Blogophilia 44.15: Rush Hour

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Hard Bonus: Include a line from the movie “Cleopatra”

Easy Bonus: Reference smog or pollution

Traffic Jam – Asthma Attack

When we were young & still growing up, time went slow, we didn’t have enough to do to fill up our schedules. It’s too bad because children & young people have tons of energy. Getting older, we can’t do as much, with the responsibilities we have with paying bills, house chores that we can’t delegate to anyone else, jobs, health issues that slow us down some more, life sincerely feels like a constant Rush Hour to run around & not get as much done as we need to…

With all this stress about hurry up & wait, or just feel like your to-do list is never ending, it’s important to take down time to do what rejuvenates you. Aside from work, that dirt will be there later to clean. Don’t forget, you need to clear out the smog in your head, so make sure you take time for that hobby you want to pick up. For me, it’s music… Here are a couple of items coming up:

• Who: UW-Parkside Wind Ensemble & Community Band
• What: Last concert of the season, until fall
• Where: The Rita, Bedford Concert Hall
• When: Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 7pm
• Why: A sax quartet, featuring James from the last recital, and Julia is coming up!
• How: Get your tickets HERE or show up & buy them at the box office

Pieces we’re playing include Free by Alex Shapiro, The Old Boatman and Juba Dance by Florence Price, Four Dances from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, and Concerto Grosso (featuring our sax quartet) by Frank Bencriscutto – who is rooted in Racine! We are under the direction of Laura Rexroth, a very graceful conductor. You’re missing out if you don’t come!

Our featured saxophone quartet!

And finally, let’s not forget! This will feature jazz/blues standards & originals.

• Who: Julia Lewandowski – on alto sax, tenor sax & flute
• What: Senior Recital (she is REALLY good) – no cost
• Where: UW-Parkside Music Department in the Black Box Theater
• When: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 3pm
• Why: Regional musicians from Milwaukee & Chicago accompanying her on stage
• How: no buses run, so can we possibly carpool to cut down on pollution?

Here is Julia, at rehearsal, practicing hard & a lot. Let’s support her!

In closing, Cleopatra: I will not be told where I can go and where I cannot go!

Blogophilia 42.15: Putting the Wheels in Motion

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Blog topic parameters on WordPress Over Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a movie in which one of the Wayans Brothers appeared

Easy Bonus: Include running shoes

Put a card in the sprockets!

With so many things going on, it’s hard to figure out what to do to be Putting the Wheels in Motion. Between figuring out how to generate income in a bad economy, keeping up with what feels like way too many medical appointments, and having my creative outlet to keep my sanity, it gets super crazy… Especially with 3 people, 1 car, and no income opportunities within walking distance, I feel like there’s always a monkey wrench in the system.

I’d put my running shoes on, but I only walk in slo-mo. I miss the days when I could have been in a Dance Flick (2009, featuring Marlon & Shawn Wayans). But then again, maybe I should see if I can try out for a musician in the pit, when some of these things get turned into a play. Unfortunately, I live in a town that is too small to do this…

Anyway, today, I am going out to UW-Parkside to support my young friend at his senior recital before he graduates. We’ve been playing for a few years together in the Parkside combined bands, and I wish him well into his future, but also will miss him there. My son will be taking me.

Blogophilia 41.15: The First Morning Cup

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Blog topic parameters Over Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric by Van Morrison

Easy Bonus: Mention wizard potions

I’m no princess, I drink bug juice!

The First Morning Cup technically is my citrus fruit. I need my orange or grapefruit first thing in the morning… I don’t care what anyone says about glycemic index, net carbs, whatever… This is non-negotiable, I’ve been doing citrus daily since I was big enough to eat them, and I don’t remember that far back. Then I move to whatever I have for breakfast, then after that is my dark & muddy coffee.

I’ve cut back on a lot of coffee, though I do enjoy my warm & cold beverages. I’ll switch to tea, drink lots of water, etc. while I try to eat healthy, too. It’s just so much going on with everything, it’s hard to know what’s what. Brown rice has a higher arsenic content, white rice has less fiber but still a whole grain. Both have equal carb counts, so, I’ll stick to white (less arsenic) and load the veggies up high with my stir fry. Butter is fattening, but margarine has so many emulsifiers that it’s not even food, same for fake sugar, which can cause gut problems. So, I just scale back on the real things, use honey sometimes. Cooking with raw honey takes away from the antibacterial & healthy nature of it… I’d like a Wizard’s Potion to make my favorite stuff be less bad for us.

Like Van Morrison says, “You Gotta Make It Through The World” (1977 album entitled Period of Transition):

Well let them take you for a clown
And they’re bound to bring you down
You got to make it through the world if you can
Think they’re doing you wrong
But you got here on your own
You got to make it through the world if you can
I said if you can, if you can
You got to make it through the world if you can
I said if you can (oooh), if you can (lord)
You got to make it through the world if you can

Many have taken me for a clown, and even if I feel like I’m barely doing it, I am, so… I guess I can make it through the world, even if I’m not globe trotting it, it’s time when it’s time… Jam that sax… One day, we’ll meet our blogger angels, and while that would be nice, I’m not going there one day earlier than when it’s my time. I have more to write, more music to play, more memories to create with my husband & son (and hopefully with more people).

p.s. I actually have the introduction, 1st & 2nd chapters done in my other story done. When I get a few more done, since it takes me more than a week to get them in, I’ll drop a link at a time when I’m ready. After I’m done with that one, I’m hoping to do my creative stories… I’m just trying to figure out which I should do first, and so I’m starting with the hardest one to write.

My other ones include 1) the funnier side of life, based loosely on adventures where the fictitious characters where the main character is mostly me, and the other ones will be regular ones but will represent different people throughout the story. 2) based on dreams, it’ll be disconnected, sort of, light Sci-fi feel, maybe I’m warped, but should be interesting for people who like stuff like that. 3) also on recurring dreams where I could fly by swimming in the air, and not sure if this will be a bunch of short stories or if it’ll even lift off much, not sure yet. Stay tuned.

Blogophilia 40.15: Resurrection

Blogophila group on Facebook HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

How it works – OVER HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a song title by Canned Heat

Easy Bonus: Incorporate an angel

The Door Has Opened!

Sometimes, I wish my health could have a Resurrection. I’m not a Christian, but, many have mentioned that I “do the Lord’s work”. I’m not sure if I actually get that, but maybe I don’t need to, I’ll just keep being me…

When I used to work at a group home for developmentally disabled adults and those with brain injuries, one of the residents decided to call me AngeLika. It was cool, since she was Latina, and decided to give me a twist on a Spanish name. I’m not sure if I’m angel-like, I can get pretty ornery…

The elections are coming… There is an important judicial one coming up in April 2. I feel like people are more polarized then ever, and it’s frustrating. When I used to be active in the process, it seemed as if we voted for candidates, now it feels like we’re voting for parties, and I don’t like it… Maybe we the people need a Star Trek inspired Insurrection, because just like in the words of Canned Heat in Down In The Gutter, But Free (from the 1969 “Alleluia” album)

Come on, everybody
Just lay back, chillen, and you too
I mean you too arise
You too can be free

Blogophilia 39.15 – Decisions, Decisions!

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Blog topic parameters HERE

Hard Bonus: Include a lyric from Newfound Glory

Easy Bonus: Use the word “bumfuzzle”

Where’s my fried chicken with the pizza?

Ah, yes, life is all about Decisions, Decisions! Often, I’m in a state of bumfuzzle because what seems like a good idea at the time either is totally not, or just doesn’t go anywhere, and the decisions that make sense don’t work for me… I guess I just go against the grain, idk… but here is New Found Glory, “The Way You Deserve” from the 2020 Forever & Ever x Infinity album

I don’t know your inner dynamic
But you’re living the proof something’s just not right
As you shout from the stand and defend your case
We’ve got hammers in hand, breaking you free from your cage

Blogophilia 38.15: Sheer Luck

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

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Hard Bonus: Incorporate a song title by Dean Martin

Easy Bonus: Reference faeries

Crash Landing

This weather is crazy… We had temps in the 60s in February, it was 70 a couple of days ago, and today, it’s in the 30s and there’s flurries… Being that I’m pretty wimpy in cold weather, no, I don’t want to Let It Snow! The winter holidays are over… I’d rather have “Gold dust at my feet on the sunny side of the street“

Life is nuts too. Faeries may be mythical creatures, but I really do have a Faerie God Mother. When I graduated from college & landed my 1st real job afterward (I was offered a paid position at a place I was volunteering), and needed a car because it was going to be graveyard shift, she let me have her old car for a really good price. Several years later, when my son was a toddler (not even 2 yet), he’d climb out of his crib but couldn’t get back in, she magically appears with a toddler bed… A few years later, when we were down to 1 vehicle & his dad was using the van for work purposes, she gave me the one she was going to trade in… But, since she always went through the credit union’s certified used car sales for the great interest rates & they were only going to give her $500, which would only lower the payments by less than a dollar a month, she decided she’d rather give it to someone who needed one than to do it that way, so I lucked out. Several years after that, we had an atrocious summer where 95 degrees was the “cool” day, our little window A/C took a dump… we were going to try to tough it out, but the heat wasn’t going to let up… Just as we were going to talk about getting help getting another one, she magically calls up & offers us one, because she’d gotten her central air fixed & didn’t want the window one sitting around taking up space. The winter right after that, she had one of those tiny electric snow shovels that she wasn’t interested in using (we only had hand shovels), and while it’s a pain to mess with the cord, we got this massive snow storm where everyone was locked in for 3-5 days, and it was nice to at least have that. Mind, there’s a bunch of other stories I could tell, but just know that time spent with her is a treasure, and there was no such thing as a short visit. I hope that I’ll be able to see her again, she’s not in town anymore. It just feels like time is never on our side, and because we don’t choose our families, it’s Sheer Luck that she is my aunt, who truly is my fairy godmother.

Happy St. Patty’s Day! May the luck of the Irish smile upon you with bright green gems & no, we will NOT be eating corned beef at my house (too salty & not my favorite).

Blogophilia 37.15: Head Games

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Quote Tupac Shakur

Easy Bonus: Include a scorpion

Demons of my past haunt me in the future

I’m so done with Head Games that I’m blunt, straightforward & honest about everything. The best I can do is try to know when to just keep my mouth shut, but I often just blurt because I was born with only half of my filters, and the ones I have are breaking down. People often think I’m being rude, but seriously… if you can’t handle my forwardness, just back off. My patience level for these stupid games are at 0. I’ll be putting more chapters into my DeviantArt chapters, but just have to find time to get there, since things seem to pop up out of nowhere.

It seems like every time you come up something happens to bring you back down. Tupac Shakur

A scorpion is a predatory arachnid. Sometimes they try to pretend to be common house spiders. Don’t believe them. My story won’t be for everyone, I’ll mark certain chapters as Trigger Warnings. When I’m ready, I’ll share, and no, it won’t bother me if you’re not interested in reading that…

Blogophilia Week 36.15 – The Promise of Stars

Blogophilia group on Facebook HERE

Blog topic parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a lyric by the band Yes

Easy Bonus: Mention a constellation

Star Gazer

I don’t think I’ve ever had The Promise of Stars, though I’ve been told I need to go get it myself. I often feel like I’ve been stuck on Coma Berenices, an ancient asterism in the northern sky but considered a modern constellation. I honestly think that, YES, the arts is what helps Awaken society. This is one of my favorite rock groups, btw, you can hear the classically trained knowledge under the intricate rhythms, melodic harmonies, etc. Sometimes, I just Wish the sun to stand still, Reaching out to touch our own being

Important info:

• What: A concert, with talented musicians led by the graceful conductor, Laura Rexroth
• Who: UW-Parkside Wind Ensemble & Community band featuring Russ Johnson – Trumpet
• Where: The Rita – Bedford Concert Hall
• When: Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7pm
• Why: You ought to get out and do something different for a change
• How: Buy your tickets online Over Here or show up & get them at the box office

Spring Forward with lika’s Pampered Chef Party

Hi Friends!

I am hosting a Spring Forward with Pampered Chef Party!

I am so excited to support a small business!

I love their products and I know you will too!

And Bonus….the New Spring Products launch March 1st!

I can’t wait for you to hear all about them! Plus, new recipes!!

It’s taking place right here on Facebook starting this this weekend!

My hope is that the party will be a welcomed distraction from all of life’s hustle and bustle!

You can play games, win prizes, learn some new recipes and healthy mealtime ideas and solutions!

I will be sending invites this Friday and Saturday.

Comment below if you would like to be invited and I will make sure to include you.

If you would like to start browsing the catalog early, my catalog link is in the comments.

https://www.pamperedchef.com/pws/kherndon5/host-landing/9602694429851

Blogophilia 35.15: Taming the Fear

Blogophilia Facebook group HERE

Blog Topic Parameters Right Here

Hard Bonus: Incorporate a homophone

Easy Bonus: Include a stop sign

Gotta gofer the nuts

It seems like we all have a fear of some sort, and depending on what it is, we may or may not be able to do something about Taming the Fear. In Japan, they celebrate the arts, and started doing castanets in 3 year old preschool to learn beats, rhythm, subdividing, etc. The next year, we got different pitched finger cymbals to learn those, and we did a little concert kind of like those handbell choirs. We got recorders in 1st grade, and we kept them through 2nd grade. I was even a fish once in a school play, and I remember I was scared out of my gourd for the one line I had… I came to Wisconsin in 3rd grade…

I officially joined a school instrumental program in 5th grade, and mostly have been in at least one ever since. I’m glad I’ve never been banned in band. In the 45+ years of performing, I STILL get a little nerve wracked right before a show. Even with my health conditions, I’m able to continue playing and will keep doing so until a stop sign is put in front of me.

Here is what’s up:

• RACINE CONCERT BAND: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive, Racine. Also performing: Horlick Symphonic Band. Enter the building from the staff parking lot on the west side of Horlick High School, near the tennis courts. Standard RUSD admission fees apply: $6 for adults, $5 for students, and $4 for Seniors. Tickets will be available for purchase by credit card only at the concert box office.
• Under the leadership of Jacob Myers, the Horlick Symphonic Band performs Mars by Gustav Holst, Folk Song Suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams and One Life Beautiful by Julie Giroux.
• The Racine Concert Program features music by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Morton Gould. Jericho retells a biblical story in music: Joshua’s epic struggle to follow God’s commandment and claim the city for the Israelites. The Algerian Suite by Frenchman Camille Saint-Saëns is a fond memory of his Colonial-era vacation travels in Northern Africa. A light-hearted Divertimento by modern Czech composer Jindrich Feld, Mark Eichner’s arrangement of Handel’s Air and Variations from the 5^th Keyboard Suite, and a Spanish march complete the Racine Concert Band program.
• The bands will join forces for a grand finale performance of Sedona, by Cincinnati Orchestra Pops conductor Steven Reineke.
• The Racine Concert Band Education Outreach Program is funded by the Racine Community Foundation, the Lang Family Foundation, the L. C. Christensen Charitable and Religious Foundation, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Racine, and the Music Performance Trust Fund, in collaboration with the Racine Unified School District.
• Buy your tickets ahead of time online at Ticket Spicket – there will be no cash sales for tickets on the concert night.

Coming up on March 7th at 7pm will be the UW-Parkside Wind Ensemble & Community Band concert. Stay tuned for more information next Sunday in my weekly blog.