"Me Day"

I haven't known what it's like to take a real vacation day off work for years, I think. Usually when I take time, it's because I'm traveling or committed to some event. The only days to myself lately have been holidays..and that's because everything is usually closed. But last week, I gave myself what I called a "me day"--a day set apart for me. No plans, no commitments to anything or anyone.

I took that time to relax, do a lot of spiritual study and reading. I must say, everyone needs to do this now and then...especially if you have a stressful job or other intense stuff going on in your life. Much was revealed to me just by contemplating and being still. And, I know for sure it's had a staying effect thus far. It was a great beginning of a physical and spiritual renewal.

Gotta check the calendar to plan my next one now....

Temp Your Way Across the Country

I have in my library a book titled "The Temp Workers' Handbook" by Brian Hassett. Having been a temp on and off throughout my work life to accomodate my creative pursuits, it's been not only a valuable resource, but a great read. Brian Hassett is a brilliantly talented writer who manages to bring a refreshing humor and perspective to the field of temping.

I was looking through it this weekend and took note of a section where he describes how people could travel their way across the country and temp in different cities. I'm not sure if this all was tongue in cheek or not. But, if you're someone without a lot of strings in life and a lot of stuff, it could be an intriguing way to live for awhile.

Hmm...I'll have to take a look at that.

Around the world..

Every now and then I do a Google search on myself to see what I find. The latest results have been quite surprising. Due to some recent articles which I've placed on article portal sites, I've found that my work is featured on many websites I never knew existed, including several music related web sites. I was also amused and pleased to find myself listed as an artist on a few CD sales sites, thanks to CDBaby.com making my audiobook "Treasures In the Tip Jar: the Art of Awesome Fan Support" available to CD online outlets and digitally via ITunes and other download sites. I even found a listing for myself from such places as Germany and Denmark.

None of the above has yet made me rich and famous. Oh well, I'm still working on that. One small step at a time, you know.

Best male singer...

It's been said that you don't pick singers…they pick you.

Most people who read my blogs and website regularly know that I've been on record for the past five years or so saying that Mark Lowry is the best male singer I've ever heard. I was not born yesterday. I've been a serious, and somewhat astute, music listener for most of my life…and a lot of you also know how old I am.

If you've been wondering why I declare all this, let me explain it to you.

To me, the elements of a great singer are: voice quality, emotion, strength, lyrical phrasing, and ability to handle diverse styles well. Some singers are considered great because they have one area that is particularly strong. For instance, they may be able to sing big very, very well. But, for someone to come along and have all of these elements to such a great degree is very rare. The only other singer who to my ears had it all was the late, great Patsy Cline, who I feel is the greatest female singer who ever lived. Barbra Streisand runs a close second for female singers. Michael McDonald was the reigning male singer in my world for about 20+ years prior to my discovering Mark. (Don't feel bad, Michael...that's a good long run and he still hasn't moved far from the top spot).

I encourage you to check out the following performances and hear for yourself what I'm talking about (try Mark's website at www.marklowry.com or Amazon.com for sound bites). Most are from Mark's solo albums.

1. Mary Did You Know (Mark Lowry On Broadway)
The one that started it all…it can probably be said this performance changed my life. It opened the door to a lot of personal blessings over the past five years. I even lobbied for a Grammy nomination for Mark in the male vocal category for this performance. Basically, I watched the video that night on TV, heard Mark sing this and my jaw dropped. I looked at Mark on the screen and said "you don't know me now…but you will". I was only going to write an e-mail to tell him he was the best male singer I ever heard...and the rest is "Wendy V" history. Who knew?

2. Reaching (Still the Greatest Story Ever Told-Gaither Vocal Band)
Mark's solo break in the middle of this song to me has as much breath-taking, emotional, goose bump impact as Patsy Cline's "Faded Love".

3. The Christmas Song (Mary Did You Know)
I have not heard this song sung better (and yes, I've heard many versions). As perfect a pop standard performance as they come. All the elements I mentioned earlier are masterfully demonstrated here and throughout this album: voice, emotion, diverse style, phrasing.

4. Make It Real (Some Things Never Change)
The hit that should have been. Had this song been played on country or adult contemporary radio, it might have done what "Butterfly Kisses" did and gone straight to #1. I believe those markets would have responded in a big way to that voice and a song that expresses where many of us have been at some time or another in our lives.

5. I'll Worship Only At the Feet of Jesus (Best of Mark Lowry, Volume 2).
Even as many times as I've heard this track, I recall at the last Praise Gathering I attended, they played this as people were filing out of the worship service. I just stood there and froze.

6. But Seriously (album).
It's hard to be blown away by 30 second sound samples. But I was when I first heard these on Mark's website. When I finally got a copy of the album, I played it 6 times in a row. A classic, timeless, perfect combination of the right songs and a great singer. (FYI, if you have the Best of Mark Lowry vols.1 & 2 , then you have the whole album).

Mark's next planned release is a hymns with orchestra project. Look out.

Oh, by the way…Happy Birthday, Mark.

East Coast Trip

I am just back from a trip to New York and CT to visit family. We've been dealing with ill health of parents for many years. With one remaining, it is still sad and stressful at times.

Many of the New York and New Haven area radio stations set the soundtrack of my growing up in the 60s. This time out my sister and I visited the Savin Rock Museum, a place that celebrates the setting of where we grew up. Savin Rock is on the Connecticut shoreline in West Haven, the former home of a grand amusement park which existed from the early 1900s till 1968. It's now a shorefront and a boardwalk, but the memories are well preserved.

I begin and end my trips with overnight stopovers in New York City to regroup, break up the long travel duration and to know I'll make it to the airport on time on the way back home.

Man, I love New York.

I've been there more times since I left the East Coast than when I lived in CT only 75 miles away. I love the city's energy, media coming at you from all sides (a bit like the Tom Petty song "Jammin' Me", admittedly) and watching the tons of people do their thing, trying to get from point A to point B. Most interesting is the juxtaposition of the well to do side by side along the streets of the homeless and destitute.

I went out in the early evening and sat in Bryant Park for awhile, just watching people chill, read, chat, relax, whatever. I do remember a time when New York seemed sinister and unsafe. Though I do instinctively keep my hand on my bag when I walk, I feel safe and unthreatened as I walk the streets (my main way of getting around the city).

My usual hangout, the Museum of TV and Radio, was closed when I was in town so I couldn't go there this time. However, Virgin Megastore on Times Square is fast becoming my favorite place in the city. I told a worker there that they needed to have a dance floor in the store—because every time I go there, I want to dance. The closest I come to that is walking rhythmically throughout the store's three levels. If ever one place in New York captures the city's pulse and spirit, Virgin Megastore is it.

And ever still, the best place to eat in New York is any of the hot and cold buffet delis you can find.

"Prairie Home Companion" movie

I have been eagerly awaiting the Robert Altman "A Prairie Home Companion" movie release. I've been a fan of the show for over 20 years and you could say it impacted my life, since it was what made me take a look at MN as a place to live. The rest was history and you can read that at the Radio Regulars portion of my website.

So, I got to see the movie this weekend. It was just wonderful and it went way too fast. It was very funny and entertaining, and I felt it captured the essence of the show, save for a few changed details (I didn't miss the monologue...I'm a fan of the music primarily). At first, I was skeptical of the hoopla that surrounded the various actors who participated (particularly Lindsay Lohan). But I must say, I thought they were all excellent (even Lindsay). Meryl Streep also sings well. Kudos to Altman for featuring Sue Scott and Tim Russell in prominent roles, even though their usual PHC show acting roles weren't reprised in the film. They are great talents who deserved their chance to shine along with the Hollywood folk.

The one thing I am most pleased about with this film is the fact that the regular musicians on the show are getting major exposure. Another nod is due to Altman for keeping this real rather than using actors as musicians or getting current chart-toppers. I'm very proud of and happy for all the folks like Jeralyn Steele, Prudence Johnson, Robin and Linda Williams, Butch Thompson, Peter Ostroushko (and others you'll see in the background), and most especially the Guy's All Star Shoe Band (can you say Oscar nomination for Rich Dworsky for original score? Why not!). I hope they all get a career bump on this similar to what "O Brother Where Art Thou" did for its musicians, because they are so deserving.

So, go see it for yourself, and enjoy.

The next project...

I've embarked on what will probably be a year-long project. I am seriously decluttering my home of all unnecessary junk and paper compiled over 17 years and a few moves. Why I took some of this stuff with me to all these places, I'll never know. But, for reasons not yet revealed, I have decided it finally must be done now.

Even though I am taking the advice of folks and compartmentalizing it to focus on one area at a time, it is still a bit overwhelming. A lot of the paper part of this is going to end up being shredded. So that means lots of noise, lots of mess, lots of trash. I hope I don't get tossed out in the process.

It also means letting go of stuff I've had for over 20 years. I guess I've been sort of a "you never know when you might need it" person. I need to try to avoid rationalizing over why I should hang on to stuff I never use anymore. And I need to not procrastinate and focus on the goal.

This should be an interesting journey.

Congrats to the Soul Patrol

Yes, me too...I was addicted to "American Idol" this season. Happy to say, my guy won--Taylor Hicks was my pick from the get-go. I think it was the gray hair and soulful voice, and just what the judges said--he was different and knew who he was as an artist. And there are not many people I would trust singing a Michael McDonald song! I also thought Chris Daughtry and Elliot Yamin were great. Katharine is a beautiful girl who will do well on Broadway. But we had a beautiful girl with a great voice win last year. This year I was up for something different, and we got it. I felt from the beginning that Kellie Pickler was a star. Maybe not for her singing so much, but she reminded me personally of a young Loretta Lynn, with the same sort of humble honesty. I do think she has a future on TV.

The finale show was great. Why oh why did they not have a Bacharach night in the competition...they all did well in that medley (particularly Elliott), and of course a great song is a great song, anytime anywhere. I must say Prince was quite a surprise. I loved the Brokenote Cowboys and the Clay moment was priceless.

Another plus for me this season was the blog called "The Woes and Prose of An American Idol Junkie", written by someone known only as Jennifer. I respected her writing talent, her astute observations and ways of scoping out exclusive info.

I'll be waiting for next year.

Gaither Homecoming - Minneapolis

A few notes from last night's Gaither Homecoming concert at the Target Center (non-Gaither.com version with personal asides edited):

I worked Gordon Mote's table so I missed the beginning and the end of the show. Otherwise, I thought there were subtle changes but not a drastic difference in the shows we've had at the Target Center. Ivan Parker was the only "regular" missing from our lineup. The cues for those of us who work tables are the same: two songs into the GVB set and "Because He Lives", it's back to work.

I do like the new visuals they had at the concert--added a nice effect to many songs.I didn't get to meet new GVB tenor Wes Hampton, but he did shake my hand as he came offstage at one point.

Gordon's table moved a lot of product, but I was disappointed to not have a chance to say hi to him. Because the Gaither Vocal Band played last before intermission, he would not have time to come up and be at the table before he'd have to return again. But, he sure fills the piano role well, as I knew he would. The crowd loved him.

Rory, the sound guy doing comic relief, was funny. Thing with him is he doesn't have to say much--his expressions say it all.

The Anthony Burger tribute was sadly difficult, but nicely done.

I was surprised at the number of folks around me who didn't know the "Eastern Sky" routine and that you stand at the "oh Halleluia" parts. We do air the videos here, after all. Also didn't see folks who had Gaither.com laminates or couldn't tell if they were Gaither. com members. I do want to thank Michelle (cornerstone) and JanRae who stopped by to say hi--it was lovely to meet you both, and just one of my friends, Marti, got in a quick hug. Those who did not stop by, you know who you are.

I was in front row, but it wasn't the best seat. It was in between cables and speakers. The Target Center sent me to the wrong section (they had two labeled the same, I think), so the seat I thought I had was much better, unfortunately. My pictures were some of the worst ever, none suitable for sharing.

Conclusions and other observations:
- My new glasses are lousy for night driving. Once again, I got lost on the way home. My one advantage of having lived in Minneapolis once is I can at least find my way to a key point eventually and go from there.
- My camera needs to be retired.
- Target Center needs to not label the floor sections to confuse people
-Those two young fellows in Signature Sound, Doug and Ryan, changed into t-shirts after the show and worked their table blending in as if they were one of us volunteers. I was impressed.
-Once again, close but no cigar--no dancing with Jessy Dixon. Maybe one day.

Maybe I've Arrived..

This must be some sort of milestone. I found out this evening from CDBaby.com that my audiobook, "Treasures In the Tip Jar: the Art of Awesome Fan Support" is now available at ITunes. Some time ago I signed up for digital distribution of it through CDBaby. I thought what the heck, why not. So now, I've made it to ITunes (a service I use a lot--see my other blog, "Wendy V's Music Downloads"). How about that. Don't you love technology?

I can't find it when I do a search of the store, but trust me and try this link and it will come up:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=115529060

I Can't Believe I Walked the WHOLE THING!!

The Twin Cities MS Walk, where I walked "miles for Mark" in honor of Mark Lowry, was a huge success, especially for me. The weather couldn't have been better. I raised a total of $500, way above my initial goal. And, I am 50 years old and I walked the entire 9 miles.

Yesterday I made a training walk to Fort Snelling. I didn't know I lived in walking distance to Fort Snelling. But there's a walking path that runs parallel to Hwy. 5. Walk up the steps and there you are. In all the time I've lived in the area I've never been there. I learned that was a distance of about three miles each way and I did that in an hour pretty comfortably. That made me think that maybe I could pull off the entire course.

The walk began at the State Capitol in St. Paul, followed down Summit Avenue, then crossed into Minneapolis at Mississppi River Blvd, and went from there to the finish point at Minnehaha Park. It was pretty easy up until the last mile when my feet starting feeling it. Not the heels, usually my trouble spot...those were well taped up. My foot pads started hurting between miles 8 and 9 but no way was I quitting with one mile to go. I survived and have a nice blister on each part of that foot to show for it.

One thing I couldn't have done this without was my I-Tunes cell phone. I had three hours' worth of tunes loaded in. The music just glided me through the 9 miles. I started the first hour with a bunch of Mark's songs. How appropriate that the first one was "Be the Miracle", setting the theme for why we were walking. At mile 7 I bounced along with Gordon Mote's version of "Old Gospel Ship".

The most surreal part of this all came at the finish line. The song playing on my ITunes phone as I got there was Montgomery Gentry's "Something To Be Proud Of". I swear I didn't plan it that way. Don't you know as I crossed the finish line, on came the part of the song where Eddie Montgomery says "You did it, man!" You better believe I shouted that line along with him.

I want to truly thank everyone who pledged and supported me. Especially you, Mark. This was a great and empowering experience on many levels.

If it weren't for the blisters, I would have walked home. What the heck. Maybe next time.

See pictures along the route here: http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=10118809&uid=439773

One Year Ago

Thursday marks the first anniversary of my dad's passing. I am told by many it will be a hard day for me. Truthfully, it will be more mixed. Yes, it was hard to lose my #1 encourager. But you had to be there. You had to see the condition he was in, what the illness had done to him. You had to feel the helplessness that we felt to want for him something much, much better than this earth could give him anymore.

But now, he's done with all that. Done with all the pain and suffering. Done with the body that stopped working, the mind that failed him. Now he's reunited with his parents, our two dogs, and probably shooting the breeze with his buddies and many others who have gone before. Who wouldn't want that for him?

Sure, I miss him. I hate it that I can't pick up the phone and tell him what's going on with me...even though I'm sure he knows. But the thing is, I believe that this ain't it. I am convinced that the four of us--my dad, my mom, my sister and I--will all be together again one day on the other side.

In case you missed it, here is the memorial to my dad: http://www.wendyv.com/THV.htm

Blown away

Well, we've had three days now of unrelenting rain. Not exactly conducive to getting training walking in this weekend. I suppose I could get out with my poncho--just in case it really does rain next Sunday. But I choose to be an optimist and expect that next weekend will be better.

I am, however, blown away by the pledge support I've received for the MS Walk. I have raised more than double my modest goal. I think it's a testimony to the person I'm walking in honor of.

So I will put on a Leslie Sansone tape later this afternoon after I'm done with my month end web updates and house cleaning. Besides, I find if I exercise later, I sleep better.

Walk Training Update

With the Twin Cities MS Walk a couple of weeks away, it's time to get down to it and get serious. The great news is that I am well over my stated fundraising goal...thanks to all those who have pledged!

I've been a bit doubtful that my slightly coming apart shoes will do the job for the walk. Last weekend I got a higher quality walking shoe and did a couple of training walks. Things seemed to go well on Saturday. I walked for more than an hour in the new shoes and probably covered at least 3 miles. But alas, when Sunday came, suddenly the dreaded "equipment malfunction" reared its ugly head. Rub, rub on the back of the right heel and not long until a blister showed up. This even with my special walking socks. So if I do decide to use these shoes, I'm going to do a bit of foot taping. I will try to get a walk or two in again this weekend, so we'll see how they do.

As for how much of the 9 miles I plan to do--jury's still out on that. It pretty much depends on how the feet hold out. I expect to cover at least three to the first rest stop. Maybe I will take the next three after that..we'll just have to see.

More notes on Nashville..

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been a week since the amazing heartwarming experience that was Mark Lowry's Senior Trip. So many of us are still thinking about it and talking about it.

Here's another trip story I wanted to share. Because the trip was for folks 50 and over, and I just turned 50 this past September, I thought I would be silly and go in the guise of a red hat lady the first day. I wore a red cowboy hat, purple attire and a purple and black lei sort of thing which read "over the hill" (a gift from my co-workers). I guess the hat was a hit. I got many requests and questions on "where's the hat?" when I didn't wear it the next day. Even Mark's dad missed the red hat. At the dance, when I wore it again with my blue sparkle top that I probably last wore 20 years ago, someone came up to me with a couple of dollars in hand and said "how much for the hat?". I had to tell him it was priceless.

Yes, I am going to Asheville in December. I'm not thrilled with flying out of here during that time, so I will have to recruit my prayer warriors for those weather mercies. I will probably have to make a few financial sacrifices here and there. But it's about the people. It also dawned on me that Mark will probably sing some songs from his Christmas album. So, CMA Fan Fair, guess you'll have to wait another year...

Back From Nashville...

I'm now back from my trip to Gaylord Opryland in Nashville for "Mark Lowry's Senior Trip". Go here to get the full scoop: http://wendyv.com/srtrip406.htm . I think all of us pretty much concluded that it was about the most fun and fabulous experience we've ever had. Perfect in every way, right down to the very entertaining shuttle bus driver we had going back to the airport.

Honest to God. I never dreamed that when I heard Mark Lowry sing "Mary Did You Know" on his Broadway video five years ago and my jaw dropped and I said to the screen "you don't know me know...but you will" , that he would know me from thousands of fans and there'd be all this precious "Wendy V" stuff. I am thankful and grateful that a link to my Gaither blog with my report notes found its way to Mark's website. I do hope it helped tide over some people who were looking for news on the trip until Mark has a chance to post his items.

So now, I'm supposed to go back to work and resume a normal life. That's going to be tough for us "seniors" not yet lucky enough to be retired.

FREEDOM!!

Yippee! The stitches are out!

I got my hair cut this morning and went to the store to pick up some lunch before heading to the clinic. I figured I'd be sitting there a couple of hours or so. But they took me within 20 minutes and had the stitches out in no time. Did it hurt? Well, two of the six stitches did hurt coming out. Those were the ones I expected would, that were a little scabbed or had some skin in there tight. So those who told me they wouldn't hurt at all, see I told you so!! The thumb healed quite nicely and now I just have to keep a bandaid on for a couple of days to keep dirt out of it. It is still a little sore in those two spots, but that will heal in time.

Now I have to get used to the fact that I can use both hands again fully. The first thing I did when I got home was wash my hands like I normally did. I am looking forward to two-handed showers again.

I'm glad this experience is behind me but I did learn how much we take little things for granted, like using your thumb and taking showers without having to stick one hand out.

Now, onward to prepare for the Nashville trip. I'm still trying to work out the logistics of getting to a concert I want to go to the night before the Senior Trip festivities. It is taking place across town from where I'm staying. I don't want to rent a car and can't change hotels now because all of the hotels in downtown that aren't fleabags are booked for GMA week. So I hope there is a shuttle or good cab service. This is all provided I make it there on time to even pick up the ticket. Otherwise I've gambled away a little chunk of change. Oh well, we'll see.

First Cut is the Deepest, continued...

(Oh yes, that earworm has been in and out of my head ever since last Friday evening...).

Well, it's been about a week and "thumbelina" seems to be healing well as far as I can tell. The thumb is much happier when not wearing a bandaid (it comes off at night to air out). It wants to bend and do everything it normally did prior to last Friday, but I have to restrain it like an errant child.

It's still more a pain in the neck than a pain in the finger. Taking a shower is interesting while sticking one hand out past the curtain, wearing a plastic glove (I bought a bunch of those last year at a dollar store. Never used them much till now. Makes me glad to be a packrat.). But I hate having to ask my co-workers to do things I want to be doing. I hate that my right arm and shoulder ache because they are doing all the work. I hate that I can't do my new spiky hairdo with two hands because one hand can't get it right.

But this all shall pass. It better by next Saturday. It's also convenient to have them taken out that day because I have a hair appointment already set up right near the clinic. These stitches look like they're in there pretty good. Could be interesting trying to get them out. I have heard that a lot of people take their own out, but I've taken enough chances, thank you very much.

What else? My turn...

(proper punctuation and typo free copy has been temporarily suspended for the next two weeks)

So I had just written an e-mail to someone saying I hoped brighter days were ahead. I was making supper and went to open a can of tuna fish--I eat solid white a lot because it's a quick and easy meal. I had it open three quarters of the way and then the hand opener quit. I must have given too much of a nudge and then YOW. Sliced my left thumb at the joint. Enough to know a couple of bandaids I put on weren't going to do it.

Reluctantly I called 911 to have paramedics look at it. I went down to meet them with their sirens and all with a towel over my finger. They took it off to take a look and said "wow--you've already got it bandaged." Uh, duh---isn't that what you should try to do? They packed it pretty heavily for me and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital or my urgent care clinic for stitches. I went with the urgent care clinic, since I live 5 mins. away and was just fine to drive, so long as I didn't have blood dripping down my arm.

I waited for about a half hour until the first nurse looked at my finger. It was 90 minutes until they took me in for stitching. There were quite a few people there who seemed worse off than I was and only two doctors on board. The good news was that the bleeding had stopped, so I could just chill by people watching or trying to get into whatever kids video was playing (a few sick children with fevers were there).

The worst part of this was the numbing shots they give you and you are well warned about that.I laid there and went "yowww" (trying to be funny, but seriously, it hurt), while gazing at a strategically placed poster of a beach with the word "breathe" on it. How do little kids with these accidents deal with the shots? I also got a tetanus shot while I was there since it had been a while. That was a piece of cake.

I have a total of 6 stitches in the finger. It is in an inconvenient place but lucky for me, it did not hit a tendon. I have to avoid using my left hand for 14 days so I don't pop the stitches (fortunately I am right handed)--a challenge for me, a computer tech and a very independent type. If anyone has any creative ways of doing daily things with one hand, let me know.

Yes, these stitches WILL be healed and outta here by April 1--or else. Thanks to all who offered prayer and concern. Keep it coming!

Moving Forward...

Some further thoughts on Anthony:

I did get to see the funeral rebroadcast on Friday. It was part funeral, part Homecoming showcase. I think Anthony would have liked it. With all due respect, may I say it was SO good to hear David Phelps sing "These Are They". The guy can still bring it.

I hope at some future point if she's willing that the Homecoming tour will retain Lori. I think she's earned it and did a wonderful solo job at the service.

Mark noted on his podcast how Anthony was his favorite to accompany him on "Mary Did You Know." Indeed, his playing on that track is sheer virtuoso. If you've taken notice, you can easily hear Anthony's played some great licks on many Homecoming tracks, with different styles. One of my favorites was as he's accompanying GVB on "Promises One By One" on "Hawaiian Homecoming"--that one has pure funky soul and I did tell him how cool he was on that track. The only other pianist in my opinion that ranks close to Anthony in style, speed and diversity is my friend Richard Dworsky, who plays for Garrison Keillor on "A Prairie Home Companion." A talent like Anthony's is hard to replace.

*****************

Last week I signed up for Leslie Sansone's Walk Club. It's a online venture with many features, including availability of full videos. With it came a walking book and a 1 mile walking DVD. I also bought a 3 mile DVD of hers, so now I should have enough to regularly rotate in my training. The book has a structured plan which I'll try to follow somewhat...heaven knows I can use the structure until it warms up and spring comes calling. (I did try the 3 mile DVD this weekend and got through it! Yay! )

By the way, the walking book package and my t-shirt for the MS Walk arrived the same day. Coincidence? Perhaps not. It could be my kick in the tail to get motivated and get moving, because May will be here before we know it. After all, Mark' Lowry's Senior Trip is now a month away. Time do fly!

Speaking of Mark's Senior Trip, now comes the news that Mark has been injured in a motorcyle accident, suffering a broken leg. Word is it won't keep him from being at Senior Trip. We can be thankful he wasn't killed...I don't think we could take one more unimaginable heartache on top of another. Keep him in your prayers.