Who Let the Schools Out?

Humboldt City Schools (along with a gazillion others .. city and county) are out today due to inclement weather here in West Tennessee.

For the most part, we "dodged a bullet" and didn't get all the ice the "experts" were predicting (using their extremely sophisticated equipment .. rock, paper, scissors) during the night. However, the day is young and only God knows (and I do mean that literally) what is ahead.

All I know for sure is: my wife has one less day of Spring break (they don't have any snow days built in to this year's school calendar) and Wednesday night rehearsal is dead in the water (even if the sun comes out and global warming kicks in .. everyone will stay home .. except for those over the age of 70 who come every time the doors are open .. and a few times when they are not).

This does not give me great pleasure (actually, nothing does .. always the pessimist, only doom and gloom makes me .. happy).

Last Wednesday evening, the choir missed our regularly scheduled rehearsal to sing for a one night "revival" service with Bob Reccord (who, FOR the record, was 'snowed in' and didn't make it).

We did get a great sub (cold cut combo, if I recall correctly) and the service went on as planned .. knocking me out of precious practice time.

It appears the weather has gotten the best of me, once again.

Rain, snow, sleet .. hail, I can't win.

A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Mouth

Every year Antioch Baptist Church in Humboldt has a "Men's Quail Supper" and because of my love for the great outdoors (I stepped in some manure, once) I get an invitation to attend.

This year's "guy gathering" took place last night and the food and fellowship were second to none.

Ken Luckey (the birds were not quite as) and crew did a great job feeding the five thousand (it seemed like that many .. I was at the end of the line) and no one went away hungry.

During the exodus of the children of Israel, the people didn't much like the menu God was providing (manna in the morning .. manna in the evening .. manna at suppertime) for them. They wanted meat, so .. He gave them quail to eat .. tons of quail to eat. In fact, they ate so much of this "blessed bird," scripture says it was "coming out of their noses."

Well, I had my fair share last night, but not to the point of quail actually coming out of the old "snozzola."

I've been congested lately and my nose is all "stopped up."

This is probably a good thing .. especially, for those who sat across from me.

Senior Citizen Conga Line .. Use Caution

Today at 1:45 (PM not AM .. I'm usually up at both) our SonShiners choir will be singing at the Humboldt Nursing Home. This is a ministry opportunity for us: going outside the walls of First Baptist Church to share the gift of music.

Since the members of the choir are all 55 and over (most WAY over), I have to be careful not to leave any "stragglers" behind (they all look alike .. you know).

When our children sing, this is not a problem. However, when you have a choir of senior adults singing for an audience of senior adults, things could get a little tricky.

Just to be safe, I am going to put a "smiley face" sticker on everyone when they get off the bus, so they don't end up having an unplanned "sleep over."

Sometimes the boys and girls from the DayCare hold on to a long rope when they go down the hall toward the gym. As an additional precautionary measure, I may borrow their rope and do the same with our group (I just hope no one has to make a bathroom stop).

During a portion of the program, I am going to have the nursing home residents sing along on a couple of familiar hymns. If I find some really good voices in the bunch, I may try to "swap" them for a few of my "pitch oblivious" singers.

Maybe no one will notice.

Back .. and Badder than Ever

We finished recording last night a little after ten o'clock (actually, there was one song we didn't get to .. so much to do .. so little time) and I was pretty much wiped out (my brain is way too fried to go for some type of gross potty joke .. maybe next time).

It's always good being out with "the boys" and sinning (that should be 'singing') with the chorale is one of the great joys of my life (I don't get out much, you know).

I look forward to the upcoming CD, though I'm not sure how much time is involved in "post production" (a recording term .. not a reference to the process of actually making posts .. though in today's economy, I might need a new vocation if the music ministry falls on hard times).

When the CDs are complete, you will be the first to know. We're practically family.

Okay, who left their dirty socks in the middle of the floor.

Were you raised in a barn?

Still in the Studio

Went to bed at 2 AM. Practicing/recording all day (at least 9 PM). That's all folks!

Once More from the Top

The Tennessee Mens Chorale will be in the studio (which is the choir loft at First Baptist, Nashville) recording a new CD with the Tennessee Ladies Chorus today. Since I am a part of this group (the men .. though I am fairly 'in touch' with my feminine side), I have to make today's post brief and head on out toward "Music City" (Nashville .. not the huge discount band instrument retailer .. our prices are INSANE).

As of Monday, there were 75 TLC members (that's a lot of estrogen!) and 91 TMC singers (with 91 different opinions .. each one absolutely correct .. on how our director should be interpreting the music) registered to participate.

The icing on the cake (Weight Watchers friendly and only 3 points per slice) will be singing some of the pieces with the Nashville Praise Symphony, directed by Camp Kirkland.

I am excited, even though I am already very familiar with the music industry. In fact, I am under contract with Columbia House Records.

I get 20 CDs or tapes for only $1.99.

Wii, Wii, Wii .. All the Way Home

Our Minister to Students, Russ .. or "Hatman" as he is now called .. is a big Xbox guy. He loves playing video games and, evidently, this makes him cool and appealing to our youth.

Back in my day, I was groovy and far out .. can you dig it?

I had an Atari 2600 and I was really bad (in the late 70s and early 80s that meant good .. or it could just mean .. bad .. I'm not elaborating) at Pitfall and Frogger .. now THAT was some hardcore gaming.

Since I'm over 50, this is more my speed ...

The level of difficulty is only slightly harder than "Sit Your Tail in the Recliner" .. my current exercise of choice.