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Monday, August 9, 2010

Leading the Band

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This afternoon, after a day of training teachers, I decided to sit outside on the patio behind the little house, to drink iced tea  and to write in my black journal.

I love the color of the new bougainvillea I bought this past weekend.

It is the hottest of pinks, and I like the way it looks against the crushed limestone. .

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  So as I pondered and wrote, I began to wonder when the high school band would start summer band practice.

For you see, when the band plays, or the football announcer announces, I can hear it in our backyard, and I am in heaven. 

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That made me think about growing up in the country- on a ranch- far, far from town.

One of my favorite fantasies involved marching around our yard, twirling my baton, blowing my whistle , and giving orders to my imaginary band mates.

It was so much fun.

It was either that or pretending I was in the spotlight dance on American Bandstand (in my lavender bedroom with the lavender carpet) staring in the mirror.

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17 comments:

  1. We don't live very far from the high school and I still get a rush when I hear them in the mornings...especially the drums!
    I can just picture you doing the jerk in your lavender room! Me...I wanted to be one of the go go dancers on Sumpn' Else...that was a Dallas based dance show.
    Debbie

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  2. I remember pretty Justine...but who was her partner? Tucked too far back in my memory bank at the moment. I love the sounds of the band practicing, too...that incessant drum beat marking the patterns they worked to form. I always admired their perseverance. Thanks for sharing your memories. Cherry Kay

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  3. Beautiful thoughts! I love your new plant, gorgeous color! Have a blessed day my friend, I hope the band plays your favorite song:) HUGS!

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  4. How fun, Laura! My parents home was not far from the high school and I also loved hearing the band and the announcer on Friday evenings! Even the thought makes me long for fall! You are so dedicated to train our fellow professionals. I am afraid I spent the first morning of the school year having a celebratory sescond cup of coffee on the patio while the buses rumbled through the neighborhood...yaaay retirement! I hope you are having a happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  5. I was in band. I used to practice marching and playing in our farm yard. My mother took a photo of me once marching amoungst the chickens. HA!

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  6. can hear the high school bands at our house also...used to love it when I could here the drumline rehearsing..my son was on the drumline for 2 years...always makes me smile

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  7. Your bougainvillea is beautiful. Thanks for bringing back memories of when I was a majorette many many years ago. I loved twirling a baton and marching in parades.

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  8. I'd love to have some details on your teacher training. I will be mentoring new teachers again this year. I have yet to be given any job description or guidance!!!! I tend to just do what I think best according to my 31 1/2 yrs. experience in the classroom. Any ideas you want to share? cherischatter@yahoo.com

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  9. I played the drums in the marching band . I went to a tiny school, in a tiny Texas town. The first day of 7th grade I signed up for band . I was given a drum and Friday night I was marching on the football field at the High School game !! Our school was so small everyone in band 7th grade - 12th grade marched in order to look like a band !!
    Dottie

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  10. I love watching ESPN and sports channels over here to watch college games. Sadly, we don't generally have that kind of infectious enthusiasm at our school and college games. I wish we did!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  11. Laura, I love the band and announcers, too! It is so comforting! Every now and then we need to watch "Hoosiers" to capture those sounds! Linda

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  12. I have a bougainvillia in the exact same color and I can hear the nearby high school band practicing and all of the home games from my yard, too. Except, I was a cheerleader and my best friend was a majorette. Those were the days!

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  13. I was in the marching band (decades ago) and both my kids were and are in the HS marching band. I used to hear the local band practicing when I left my office during the summer....I love hearing them, and seeing our local band!

    That bougainvillia is breath-taking!

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  14. Hi. Thanks for visiting. This china is beautiful!!!
    ~ Julie

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  15. I live across from a Middle school. In the spring they start learning how to be a marching band (for the Memorial Day Parade) and go all around the neighborhood. I LOVE it. Reminds me of all the concerts I went to when my daughter played Clarinet.

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  16. Thank you for the wonderful memories. I also twirled my baton in the bedroom and in the backyard. I loved it! And I remember how we would all rush home from school to watch American Bandstand.
    Your bougainvillia is a beautiful shade of hot, deep pink. It's so wonderful how quickly they grow and spread their beautiful color. Enjoy!
    I hope the marching band starts up soon.

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  17. I sure can relate to this! Two homes ago, I lived near the high school and could hear the bands play and hear the football games being announced. I am once again near a school, and it should be interesting to see how much I can hear again! At least near this school, they won't be shooting off a cannon every time the home school makes a touchdown. That scared me to death the first time I heard that!

    Kady
    Life on the Edge

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