❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
This is a public video, however the purpose of this song is for my son, which is a personal matter. He is 24 years old. Some bonds are deep, some never take at all. The bond that I feel with my son is the deep kind, that of hearts, spirits - between two souls. And he came into my life when he was 8 years old.
I am grateful for this special experience, this special bond.
One day, I hope to do this song with better voice. In the meantime, I upload what I did yesterday and include the live version that I sang for my son as one of his Christmas presents on Christmas Eve 2011, which was shot with the cheapest camera sold. I dream of having a decent camera one day. I just can't afford one.
This song was written December 14, 2011 for my son.
Until Forever Ends
Written by Sandra Hammel
Though we are two hearts, many years apart,
Our bond runs deep, deeper than the blue sea,
Now, you, you sail on,
I stand here and watch you take flight……
Every day, keep your passions alive, breathe free,
This is a picture I wanted to include in the video, but when I got around to finding it, I was at the end of making the video and couldn't find an appropriate place to slide it in. Dad always "enjoyed" in a humorous way what he was giving Mom for Christmas. When I was there, I always was asked by Dad to wrap the gift. So, I am sure I wrapped this gift. Photo credit: Sandra Hammel
The lake was made out of a field by my dad, where he also located a natural spring. The house was drawn by my mother and built by my dad. It is the third home that I lived in overall before moving out as an adult. The other two houses in the family childhood videos and photos were also built by my dad and the plan of the second childhood home was also drawn up by my mother. The first home was built right after WWII during the Depression.
This video at Youtube is "unlisted". Please, honor me and do not embed this video anywhere. ................................................................. I have made this video in three versions. The above video is the second version. The third version is still processing at Youtube. Unlike the first version, there are audio glitches in the youtube uploaded video above.
I love pictures and videos and taking them. One thing is all the "unpleasant" times of a family are not in the pictures and videos for the most part. I made this video for my mother that I haven't talked to since my dad's funeral. But I have been emailing and sending youtube videos to her over the last months. It works well.
Story behind what brought me to making this video
My brother who lives in Hawaii, called my sister in Indiana recently because he felt mother must go to the hospital with an extremely low blood pressure. She has always had a very high blood pressure. The hospital kept her for a few days, ran tests and sent her home finding nothing. Then she went to her doctor and he had a test ordered, which was done June 24, 2011. Then the doctor "quit", as my brother put it. It took my sister pursuing the test results and Wednesday, June 29, my brother called to tell me the results: 75% blockage to one artery to the brain and 50% blockage to another artery to the brain. So the 75% blockage apparently is getting a stint and the 50% is getting medication. She was born in 1925, so it is surely risky that the stint will go well. No one has let me know when the stint is being placed in the artery.
So, I made this video for my mother. It is something I can do for her. Even though, there were some very hard words and actions about my dad the couple of years before he died...in 2007. I can do this. And give her some comfort.
My father's name is Hammel. And very little history has been passed down about my ancestors on his side. It is either Swiss or German, I believe.
My mother's family ~ the Mickley family's name was Michelet in Europe. And before one of the ancestors came across the Atlantic Ocean, they were from the area around Metz, France.
There is a book of the Michelet ~ Mickley history ~ The_Genealogy_of_the_Mickley_Family_of_America. There are some very interesting stories in the book, including the name (last) changes down through history. Some ancestors are listed as being killed by Indians. (See my blog post about the Indians: Neglected story of discrimination) There is a story about the Liberty Bell. Pages, I particularly like are: (Page 95 (Joseph Jacob Mickley ~ Biographical Sketch, 100, 102, 117-118, 150-153. My name is listed in the hard copy that I have. But my sister was born after the time that new children's names were added.
The first link is to this book put online by Cornell University ~ www.archive.org/stream
Click on the image to enlarge It has the Coat of Arms of the Michelet family and the motto of the family.
For Me ~ Raw title of the third version: Indiana The Lake July 14, 2002 #9 Hi 8 D 1 Edit Color of Video, Added Pictures and Video 720x480 (640x480) What A Wonderful World.mov
I haven't written very much here about my son. He is currently in his final year at an university in Boston and is graduating with two degrees in engineering, a Bachelors and a Masters.
Last night he came over for some conversation, a meal and to watch a movie. We watched The Last Station. And he liked it. I had already seen it a couple of times. He mentioned that he had gotten in touch with Cynthia Auckerman, a journalist whom we had met back in 2005. By searching the internet, he finally was able to read articles written about him by her. This is one of the articles that she wrote after meeting us on our trip back to his childhood...
On the evening of Aug. 12, 1991, four-year-old Jonathan raced to the site where his brother had been struck by a vehicle. Jeremy was lying stomach down, but his head was facing upwards, twisted in a grotesque way.
One young life that had been lived in chaos was over, but Jonathan's life was about to get even worse.
Jonathan lived in several locations, including Union City. Now adopted and living in Rhode Island, he visited the local area this summer to explore his childhood memories.
Now he's writing about his experiences in the hopes of dealing effectively with the burdens that chaotic childhood left behind. And maybe - just maybe- his story can help other hurting people and those who are trying to help them.
"My mother began to treat my brother and me as though it was our fault that Jeremy died. Every chance she got, she blamed us for the accident. Being so young, I believed what my mother told me because I trusted her. Now I realize that's what you do when you are a child; you automatically trust your mother."
Here's a lesson. No matter the degree of abuse or neglect, the child's bond with his mother is intense.
Even before the accident, life was already a kind of hell for Jonathan. After the accident, Jonathan's mother spent increasingly more time away from the four-year-old and his nine-year-old brother. The two boys were left to fend for themselves when the mother left them home alone for long periods of time.
The mother increased her use of drugs and alcohol and there were "grungy" men in the home.
"The smell of those men made me feel like throwing up," Jonathan says.
The physical burden of caring for himself at a young age wasn't the only hardship Jonathan faced.
"I had nobody to talk to about my grief, and at the age of four, I had to deal with the loss of my beloved brother on my own."
He began to feel anxious, confused and scared when the mother was around because she turned her anger on her surviving sons.
Before Jeremy's death, there were times when the mother was not drunk or high. At times, the mother made Jonathan feel loved. After the accident, the mother became a cold and unattached person who could not love her surviving sons.
"I was four years old without a loving mother. I fell into a feeling of hopelessness like a big black hole. I could not rely on my mother for anything, and I had to rely on my brother more and more as a parent."
His mother's degeneration led to the family having to move, with one stop being in a trailer in Union City.
Less than two years after his brother was killed, Jonathan watched his trailer home burn. With his mother screaming in the background and sirens wailing, he realized the dogs were still in the house. One dog survived, but the boys later learned their mother's boyfriend broke the neck of the other dog. The fire apparently was the result of a domestic fight between the mother and her boyfriend.
Jonathan's life was about to take an even worse turn. His mother decided to move in with her mother and stepfather. Jonathan's grandmother had abandoned her own daughter when she was 11.
Another lesson: child abuse and neglect is often handed down from one generation to the next.
Leaving her two sons alone with the grandparents, the mother pursued her lifestyle of drug and alcohol abuse.
"The abuse my brother and I endured from these grandparents was more emotionally damaging than either the fire or my brother's death," Jonathan says.
He is not yet comfortable with sharing that part of his life, except to say that his brother and he had only each other.
RHODE ISLAND RALLY ~ SOLIDARITY WITH WISCONSIN SAT FEB 26, 2011
We are all Wisconsin. We are all Americans. Rhode Island had two rallies to support the right to be in a union, freedom to bargain, Wisconsin Citizens and Wisconsin Democrats who have taken a stand to support "the right to exercise rights" wtihin a democracy. One rally was on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 and the other on Saturday, February 26, 2011. This video includes highlights of the Saturday Rally at the Rhode Island State House. Presented by Sandra Hammel
.................................................... Uploaded by me ~ ilovemylifesblog Correction: Spelling on one side of my poster's last line... Governor Walker. I was very much in a hurry when I did the sign. I had to drive 45 minutes to get there and I was late in leaving by 10 minutes.
Notable ~ The organizer of the Rhode Island Saturday rally asked the attendees how many were Union members and almost all those attending were not Union members.
Rhode Island rally to support Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 ~ Photostream More photos
Comments will be moderated at my discretion. This is a support post for the cause expressed on this post. Those who differ may post their own posts on their own blogs or leave comments where they are accepted by the owner of the blog or website.
Interview with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Sunday, February 27, 2011 with David Gregory on Meet the Press. Video of the interview at Meet the Press transcripts
“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Then this posted by HollyandJohn ~
Perhaps the new version goes something like this:
First they came...
First they came for the car unions, and I didn't speak out because I didn't work in Detroit.
Then they came for the air traffic controllers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are too entitled.
Then they came for the welfare mothers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are lazy, aren't they?
Then they came for the all the industrial workers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, well, NAFTA could be good for me.
Then they came for the free press, and I didn't speak out because I believed it was fair and balanced.
Then they came for everyone's savings and retirement money, and I didn't speak out because I thought bubbles happen and deregulation will make me money.
Then they came for people with houses and predatory loans, and I didn't speak out because they said greedy low-income people brought down the system.
Then they came for the right to an education, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a student or a teacher.
Then they came for those who organized to fight the rich, and I didn't speak out because I believe them when they said it was about the budget.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. show more
Then this posted by lillymouse ~
Then they came for the mentally ill and I didn't speak out because I didn't have a problem and didn't know anyone who did.
Then they came for the sick, unable to afford treatment, and I didn't speak out because I was healthy and had a job with what I thought was good health insurance.
Then they came for the old and disabled and I didn't speak out because I wasn't either and I believed them when they said social security was broken and there was no way to fix it and we must all settle for less.
My advice ❧ Have many pictures of yourself taken when you are young, because when you are old you will appreciate those pictures.
I uploaded this same video at three places: Facebook, Vimeo and Youtube.
I haven't had a video compress right for months at Youtube. I uploaded this video twice and then removed it from Youtube. It is one thing to compress a whole minute off the original video, but to cut off the ending of the song is unacceptable outright.
Videos upload corrrectly at Facebook (the place for the best compression). Best screen size to view video by going to Facebook. Second best is at Vimeo but this time the audio has glitches in the video even at Vimeo.
What I created, actually uploads correctly at Facebook every time. Youtube compresses the videos so much that any attention to the timing gets defeated here. Youtube cut off the ending entirely and overall cut one full minute out by bunching together the single jpegs at a much faster tempo than the original. This is no masterpiece, but still it would have been nice to get what was created. To add to my complaining: Youtube's limited choice of the display picture leaves a lot to be wanted. Facebook and Vimeo give you many choices for the display picture of your video. Pretty Mary Yes, there are ONLY 2 chords - F and B flat - in the original song of "Pretty Mary" and mostly only the F chord. I added C in the coda. Anybody can play this song.
Raw title: Sandra Pretty Mary without descant #1 720x480 4,3.mov
Update I have "tricked" Youtube's compression software into including the song to the end by adding more visual on the end of my previously finished video. Youtube still compressed the original and subtracted two full minutes from the video. If you want to see the altered version... .............................................................
............................................................. Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
Raw title: Sandra w Beauty Once Known.mov ~ This is just for my sake.
The record was made in the auditorium of Pfeiffer Hall in the Spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois. Three years later, North Central College eliminated the music department.
Artists work used in video Childe Hassam Christine Comyn Crazy Frankenstein.com Garmash Taras Loboda Waterhouse Found at storylet
Schumann's original title in 1840 is "Twenty Songs from the Lyric Intermezzo in the Book of Songs for One Singer and Piano." A letter in 1844 refers to the Dichterliebe cycle though it is not clear who assigned this title. The word is usually translated as "Poet's Love"
Link to information Schumann_Op48 Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856) / Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856): Dichterliebe, Op. 48
Robert Schumann wrote, "At certain points in time, (Heine's) poetry dons the mask of irony in order to conceal its visage of pain; perhaps for a moment the friendly hand of a genius may lift that mask so that wild tears may be transformed into pearls."
Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877) Johannes Brahms facebook The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee Jean Berger youtube I Am the True Vine arranged by Salli Terri youtube It's May Robert Schumann's "Art Song" youtube
............................................... Uploaded at Facebook with lesser quality to fulfill their 1GB limit. But at Facebook, the compression didn't ruin the timing of the music with visual elements, which happened at Youtube (which is below from the original post).
..............................................
.............................................. Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
As stated on the video's end, this video was uploaded numerous times at Youtube. In my software programs, the video project has transitions and text placements perfectly timed to fit the music. But each time I uploaded this video at youtube, the timing was completely off. Obviously, this is a disappointment to me after all the time spent trying to present the music and video the best that I could. But after much tested patience, determination and endurance, I had to surrender and put up a video that is not what I had done. The compression of youtube spoiled what I had attempted to do. But even so, I continue to post one song at a time of this North Central College Choir record from 1968, conducted by Paul Warren Allen and this song therefore had to go up in that effort.
Text from my youtube upload: Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), op. 74 no. 1 (1877) [satb], from Zwei Motetten, no. 1.
The imposing opening Adagio (in D minor) of this motet, is punctuated four times by the urgent cry of Warum? (wherefore?). The following sections are in flowing cannon form with a 'warm F major glow' reflecting the text. It ends with a nunc dimittis in chorale form.
Johannes Brahms - (7 May 1833 in Hamburg, Germany to 3 April 1897 in Vienna, Austria)
Brahms studied piano from the age of seven and composition from thirteen. He had a lifelong interest in early music and amongst his generation he was without equal in sophisticated contrapuntal technique. He did not enjoy a meeting of minds with composers of the New German School, but his artistic kinship with Robert Schumann and his passion and veneration for Clara Schumann are well known influences on his life. Whether or not Brahms was a believer, he whole-heartedly accepted the Christain ethic and admired and embraced the literature and poetry of the Bible. His background was North German Lutheran Protestant. This inheritance gave to his choral music 'a noble human consolation' and air of hope.
His musical style was of the romantic school; his nature was introspective, reserved, logical and studious. Musicologists point to the essence of all these influences being demonstrated in the a capella motets spread over thirty years, and in his other sacred music, but most especially in the German Requiem.
Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; which rejoice exceedingly and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3, 20-23)
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens (Lamentations 3, 41)
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. (James 5, 11)
With peace and joy I go forth in the will of God, my heart and mind are comforted, gentle and still. As God has promised me, death but becomes sleep to me. (Martin Luther - 1524)
This recording was done in Pfeiffer Hall in the spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois, outside of Chicago at North Central College. Three years later the college eliminated the music department. The decision was made by the college President, Arlo Schilling.
It was the year of 1971, the flourishing music department was cut out of the school. A church affiliated college with no music department.
The following is taken from the NCC website on the history of it association with churches ~ "Originally founded in 1861 by the Evangelical Association, North Central College became affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC) when the Association's inheritors, the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB), merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to form the new denomination... We're proud of our association with the UMC and its deep commitment to spiritual renewal and social justice." northcentralcollege
Eighteen years later, in 1989, the music department was brought back.
The history of The Naperville Chorus ~
In the 1960's Dr. Paul Warren Allen of the North Central College Music Department melded the vocal talents of students, college personnel, and community members into a forerunner of the Naperville Chorus. The NCC-Community Chorus flourished and performed contemporary and traditional choral works until 1971, when financial cutbacks at the college eliminated the Music Department.
Coach Hammel Columbia City, Indiana To enlarge ~ click on the pictures ................................................. .................................................
1959-60 Columbia City Joint High School Sectional Winners
From the back of 1959-60 poster picture Coach Hammel's writing
1960-61 Columbia City Joint High School
My dad left planet Earth May 10, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. while he was on the telephone with me - he in Indiana, me in Rhode Island. I would have been there, had I known he was waiting to die soon. My dad gave me a close up look at someone who lived with authenticity. So, I hold him dearly in my heart.
Dad wanted so much to write a book and have it published. He had a title and had written some of it. The title was to be "Why Coach?" He wanted to tell stories about the importance of making a difference in young players lives, not by teaching them techniques and skills of ball playing, but by utilizing the sport to get to the heart of the players.
I recorded his memorial funeral service. And I hope to get it in a format to be able to share. The community newspaper sportswriter, Roger Metzger, who wrote during dad's career and a basketball player,
Keith Doudt (pictured above with Dad) spoke and made moving contributions to the ceremony.
I feel so blessed to have been the one to be "present" with dad when he let go. I have that connection and it is so precious to me. I consider this a gift that he gave to me.
Months ago I was googling and went to the high school website where I attended high school.
Dad was a teacher and coach there. And I found this alumni page, which had an email address for one of dad's basketball players. I wrote and he wrote back. I share his email below with his permission.
1962-63 Columbia City Joint High School
Sectional Winners
A Tribute from Mike Barnes
A Flying Golden Eagle
Coach Mark Hammel
Sent: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 Subject: Coach Hammel
...When I saw the pictures of your dad, it brought back a flood of wonderful memories.
Columbia City Joint High School gymnasium
now called Columbia City High School
Photo taken in 2007
Photo taken in 1959
First tip off in the new CCJHS gym
Your dad influenced my life for eternity. He is the primary reason I became a teacher and a coach. I would like to share an experience with you that I had with your father. I came home from school and basketball practice one evening, and my dad was very upset with what people in the bleachers were saying about me during games. He planned on never coming to anymore of my games, because he was being embarrassed. I didn’t try to reason with my dad, but your dad had told me that if I ever needed him I was supposed to call him. I talked with my mom. Dad was not somebody that I “talked” with. That is not a criticism of my dad that is just the way it was.
1963-64 Columbia City Joint High School
Sectional Winners
The names provided by Mike Barnes ~
The cheerleaders from left to right: Judy Manter, Sylvia Binkley, Judy Johnson and Joanne Bates. The mascot cheerleader: Rhonda Johnson. The first row of players from left to right: Randy Cook, Mike Barnes, Rich Mills, Mike McCoy and Tony Smith. The second row of players from left to right: Tom Smith, Harry Staley, Jeff Culp, Tom Roe and Jack Stellhorn. The managers are Danny Worrick by Coach George Kind and George Hertzel by Coach Mark Hammel.Mike Barnes number was 22 for home games and 23 for away games. Thank you, Mike!
❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧
To make a long story short, although we had a phone, I went next door to the neighbors and called your dad. As it turned out, he wasn’t home. I talked with your mother, and coach was at a meeting, but she would give him the message. Your dad came to my house that night around 9:30, and he sat at the kitchen table, and talked to my mom and dad about how important and valuable I was to our team. It was close to midnight when coach left. My dad never missed a game. When I walked out to the car to say goodbye to your dad, I thanked him and I told him that I loved him. That very night I decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Also, your dad planted seeds about the Lord that opened my eyes about a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life.
The last time I saw coach was at my father-in-laws funeral in Columbia City in May of 2001. It was great to see him. I will never forget the positive impact your dad had on my life......
Please give my best to your family, and thank you Sandy for sharing your dad with us.
Sincerely,
Mike (Barnes)
CCJHS class of ‘64
Photo taken in 2007
Second email ~
When I was writing about your dad’s influence in my life, I had tears in my eyes. If you want to post my story about your dad, you have my permission to use my name. ……I had a very surprising call from your mother several years ago. She put your dad on the phone, and we talked about the book he was writing or going to write. He told me I would be in the book. One of the greatest compliments I ever received came indirectly from Dewayne Kline, who had played for your dad. Dewayne said that coach ranked Mike Barnes as one of the 5 best players he had ever coached. I know Bill Schwartz was # 1, but I was shocked to learn that your dad thought I was one of his best players. I don’t think I have shared that information with anyone else. We had a great talk that Sunday evening after your mom turned the phone over to coach. That was the last time I heard his voice. Becky’s mom sent me his obituary. I would have loved to have been at any funeral or memorial service honoring “Coach Hammel.” As a coach for 30 years, my last sentence in the previous e-mail is a gigantic “thank you”, because I know the time away from family coaching requires. Your dad will always be in my heart.
Sincerely,
Mike
I tried to find pictures which included Mike Barnes but after a few hours of searching, I have had to give up as it is nearly 2:00 a.m. Maybe, they were in the external hard drive that died.
Update ~ Found the pictures! These are pictures actually of poster-size pictures. It is likely that the actual posters have since been thrown out. So I am so excited to share them here.
Columbia City Joint High School
Basketball Varsity Team
Photo credit: South Bend Tribune
I believe this picture is of 1964 Regional Champions
........................................................ Paul Warren Allen North Central College Choir I Am the True Vine Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
I am making my 1968 album into mp3s and trying to get them uploaded on Youtube in hopes that Paul Warren Allen will be able to hear them before he dies. He is 96 or 97 years old. I spoke with his daughter in January over the phone. She had responded to my letter that I sent to him. And then later I received a message on youtube that Professor Allen remembered the music by heart of this video
......................................................... Conductor Paul Warren Allen The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee North Central College Choir Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
......................................................... Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
This video was taken with a really cheap camera in poor lighting. It is of the last Tuesday, April 13, 2010 rehearsal of our local theatre company's production of The Fantasticks. And since I was running the spotlight for all music portions, I could only video scenes such as this without music. Our President doesn't want youtube videos of our plays on youtube due to legal issues of copyright with the play's company, so I may not leave this up much longer.
My favorite time of the year is May when everything blooms. In my yard it starts with the crocus and just keeps blooming one thing after another. A glorious time of the year. But then, the autumn is also very beautiful....and if you can stand some humidity and heat, the summer is the time for many cultural events. Yes, on Aquidneck Island we have most of our cultural events in the summer. And winter....well, if it weren't for the shoveling, I wouldn't mind it.
This video includes such old movies that they were silent. The years were around 1956 - 1957. The house is where I was born....not in a hospital. The woods across the street from our house - the street where we are pulling the sled is no longer there. Huntington College (now called University) got the land from my dad and made it into a lake. That red sled was painted red by my father and has my name painted on the center slat. I have it in my family room by the Christmas tree. We walked a mile to school, a mile to and from the John Tipton School for lunch and back home again. My dad went to the same elementary school and had the same first grade teacher that I did. It has since been torn down.
I don't expect to get many viewers for this video upload. But it was fun just because I enjoy making videos.
It was a break from the video that is taking a month to make for Darfur.
Have a great Christmas if you celebrate it and, if not, I hope you are healthy and happy. If not, I wish you a better year ahead.
Please, support artists who don't ban use on Youtube.
Cyndi Lauper's True Colors is sung on this video by Eva Cassidy
Lyrics
You with the sad eyes don't be discouraged oh I realize it's hard to take courage in a world full of people you can lose sight of it all and the darkness inside you can make you fell so small
But I see your true colors shining through I see your true colors and that's why I love you so don't be afraid to let them show your true colors true colors are beautiful like a rainbow
Show me a smile then don't be unhappy, can't remember when I last saw you laughing if this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear you call me up because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors shining through I see your true colors and that's why I love you so don't be afraid to let them show your true colors true colors are beautiful like a rainbow.
........................................................... ........................................................... Just couldn't resist.
So, since I stayed up, until the sun was irresistible beauty on snow- I have photos here of the nor'easter snow blizzard from 7:30 a.m. and again at 8:00 a.m. of this Monday morning of December 21, 2009 - Winter Solstice.
Winter officially begins on this shortest day of the year - December 21, except on some years when it is on December 22. Solstice means the sun stands still. The winter solstice is the day when the midday sun is at its lowest point above the horizon. Winter Solstice officially begins at 12:47 pm EST (1747 GMT) when at that exact moment, the earth’s axial tilt puts it the fartherest from the sun.
Today, the shortest day of the year, is followed by the longest night of the year, meaning that it will be getting darker earlier tonight and getting lighter later than normal tomorrow morning.
........................................................... My son - fourth year of five year engineering degree in Boston Christmas break December 19, 2009
Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open 2009 Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew May 14, Thursday, 2009. Therefore, Rafa had a walk-over into the quarter finals, where he will face fellow countryman Fernando Verdasco.
The match will be at 2 p.m. USA EDT/DST Friday, May 15, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TRIBUTE to EVALYN JANE HAMMEL WOHLFORD
My dad's sister, the only surviving sibling of five children, and the only girl, has retired from her beloved music - her beautiful piano playing - due to physical limitations. A day she never wanted to come. Upon her retirement after 67 years of sharing her gift of music in the church I grew up in - in Huntington, Indiana - the church is honoring her soon.
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................................................. I Surrender All - hymn Uploaded by WorshipVideo
This is a note I mailed to her recently...
May 10, 2009
Dear Evalyn,
Something dear to me is the wonderful heritage that I carry with me from the days of sitting in the old sanctuary of the East State Street Church of God (the one with the sanctuary that included the sections that could be closed off for Sunday school classes and the nursery in the balcony). The most wonderful memories that are with me today, come from the music, the beautiful “old” hymns that you played and we sang. Thank you, Evalyn, for the gift of music you developed, cherish, nourished my heart with and shared with us all. I owe you a debt that I can never repay ~ I can just be grateful and pass on the blessing.
Also, very meaningful to me were those Sunday nights that the congregation spent the whole evening just singing hymns. I remember Deeny, Stanton and Melba’s daughter, and Karen, Vic and Frieda’s daughter, singing the descants to the congregational singing of He’s the Lily of the Valley. And Vic and Stanton singing the lines to Peace Like a River. I just loved the singing! I could sit as a child, let my mind wander during the sermons, but the music is what always brought me back into the service. A verse of Just As I Am, Softly and Tenderly, I Surrender All or It is Well With My Soul touched my soul where just words never could reach. The music of these hymns still affect me in a very special way.
Please accept my appreciation and gratitude for helping bring music into my life.
With love
................................................. ................................................. Another hymn I grew up with....Softly and Tenderly Used in the movie A Trip to Bountiful - (which I recommend) Uploaded byRRRGroup2
And I sent the following to her inside a card via the church, which is honoring her on May 31, 2009:
The Gift of Music
Dedicated to Evalyn (Hammel) Wohlford
by Sandra Hammel
Music reaches places in us that words just can’t.
Ah, yes, words can lift, inspire, summon us;
But what can wash over us like music?
Enter our inner most sanctuary and become one with our being?
Permeate our mind, our heart, our spirit
and be present with us in our hour of joy,
need
or sadness?
And never fail to be there for us?
Nothing better for the hungering soul
or brimming delight is the music that is always
there for the simple taking and giving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An die musik ~ To Music Composed by Franz Schubert
Lyrics O gracious Art, in how many grey hours When life's fierce orbit encompassed me, Have you kindled my heart to warm love, And charmed me into a better world!
Oft has a sigh, issuing from your harp, A sweet, blessed chord of yours, Thrown open the heaven of better times; O gracious Art, for that I thank you!
May 10, 2009
Dear Evalyn,
You have nurtured your gift of music and shared it with so many of us. I want you to know how it touched me and helped me find my own personal relationship with the gift of music. A Chinese grandfather of one of my students once said to me, that a music teacher gives of her soul to her students. We have all been your students in a way. And we have all benefited from you as you have given of your soul to us. I can’t imagine life without the communion music provides for my best self. Music is a sacred gift and it was entrusted to you and you let it sing out beautifully.
With love and affection
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................................................. Softly and Tenderly - another version Uploaded by hoover4000
Evalyn is the girl in the middle My dad is the one holding the ball.
Ferne Wiles Hammel Mother of Evalyn, my dad, Mark, Harold, Jerald and Richard
In a portion of a tribute to her mom, Evalyn wrote this:
...Mom walked with me to Salamonie Avenue to Bessie Branstrator’s home for my piano lessons, which was about 3 ½ miles one way. (Before this, Bessie came to our house.) Mom’s day was busy, but she still took the time and would wait for me, and we returned home and she never seemed to mind the walk. She sat beside me while I practiced because I wanted her there, not because I wouldn't practice, which Mark tells folks. She played hymns, but I don’t recall her helping much with the music.
I enjoyed helping Mom wash clothes because we had a wringer washer, and it was fun sending those sheets, etc., through, but Mom was always watchful that I didn’t get my hands caught in the wringer.
Pop was busy earning a living for his family, and Mom would walk to Grandma and Grandpa Wiles’ home on Walnut Street which was about four miles, and we all walked to church, but I don’t remember minding this. But maybe, my brothers were afraid to say if they did. We had no car, and we attended revival meetings for two weeks, every night except Saturdays, and then sometimes we had church on this night, also. Church was 1.8 miles, and some nights were mighty cold or hot. One cold, cold day, Mom walked to John Tipton school with extra blankets for we kids and then while some of us got rides home, Mom walked back to our home in the frigid weather. I never understood where the other coats came from. This brings back sad memories to me, thinking how cold Mom must have been!
Mom was the buffer between we kids and Pop who was always serious; at least, this is my recollection of him. The summer before I entered high school, Mom made an appointment for me to get my pigtails cut and permed. A cab brought me back to Grandma and Grandpa Hammel’s who lived next door to our house, and as I stood on their sidewalk, Pop asked Mom who that was standing over there. I never knew what Mom told our Pop, but he never said a word to me about me shorn locks.
....our Pop ...said to me as we stood by Mom’s casket, "There lays an angel!"
I’m sure there was mental as well as physical suffering when Mom’s body was taken over by acromegaly (caused by dysfunction of the pituitary gland) which made here bones grow. She told me this happened when she was pregnant with our brother, Mark, so this was the way I always knew her...
...Mom loved to work outdoors and especially in her flower gardens. She had a beautiful variety of Iris, and I wish we still had the yellow rose bush which grew by the sidewalk in the back. She also, mowed the lawn with a push mower, and she would say she walked to Mt. Etna and back when she completed this job. I remember how she would rinse out her wet clothes and hang them on the clothesline to dry before they were laundered.
Evalyn's mom - my Grandma Hammel
On May 10, 1963, Mom had been working in her flower garden in the front of the house, and Pop had been working in his shop in the garage when he looked out and couldn’t see Mom. He found her in the house where she had laid all of the grandkids pictures down, face up. We think she had a premonition that she was not going to be here very long. Pop asked Mom if she would like to ride along to Baer Field to get some lumber. On the way Mom gasped a big breath and was gone just that quickly. Pop said he thought she was choking on her tongue so he tried to get hold of it to help her but with no success. Pop called me from Ft. Wayne with the news. I had lost my best friend and my precious Mom. Our pop was a very distraught and lost man after the death of our Mom, or Mother, as Mark always called her.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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Hawaii Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
