Category Archives: My World

Color

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My heart is full of color this morning. I love color: seeing it, touching it, wearing it, and feeling it from the inside of me all the way out to my fingertips. There is a certain reverence to the morning light as it warms the first leaves with its touch, and that same light source creates a palette of vibrant pastels when it sinks into the western sky, stretching its fingers to touch every cloud goodnight, painting for us a spectrum of possibilities from sunup to sundown.

Without color, my life would be dull, indeed. A red living room wall greeting me when I walk into my home is a reflection of my own vibrancy and passion for living. Yellow accent pieces against my muted apple-green kitchen walls supply yearlong springtime. And for sanctuary, peaceful breathing, and rejuvenation I withdraw to the hand-painted vines climbing the blueish/greenish walls of my bedroom.

Mornings allow me to identify with the ROY G. BIV lineup of colors in my closet, starting always with my shoes and building up from my feet. Yesterday it was my cowboy boots and blue tights supplying all the color my basic grey dress didn’t have on its own. While others looked at my striking blue legs paired with my lime green raincoat and pitied my colorful brashness, I smiled and embraced the authenticity of me.

If ever in doubt, I always wear red, but wearing color is a given, as John Ruskin, English art critic, reminds me, “The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most.”

It’s a Family Thing

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Eagle Scouts run in my family. It must be in our blood: a genetic predisposition to years of merit badge earning, camp outs, 50-mile hikes, singing silly songs (although that may have started and stopped with my dad), uniforms, patrol leaders, and stating the Scout Oath in your sleep. I always wanted to be a boy scout, but my dad said I could only be an honorary one. Something about needing to be a boy. But this post isn’t about my history with the Boy Scouts of America; it’s about the third generation of Lindsay boys earning this most prestigious honor and recognition.

The Boy Scouts of America program (when administered correctly) establishes a foundation for these young men on which they will build for the rest of their lives. When you hear or think “Eagle Scout,” remember the honor is synonymous with learning, service, moral strength, good citizens, youth leadership and character building.

My dad was the first ever Eagle Scout in his hometown. All five of my brothers earned their Eagle, and my third nephew, Spencer, needs help from all of us to make his Eagle a reality. I realize this is short notice – that’s why I’m soliciting your help! I could go into all the details of why his original project can no longer be completed, but that’s another story and none of those reasons were due to Spencer’s lack of preparation. Sometimes grownups and politics get in the way of greatness. ‘Nuff said on that.

The Project

You’ve heard the saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees”? Well, Price Park in Greensboro, NC, has a beautiful walking trail with a 400-yard section completely overgrown with small pine trees. This portion of the path is a mess. Park rangers have already agreed to cut down the trees during the week, and Spencer’s vision is to form a human chain of 200 community volunteers and remove the wood to a waiting wood chipper at the end of the assembly line. The trail is too narrow for a vehicle to fit, and this is why the removal has to be done manually.

This is a simple project, but to be successful requires people power.

Needs

  • 200 volunteers
  • work gloves
  • food to feed the masses
  • water for the workers
  • your time
  • financial donations
When: Saturday, April 14, 2012
When: 7:30am to 11:30am
Where: Price Park Trail at Kathleen Clay Edwards Library
Who: Adults, teens, service clubs, individuals who want to be part of an inspiring community project
Why: Because volunteering makes you live longer

 

There are plenty of ways you can help, even if you can’t physically be with us on the 14th.

  1. Spread the word and tell your friends
  2. Shout it from your social media platforms
  3. Donate money
  4. Provide referrals to businesses potentially willing to help with food and water

Contact

Click here for the Facebook event page – PLEASE let us know you’re coming so we know we have the volunteer base necessary.

Email Spencer directly at priceparkeagleproject at gmail dot com

Use the comments section below for any additional questions.

Thank you for your help. Together we can pull together as a community, support an outstanding young man in his efforts to not only clean up a trail, but to achieve an honor for which he’s been working since the age of eight.

 

Shredded Bliss

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The electric doors slid open as I crossed the threshold into the big box office superstore to meet my new shredder. Just inside the door I halted, as my gaze swept from one end of the massive space filled from floor to ceiling with everything from paperclips to paper towels to swivel desk chairs and an in-house copy center. Criminy! Where to look? That’s when I heard the voice in my head, but it turned out not to be in my head, but a sales guy sneaking up behind me. “Do you need some help?” Well, duh. It’s more like I need a GPS to find my way around in here, but you’ll do. I need a shredder, please.

Pleasantly, he replied, “Let’s go find you a shredder!” Walking two paces in front of me he led me directly to the aisle of shredders, which all happened to be on sale today, and proceeded to read labels to me. Hmmm. I can read those all by myself, but thanks. “Well, I don’t normally work in this department, but if I were going to buy a shredder, I’d definitely buy this one!” Really? Why is that, exactly? No, actually I don’t want to know. I just want to read these labels in peace. And quiet.

“And I’m going to go ahead and recommend the added protection that an extended warranty will provide you. If you purchase this model, which is already on sale for a great price, by adding the extended warranty for another two years we’re going to be able to cover all sorts of things the manufacturer won’t. I’ll just hand this pamphlet to you so you have it when you get to the register.” Riiiight. Okay, well, thank you for your help, I’m just going to read more about my options, and I’ll let you know if I need anything else.

“Just give me a shout if you need my help or have any questions!” Sure thing. Thanks, again!

And then just when you think you’re alone and can read as many labels as you want, like the green bean seed you planted in the Dixie cup, he pops up immediately to check on you. Yikes, dude. You’re starting to creep me out a bit. Just slowly back out of this aisle and give a girl some space to determine which shredder fits her needs all by herself. Trust me; I can handle this decision.

Fast forward to the checkout. I’ve made my decision, my purchases are being tallied, and the clerk, oh so chipper, chimes in, “Would you like to add a two-year extended warranty to your shredder?!” Hmmmm. What exactly is the benefit of paying you more money for a product that should work just fine for the next two years – and beyond? I’m sorry I’m not grasping the significance of this extended warranty opportunity that I’m clearly missing.

“Well, I’m supposed to ask you about it, but you know, like if it were to accidentally get caught in the rain, for example, then the extended warranty would cover those damages.” Shoot! That’s right! I forgot about my tendency to bring the paper shredder to all my friends’ cookouts! Hey guys! Check this out! SIX SHEETS AT ONCE! Can you believe it?! And how about that micro-cutting action, eh?!

IT’S A PAPER SHREDDER, PEOPLE! Just a paper shredder.

Names were intentionally withheld. This is a true story that actually happened to me in real life today.

It’s My Birthday!

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Well, it’s not my birthday today. My birthday is actually going to happen on Sunday, April 1, 2012. But if I don’t tell you about my birthday today then how will you be able to celebrate it with me on Sunday?!

Here’s what I’ve decided. I would love to enjoy my special day with as many friends as possible, and you may now consider this your official invitation to join me. My plan is to attend a concert on Sunday evening and you can come along, too!

My dear friend Brian Carter, cellist extraordinaire, will be performing his final recital on the campus of UNC-Greensboro at the School of Music recital hall located at 100 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC. The concert is FREE, the concert hall is beautiful, Brian is probably one of the most gifted musicians I’ve ever heard perform, and it’s my birthday. This is a winning combination, folks.

Here are the concert details:

Brian Carter, cello
Christy Wisuthseriwong, piano

Saint-Saëns: Sonata No. 2 in F major
Bach: Suite No. 6 in D major
Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in F major

Recital Hall, 7:30p

Okay, so you’re already wondering “What’s the big deal? So Brian’s got a recital. I remember recitals – like when I was in them and they were excruciatingly painful.”

Ma’am, please calm down. Trust me on this one – Brian is really really good. He’s about to receive a DMA – and for those of you (I include myself in this list) who don’t know what that means, it’s a “Doctor of Musical Arts.” I hear you sighing. Look – let me put it to you this way. Brian said, and I quote, “Basically, it’s the end of the road for performance people. I could get a PhD, but that’s for academics. This is all about performance.”

Have I convinced you yet? The next time you’ll get to breathe in Brian’s magnificence it’s gonna cost you a lot more money than FREE.

Besides – did I mention it’s my birthday? Alrighty then. I’ll see you Sunday night, but who’s bringing the cake?

Moments in Time

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Today I’ve been pondering a few things about my life. I hope we all have those days, or at the very least those moments, we allow ourselves to steal away from our routines, our lists of things to be completed, our computers to ponder, reflect, meditate, pray, breathe. The picture of the Hyacinth you see isn’t wrongly oriented; it is actually lying on its side, but still smells every bit as sweet as its companions. This beautiful flower is blooming where it is, regardless of the hardship its encountered, and sharing its shockingly sweet fragrance with whomever cares to get down on her hands and knees and request a sniff.

We all experience hardships, trials or even trauma in our lives. But most of us create a false front – a veneer to cover and to gloss over events and circumstances that shape who we truly are on the inside. I did that for a really long time but I stopped wearing that lipstick long ago.

There was a moment many years back when I let down my veneer long enough to allow someone else to help me in a really tough situation. Today I saw that individual again and I thanked her for caring for me in my moment of honesty. She had not forgotten, although I assumed she had. She’s not someone in my regular circle of friends; I rarely see her, but she was a tender mercy when I needed it.

I’m not suggesting that we need to expose every personal detail of our lives with everyone. Too many people share too much information as it is (Facebook is not your friend, my friend), and in sharing meaningless information may miss out on discovering for themselves who they really are.

I’m grateful today to know this about myself:

  1. My past does not define my present.
  2. I am surrounded by people who love and support me.
  3. I am talented in many different ways.
  4. Success is defined by me and not anyone or anything else outside of me.
  5. I am strong, capable, and in control.
  6. My voice is powerful and heard.

Authenticity is a beautiful trait I strive to possess because if someone cares to get close enough to me, I want to be at my best in that moment. Because even if I’m lying on my side I know I have the capacity within me to get up again.

 

 

Preach It!

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I am so extremely fortunate to have an open and honest relationship with my teenager. She and I talk about anything and she tells me everything (I hope). Last night as we walked together and caught up on our day she shared the latest installment regarding a particular friend and some ongoing issues that are present in their friendship.

I listened and asked a few questions and then I did what I tend to do most often. I preached. I dissected the entire situation piece by fractured piece until there wasn’t anything left to observe, to analyze, or to explore. I reminded her that the only person she can control or change is herself. I pointed out opportunities in the shared situation for her to be the bigger person and to model better behavior. I let her know what I expect of her.

But then I noticed she wasn’t quite as engaged in our conversation as she had been a few minutes earlier. Her gaze was distracted and she seemed a lot more interested in a piece of nearby tree bark than she was in responding to any of my rambling sermon that she’s heard like a million times.

Later, as we were sitting side-by-side, I asked permission for a signal. “For what?” she asked.

“For those times when you’re really not interested in listening to me preach to you the things you already know because I’ve preached them to you so many times before.”

“Oh, those times. Yeah, sure. Like what kind of signal?”

“How about you just put your hands up in the air and wave them around like this and say, ‘Preach it, Mama!’”

That got a deserved chuckle, and a non-verbal agreement that she doesn’t always need solutions. Sometimes she just simply needs for me to listen.

“When Everything Was Possible” review

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It was my privilege to be an audience member for the premiere performance of When Everything Was Possible at Triad Stage in downtown Greensboro. From the opening notes of the live musicians, masterfully directed by Michael Rafter, who also played the piano for the production, I was as caught up in the performance as any I’ve ever seen.

Two actors alone occupied the stage, but their command of that intimate space filled the entire theatre. Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory bring to the stage their own personal history of pursuing a dream and finding friendship together in the process. Telling their story through spoken word and song, we arrive with them in New York City at the onset of their celebrated respective careers and stand when the last notes are being sung, not because we want to leave but because standing is the only way we know to give back to them our gratitude for what we just received.

For those of you who missed this unique two-performance run in Greensboro, it’s not too late to attend the New York City premiere on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the 2200 seat New York City Center. Personally, I’m grateful to have been part of the much more intimate 300 seat performance in my own backyard.

Spring Cleaning

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Nothing says spring like “spring cleaning!” And nothing screams spring cleaning louder than “Hey, it’s the day after the first day of spring! Time to get this Christmas tree gone!” and out to the curb it goes. This is an actual picture I took with my very own phone today. I drove past the tree, parked my car, finished laughing, and walked back up the street to take a few pictures. Okay, so I didn’t actually stop laughing, because I kept thinking of how the conversation leading up to the eventual curb dumping must have gone this morning. Besides that, I was in a hurry to take my pictures because I didn’t want anyone thinking I was responsible for the dead tree!

So let’s have some fun with this picture. Why don’t you tell me what the caption should read! And, happy spring cleaning!

. . . And Winter Leads to Summer?

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Happy First Day of Spring! I know it’s hard to believe it with these predictably cold temperatures reaching near 90° this afternoon. No, seriously, my car thermometer read 86° at one point, and my math teacher taught me anything over 5 gets rounded up to the nearest 10, which makes it a near 90° day.

But that wasn’t what made me happiest. Driving back from a full day of meetings I had to stay hyper-focused on the road because of really severe thunderstorms. There were times I couldn’t see the road in front of me because the rain was so heavy. I don’t normally prefer to drive under these conditions, but I slowed down substantially and took my time. The storm was a bit erratic and felt more like I was driving underneath multiple faucets of water that were turned on full blast. In between those bursts I saw the sun peek through and I had just enough time to snap the above picture of my own double rainbow moment before I drove underneath another leaky faucet.

This YouTube video cracks me up every single time I watch it, hear it, see it, hear my daughter imitate it, learn there’s an iPhone app that mocks it, and so on and so forth. My gift of spring (or is it summer?) to you:

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

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Facebook as a whole feels like a virtual vortex of lives not being lived, but merely alternate realities being shared with the masses. But that’s just my opinion. However, three specific people come to mind with whom I’ve reconnected through Facebook, and these three new old friends have come back into my life with purpose. Each of these three friends has long since transitioned from the virtual realm of Facebook to occupy an important role in my real life.

#1

image courtesy holyrootfarm dot com

Four years ago I received a direct message through Facebook from Andrew. We shared a German class during our senior year of high school he reminded me. I didn’t remember him. That German class was a melting pot of students from all four of our city schools; I couldn’t locate him in my yearbook, which means we must have attended different high schools. Reticent to accept a friend request from someone I couldn’t even recall seemed foolish, but we shared a few more messages and slowly some recollections drifted forward from their file in the back of my mind.

After consulting our high school German teacher (with whom I’m connected on Facebook) about his character, I eventually accepted Andrew’s friend request and now all these years later ceiling fans, Gala apples, Dr. Seuss and The Muppets are all better because an old friend became new again.

#2

Image Courtesy retroland dot com

If you’re like me you’ve used Facebook as a vehicle for locating people you knew in a former life and other people are doing the same thing so interested parties can usually find each other. This was not the case with Mariam. I looked. And looked. And looked again. In hindsight, I was probably spelling her last name incorrectly, but at least I was looking. A lot of good it did me because I couldn’t find her. Then two years ago, out of the blue, there it was: a friend request with a message from Mariam! Our fourth-grade friendship picked up exactly where we left off when I moved six years later, although we have yet to break out the Fashion Plates. Mariam, maybe you can locate those before our next visit? And maybe your mom can drop off some delicious snacks so we don’t have to stop our talking, which has a beautiful tendency to weave its way through my heart, reinforcing the roots of this friendship that are so dear to me.

#3

Image courtesy of graphicshunt dot com

A little longer than three years ago I got yet another message via Facebook asking my forgiveness for a missed pizza lunch in high school. What was long ago forgiven and forgotten by me (seriously. I can’t even give you the details it’s that forgotten.), had troubled Kathy all these years. A reunion lunch invited a flood of happy memories and bad accents to entertain the guests at the tables within a three-mile radius of our reminiscing. In addition to providing the material for one of my more memorable posts about hula hoops and happiness, Kathy recently moved into my neighborhood. My old friend has become my new neighbor, and I’m so excited to channel my inner Mr. Rogers as we have lots of opportunities to share laughs and life, and the occasional cardigan.