Days Until School is Out...

Dear Gentle Readers:

The day has arrived! That being, the last day of school! Technically, it's not a school day, but a "work day".

Whatever.

I bid you all a wonderful summer. This Blogger will be in and out, so there won't be a lot of new posts this summer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Library Lady

Days Until School is Out...

Dear Gentle Readers,

OK. So I've missed a few days of posting the number of Days Until School is Out...but you don't wonder why if you know anything about the end of the school year.

Anyway, I am definitely in the final stretch. Tuesday, June 1, is a teacher "work day" -- making it sound like we teachers/librarians don't work any other time than a designated "work day".

SHEESH.

Anyway, to my colleagues far and wide who are already finished with their school year, I salute you, and wish you blessings on your summer.

Library Lady

Days Until School is Out...

School Daze

Dear Gentle Readers:

Yesterday was so busy ("How busy was it?") that I didn't get to post my "Days Until School is Out" number, which would have been 9. And that number was SO PRETTY. So I give it to you anyway.

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

In Memory of Blackie

Dear Gentle Readers:

I witnessed something this morning on my way to work that no one should have to ever see: the death of a beautiful, large, black, male dog (maybe part Lab?) that was hit by a truck driving in the opposite direction from me.

Sycamore School Road, one of the main thoroughfares I travel to and from work each day, is a treacherous one. People speed, dart in and out of lanes, turn with no signals, and generally drive like bats out of hell. As for me, I know there is always CRAP out there when I drive. I expect CRAP. I am watching for CRAP.

And so it was this morning I encountered CRAP. Looking ahead as I drove (you know, from driver's ed, "getting the big picture"?), I saw a pretty doggie trotting along on the right side of the road on the sidewalk. He was on the bridge that spans the little creek near the park. About 1/4 mile from our house.

Why. oh why did he decide to cross the road at that exact Moment in Time? I was able to slow down and give him some space as he crossed the road. I looked to my left to see if the doggie made it across, but a truck (an older maroon pick-up truck) hit the beautiful dog with the front left tire.

I saw this. I even heard it. I think I FELT it.

And I was devastated. Looking in my rear view mirrow, I saw the black dog lying there in the middle of the road on his side. Turning around in the park that was nearby, I went back to check on him. He was still living! Grabbing my cell phone, I dialed 911 and asked for Animal Control to come and help. In the meantime, numerous cars drove by slowly (I was blocking a lane of traffic each direction, determined that the sweet dog would not be hit again), but no one stopped. Finally, one man stopped to try and help, but didn't know what to do, and was running late to work, so I thanked him for his kindness in stopping, and said goodbye.

A few minutes later, a young, pretty, heavily tatooed woman stopped. She said, "I'm a vet tech. Let me take a look." With no hesitation, she stooped down to check on the dog. She gently felt him, said he was warm, but there was no pulse. He had died while I was standing there with him in the middle of the effing road, waiting for help. But at least I had petted him several times, and I was there as he drew his last breaths. I hope to GOD there was not much pain. I can't even go there...

I found a pristine, white linen tablecloth in my trunk and gave it to Stacy, the vet tech, in which to wrap up Blackie, my fond name for the beautiful doggie that had just died as I watched over him, and helped her put him in her hatchback. She said she'd take care of him. As she laid him down, Blackie's bright red blood stained the white cloth, just as it had on the street where he had so violently died. I was glad that Blackie had something so nice in which to be swaddled. Little did I know the cloth's intended use until this morning, as I had been carrying it around for years.

While awaiting help, I'd called my husband, Teddy, to come and be with me -- and maybe to help with Blackie. But Blackie had been taken away by the time Teddy got there. Leaving the scene of the tragedy, we drove our respective vehicles to the nearby park where we held tightly to each other, crying together over the loss of the sweet, innocent dog named Blackie.

Teddy loves animals as much as I do -- especially dogs -- and we share and live with a lovable, sweet, precious but precocious, adorable, five-pound, long-haired, black and white male Chihuahua aptly named Domino. He is the Love and Light of our lives.

I asked Teddy to go home and love all over Domino; to hold him close; to carefully watch over him. Of course Teddy does this everyday, but the thought of Domino in the road, on our street...well, I just can't go there.

To all you dog lovers and owners: watch out for your beloved pets. Don't let them run loose. Keep tags on your pet, and get him/her micro-chipped so that if he/she gets out, you will be notified. Stacy said they would check to see if Blackie had been chipped. By the way, we had Domino chipped in March at his yearly Well Dog visit.

This has, of course and understandly, upset me tremendously today. It is a reminder of the uncertainty and fragility of life. As if I needed to be reminded...

So, Gentle Readers, go home tonight and love, hug, and kiss your spouse/children/pets. We never know how long they will be with us. Blackie is gone from us for good. Let's not let his life go unredeemed.

Days Until School is Out...

Days Until School is Out...

The Countdown is ON!

Dear Gentle Readers:

It is official. It has begun.

We are in The Final Days.

No, I'm not talking about Armageddon, but it may be just as bloody. I'm talking about The Final Days of School. Where I work, there are exactly 19 days including today because I WANT CREDIT FOR GETTING UP THIS MORNING!!!

OK. In order for you to celebrate with me, I'm in the Countdown Mode. Here are the number of days that remain in the school year. That's work days for me.

Stay tuned!

Significant & Formative Events in My Life

I like what my sister-in-law, Sarah, has done with one of her blog entries; that is, creating a chronological listing of what she calls "formative experiences" in her life. I wrote one of these for my life and posted it in 2008, but it's not current and needs some updating. So here goes:

1957 Being born. Without this step, there would be no significant -- or otherwise -- events in my life.

1977 Meeting Tim, my husband-to-be, at Southwestern University

1979 Graduation from Southwestern University (Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance)

1980 My marriage to Tim

1981 Moving to Rochester, NY for Tim to attend graduate school. Some very difficult and unhappy years for me.

1985 Moving back to Texas for me to attend graduate school (TCU)

1987 Graduation from Texas Christian University (Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy)

1988 My Dad dies at the age of 61

1989 Buying our first home and still living there

1992 Graduation from UNT (Master of Science in Library & Information Sciences)

1993 My Mom dies at the age of 55

1997 Starting first school library job

1999 Tim is diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

2004 Last vacation with Tim to San Francisco (what fun!)

2005 Tim dies of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after a struggle of 5 years

2007 Taking an Alaskan cruise with friend, Sandy, a trip of a lifetime!

2007 My sister being diagnosed with breast cancer

2007 Taking an interim job as a church pianist

2007 Becoming a pet Mommy to Domino

2007 Taking the interim job as pianist as a permanent position

2008 Joining this church as a member

2009 In late December, reconnecting with my high school sweetheart, Teddy, with a visit from him during the New Year's holiday

2010 Falling in love again with Teddy and marrying him on March 15

2010 Living very happily with Teddy in Fort Worth

Everything's Comin' Up Roses

Dear Gentle Readers:

As a wedding gift, and knowing how much I love and enjoy flowers, my newly wedded husband, Teddy, decided he would plant a special garden for me in our backyard. After a trip to Home Depot last Sunday after worship, and several hundred$ of dollar$ later, we came home with petunias, marigolds, 9 rose bushes, other assorted "spring color spot" plants, border, veggie seeds for our veggie garden (a work in progress) that include spinach, squash, orka, and two tomato plants. And finally, 5 bags of mulch. (Mulch is the "secret" to a thriving garden, so don't neglect this step of the planting process. Trust me on this one.)

And he got right to work. Over the course of three and one-half days, he has dug up the ugly Hawthornes that lined the back portion of the house (the sunny, west side), and replaced them with roses in a variety of colors and heights: red (2), pink (2), yellow (4) and iceberg white (1). "Stunning" is the word I'd use to describe the result. The picture at the top of this post is of yellow Lady Banks, the name of the rose he bought for me. It is a minature, climbing rose.



The Wedding Garden has an attractive white Adirondack border around the perimeter of the garden in which he placed our birdbath in the center (after cleaning it out -- YUCK!!!), then planted fragrant yellow and orange marigolds. They are spectacular and can easily be seen as I sit in the recliner in our bedroom.

Lastly, he planted pink petunias in the front yard (in two separate areas of the beds) and used some of the left over marigolds for three pots he placed in the Angel Garden, also located in the front beds. On the patio in the back yard, he planted 5 containers of -- I forget the exact name, but they are tiny pink flowers with "lacy" green foliage. Using some more left over marigolds, he made three hanging baskets that now adorn our large Red Oak tree in the back yard. Every single flower he bought was used in a beautiful manner.

Our plans are to sit on the patio -- weather permitting -- and enjoy the fruits of his labor. We also have five assorted wind chimes that provide a melodic accompaniment to our evenings on our patio. We call it our PT, or Patio Time.

Domino has loved "working" with Teddy in the gardens as well as sitting on the patio in the evenings with us. Domino sits with one of us while alertly surveying his area of responsibility! There we are, the happy little family, with Teddy drinking his iced tea, and me sipping my crisp glass of Chardonnay.

Life is good. Life is very good...and it's comin' up roses...or mostly roses...

Wedding Bells

Dear Gentle Readers:

As you read this blog posting, I will be a married woman! Yes, Teddy and I decided to move up our wedding from June 26, 2010 to March 15, 2010. We were married March 15 at 12:30 p.m. in a double ring ceremony at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Worth where we are both members, and where I serve at the Traditional Service as the pianist. My sister, Terry, her husband, and one of her children joined us in the quiet, but worshipful, ceremony that Pastor Vaughn performed. His lovely wife, Jacque, was also present for the occasion.

After the ceremony, we took our limo (!) to Reata where Teddy and I hosted members of "the wedding party" for a wedding luncheon.

There were several notable reasons we chose an earlier date, among them wanting to avoid the stress related to planning even a small wedding -- and I was beginning to really feel that stress. We decided Spring Break would be a great time to get married, giving me the week off from work for our honeymoon. We kept it "under the radar" except for a few close family members.

We know many of you had planned on attending The Great Event of 2010, i.e., our June wedding, and hope you will forgive us for forging ahead with our plans. Now you are free to do something else! Thank you for your love, support, and well wishes as we now are husband and wife.

By the way, I am retaining my last name of Scholl.

Blessings,
Teddy Ashcraft & Belinda Scholl & Domino Scholl

A Ring of Truth

Dear Gentle Readers:



I recently did some piano judging for a local music association. I judge for different events about 3-4 times a year, and as such, many of my piano friends do not know about my upcoming wedding plans.

With me so far? OK.

One of these judges is a woman -- let's call her Mary which is a good generic name, and it also happens to BE her name (let us not protect the guilty!) -- that I've known for years and years as a professional colleague in the Piano World. She had known Tim in the Piano World. At the time Tim knew her, she had been married, but was since divorced, and now remarried to an older, and obviously wealthy man (as you will learn from the story).

As some of the women judges were admiring my ring and asking about my upcoming wedding plans, Mary remarked to me, "Your ring is beautiful. I wish I'd gotten a smaller diamond like yours. Mine is such a burden to wear. I'm always worrying it will get stolen, or I'll lose it, or damage it. I should have gotten something more sensible like yours. My husband paid $27,000 for this set and it just worries me something awful. You know, the larger the center stone, the more valuable the set."

Oh, really?!? Well. What. could. I. say. to. that? ? ? ? ?

All I said was, "Well, mine is insured so if something happens, it would be sad, but at least we could replace it." Readers, my ring is not really all that "sensible". It's certainly not ostentatious, but it is a full two carats, with the center stone weighing in at 1.10. The diamonds are all F in color (nearly colorless), etc. It's a fine ring.

What I SHOULD have said was, "All that money wasted on a ring that you wear on those liver-spotted hands of yours! Ouch!!! Bet your husband's sorry to have paid all that money to adorn those claws of yours."

What do you think of THAT?!?

People.

"A Lenten Musical Offering"

Dear Gentle Readers:


I will be a part of a piano-vocal concert with Anita McNew, Music Director of Christ United Methodist Church, on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. We will each be presenting 4-5 pieces that are of a contemplative and introspective nature as we enter the season of Lent.

A couple of my selections will include Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, the first movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight” sonata, and an assortment of hymns entitled “Cornerstone Medley”. A sampling of Anita’s performance includes Schubert’s “Ave Maria” as well the hauntingly beautiful “Via Dolorosa”.

We cordially invite you to attend this concert as you prepare your heart for the upcoming Holy Season.

The concert is free and open to the public, and a reception immediately follows. The church is located at 3301 Sycamore School Road, near the intersection of McCart and Sycamore School Road – just across the street from Rosa ’s and Wal-Mart. The phone number is 817.346.2400. Additionally, please visit our website at http://www.cumcfw.com.

If you are unable to attend and would enjoy having a CD of the concert, they will be available in a week or two after the concert. The suggested donation for the CD is $10.00. All proceeds will benefit the Chancel Choir of CUMC.

We hope to see you Sunday evening.

Blessings,
Belinda Scholl







“The holiness we seek does not consist of human perfection
or strength of will, but God's grace.”



~ Bruce Yocum

Scholl Piano Music Online

Dear Gentle Readers:

As many of you already know, I serve as my church's pianist at the Traditional Worship Service. My offertories are now on the church's website. If you want to hear some of the selections, go to

http://www.cumcfw.com

Then click on "Online Sermons" on the left sidebar.

Choose a date, then click on "Music". We are beginning to add titles/composers.

January 24 is "As the Deer", a Belinda Scholl arrangement of the popular contemporary piece.
January 31 is very blurry, and does not do justice to the music or to me. It's a medley of "Holy, Holy" and "How Majestic is Your Name", another Belinda arrangement.
February 7 has title/composer.

I'd love your feedback. What I do is first for God, secondly for others, and thirdly for myself.

Enjoy!

"The Perfect Engagement Ring"

TA DA!!!

And here it is in all its glory, vibrance, and splendor ~ the ring that we believe symbolizes our love for each other.

Our thanks to Luxury Collections NY for their exceptional service, courtesy, and professionalism as we made our purchase through them. A special "thanks" to Alex for shipping the ring more quickly than was first requested.

Family and friends have described it as beautiful, spectacular, stunning, fabulous, BIG, and magnificent. It is all these things and more! Thank you, Teddy, for giving me this lovely ring and for the love that it represents.

A Modest Proposal: Dreams, Signs, and Visions

Dear Gentle Readers:

There were several factors I considered as I made my decision concerning the marriage proposal made to me recently.

Let me start by saying that I believe in dreams, signs, and visions. The dream you already have read about (if not, please read the prior blog and you'll understand); one sign came from the lyrics to one of the pieces from Prince of Egypt -- "Through Heaven's Eyes". Music has the power to speak to me, and I often find answers in what I hear. The words to this powerful piece of music did just that -- it spoke to me and gave confirmation as I said "yes" to his question.


"...and though you never know all the steps,
you must learn to join the dance..."

speaks of the leap of faith one must take -- dare I say "risk" that is involved in the loving and blending of two separate lives.


"If a man lose ev'rything he owns
Has he truly lost his worth?
Or is it the beginning
Of a new and brighter birth?"

Teddy told me that at one point in his life he felt he'd lost everything: his job, his marriage, his chance for happiness. Still, he had not lost his worth, and we believe God is now providing both of us "a new and brighter birth".

The vision is what we see as our future life together. It's beautiful -- filled with love, mutual caring and respect, and the simple daily sharing of life's events.

For your consideration, I offer the words to the song, "Through Heaven's Eyes".

A single thread in a tapestry
Through its color brightly shine
Can never see its purpose
In the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top
Of the mountain's mighty face
Does it think it's more important
Than the stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth
Or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man
You must look at your life

Look at your life through heaven's eyes
Lai-la-lai...

A lake of gold in the desert sand
Is less than a cool fresh spring
And to one lost sheep, a shepherd boy
Is greater than the richest king
If a man lose ev'rything he owns
Has he truly lost his worth?
Or is it the beginning
Of a new and brighter birth?

So how do you measure the worth of a man
In wealth or strength or size?
In how much he gained or how much he gave?
The answer will come
The answer will come to him who tries
To look at his life through heaven's eyes

And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

No life can escape being blown about
By the winds of change and chance
And though you never know all the steps
You must learn to join the dance
You must learn to join the dance
Lai-la-lai...

So how do you judge what a man is worth
By what he builds or buys?
You can never see with your eyes on earth
Look through heaven's eyes
Look at your life
Look at your life
Look at your life through heaven's eyes

~ Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

And now, the rest of the story...

Dear Gentle Readers:

I've had several questions about the short story "The Christmas Interloper", and now I'd like to answer them for you.

The story is non-fiction. "Emma" is, indeed, Belinda (me!), and it happens to have a very happy ending. For both your reading enjoyment and entertainment, I provide for you "the rest of the story"...taken from an email recently sent to family and friends of the bride-to-be.

Happy Reading!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Family & Friends,

As I sit writing this email, I am also planning my wedding which will take place on June 26, 2010. Yes, it has all happened rather unexpectedly and suddenly. While we plan for a new life together, we also have established a time of reflection, prayer, and courtship so that we may confirm that this is the right path for our respective and joint lives at this time.

I am actually marrying my high school sweetheart. Teddy Ashcraft and I met and dated when I was 16 and he was 20. He was in the military at that time and we met at the Baptist church we both attended in Killeen, Texas. Being a mere 16 years old, my parents had to "inspect and approve" of him dating their young daughter. But he passed the Alice and B.T. test, and we dated for about a year -- as I remember it. During my senior year, he was transferred to Alaska and I subsequently graduated from high school. While he wanted to marry me at that time, I told him I needed to go to college, and so I did.

As Paul Harvey says, "the rest of the story" you already know. I met and married my college sweetheart, Tim. We were happily married for almost 25 years when cancer struck and took his life. Next month, in fact, will be the 5-year anniversary of his death. That doesn't seem possible, but time has a way of marching on -- with or without you.

Just prior to the Christmas holidays, I had a dream about Teddy. He and I were in my parents' living room. We were all sitting there talking. Mom and Dad looked healthy and happy -- probably the best part of the dream. Then all of a sudden, they were gone and I was left alone. A feeling of uneasiness came upon me. I was, in fact, quite frightened. Remembering Teddy was somewhere close, I called out for him and he came to me. Somehow, I felt better after that. But the dream stopped and I awoke.

The next morning was Saturday, and not having much else to do, I did some online research. I found him! I knew he'd been married, but was not certain of his current marital status. Further research revealed an obituary of his Dad's that did not mention a wife for Teddy as one of the survivors. It did list his brother and HIS wife as survivors. Aren't I quite clever?!? More research, a phone number, a possible address...and I called him that evening after much debate on the propriety of the act. Since that time I've been assured that the rules have changed and that women may call men. After all, this is the second decade of the 21st century. I left dating and dating protocol in the late 1970s, so who would have known?

In a fast-forward moment, we talked on that Saturday night and on subsequent occasions for hours at a time. It was fun catching up on a lifetime that happened over 36 years ago. I discovered he'd been divorced after a marriage of 13 years that can only be described as quite unhappy. There were no children from that marriage -- a definite plus in the marital consideration process.

We agreed that he'd come for New Year's Eve and we'd go to dinner. Indeed, he came, we went out, we fell in love (again!) that week, and by the end of the time we'd spent together, he asked me to marry him. Since I've completed all the college I want or need, and after much thought and prayer, I said "yes".

Teddy lives in Clarendon, an hour southeast of Amarillo. He has a brother there, but other than that, there is no other family. Since he is somewhat retired and I need to continue working, he will move here and live in Fort Worth with me. He has attended my church and likes it. He plans on attending, and perhaps joining. Domino, my little Chihuahua, adores him. I have to remind Domino that he is MY dog, but he has taken a great liking to Teddy. I've learned that dogs are a good judge of character. For professional reasons, and the fact that I've been Belinda Scholl for almost 30 years, I will retain my married name. It's a hassle to do all the necessary paperwork that involves changing one's name. We want simple at this time in our lives and keeping my name fits with that philosophy.

The wedding itself will also be simple. There will be no formal invitations, so just come. It will be held at Christ United Methodist Church at 3301 Sycamore School Road, Fort worth, 76123 in southwest Fort Worth on June 26. The phone number is 817.346.2400. The exact time has yet to be decided, but I will keep you posted. This is where I'm a member and have been serving as pianist since September of 2007. After the brief ceremony, we'll have a simple reception to greet our guests, and then be off on our new life together. We hope you will be able to come!

In conclusion, I will say that I never expected this to happen. I really wasn't "looking" or hoping for anything in particular when I called Teddy. It was more or less of a whim. I almost didn't call him! I also never expected to have another husband -- especially one who would love me so unreservedly and whole-heartedly. I never dared to ask God for that since I'd already had such a marriage. To have found such favor with God that He has given me -- truly, given us -- another opportunity for marriage is more than I could have ever conceived.

We ask you to share in our joy and happiness and that you support us with your good thoughts & prayers. We also hope to see you June 26 in Fort Worth, but if that is not possible, we know you will be us in spirit and love.

More later...

Teddy & Belinda