Saturday, February 04, 2006

splash

Okay, here I am. "This is my blog, this is my blog, I never travel without my blog", as King Kaspar sings in Amahl and the Night Visitors. I guess I am a blog "virgin", never having posted my thoughts for LOTS of folks to read before, BUT I had run out of things to edit on my company website www.firstcoastopera.com and thought I would try my hand here.

I am a very happy person, by and large, because I do many things that I REALLY love. I am sure this is a terrible thing to write in a blog, because I have always been told that blogs are a good place to let off steam. On the other hand, I believe in either 1) speaking the truth as I see it, OR 2) making up an whopper of a story. This is the first. Maybe later I will concoct a fantasy life!!!

  • I get to sing a lot and I LOVE singing.
  • I get to TEACH singing, and I love seeing people open to the beauty they are able to create with their voices - such magic we have inside of us, that can remain unmined and unknown!
  • I get to work on the website that I created.
  • I get to play on line Scrabble!!
  • I get to stitch needlepoint canvases in the sweet evenings while watching Law and Order or Crossing Jordan or even a movie!
  • I get to love my kitties - I DO love my kitties. They are Lucy, Chino and Roxy. Perhaps I will post THEIR pictures, too, because they are truly GORGEOUS felines.
  • I have a husband who makes me very happy, and cooks dinner for me, too!
  • I have wonderful friends who make me laugh, let me cry and tell me the truth!
  • I have children I adore and step-daughters I love and respect.
  • My mother is my best friend, and we spent 26 days in the UK in 2004 touring London, Cornwall, Scotland and Wiltshire - oh, such happy memories.
  • I live in a wonderful house in Florida (I don't like Florida - too hot in the summer, but I love OUR town) with a room like a cathedral solely devoted to music which houses my grand piano.

I am sure I have forgotten something, but I will just come back and edit. I enjoy editing a web post, as I enjoy tweaking my life to make it better!

I try to keep a positive attitude - I believe positive energy begets positive energy and vice versa. Since I began focusing on the positive a few years back, I have been happier and healthier. So, that means I attempt to turn "bad" things into gifts - e.g. the stroke that left me mostly speechless (for a few days) and with diminished sensation in my right hand, also taught me to slow down, consider my options, and "carpe diem". Take time to study the birds at the feeder, to watch the moon wheel overhead, to feel the cat's purr on the palm of my hand - these become as important as "getting things done". I think that explains my newfound, and long overdue happiness.

The organization we founded - First Coast Opera - has been a source of wonderful friendships and collaborations, as well as marvelous musical experiences.

I wish more people would take the time to develop a positive outlook - the world would be much more peaceful and joyful.

I guess I should sign my name POLLYANNA.

Who cares? This is for the people I love - I hope you know who you are, and if you are in doubt, believe it is true! May your lives be filled with things that bring you peace and joy.

Luciluna - the light of the moon rest softly on you

Posted by Barbara Norris at 11:39 AM 2 comments

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three on the futon

three on the futon

5th Anniversary of the Stroke

Nearly 5 years ago, I suffered a stroke that left me with numbness and lack of coordination of my right hand and arm. For awhile, I could not speak normally, and I couldn't say my husband's name. With time and occupational and massage therapy, sensation began to return. My speech cleared up within the month. I relearned how to brush my teeth and hair, how to butter toast, how to handle a fork. I used a speech program on the computer for several months, because my right hand could not type. I am very grateful for the lessons I learned from this experience. After 5 years, a person is considered to be at no increased risk of having another CVA (cerebrovascular accident). That's my upcoming milestone!
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