You're Outraged...Really?

Okay, before I start this one, let me say. I love animals, all animals. Well, not snakes, but that's a different story. However, I will go on record as saying that I would kill a snake if it was in my house or near me, my children or pets. But I digress. I also want to say that I have never understood hunting animals, any animals, for sport. I cry if I hit a bird with my car because he waited to long to fly out of the way. I nearly hit a telephone pole once because I was swerving to miss a dog who ran out in front of me, so I know I could not purposely take a gun or crossbow out into the woods or the plains of Africa to find some beautiful creature and kill it, just for the thrill. I am not slamming hunters. People have hunted since the beginning of time for food. This is not going to be a post about the evils of hunting, big game or otherwise. I want to talk about the reaction to the event that is on every social media sight right now, the killing of Cecil, the Lion. I have tried to read the facts in this story as I realize how distorted things can become over the Internet. It's like some giant game of gossip. You know the game where everyone sits next to each other in a line, and one person whispers something in the ear of the person next to them, and each whispers to the person next to them until the last person says out loud what was whispered to them, and it bares no resemblance to the first message whispered. Well, multiply that game by the billions and add to it anger and frustration, and heaven knows what's true and what isn't. From what I can tell from an article on the New York Times website, an American dentist, Walter Palmer, a self proclaimed big game hunter, shot and killed a lion in Zimbabwe in early July on a safari hunting excursion that he purchased for $50,000. He was relying on his "professional" guides that everything was "legal and properly handled," to hunt the animal. Apparently the animal was lured out of the designated hunting area with a dead animal strapped to a vehicle. The outcry came in a hailstorm of media frenzy when it was discovered that the lion that was killed was Cecil, a beloved lion in the wildlife park who was collared for study. Now, please don't think that I am trivializing the killing of this lion. I think it is very sad. I think that the death of any lion would be sad, but that's the point. Trophy Hunting is something that is legal and goes on all the time in Zimbabwe. Why were we not outraged at the 49 lion trophies that were exported in 2013, or the killing of 60% of the rhino population  between 2003 and 2005 leaving only 750 from the 2000 that once roamed the plains? Many of the animals are killed by poachers, and poaching is illegal, but many others were legally hunted and killed for sport. The reason the "professional guides" were arrested and charged with poaching is that they lured Cecil, and the land owner did not have a lion on his quota to be hunted. Believe me, I'm not a big fan of Palmer's, nor any big game hunter for that matter. Seeing all the pictures of him posing with gorgeous animals he's killed in the past makes my heart ache. Is he telling the truth about believing everything was on the up and up? I don't know. If Cecil had not been a "favorite" of the people, Palmer would have the lion's head mounted on his den wall and no one would have said a thing. I'm not saying what he did was right, but I do think, no pun intended, that he is the sacrificial lamb for all big game hunters and poachers to this point. He has received death threats for goodness sake. That makes sense. You killed a beloved lion, so I'm going to kill you. I understand anger. I understand frustration. I understand sadness. Death threats, I don't understand. Pretty much the man's life is ruined. Do I think he should be punished for his part in this if he indeed had knowledge of the illegality? Yes, I do. We have consequences for our actions. But if he thought he was doing the same thing and paying for an excursion just like he's done several times before for a big game hunt, I don't think he is to blame. I'm sorry, my personal feelings on Big game hunting have nothing to do with what was legal in Zimbabwe on July 1st or what knowing part Palmer played in the whole event. I am sad that a beautiful creature has been killed just so someone can say they did it. Believe me, I am not saying Palmer was justified in any way in my opinion. Ask my parents who thought they were going to have to take me to the hospital at the age of 7 because I couldn't stop crying hysterically at the end of "Born Free,"when Elsa's owners have to release her into the wild. Like I said at the beginning of this post, I LOVE ANIMALS! I write this post to say that I hope the outrage of Cecil's death is not just a flash in the pan and the latest bandwagon to jump on for so many. I hope that his death has sparked people to see what's really going on and that all animals matter. Hopefully Cecil you will not have died in vain.

What Have We Become?

I read a headline today, and it disgusted me! "Man Arrested for Filming Fatal Car Crash Instead of Helping" I clicked on the link to read the article as many times there's more to the story than meets the eye. As I read, I was shocked and then saddened. He did not just stand across the street and film it, which would have been bad enough. He actually walked up to the crash, opened the back door and leaned in to film the two badly injured teenagers, one who later died, and then walked around the front of the car to film. He was obviously there before rescue was on the scene. But, wait, there's more. He then tried to sell the footage. How can someone have such a lack of compassion? No matter what led up to the crash, the man is heard saying on the film that the boys are idiots, no one deserves to die. The point is not whether this jerk could have helped. It is that he didn't even try and goes a step further and films their pain and suffering hoping to yield a profit from it. As a society have we become so self-centered, so apathetic that we have lost all concern for our fellow human beings? I know this ass doesn't represent all men, but he represents too many for my comfort. Because we live in a world of snapchats, tweets and instagram, photos and videos are posted for the world to see seconds after they happen. There is no editing of what content is posted, what is said, or seen. This man did post his video to Facebook. I don't know how many friends he has or how many times it was shared, but wrap your head around this. He filmed a boy dying and posted it for entertainment or shock value or whatever the hell. I would hope and pray that if that had been my daughters in that car that someone would help them, at the very least call 911, not film their pain and suffering. I'm not much for using this word, but nothing fits but this in this scenario. He is one sick f*ck!
Why do we show so little concern for our fellow man? I feel bad when I hit a bird who waited too late to fly away. I certainly couldn't stand idly by while two young people were badly hurt and bleeding, let alone film them. The thing that really scares me? What will the world be like in 10 years? Hell, 5 years. What will we have evolved into by then?

Happy "Like A Father's" Day

Two days ago America celebrated Father's Day, the day children give their dad  homemade cards and ties, and Mom gets him what he really wants, power tools and barbecue grills. My kids don't really do much on Father's Day. Their dad was not a daily presence in their life growing up as he left when they were 2 and 5. This post is about honoring people who have been their "Dads" as they've grown and through different stages of their life. Back in 1998 when we found ourselves a family of 3 instead of 4, we had no choice but to move in with my parents. Luckily they had a large enough home to accommodate us with out too much adjustment. I had planned when I had children to be a stay-at-home Mom, but, now, finding myself single, I had to get a job. I was adamant about not putting my 2 year old in Daycare. For one reason, I could not afford it, but I wanted them to be with me, and if not, the person needed to be a close friend or family member. My dad stepped up to the plate. He took on fatherhood a third time to give my girls a "Daddy" on a daily basis! They both had a wonderful relationship with him, and I know he adored them both. He picked them up from school and preschool, and he was there in the afternoon sitting on the porch when they got off the bus until COPD did not allow him to sit outside. He died in 2007 when they were 11 and 14, and I know it was as if they had lost their own father not just their grandfather. I am so grateful they were able to get to know him and spend precious time with him. Happy Father's Day Papa!
Both of my girls went to a very small elementary school in Henrico County called Pemberton. John Harding was the principal there for most of Leah's years and all of Georgi's. He was a wonderful mentor to my girls, and he was hugely supportive of their performing talents. He was a constant source of encouragement for them all through their grade school years. I am sure that his confidence in them at such early stages of singing and acting helped shape their love of the Arts all through their secondary school and now college careers. Happy Father's Day, Mr. Harding!
In 2004, we joined Derbyshire Baptist Church. I had been invited by a co-worker to her church because she knew I loved to sing, and her church had a wonderful music program. My girls and I were looking for a church. We visited one Sunday. I was very impressed with everything but especially the music. After the service, the minister of music, David Schwoebel, sought me out to speak to me. He was more than friendly and welcoming, but he did something I had never seen before, and that one thing made me decide right then and there that this was the church I was going to make my church. We had visited other churches, and quite frankly, some jumped on us, and by us, I mean me,  like we were porterhouse steaks that had been thrown into a lion's den, vying for that next family to grow their numbers. Not only did David Schwoebel make me feel like a person and not a number, he made a point to speak to both of my girls standing beside me, who were 9 and 12 at the time. He obviously thought they were important too. He asked them questions treating them, as anyone should, like they were part of the decision making process. He has supported them through all of their years at Derbyshire as they have sung in his children's, IMAGE Youth and Jubilate College choirs. He has attended their school plays and offered countless assistance with projects for school, or practice for an audition, or playing parts for Honors Choir or Quartet practice, all out of the goodness of his heart in his spare time, which for David Schwoebel, is a rare commodity. My oldest has said more than once that when it came time for her to get married, she could see Mr. Schwoebel walking her down the aisle. He has been a great resource for our family, but more than that he has been a great friend! Happy Father's Day, Mr. Schwoebel!
These three men all had their own families, but they took the time to be an important influence in my girls' lives. They and I are richer because we have known them, and they deserve to be celebrated!

My "Son" is Going to Be a Star

About 9 years ago I saw a young man who was very talented. He had just graduated from Freeman High School, and I had seen him perform in 2 different musicals, and I was very impressed. In the summer of 2007 I was cast in "Bye, Bye Birdie" with him, and we spent the summer rehearsing and performing. A year after that we did a show called "Breakfast With Les and Bess," and I had the opportunity to really get to know him. Doing theatre for the past 41 years I have had many occasions to meet and share the stage with young people. In fact several young people I have worked with call me Mama Terri. I feel like they are all my children. This young man is no different. I feel as if he is my adopted son. Shortly after our last show he set out for California to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) I followed his progress through facebook as he landed modeling jobs, and Youtube series, and films. He has been tenacious, and he has been working very hard to make his dream come true. I am over the moon excited for him as the announcement was made today that he will be playing a starring role on General Hospital. He may not remember this, but I do. We were sitting in my living room one night talking, and he was sharing his apprehension about moving to California and getting into the "business" I told him that he needed to stay true to himself, and be the man he is. Choices are his to make. We all have the choice no matter the circumstance to pick right from wrong. He obviously has made the right choices to lead him to this point, and I am so proud! Stay true to you, Rob, and we'll be watching!

2007 Bye, Bye Birdie Cast Party

It's Not My Birthday, But I Got the Gift

Today is my mother's 76th birthday. This will be the best birthday to celebrate for me in a long time because for many years my mother has not felt well enough to do anything and certainly not celebrate. My mother has had lots of health issues through my 51 years, but in  recent years, mostly since my father passed in 2007, my mother's health has worsened. Some of her health problems are painful, and so doctors have prescribed very strong pain medication to "help" Percocet, Oxycodone and Morphine, to name a few. Over time those pills stopped helping and became the problem. I cannot remember the last time that my mother felt good. Most days in the past years, if I called her, she would answer sounding like death was near. There were several times that I or my girls were with her where she could barely keep her eyes open, and she would fall bruising herself terribly and not remember any of it. All of these circumstances piled on each other until she was visiting the hospital ER what seemed like every other week. Now, I am not saying that my mother was not in pain or that she was not sick, she was, but I knew that a good portion of that sickness, the shortness of breath, the stomach pain, was being caused or at the very least being made worse by the pain meds. What were we going to do? It is very hard to help someone dependent on prescription medication because the body needs it. Our family was at the end of our rope, and being one who is always honest and never one to hide my feelings, I stopped spending time with my mother. I hardly saw her. But something happened a little more than a month ago that has changed my life, her life, all of our lives. She took another trip to the ER, but she was admitted for bleeding ulcers. My sister and I discussed with the doctor if she would be able to go to physical rehab after discharge from the hospital. At 75, certainly not old in this day and age, she could barely walk, and she was always falling. The doctor agreed, and she went from the hospital to Beth Shalom to begin her rehab. The bonus was her meds were also being regulated and pain meds, other than Ibuprofen, were non-existent. It was hard at first. She didn't want to stay, but she stuck it out. She was there for almost a month, and the week after Mother's Day we took her back to her apartment. I cannot believe the difference in her. She looks healthy, she is upbeat and positive, and she can walk normally. My youngest has committed to seeing her every morning to help with her meds. I am trying to see her as much as I can, not because I feel I have to, but because I want to!
Today is my mother's birthday, but I have been given the gift. I have my mother back, and I cannot express how happy that makes me! Happy Birthday, Mommy! I feel like your little girl again, and it's a good feeling!

Ode to Chipotle

It's spicy! It's addictive! It's fresh, and today it was FREE! I discovered Chipotle about 3 years ago. A friend asked if I'd like to go there after we had seen a show together. I have to admit I was afraid of the spicy factor. I like a little spice, but I'm definitely a mild salsa kind of gal. I ordered the steak tacos. Yummy! A little spicy, but really tasty. I didn't go back very often, because, let's face it, I'm getting older, and my body doesn't love spicy but every so often. Now, let me say right now that I am not a bean lover, legumes to be specific. I don't eat limas or navy beans or baked beans or black-eyed peas or black beans or pinto beans, and refried beans? FORGET IT! So imagine my horror when I was at a rehearsal for a show and dinner was being provided from Chipotle, and it was Burritos! All I could think was BEANS!!!!, but I was hungry so I graciously took one and ate it. First of all if you've never had a Chipotle burrito, they could feed a small village. It's huge and stuffed to the max with rice, beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. To my astonishment, I really liked it, and don't tell my daughter, but I couldn't even taste the beans. The other thing is that anyone who knows me knows that I don't eat food together. I eat one thing at a time, and usually in separate bowls, so mixing all of those things together and wrapping them in a tortilla was a real stretch for my palate. Don't think that I did a complete 360 the next time I went to Chipotle, I still didn't choose the beans, but they have this thing called a burrito bowl. It's pretty much everything that's in a burrito without the tortilla, burrito innards, so to speak. I ordered the burrito bowl with white rice, NO BEANS :), steak, mild salsa (which is really the freshest, most delicious pico de gallo you will ever taste) sour cream and cheese. My taste buds were doing the happy dance! Chipotle became my go to "fast food" place, although you can't really call it fast food, eventhough they are very quick in serving you, and you do go through a line, but it is FRESH, like cooking all the meat on a huge grill right behind the serving line FRESH. If you haven't guessed by now, I love Chipotle, so I was thrilled when my oldest gave me a gift card for Mother's Day. Pay day isn't until Friday, so I am a little low on funds at the moment, so today I was going to use my gift card to get lunch. I left to go to the brand new Chipotle that is the closest to my work. When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that there was a man standing at the front door speaking to people as they came in and opening the door for them. I thought, WOW! talk about customer service! but then I noticed a sign on the door that said that the store would not be open until tomorrow. I was disappointed, but I thought I'd get out and ask anyway. I mean, other people were going in. As I got out of the car I said, "You're not opening until tomorrow?" He said, "You can come in." So in I went and got on line. I was greeted by a wonderful smile and very upbeat server asking me what I would like. Each server on the line was just as friendly and courteous. As I got to the cashier and she rang up my order, steak burrito bowl, chips, side of mild salsa and a large drink, she said $12.30. I started to hand her my gift card, and then she threw up her hands and said, "It's mock day! Everything is FREE!" I was thrilled, and so was everyone in the restaurant. As I filled up my drink cup at the fountain, two other ladies and I discussed how the experience made us feel. The one lady told me as she was leaving to have a great day. I was smiling from ear to ear as I got in my car. Today, Chipotle not only nourished my body, but my soul as well! Something I sorely needed today! Bravo Chipotle! Keep up the good work!

♪♫ And All That Jazz ♫♪

I was around 12 or 13 years old when I purchased an 8-track, yes, you read that right, an 8-track of the original Broadway cast recording of Chicago. From the first wails of the muted trumpet followed by 5,6,7,8, I was enthralled, I listened to it over and over again until I knew every word to every song, even the "bad" words. :-O I would go up to my bedroom, close the door and perform every number, complete with my own choreography. As much as I loved the show, I never saw the play. I did see the film when it came out in 2002, but it wasn't the same. I enjoyed it and all, but it didn't meet my expectation after years of listening to Jerry Orbach, Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera singing my favorites, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie and, of course, All That Jazz.
Tonight, because of the generosity of a dear friend, I was given tickets to the opening night of the national tour of Chicago at the beautiful Altria Theater, and my oldest daughter and I ventured out on our night at the Theater. I was really excited, but a little apprehensive too as a lot of touring shows I have seen have ended up disappointing me. This one didn't! I loved it! This particular production was done with the original Bob Fosse choreography, and his unmistakable style just makes me happy, the bowlers and the stylized movements....ahhh...genius! And what a kick ass cast! The ensemble looked like an ad for some home exercising machine. All I can say is the human body, male or female, is a beautiful thing! I know being on the road has got to be hard, but you would never know it looking at this cast's performance, high energy and vocally, spot on! I had a hard time not singing along. Now, I wonder how much the soundtrack will cost on iTunes.