2025 Feb 27~Piano

Picture this: a small young maestro with the patience of a saint, trying to teach me to use the colored shapes on the iPad's YouTube channel, EASY PIANO TUTORIAL. 

Spoiler alert: I'm not exactly Beethoven🎶. Sure, I took piano lessons as a kid and had a 'go at' it in my early adult life, but this newfangled method had me scratching my head like a confused chicken. My grandson's exasperation was detected. I half expected him to place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my forehead😂😂😂

The objective: to learn to play the TOP GUN ANTHEM............on my piano!(can you see my eyes roll to the back of my head as I struggle to pick up this new technique? I was BEFUDDLED. Click on video below to see WHY it confused me!😁 This was a #newtomeat76 experience!

 

It didn't take long to switch my MO and order the sheet music, download it, and print off a copy of TOP GUN..........ahhhhh much better! 

My grandson has big plans for our next visit together, and I can't wait. This particular piece is especially fond to him as he has fallen in love with the music in the original TOP GUN movie.( and I THINK he is expecting me to play "Great Balls of Fire" the way LTJG Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw did😉😁😂!   In the meantime, it seems as though I have a bucket load of practice to do! Wow, talk about doing hard things...playing the piano and laughing all at once. Relearning old things is not always easy. While I can still read the notes, I'm having issues with those repeat D.S. TO Coda symbols while keeping up with the beat of the music! 

I love the fact that my children enjoyed playing a musical instrument during their adolescent years. And now to see this appreciation for the arts passed on to my grands, is rewarding! What a fulfilling way to spend quality time!

What began in January, and continued in February, will be ongoing as we continue building our skills.

 Each time we get together, we are learning a duet! Boy does he catch on fast!

For me, sometimes I feel like I'm trying to pat my head and rub my belly while riding a unicycle😂😂😂. Each day that I practice, though, gets better and easier! As I sit at the piano, my fingers dancing across the keys, the notes seem to come alive, filling the air with a sweet, melodic symphony. 

OH THE POWER OF PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE!🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

*** Studies show that time spent at the keyboard(or any musical instrument) improves mental health. People who make music experience less anxiety, loneliness and depression. It is linked to improved memory and the ability to solve complex tasks.....known as executive function. 

Next I'll add singing, as I play!😂😂😂😂😂
 

2025 Feb 24~Target Shooting

 What a B.L.A.S.T.  (no pun intended) 💥!

The day had finally arrived. I spent the afternoon plinking with Mr Sauer. It was my maiden voyage with Sig. He and I hit it off like a charm. 

Before we ventured into the woods on this balmy, spring like February day, I spent hours getting to know my new friend, and feeling comfortable holding him in my hands. There was a lot to learn about him, specifically safety and operation. Loading the PINK magazine holder took some special instruction from my well informed instructor! The protective earmuffs had its own learning curve. 

My instructor was none other than my sharp-shooter husband. As a seasoned hunter, handling various firearms is second nature to him. His expertise on controlled breathing, steady hands, focused sight, and safety were held in high regard. He too, has a new friend, so today's excursion was the first outside target shooting for both of us! 

I took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of my firearm. It was sleek and compact. With a deep breath, I loaded the magazine, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. The target range was eerily silent..........just the two of us and Mother Nature. My target, a simple bullseye and later a plastic coffee container, was placed at a moderate distance, just enough to challenge me but still within my capabilities as a novice shooter. I adjusted my stance. My heart pounded in my chest as I focused on the bullseye, my finger gently squeezing the trigger. As I continued to squeeze the trigger, my comfort level increased. A wave of satisfaction washed over me, along with a newfound confidence.  Adjusting my stance and hand grips improved my accuracy!

Not every shot was perfect. My arm wavered, and I seemed to favor the left side of the bullseye. My shots became more precise with each round.

The whole experience was both exciting and a good way to sharpen my skills. I'm looking forward to going back and continuing to improve. My initial apprehensions had melted away, replaced by a deep respect for the discipline and skill required in target shooting. 

The couple that shoots together....... stays together ❣️❣️❣️and we know how to have a blast----literally!

 

PS. My new friend was purchased at SAFESIDE  TACTICAL in Roanoke, VA. Every Tuesday is Ladies Day. It's a great way to practice and train. The staff is experienced, well informed and offer private instructions. They were helpful in guiding me to the right fit! 

2025 Feb 14~Naturalization Day

 "You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American."~Ronald Reagan

A Valentines Day to be remembered❣️! Forty new citizens participated in the Naturalization Ceremony at the United States District Court Western District of Virginia. The Honorable Robert S. Ballou presided.

Special music (Star Spangled Banner,  and America The Beautiful), was performed by the Carilion Clinic Hospice Choir.

The presentation of applicants was read by Coleman Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Virginia.

With their right hands raised, Elizabeth Cox, Jury Specialist, administered the 'Oath of Allegiance' to the new 40 United States Citizens. 

The courtroom was filled with friends, family, distinguished guests, teachers, and co-workers, cheering on the successful accomplishments of the applicants. *I'm always amazed at the different countries from whence they came:

For me, one of the many profound highlights of the ceremony was witnessing Judge Ballou present the certificates to the new citizens. 

Cards and American flags were given out by the General James Breckinridge Chapter DAR.

***The General James Breckinridge Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has been an active part of the Naturalization Ceremony since 1979, including a reception following the ceremony. Today marks my 5th participation in this event. What an honor and privilege! 

The remarks to the new citizens, given by Judge Ballou were inspiring, bold, and challenging. Indeed, they felt proud, honored, and welcomed to their new community. His words left a lasting impression on everyone in the room, including ME!

As with each of the ceremonies, all new citizens were encouraged to stand and make their gratitude known. Their smiles were BIG, BROAD, AND SINCERE. 

These brave, determined, and resilient individuals sought a better life in this great nation. They are now part of a vibrant tapestry, woven from threads of diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences.

 

The ceremony concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Anna McLean, Registrar, General Breckinridge Chapter DAR.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

 

"Remember that the more freedom you give to others, the more you will have for yourself. Remember that without law there can be no liberty. and remember, as well, the rich treasures you brought from whence you came, and let us share your pride in them. This is the way that we keep our independence as exciting as the day it was declared."~Gerald Ford 

I am proud to be an American.

"E Pluribus Unum" is the Latin phrase meaning "out of many, one" and has been the United States' official motto since 1782. It first appeared in a 1776 sketch for the Great Seal and is now featured on the seal and several US coins. The motto symbolizes the country's formation from the 13 original colonies and the belief that the nation should work together as one.