Computer Dependency

Andy woke me up this morning with words that no one wants to hear anytime, much less first thing in the morning - "Mom, the computer isn't working right!"

My first thought on hearing the Dell was down was, "Oh no! No e-mail!" Forget the fact that we still have a house telephone and 3 cell phones. I'm still just a phone call away but the thought of missing an important e-mail was enough to send me into a panic! It's only been a couple of months since a virus attacked the laptop and visions of several days without the new computer threatened to upset my secure little world.

Now, here's the part that really makes no sense to me. There are no longer manuals with new computers! All help and troubleshooting is either in the computer or on-line. Well, what if you can't get your computer to a point to get to that info! That's where I was this morning and my first avenue of computer support (my dad) was enjoying breakfast out with friends! So, before Facebook withdrawl set in for Andy, I made myself somewhat presentable and headed to the library - on my day off - to search the internet for answers. As evidenced by this blog posting, I found the answers I needed and somehow managed to follow the instructions to restore health to the Dell.

But, it started me thinking. Is it just me or does it make anyone else nervous to think about how dependent we have become on computers - both our personal ones at home and the ones that store all the information necessary to run our society.

Think of all the things we do on our home computers - visit with friends, pay bills, keep various kinds of records, surf the internet, listen to music, read daily devotions and inspiring quotes, shop, type research papers for school - the list is endless. Expand that to all the businesses and services that depend on computers - the banks, our family doctors, the library, the pharmacy, our police and fire departments, - again, an endless list. If we start to hyperventilate when we can't check our email because of a simple little computer glitch, what would happen to us if we couldn't get our money out of the bank due to a malicious "terrorist" attack on the world's computer network?

Computers have definitely made vast improvements in our lives. Shucks, who doesn't like being able to come home from a trip, download the pictures from the camera, upload them to Snapfish and share them instantly! Catching up via Facebook and alumni sites with schoolmates that you haven't seen in 30 years is a blast! Finding that rare book that you've been looking for and having it shipped from a little used bookstore in Oregon - now that's a thrill!

But, as with everything we get used to, when they don't work as they should, fouled-up computers can be amazingly disruptive to our lives.

I'm not a computer expert. I can create all kinds of computer problems but fixing them is usually beyond me. These are just the ravings of a technologically-challenged child of the '70s. But, I'm feeling a little vulnerable in Shari's world...

Smoke on the Mountain

Andy made his theatrical debut last night in the High Point Community Theatre's production of Smoke on the Mountain. As the banjo-playing cousin Andy Sanders, he helped back up the singing Sanders family as they performed in a Saturday night singing at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Set in the economically-difficult days of 1938, the play is a mix of rousing gospel music, soul-stirring tunes and stories, and hilarious church humor. If you've spent much time in church, you'll surely see a character that resembles someone you've known.

Andy perfomed his role as part of the back-up band well. He gets a chance for a couple of brief breakouts that, in last night's performance, were very well received!

For a kid whose desire is to play professional banjo in a bluegrass band and own a dairy farm, he had a lot of reservations about being part of a theatre troupe. But he has had an absolute blast with every aspect of being in this production! Being with the people, the independence of going off several nights a week on his own, being on tv for the first time, getting his picture in the newspaper, learning new music, playing his banjo. And of course, for anyone who is truly a performer at heart, being on stage and hearing that applause - these are the opportunities he has had over the past 6 weeks as part of the Smoke on the Mountain cast. As I had hoped, I don't think he'll be the same when this weekend's performances are over!

Thanks to everyone who helped "convince" him to take advantage of this opportunity. Thanks to the cast and crew of Smoke on the Mountain who have been a part of teaching my kid some valuable skills and lessons. Thanks to family and friends for supporting Andy by coming to the perfomances when possible and messages of encouragment from those too far away to be here physically.

And, thanks to God for the talent He has seen fit to bless Andy with. My prayer is that Andy will always remember where the talent comes from and will use it for His purposes.

We're giving high-5's today in Shari's World...

"Who Stole My Church" - A Book Review

Who Stole My Church?; What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century by Gordon MacDonald; Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN; 2007

"It was a dark and stormy night."

And so begins the journey of a fictional New England congregation to move the church they love into the 21st century, led by real-life Pastor Gordon MacDonald. Alarmed by some of the changes they feel are being forced upon them, a small group of church members in their 60s and 70s agree to meet on that rainy Sunday night to discuss the future of their church. The feelings of these folks is summed up in the sad statement of Yvonne, a widowed long-time Sunday School teacher who grew up in church. "All I know is that someone stole my church and I'd like to get it back."

Over the next several months, Pastor MacDonald guides this "Discovery Group" to new ways of looking at how and why they "do" church. He encourages them to look at how the church has changed throughout its history and why those changes were necessary. He takes them back to the response of their parents and grandparents to the things that drew them into the church. One of the most effective things he does is to bring the two generations involved in the current conflict together to talk and listen to each other.

It's pretty clear all through this book that the author is targeting those who want to keep change from coming. Since Pastor MacDonald is the one telling the story, the reader knows alot of what he thinks but doesn't say when dealing with the Discovery Group. This reveals his frustration with those who have a harder time letting go of their ideas. But, it's also clear that he believes these changes are necessary for the church to fulfill its God-given mission.

Having been in church since before I was born, I admit to being a participant on both sides of this issue. As I read this book, I couldn't help thinking back to times in my own personal experience. I have been both an advocate for change and a voice for slowing down change that just seemed to push me from my comfort zone way too fast. There were times while reading that I wanted to shout an "amen". At other times, my toes were stepped on and I even felt a little angry. I know, however, that I will not look at issues of change in the church the way I did before.

Read this book with an open mind and an open heart and I think you'll feel the same.

Bluegrass Serenade

Happy 2009!

At this moment, I'm being serenaded by 2 up-and-coming bluegrass players! Andy's friend Daniel, a great little fiddle player, is out of school today and spent the night last night. They have Bluegrass Junction cranked up to top volume and they're playing along. In a little bit, I'm heading out to take them to a local nursing/assisted living facility so they can serenade the residents there. Guess they're warming up for their afternoon show.

There's some lively bluegrass music being played in Shari's World today!

Look what the chickens did!

Back in July, Joel and Andy went on a 4-H field trip to the Poultry Science department at NC State. They learned about chickens and ended up bringing some of the day-old chicks home with them. They turned out to be 4 hens and 2 roosters. In the past 4 months, we've learned alot about chickens!

Did you know that roosters don't start out saying "Cock-a-doodle-doo"? When ours first started to crow, they sounded like those little baby dolls that say "Momma" when you turn them over on their tummies!

Last night, Andy came in the back door, very excited and calling for me to come see what he found! When he fed and watered them, there were 2 eggs in their pen. By this morning, there was another one! Ah, there are farm-fresh eggs in Shari's world tonight!

More Fall Pics

Here are a couple more of my favorite shots from my stroll through nature.

Fall

Fall is a beautiful season. So is spring, so don't make me choose which is my favorite.

On Easter weekend this year, I went out with the camera and took a walk, taking a few "artistic" shots along the way. I was pretty pleased with some of them and decided that I must do the same thing when summer gave way to cooler temperatures and the leaves changed colors. Last week, I remembered that and went on a fall walk around my world. I'm glad I went out when I did because I would have missed some of the best shots if I'd waited any longer.

This one is a mum that was in an arrangement I received when my grandmother died last year. I planted it in my front flower bed and it came back this year. Bright, showy flowers - wouldn't Grandma like that!

Over the next few days, I'll post some of my favorite shots from fall in Shari's world....

Knitting an Afghan

I grew up watching my mom knit. I thought it was so cool to sit beside her on the couch while she worked on whatever her current project was. Sometimes it was a sweater/cap/bootie set for a new baby. At other times, it was an afghan of some type. When I was in high school, she made my friends and me scarves in our school colors of purple and gold. She had the neatest rhythm in her knitting - Mom is a "thrower" so the whole couch jumped a little when she looped the yarn around her needles.

One of the projects I especially remember was a sampler afghan she made for my grandmother. It consists of 10o blocks. Each of 50 patterns was done in a varigated yarn and also in either of 2 solid colors. Then, each square had to be put together according to a chart to make the finished project. I can still see the stacks of knitted squares, little squares of paper with the number written on them, attached by a safety pin. When all the squares were done, she laid them out on her bed to begin putting them together.

A few years ago, my grandmother moved into an assisted living facility and we had to clean out years of accumulated memories from her house. While cleaning out the attic, we found that afghan. Needless to say, it was in less than great condition. Who knows what it had been home to during its stay in the attic. Regardless of its condition, I wanted that afghan! Thinking about the time of its creation brought back the warm, safe, happy feelings of my childhood days. I took it home, washed it and, in spite of a couple of moth holes, it came out pretty good!

One day a few months ago, after pouring over knitting books looking for projects that a non-talented knitter might be able to complete, I asked Mom about that afghan pattern. She found it in a notebook that she had long ago hand-copied patterns in. There were even some notations in my own childish handwriting in the margins!

We talked about it and decided to make another one together. So, as part of my "Rewards for Good Behavior" program to encourage me to do the things I need to do, we're going to get together when possible and knit the more complicated squares together. I'll knit the varigated squares while Mom knits the solid ones. I've finished simpler squares 1 and 3 and I'm working on square 5 now.

There's knitting going on in Shari's World these days!

First Day of School

CedarWoods School is back in session! Andy's first day of 11th grade went very well yesterday. We just completed classwork for our 2nd day - 2 down and 178 to go!

We have a full schedule for this year - English (which includes Grammar, Vocabulary, Composition and Literature), Business Math, Biology (complete with dissection labs!), American History, Spanish and Health/PE. I'm setting aside 3-1/2 hours for "classroom" instruction and then homework is on his own time - he's going to be learning alot about time management and setting priorities this year in addition to his academic studies.

Of course, Andy's not the only one working on his time management skills! This is the time of year that I wonder what I was thinking when I decided to go to work parttime while homeschooling a high schooler! This summer, I've been re-evaluating the things I do and how I do them in order to simplify routines and schedules to fit in everything that needs to get done. Sometimes it's a process of evaluating, then re-evaluating, then re-re-evaluating. I have to remind myself that there will be time to do some of the things I just want to do when Andy is through with school - which really isn't that far away! The historical fiction novel for the young adult market that I want to write will just have to wait a little while. The zippered, hoodie sweater that I want to knit will feel just as warm in a couple of years. I am working "rewards for good behavior" into my schedule - monthly dinner out with Karen, working on a knitted sampler afghan with my mom when I can make a couple of free hours to knit more complicated blocks under her guidance. All work and no play makes Shari kind of cranky!

Well, the laundry is piled to the basement ceiling in Shari's World today so I'll bring this entry to a close and get a load or two done before heading out to work. Till next time....

Andy turns 16!

Well, my "baby" is 16! In some ways, it seems as if his birth was yesterday. On the other hand, so much water has gone under the bridge that it seems a lifetime ago.

We celebrated with pizza, cake & ice cream and about 40 friends and family. Andy's 1941 Farmall tractor is the love of his life right now and he had hoped to be able to hook it up to a neighbor's hay wagon to take anyone who wanted to go on a hayride. Unfortunately, the weather didn't see fit to cooperate and that plan had to be scrapped. His cake had a picture of him on his tractor and all his family and friends honored him with mostly gifts of cash to go towards his tractor restoration fund. So he was a happy "birthday boy" when he went to bed that night!

The next step is getting his driver's license. The car insurance comes up for renewal soon so we're waiting for that to add him to the policy - I'm still in shock from talking to the insurance man about how much our bill will increase!!!! My heart goes out to anyone who has multiple teenage drivers!

Oh well, life goes on! I'm still trying to figure out how to juggle all the "must do's" and fit in some of the "want to do's" like regular blog posts. Obviously, I haven't got a clue since I haven't posted in months. I'll keep working on it and post as often as I can to keep you up-to-date with what's going on in Shari's world...

Belated State Fair News

Well, I'm finally posting news about our trip to the State Fair in Raleigh. I tried to do this right after we went, but my lack of technological savy got in the way. That and getting side-tracked by things like homeschooling, a job, laundry that never ends and two weeks of fighting a cold. Actually, I got on-line to take care of some business but couldn't resist the lure of "playing."

Andy's day at the Fair turned out to be a great success! He and Rebecca played at the two shows of the Folk Festival on Wednesday and did a fabulous job with their solo and duet numbers. Together, they played their award-winning "I'll Fly Away", and "I Saw the Light". Rebecca then solo-ed with "Ashoken Farewell" and ended with her behind-the-head version of "Get Up John." For his solo act, Andy started with "John Hardy" and moved on to "Bile Them Cabbage Down". To complete their part of the show, Rebecca re-joined Andy and they closed with the bluegrass classic "Old Joe Clark." The audience responded to them very well. As a matter of fact, as we walked around the fair later, people recognized Andy from the show and came up to tell him they enjoyed his playing! According to the winners listing on the State Fair website, they received Honorable Mentions in all their catagories!

But, their winning performances didn't stop there! Andy, under the guidance of his papaw, made a really cool wooden shelf to put on the wall to display some of his tractor collection. He entered the shelf in the county 4-H competition, where he won the chance to compete at the state level. He was so excited (and we were, of course, very proud!) to find his shelf in the 4-H exhibits with a Blue Ribbon attached to it. In the picture above, it is being used to display other 4-H projects. Rebecca also took home two blue ribbons for 4-H projects!

A cool part of the day for Andy was to have both of his grandmas there to celebrate his success with him! Winining is great but knowing you're loved whether you win or loose is the best feeling in the world!

That's a belated look into Shari's world...

Women's Weekend at Lake Junaluska

This past weekend was the annual meeting of the Western NC Conference of United Methodist Women at Lake Junaluska. It was my first time to attend a Conference UMW function and I totally enjoyed it! I learned alot about the organization of the United Methodist Women that will help me fulfill my duties as president of our local unit. It was motivating and inspiring.

I was accompanied by 13 other ladies from our unit. We ranged in age from the 40s to the 80s. I enjoyed getting to know these ladies better. One night, we sat around in one of our rooms, laughing and telling stories - I haven't laughed that much in years! I had fun teasing them about the trip being an eye-opening experience for me! Now, they're afraid of the stories I might tell. Oh well, I promised some of them that what happens in Junaluska stays in Junaluska! So, my lips are sealed!

Our main speaker for the conference was Rev. Angela Pleasants, pastor of Central UMC in Charlotte. Her message on Friday night talked about "me-ology" or being so full of "me, myself and I" that we can't see anything else. It is impossible to be a servant to our hurting world when all we can see is us! She continued this servant idea in her message on Sunday morning when she used the text of John 13:1-11 where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. She talked about loving others, even when they weren't making it easy for us! She made this statement:

"If you quit in the middle of the crucifixion, you'll never see the resurrection!"

When she said that, I felt like someone had smacked me with a big stick! I grabbed my pen and wrote it down. Wow! What powerful words! And, just when I needed to hear them, too! I've been whining lately about some things that weren't going my way but her words cut to the heart of the matter. If I don't hang in there when the going gets tough, when things aren't going the way I think they should, when I find out that what I thought I was signing on for isn't the way it is, then I will never see the blessing that God intended for me and for those I was meant to serve.

There's a little less whining going on today in Shari's world!

My Life as a Library Assistant

Well, a month ago, I promised an update on my new job. So, here it is.

The last week of June, I started working part-time at the public library as a library assistant. I am happy to report that after a little more than a month of gainful employment, I am really enjoying the job! I had nothing to wear since the dress code says no to denim, sandles and tennis shoes so I have had fun shopping for new clothes and shoes!

What does a library assistant do? One of my main responsibilities is to shelve returned materials - books, magazines, dvd's, audiobooks, etc. I enjoy this because it gives me a chance to see all the books I want to read someday! I do get a little nostalgic in the children's picture books though - when I put those Bill Peet, Virginia Lee Burton and Dr. Seuss books back on the shelf, I remember enjoying those great books with Andy when he was a little boy! I'm really learning my ABC's - well, I already knew them but I'm getting to use them more than I have in years. And, I'm getting intimately acquainted with the Dewey decimal system! For example, dogs are 636, cooking is 641, crafts are 745 - these are some of the hotspots in non-fiction at our library! I've found one section that I really dislike to work with - the trade paperbacks. The author's name isn't always easy to read so it takes a little time to get those books where they belong.

Another part of my job is to help out at the desk, checking out and checking in materials. There are several neat things about this part of the job. I love to see the pride on a little kid's face when he puts his choices on the counter to be checked out. After the toddler storytime, the little ones are so excited to take home a new picture book. I like the big smile that lights up the face of a teenager when they come in to pick up the new Harry Potter book that they've been patiently waiting for. I feel like I've made their day! And, I have issued a few new cards to some excited little 6-year-olds who are getting their first very-own library card. It reminds me of Andy's last birthday when the DMV gave him his learner's permit!

If you check the status of a book on the "cybrarian" and it says it is in mending, it might be on my desk. I get to put plastic covers on hardback books, glue pages back in, fix broken spines, clean scratched cd's and whatever else may need to be done to get materials back in circulation. This is one area where I don't feel very comfortable yet. Deanna is working with me to help me learn how to make those necessary repairs. She says it's not that hard so I'll get the hang of it.

There's nothing that shows you how much you don't know than starting a new job. The first couple of weeks, I thought there was no way I could ever remember all the things I needed to remember. Fortunately, each day, I feel like I learn something new and, just maybe, there's hope that I'll be able to do this! People come to the library for answers to their questions - with alot of help from George, Linda, Carol and Deanna, I'm learning how to answer those questions!

I've been fighting one germ after another this summer, a result of being in much more contact with the public than I have been in years! I started out the summer by getting bronchitus at the beach. That weakened my resistance and I thought I'd never get over that. Since then, I have battled colds and a nasty stomach virus. I try to remember to take regular trips by the Germ-X bottle while I'm working to lessen my chances for picking up another bug!

On Monday, we start back to school. Andy will be beginning his 10th grade year in our homeschool. I really do like my job but I know next week, I'm going to be smacking myself in the head asking myself what was thinking to try working part-time while homeschooling. When I applied for the job, I put it all in God's hands and asked Him to work it out the way it should be. The way my work schedule fits our homeschooling needs is just one of the ways that I see God working. Andy does better when we get on to school in the mornings and most of my work hours are afternoons and evenings. Only one day has morning hours - and he's going to do a shop class with my dad alot of those days. I've got the first 6 weeks of school all planned and up to Christmas mapped out. Andy and Joel will have to pitch in to help with some of the household chores, but I think it's going to go well - I hope!

That's life in Shari's world tonight. 'Til next time....

Happy Anniversary, Momma & Daddy!

Momma and Daddy have been married 50 years! WOW! What an accomplishment! In honor of their milestone, David and I (with our spouses and children) hosted a reception yesterday. For 2 hours, friends and family came to congratulate them and share in the joy of this happy occasion. Ina (the caterer) and her staff did an outstanding job with a beautiful cake and a table loaded with beef and turkey croissants, fruit and veggies, chicken salad puffs, mints, and cheese and crackers. With temperatures topping out at nearly 90 degrees, the lime punch was a hit! We chose to decorate in the colors that they used in their wedding so pink roses, white gladiolas and daisies and pink and green candles graced the room. A few gold accents served as a reminder that we were celebrating a "golden" anniversary.

I'm so blessed to be their daughter! I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't always think so - those times as a teenager that my ideas differed on curfew time from theirs or places I wanted to go didn't always get their approval! As with most of us (and I'm sure my 15-year old has said this same thing about me!), I remember saying to myself, "I won't do that when I'm a parent!" When I grew up, got married and eventually became a mom, I ended up doing things so much like they did! The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree after all. And, as the mom of a teenager, I'm learning that it really is true that what goes around, comes around! I've lost count of the number of times I have called them up to apologize for something I did as a kid after Andy's actions have reminded me of myself at that age!

Momma and Daddy, where does a greatful daughter start to say thanks for all the years of love, prayer, time, advice, and discipline (yes, I now appreciate even that!)? You've given me great examples of how to be a good person, a faithful Christian, a caring spouse, a good parent, and a loyal friend. I have wonderful memories of growing up - I was loved. I was safe and happy. I always knew that even if it seemed no one else loved me, you guys did and you always would! I hope that these are the things Andy will remember from his childhood as well. But, your role as parents didn't stop when I went out on my own. You've been there when I have needed advice, support, a different perspective, an attitude adjustment (when do we ever outgrow that?) or just someone to talk to. Your presence in my life is still as important as it was when I was little. There have been some difficult days that I know I could not have come through without you! Your prayers for me haven't stopped and I know you still worry about me at times. That's what parents do! Yesterday was my way of trying to say "thank you" for being such a great momma and daddy!

I love you guys! Happy Anniversary!

Time for the Annual Beach Trip

In just a few days, Andy and I will be off to Sunset Beach for our annual summer trip with the cousins. We started this trip back in 1999, when Andy was 7 years old. Since then, we've added 2 little girls to the list of cousins and we've gotten the packing down to a science.

Highlights of our beach week include:

* playing on the beach (which is where I would stay the entire time if I could!)

* going to Sunday morning "church-on-the-beach"

* the NASCAR SpeedPark

* playing miniature golf in Calabash (last year, we played in Ocean Isle - see the picture above)

* eating at "the Pink Restaurant"

* catching the latest summer kid's movie (Nemo will forever remind us of the '03 beach trip!)

* picking up souveniers at the gift shops (I gotta bring George back some taffy!)

* sleeping on the front porch

* sitting in time-out when a week of togetherness just gets to be too much!

* posing for pictures (3 scrapbooking mommas can take lots of pictures!)

* Friday night Pizza Parties (This year's will be a birthday pizza party for me and my niece, Hannah. Her birthday was a couple of weeks ago but she wanted to celebrate at the beach with me!)

This year, Andy and Charlie are adding a new highlight. They are cooking us a huge breakfast one morning, complete with eggs, bacon & sausage, biscuits and hashbrowns! We'll see if it becomes part of the tradition!

We're going a couple of months earlier this year than in the past couple of years. As the kids are getting older and in to more things, it is getting harder to find a week that there are no sports events, scout or 4-H camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. I'm not liking the weather forecast though- there's a 60% chance of thunderstorms a couple of days! With 7 kids, we need the sun to shine!

This year, I'll be chauffered part of the way down. Since Andy has his permit, he is looking forward doing some of the driving. He really wants to drive across the floating drawbridge!

It doesn't seem like 9 years ago that we made that first trip for family fun in the sun! I'm glad we've been able to give the kids this bit of tradition. It will be interesting to see what they do with it as they grow older.

That's it in Shari's World....

4-H Talent Show Winners!

Here are the Randolph County 4-H Talent Show winners for 2007! Andy and Rebecca played a banjo/mandolin duet of "I'll Fly Away". Rebecca also played a spirited mandolin solo of "Get Up John". Their acts took top honors at Friday night's 4-H Entertains. They will represent the county at the District talent competition in Rowan County on June 26th. Good luck Rebecca and Andy!

Grandma

Lydia Elizabeth Marley McLaurin

Sept. 18, 1918 - April 28, 2007

We buried Grandma today. After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage last Sunday morning, Grandma was reunited with Grandpa when she went to be with Jesus on Saturday night. Her funeral was truly a celebration of a life lived with happiness and compassion. Even though we will miss her, there's no way we would call her away from the joy she has found on the other side. Heaven is rockin' tonight with the sounds of her "honkey-tonk" piano version of

Sweet Georgia Brown!

Testing Time at CedarWoods School

Annual spring testing week has arrived at CedarWoods School. In the state of NC, homeschoolers must take a standardized achievement test each year. For the first 5 years of our homeschooling journey, we tested with the California Achievement Test with our local support group and 3 of those years, I organized this group service. Then, our support group imploded and that option was no longer available. A dear friend, working on an advanced psychology degree, did our testing the next 3 years using a couple of different tests. She has moved out of state and this year, we have chosen to go back to the CAT test. Since we aren't currently part of a group, we purchased the test from Bayside School Services and we're getting a friend to help us get it done this week. I could administer the test myself but I prefer to have an impartial 3rd party do it so no one can say I coached him. So, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Andy will be hard at work, bubbling in his answers to English, Math, Science, Social Studies and study skills questions. We'll send it back to Bayside and the results will be back in about 8 weeks. We'll use it to see if we are on track and making progress in Andy's high school journey.

More from Pigeon Forge

Here's a great band we heard at Saddle Up! They are Wylie and the Wild West. Wylie, of Yahoo fame, can yodel better than anyone I've ever heard! And dance! That tall, lanky fellow can move! For more info on these guys, check out http://www.wylieww.com/ We got a copy of their new cd, Bucking Horse Moon, and it's a keeper. Rodeo to the Bone is a hoot!

Saddle Up!

We spent last weekend at Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge, TN. It is a wonderful weekend of cowboy music and poetry. This is the 4th year that we have been able to attend, thanks to some special clients of Joel's.

One of our favorite acts was Brenn Hill, a great singer/songwriter of cowboy music. He wasn't one of the performers last year and it just wasn't the same without him! He's an award winning musician from Utah. You can learn more about Brenn at http://www.brennhill.com

I'll post more about Saddle Up! in the coming week. If you like cowboy music and poetry and you can't afford a trip to Elko, NV, for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, you can get a taste of the West the end of February at Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge.