I'm not the only one

If you look at the blog links to the left, you'll see I'm not the only one who isn't finding as much time for blogging these days. And with springtime affording more outdoor opportunities, who can blame us. But I'll at least give an update on major events since last Sunday.

Here in Moore County, the tragic shootings at Pinelake Nursing Center in Carthage shook our whole community last Sunday. Each day more of the story has been revealed. The media are still uncovering more aspects of the story and I'm sure most folks in our area will be touched personally in one way or another. I had taught a daughter of the shooter's estranged wife who was the intended target of his rage. I learned later that a former student was present with his father and brother at the time of the shooting. His father was able to protect their elderly great grandmother and other residents. I believe he was another unsung hero in addition to the male nurse who sounded the alert and bore the killer's wrath, and the courageous officer who stopped the murderous rampage with one shot. A million thoughts go through our minds when we hear of events like this. One thing is sure: this world offers no guarantee of peace or safety. I believe the Carthage police chief was correct when he said the faith of the community would bring them through it.

Our church had no evening service that day and I was able to watch UNC play Oklahoma, which I had intened to record and watch the ending later that night. The Tar Heel victory meant we would be among the four surviving teams--at least until Saturday, April 4. Then we will be up against the same Villanova team that shredded Duke. That will be a real test, and if we win we'll have one more shot at the national championship Monday. And of course that's what UNC stands for: University of National Championships!

Monday afternoon my friend Ray and I took our guitar and keyboard to Manor Care for an old-fashioned community sing. We had a large crowd, most of whom knew us from our monthly Sunday services. This one was intentionally different, though we opened with prayer and did some religious songs. I wanted it to also take residents back in time to favorite songs of their childhood. Based on their enthusiastic reactions, it was a success, and Ray and I have been invited back as soon as possible. Faces lit up and hands clapped to tunes like She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain, On Top of Old Smoky, The Titanic, and Way Down Yonder in the Pawpaw Patch. For that last song I had residents call out names to insert into the line "Where oh where is dear little _______. . . way down yonder in the pawpaw patch." We made many folks instant celebrities and hopefully brightened their day. We'll definitely plan to return many times in the future.

Monday evening Amanda and Stephen joined us for some hamburgers from the grill. We hadn't done that for a long time and with Brianna due soon we didn't want to miss our chance. We all seem to find burgers irresistible. And now, Brianna may be born with that same craving!

Tuesday I did my regular piano-playing at Moore Regional Hospital. Judy and I had a nice neighborhood walk, then I cranked up the chainsaw and cut wood until supper time. I made a small dent in my massive woodpile and will keeping chipping away at it (so to speak) until it's all stacked and drying for next season.

Tuesday night we watched a 1958 sci-fi movie called "I Married an Alien from Outer Space." A horror classic it was not. But it was good campy comedy and Judy and I kept up a running commentary.

Math Camp was yesterday afternoon and Jessie and I had a blast. We completed our "Cuisenaire Game" from last week and pursued all kinds of adventures with numbers. During one of our breaks Judy strolled with us down to see the pear trees which had bloomed last week. Most of those petals had fallen, but we found some beautiful red honeysuckle that was prolific in the same area. We have some that attracts hummingbirds and I may transplant some more now that we have a new source.

That brings you up to date. This post would double in length if I delved into the other great meals Judy keeps coming up with. Let me whet your appetite with pitas (yesterday I warmed one with a little ham and swiss), a savory side-dish called risotto (I'll check on that spelling), a meatball recipe from Mama Dip (imagine barbecue sauce blended with grape jelly). I could go on . . . but it's almost LUNCH TIME!