The Fifth Season of the Year- Dance

Dance classes started again last week. After a whole month without them, I was chomping at the bit to get back in. For those of you who don't know me, I am also a dance instructor. My parents started me in dance classes when I was around 4 years old, and with the exception of a few periods of time on and off to recover from injuries, I have been dancing ever since. I officially started teaching with a studio when I was 21, and have loved every minute.It has never been my primary career, but rather a "job" which gives me payment in so many other ways,and for me, is so much for satisfying than performing ever could be.  In my time as an instructor, I have watched nervous little girls turn into composed, talented and graceful young women who operate with poise and maturity well beyond their years- who have gone on beyond the studio walls to accomplish great things. There is something about the beauty of seeing a piece of choreography come together with my students- the glimmer of understanding in their eye when they finally grasp a difficult move, or the experience of watching them come off the stage with tears of joy to tell me that they put everything they had into a performance. It makes it all worthwhile. I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have every time I set foot back in the studio.

Dance over the years:

Corny Post

It's the end of summer, or the beginning of fall, depending on whose opinion of the weather you are listening to this week. Things are still busy around the Anderson Homestead. Sweet Corn is in season, and last night, I managed to shuck, cook, cut and freeze a bushel and transport it into 20 2-quart freezer bags- that's about 60 ears of corn. Purchased from the farm just a few miles up the road, it was another step towards my "know where your food comes from" theory. Plus, it is just delightfully tasty!  Tried to get the applesauce done last night too, but ran out of hours in the day, so that will be soon! Here are a few pictures of the before, during and after, along with my little helper, who has been experiencing his first summer of corn on the cob.

Deep Thoughts for the Day

I got this as an email forward once, and it has always stuck with me. It seems that no matter who you are, or where in the world you are, some part of this holds true. I know it does for me. Two years ago, I lost my brother and a very close family friend just days apart.  If there was one thing I learned from that, it was to appreciate the time we DO have with the folks that we love and care about- something I think that I was often guilty of not doing. I have spent a lot of time since those days in 2009 thinking about what I could have said, or done, differently in my life to have made it true. Sometimes I feel guilty for not being around more, or being as involved as I could have been- for not making the time to be a part of more. And while I know there is no way that I can go back and change that now, I know that moving forward, I can, and have tried to- I may not be perfect- and there is always more that I feel I could do, or be there for- but I think just being able to live more in the moment and appreciate what you have is a definite step towards that.

At any rate- wise words by Mr. George Carlin- enjoy.

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.


We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too
little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too little, watch TV too much , and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We
conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but
not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the
atom, but not our prejudice.We write more, but learn less... We plan more,
but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait.. We build
more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than
ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are
days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to
quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and
nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to
you...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because
that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but
most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of
you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person
will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the
precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away. "