Please Combat Hatred and Ignorance About Disabilities

I had to post this video. A friend shared it with me this morning.

The "I Am Viable" Poster Campain

I made this poster of Catherine today at iamviable.org. I think it is one of the most precious pictures I have ever taken of Catherine. She is such a sweet girl and always has a good attitude. I hope that lasts with her.

I believe this little girl is a wonderful gift from God. That's why I made this poster. I want people to see just how blessed I am. Catherine will amaze us all someday.

An Old Worn-Out Record

When I was a kid we played this Gene Autry Sings Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Favorites LP over and over at Christmas time. This is a picture of the exact album we had. (This one pictured is owned by someone else, of course. I found this picture on eBay ) It is a 1962 print of this album. I wonder if it is still at our parents house or if it is gone. Either way, I think the identical recordings are probably available on iTunes. I remember we played it so much that it has a distinct "pop" on the album every time it goes around and around on the turntable that we had. So I would not want to try to digitize this on a USB turntable (something I wish I owned to digitize the many LPs that are at my parents house, as well as at my in-laws' house).

However, I found myself listening for that distinct "pop" the other day when I heard several of Gene Autry's songs played on the local radio station here in Tulsa, or over Pandora which we often stream through our speakers at home. So maybe if I find this album at my parents' house, and I get a USB turntable, I will digitize it--pop and all--just to have that little comfortable memory from my childhood. It is so funny how my brain works, and that I would remember that small detail.

There is something about playing records that I miss. But then again, I love the convenience of the iPhone. But it is at times like these (around Christmas) that I want some nostalgia. Many years ago my parents threw out the old Reader's Digest turntable stereo my dad bought way back in the early 1960s. Of course it did not work anymore. But it would be cool if it did. Fortunately they still have all the LPs, which is why I want to get one of those USB turntables. They have a wonderful collection of Broadway  Children's and Classical music.I used to listen to those albums often. There were even times when we would put on that music, close the drapes, and have dances in the living room. Those times were rare. But I do remember them. I am glad to say that Christopher and especially Noah, LOVES music. They ask us to plug in our iPhones or iPads to the set of computer speakers I use as a stereo in my living room. Haven't things changed? I don't even have to own a stereo anymore. I just have to have a smart phone, a set of computer speakers, and a wireless connection to the internet. I stream Pandora or listen to the music from my phones. Things are really different now. But from time to time I still miss the old vinyl LPs of my childhood. Now I want to find some, get a turntable, and play them.

The "Wordle" on this Blog!

This is the "wordle" based on this blog so far. I am glad that the word LOVE is prominent.