FamilyEducation Blogs

October 20, 2009

Thrills

At the time we were having trouble with some other girls.

Kendra and I walked to the community center.
There was a long line for tickets.
We were performing and were supposed to be back stage before the show began. [more]

October 15, 2009

The record player

I was nine years old when my mother brought me a record player and two albums. Aretha Franklin and Klimax.
It was 1985.

I rushed home with the record player, hurried into my bedroom, and closed the door. [more]

September 4, 2009

Beatlemania Reborn!

Have you heard the news? The Beatles are back! Well, sort of. On Wednesday, September 9, The Beatles: Rock Band will introduce the greatest band of all time to a new generation -- not to mention their parents. See, this isn't just some re-mastering of old records (although those will be released on Wednesday, as well). This actually lets people play along with the Beatles, using specially made instruments that work with popular video game consoles. [more]

September 2, 2009

Natural Music Makers

This activity combines music, nature and science. Create the shakers then compare and discover what in your backyard makes the loudest, lowest or softest sound when you shake it.

1. Gather your materials. You will need some plastic eggs, or small plastic containers with lids. A bowl and a backyard to gather your bits of nature.

[more]

June 29, 2009

"It Doesn't Matter if you’re Black or White"

The entire world was shocked. CNN, Channel Five News, TMZ announced "Pop Icon Michael Jackson is dead at age 50."

Mouths dropped open, many hearts skipped a beat. The world whispered, "Michael Jackson is dead." Some pretended not to be troubled, others explicitly expressed their emotions. [more]

May 11, 2009

Songs that Changed Our Lives.

In baritone, a voice hummed the old Negro hymn - "Wade in the water, wade in the water children, God is gonna trouble the water."

God troubled the stream, subsequently we sang, "We shall overcome, we'll walk hand and hand, we shall live in peace, we are not afraid."

Deep in our hearts we watched spiritual songs and old Negro hymns seductively became more attractive, more alluring - pop, rock, and rhythm & blues. Superstitious writing on the wall coveted Jessie's girl. We "Speaking words of wisdom, let it be." [more]

February 27, 2009

God in the Music

The saxophonist, eyes closed, worshipping, played with care. The bass player slapped the wood and popped the strings with ease. And the pianist and drummer played, as others sang words of adoration to God.

Then suddenly, I felt God in the music. He placed His hand on the inside of my wrist, feeling for the rate and rhythm of my pulse. The music played as God revived me...again. [more]

October 7, 2008

The Wrecking Crew

I haven’t written anything for a week or two. It’s not for lack of content or even opportunity. After all, K-Man is in the midst of potty training and G-d knows, there’s plenty of (pardon the pun) poop to write about during this phase. It’s tough to avoid writing about the kid crapping in the backyard, or proudly declaring that he peed on the floor. Attaboy! For some reason, fun (or funny) as it might be – I just couldn’t quite put “pen to paper” on that. I needed some inspiration. Not just another “look what my kid did” story. I found it last night. [more]

July 25, 2008

Old man. New tricks.

With K-Man on lead guitar and vocals, we live in a pretty musical house. We almost always have the iPod going, and when it’s not, K-Man is usually serenading us (or the dog) with an original tune or two. During K-Man’s concerts, I will grab a pillow and back him up on drums. He seems to like this. And, since at one point in my life I was a decent musician (trumpet), I can (mostly) keep a beat. K-Man and I make quite a little band. (Drums and guitar – we’re like the White Stripes. Only K-Man would probably prefer we be called the Firefighters.) [more]