U Rah Rah!

"On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Plunge right through that line! Run the ball clear down the field, a touchdown sure this time. On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Fight on for her fame. Fight, fellows, fight, fight, fight! We'll win this game."

I’m a band geek. I spend 8 years in a community marching band and 4 years in my high school marching band. I’ve been in countless parades and football game halftimes. I bet I have played that song thousands of times. A couple of weeks ago I pulled out my piccolo and after a couple of minutes could play it flawlessly from memory. That song gets my blood pumping.

I started college at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1986. I wanted to be in the marching band. But, I played the flute and piccolo. The UW marching band, because of their marching style, does not have a flute section. But I went to the tryouts anyway. I would try the cymbals. I’ve never played the cymbals, but I could march.

That week of tryouts was hell. It was hot, humid and we spent hours on the field learning the marching style, which is a high step march. We then spent more hours in the band room, me not having a clue. I am not a percussionist. In the end, I didn’t make the cut. But I loved the experience and get excited every time I see the band march out onto the field. I still long to be out there during the 5th Quarter.

The greatest fight song of all time turns 100 this week.

Go Bucky!

Goals

I started writing down some goals. I've been doing this for a few years. I recently looked at the list again and realized that I've accomplished most of the items on the current list. Time to add some more.

But I did notice one goal on the list that has been there for a long, long time. I want to write. A book. Or something. I really haven't told many people beyond my husband that I even want to do this. But I really do. I guess that is why I started this blog in the first place. To work up the courage to actually do it. And to help me figure out if I am even any good at this writing thing. I don't have a much confidence in this area. I have ideas and have even started a few things. I think I'm afraid people won't like it.

My friend Loretta is a writer and a blogger and I have been following her blog for months. I also read some of the blogs that she follows. One of those bloggers is sponsoring a writing contest.

http://suzyhayze.blogspot.com/2009/11/contest.html

I think this is my first step off the cliff. Or maybe my only step off the cliff. :)

So I am doing this. I've actually written it, and will have my writer/editor husband make sure I've used commas correctly. I tend to overuse them.

If nothing else comes of this, I can scratch that goal off my list.

Thankful

Now that November has arrived my mind has turned to Thanksgiving. To be honest, Thanksgiving hasn't been a big deal for me for many years. Not sure why, probably because we live so far away from family and haven't created any family traditions on our own. (Except for the lasagna. This is because my husband cannot eat turkey. Allergies.) But this year I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to start some traditions and really thankful.

I read in a natural health magazine about keeping a Thankful/Grateful Journal. It encouraged people to write down daily something that they were grateful for that day. It could be big or as small as being grateful for that person who held the door open for them at the store. It mentioned that people who were thankful took better care of themselves and were more likely to workout regularly, eat right, sleep more and be happier.

So I'm starting a journal. It will be paper and by my bedside. Perhaps I will share some of them.

What am I currently thankful for? COFFEE

peace~