys! I remember one rehearsal that he held at his home in Garden Grove...we had a potluck that night.

He had such a great sense of humor - the serious dead pan looks he could give and then break into an enormous smile! He could scare anyone, but he was such a softie at heart.

I loved singing for him. He gave me confidence I never knew. I truly was lifted in song. I remember when he would often sing with us, drowning out poor Kevin! I loved his big voice and have always remembered his analogy of a barrel filling with air in order to get the proper breath! I use that technique today when I need to relax!

He was my teacher for a third of my entire school day for 3 years running. The Choral Room was my second home and I was always there. Standing around the piano singing whatever someone chose to play...practicing in the sound proof rooms. It was joyful.

But not more joyful than when Kathryn was born on Dec. 2nd! I remember that birthday because of how happy Mr. Humphrey was. I had never before seen someone bursting with pride and awe and happiness. A beautiful moment I will never forget.

I am so glad that I was able to see him at the PACE reunion in 2005. It was wonderful to see him. I hope he knew how much he meant to me and so many other students. Someone like that will certainly be rewarded in heaven. I think I can hear him singing now.