Let the Show Begin!

For the next couple of weeks, if you catch me in conversation or see me on the street you may not recognize me. Today I officially become an auburn-haired woman and I've been "puttin' on me Irish accent" on a regular basis for practice. You see, I'm playin' Mrs. Paroo from River City in the CPS production of The Music Man. So with "a new coh-lor done in a 1910 updo, a bit o' the liltin' to my speech, a few long skairts and I'll be good to go!"

It's fun. Kinda like grown-up dress-up.

And the music is great. I have always loved The Music Man. Meredith Willson, the composer and author of the show, really knew his stuff. As a student he studied at Frank Damrosch's Musical Institute (now known as Juilliard School of Music). He went on to play flute and piccolo with John Philip Sousa, then with Arturo Toscanini in the NY Philharmonic. From there he moved on to San Francisco and Hollywood, writing and directing and playing for who knows what. No wonder the orchestrations are so good - and no wonder he included a "River City Boys Band" marching to a great tune like 76 Trombones!

Hubby is playing in the orchestra and enjoying it. He is impressed with both the caliber of players as well as Mr. Willson's fabulous orchestrations. But he doesn't love the callous he's getting from not having played string bass in some time.

However, things on the homefront are a bit behind. Homemade bread is rare, the bin of "Mom's granola" is almost empty, my laundry is practically up to the ceiling, and... Well, I won't go on. With several house guests, it has proven to be an interesting week or two. We did manage a day trip to Lake Placid yesterday, and since the orchestra has the day off, Rick will take them to Montreal for some shopping and jazz music later today. So, they wouldn't be eating homemade bread anyway!

At any rate, be blessed and - "top o' the mornin' to y' all!"

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From my journal:

I was reading good old Philippians 4.8 this morning: whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just... think on these things.

How prone we are to mull over the unkind comment, to analyze the sideways glance, to scrutinize a poorly thought through command from above. We spend our energy considering the what ifs, the how comes, instead of applying noble truth and considering justice. There is no room for what ifs and how comes in the kingdom. The truth is that He reigns over all. Nothing that the enemy or my own mind's contemplations can concoct can overrule His reign in my life.

So we need to stop the mental gyrations. Let the unkind word go, forget pondering the hidden meaning of the sideways glance, and trust His ability to rule over our authorities - even if there are some unwise commands coming our way. He is for us, all things work together for our good, nothing is wasted in His economy, and I am called to love and turn the other cheek.

When things aren't perfect and going our way, as a dear friend once preached from the pulpit, "What we really need is a good case of the Holy so whats!"