tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63711957332880592622024-03-05T14:38:54.319-05:00Tethered to the DivineDeb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-81253023138893208472009-01-01T13:19:00.006-05:002009-01-01T13:36:24.365-05:00Best of 2008<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Top Ten + 1 of 2008 - in no certain order. </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Menopause the Musical which caused us to laugh out loud at this particular phase of our lives </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Spiritual Direction Training at Vineyard Central in Norwood</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Silver Clay Class at Fairfield Community Arts Center - Christmas gift from Chuck</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Easter dinner with Nabors family - a very warm and hospitable family </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Volunteer opportunities at St. Raphael Social Services </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Cortney moving into Hamilton area</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Toddstock in Hawaii - of course!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Ike wind storm for many reasons</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Counseling Conference in Columbus with Jeanie</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Open House in my home to sell jewelry - mine and other crafters' work</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2008 Christmas with sister and brother-in-law - love Christmas with family </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Blessings on your New Year! </span></p>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-76659991140076420702008-12-24T15:41:00.004-05:002008-12-24T22:57:57.551-05:00When Love Comes to Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XZNLCX4kc5SySirEzBFzc-rICj1Y_S5-PRjONYo1-cbjWyPptwBIQRuRXDImW8nwN10LYnBDwVZnZSK9BLF7M3n5JQaC0QvFe_hq11GONydLHCBO4M_qBEWcZ10xSonwmWwpnEOwY4A/s1600-h/Crave+Peace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283465044087955986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XZNLCX4kc5SySirEzBFzc-rICj1Y_S5-PRjONYo1-cbjWyPptwBIQRuRXDImW8nwN10LYnBDwVZnZSK9BLF7M3n5JQaC0QvFe_hq11GONydLHCBO4M_qBEWcZ10xSonwmWwpnEOwY4A/s320/Crave+Peace.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love the mystery of God incarnate moving from spirit to flesh and taking a tiny step into our world as a baby. God could have arrived in any form yet chose to show up as one of us in our most vulnerable form. Just as vulnerable and open as love when it comes into our lives in its truest form. A baby is probably as close as we can get to uncomplicated love – vulnerable, fragile and yet a powerful force to reckon with.<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about how we look at the birth of Christ as the arrival of love. I just can’t seem to settle for that narrow of a story. I think it needs to be stretched much, much further. God is love – for all time. Forgive me for stating the obvious but God has always been with us even before we could sense the mystery of something more. Love was breaking through long before the birth of Christ and will continue to pierce our barriers. Why does this matter to me so much? It matters to me terribly because the Christmas story can easily become a story about anything but love. We can claim this story as our own and before we know it find ourselves believing that God loves only Christians. That is why we must remind ourselves that the son of God has always been present in God. That love, the same love that spurred the incarnation, was available long before the notion of Christianity. Christ himself didn’t bring the notion of Christianity with him but the hope of new life. New life is birthed out of love – real love.<br /><br />I hope this Christmas you can look into the eyes of those people who are very different from you and remember that God loves them. The Spirit of Christmas is a Spirit of Love that transcends time and even the Christmas story itself. This Spirit of Christmas gives us reason to never consider war as an option. As the bumper sticker says to be "against the next war before it even gets started.” Love is not limited to a religion, an ideology, or race. U2 has a song titled, “When Love Comes to Town” which describes the transformation that takes place when love moves in. If only, in the Spirit of Christmas, we can let love come into our town and our hearts. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">By the way, the image is artwork by Jeff Nabors. </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-11360251219548820672008-12-08T14:27:00.003-05:002008-12-08T17:56:46.354-05:00Year 54<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnywv1rUYkWsRf8nqqO7od7hePTcpfZSX_UYViS0qBQc8SZuas5psJUJhsNnwwPIWWffQ4uvpJ_CUG3B3n4jNob0UHdYM8xQp3Go7wPtQ6P3ZGW8VZ9hT5S4XXU7w7IFyaA7KXImsQCjw/s1600-h/number+54.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277504032098875554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnywv1rUYkWsRf8nqqO7od7hePTcpfZSX_UYViS0qBQc8SZuas5psJUJhsNnwwPIWWffQ4uvpJ_CUG3B3n4jNob0UHdYM8xQp3Go7wPtQ6P3ZGW8VZ9hT5S4XXU7w7IFyaA7KXImsQCjw/s320/number+54.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Year 54 and counting. As I get older I am more aware of the tension - the tension between finding my own voice and the need for community and relationships. I say that I couldn't care less about what others think but I don't know if that's true or not. I suspect I care very deeply. I have seen so many people come and go in my life for one reason or another and now I have so few good friends. At this point, I'm trying to learn how to hold onto these relationships with a healthy grip. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I took some time this morning on the day of my birth to reflect on where I stand on relationships after 54 years. I am still so insecure on where I stand with people and I find that pattern so frustrating. I know it's a pattern. This morning I was recalling my relationships with my parents and how that formed this pattern of insecurity over the first 18 years. I was never really certain where I stood with them. My parents fought as if my sister and I were not present, not really there. We could be going down the road at 60 miles an hour and mom would threaten to jump out of the car. My sister and I sitting in the back seat trapped and stunned. So many thoughts going through our young minds regarding our mother and our future. We saw enough violence that we learned relationships can turn on a dime. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fifty four years and I am still trying to change this pattern. I am healthier in the sense that I have little or no tolerance for being treated as if I'm not present. At 54 I don't have time to be treated as if I don't exist. I am still working on finding ways to accept relationships for what they are and trying to have realistic expectations. I will be working on this the rest of my life because the old pattern is so embedded in my thoughts. The awareness of this pattern is a gift and allows me to step back and examine my responses to people. The biggest hurdle for me is accepting the fact that people are okay spending time with me. I know I have some attributes that people don't necessarily want to be around like sounding like a "know it all". I know it can also be very difficult being around a person dealing with depression and low energy. Some fun! At the same time, I know we are always extending grace to each other in one way or another. Grace allows us to truly be present in the life of each other. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Community and relationships are our most valued possessions as we get older - our most difficult and precious gifts. I still have some time and I hope some day that I will know how to receive and give these gifts. </span></p>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-66207841949366325582008-11-20T15:10:00.005-05:002008-11-20T15:34:39.077-05:00Twenty Six and Counting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx6yM9KMZYY2YA7SgGS3vjtG9rov82Z7SNDKVw6PENcg9LetDiclbYl8p3ZolIQZMh7xbZZkWOzhyFuqHl_AJwoQUxt87rRtkaiHVX2uzXtFchcyGqqbVTQzc0Okz-PlLualf_lOKVWg/s1600-h/Motley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx6yM9KMZYY2YA7SgGS3vjtG9rov82Z7SNDKVw6PENcg9LetDiclbYl8p3ZolIQZMh7xbZZkWOzhyFuqHl_AJwoQUxt87rRtkaiHVX2uzXtFchcyGqqbVTQzc0Okz-PlLualf_lOKVWg/s400/Motley.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270834912632913954" /></a><br />Twenty six years ago we were married at 2:30 in the afternoon at College Hill Presbyterian by three pastors: Ron Rand, Jerry Kirk, and Chuck's father, Branson C. Wiggins. Just a bit overkill but no one could doubt that we are really married. It was slightly rainy and a little bit warmer than it is today. There was a Thanksgiving Day parade in College Hill in which Chuck was stuck for a few minutes trying to get Graeter's ice cream for the reception in order to surprise me. He continues to be thoughtful and full of surprises to this day. <br /><br />I don't know why I'm so blessed with a friend, a partner, and a soulmate. Not everyone gets that privilege in this life. He has been patient with my career choice to step out of teaching. He has been sensitive to my journey with depression. He is the most talented person I know. He quietly reads and continues to expand his knowledge base. Not only is he intelligent but he is also wise which is a wonderful combination. I have the utmost respect for him. He has made me laugh until I cry. His beliefs are based in the hope that we will evolve into the better versions of ourselves. He's a geek and an artist. He is a quiet man who plays a fierce accordion. <br /><br />I don't know why this good fortune has been bestowed on me. There is no apparent reason for it. But I'll gladly take it and hope for many more years with the one I love.Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-1568819193753886712008-11-17T14:37:00.001-05:002008-11-17T14:41:44.967-05:00Chuck rocks on "Stairway to Heaven"<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6XaJVBQ3BEA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6XaJVBQ3BEA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-85409983368049126172008-11-15T11:38:00.000-05:002008-11-15T11:39:40.512-05:00This is Chuck<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM7LQTCnnFEqh1NKyy38U8IgNTnV9BuOg1NnuRaWxl6aX2BD7hWYvjODFl45a7oCEoFdKRgnr10sTilHYHowvknyQe36u-jpbT7I35LusJbvbLzs8bI4dOrE_HbtcKSpXP_jrGG1BeTA/s1600-h/256078_zoom.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268924744582085410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM7LQTCnnFEqh1NKyy38U8IgNTnV9BuOg1NnuRaWxl6aX2BD7hWYvjODFl45a7oCEoFdKRgnr10sTilHYHowvknyQe36u-jpbT7I35LusJbvbLzs8bI4dOrE_HbtcKSpXP_jrGG1BeTA/s400/256078_zoom.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-84148339599170555262008-11-07T21:07:00.008-05:002008-11-07T22:50:39.547-05:00Jeanie with the Cool Glasses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidK7VbMgNp_sx0BsYAEMXFoTgjOSVqfWEn205Abe8lCs6x51ysuUVdvhOUreKwGpi10A9VifSLYeWARhjg6R0A3pOBfTQp8YxwNZtLdYF8pF319FqKwJyXzFIPhwDH1CjM7GGEvZ8EP6Q/s1600-h/P1000277.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266103815063670786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidK7VbMgNp_sx0BsYAEMXFoTgjOSVqfWEn205Abe8lCs6x51ysuUVdvhOUreKwGpi10A9VifSLYeWARhjg6R0A3pOBfTQp8YxwNZtLdYF8pF319FqKwJyXzFIPhwDH1CjM7GGEvZ8EP6Q/s320/P1000277.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I attended a counseling conference this week at the invitation of my friend, Jeanie. Jeanie and I have much in common but our most exciting commonality is our passion for helping people move toward healing and wholeness. It floats our boats, charges our batteries, and blows our dresses up. Jeanie is an excellent counselor and she has walked me through many trying times in my life. Let's just say if she were charging me by the hour then I would have to ask the government for some of that financial bailout money. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At this conference I was able to find sessions where counseling and spirituality were linked. Interestingly enough, the speakers of these sessions spoke from the premise that you cannot separate counseling the person from their spiritual/religious stance. The emotional, psychological and spiritual are intertwined and getting to the root of an issue can often lie in the spiritual/religious realm. Of course, I was very excited to see a secular conference acknowledge the connection in their effort to move people toward psychological health. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I was able to attend sessions such as "Using Biblical Principles to Move Clients from Fear to Forgiveness", "Empowering Clients by Using Spirituality in Counseling", "Counseling Issues with Clients from Mainline Christian Denominations", and "Wired for Joy or Wired for Stress." Of course, I am not a counselor nor would I ever pretend to be. But I have been trained in Spiritual Direction and this renewed my passion for coming alongside people on their own spiritual journey. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have three main reasons for my passion for Spiritual Direction. First, this is what I am gifted to do. I am a listener, an empathizer, and I love to see people move toward wholeness. I have my own life experiences with depression and loss so I know the struggle of moving from the pit to standing on my own two feet. Of course, I am still moving toward wholeness and I have far to go. I believe my woundedness is the gift that I bring to others. Second, I have worked as an Adult Discipleship Coordinator in a local church. I spent much time finding and developing programs to help people in the area of spiritual transformation. Of course, some of it was very helpful to others as well as myself. I don't totally discount programming. At the same time, I firmly believe that transformation cannot be programmed. I don't believe that Bible knowledge or reading a Christian book generally changes a person. I have seen people who know much about the Bible show the least love to others and there have been times that I can include myself in the category. I do believe that Spiritual Direction forces you to identify where you are with God and what is happening in your spiritual life right now. The goal of Spiritual Direction is to help you identify the desires of your heart and to do the work that helps you move toward those goals. Spiritual Direction is about your spiritual ideology, not mine. I am there to keep the focus on that point that the Holy Spirit is moving you toward. My job is to help you find answers to questions by drawing those answers from you. You are the only one who truly knows the answers and I dance the dance of listening and asking questions and then stepping out of the way of what is happening between you and God. This is truly spiritual transforming work because you are no longer in the knowledge realm but facing the reality of where you are spiritually and how it plays out in your life. It is the joy of being actively involved with your God in the healthiest way possible. The third reason I am passionate about Spiritual Direction is because I have been on a church staff and I have been in that place where I needed a truly safe and confidential place. The reality is that this place is very difficult to find in your own church. So my heart goes out to all the people on a church staff from the custodian to the pastor(s). Most church staffs consist of wonderful people trying to do an impossible job. Their need for support is immense and absolutely necessary. I know Spiritual Direction can be that place that recharges their batteries and helps them to return to an impossible task. Of course, you don't have to be on a church staff to need Spiritual Direction. Anyone can need it at any point in their life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I am grateful to Jeanie for asking me to go with her. I just hope I have the energy and courage to pound the pavement to make myself available as a Spiritual Director. Just email me if you are interested, what to know more, or know of someone who might be interested. And if it's counseling that you need then I'll just refer you to my friend, Jeanie. </span><br /></p>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-36144667752302867912008-10-06T11:46:00.005-04:002008-10-06T13:31:56.714-04:00Breast Cancer Awareness Month<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWBzHUAwDLEGWHVP8hOGoMYx4TKg_SJBf2rSDHCGXwVepBaLLKODvi_z3GlCCcwdlDgd-LETK0srec_qULgQnjRTcXmBq5Aox-GV5UmeG6hm95OiRudA2aui7SFkcFzNhWeUzr3OdUp0/s1600-h/Pink+Toaster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254092925772371858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWBzHUAwDLEGWHVP8hOGoMYx4TKg_SJBf2rSDHCGXwVepBaLLKODvi_z3GlCCcwdlDgd-LETK0srec_qULgQnjRTcXmBq5Aox-GV5UmeG6hm95OiRudA2aui7SFkcFzNhWeUzr3OdUp0/s320/Pink+Toaster.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October I brace myself for the networks dragging out the experts to talk on the subject. They share old and new insights (if they have any) and then end with the same bottom line - early detection. I brace myself for the pink merchandise with a percentage of the sales going to cancer research. Seriously, how many <a href="http://www.target.com/KitchenAid-Pink-2-Slice-Toaster/dp/B000ILBJ2E/sr=1-7/qid=1223309154/ref=sr_1_7/602-2777237-6289403?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Abreast%20cancer&page=2">pink toasters</a> do we have to buy before cancer is cured? If someone could tell me, I would do whatever it takes to buy that number of them. And I seriously hate the color pink. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">On Sunday, October 15, 1995 Chuck and I headed for the Tall Stacks event along the Cincinnati riverfront. Chuck was in a Cajun band at the time called "Lagniappe" and they were scheduled to play on the Covington side of the river. The weather was perfect. The steamboats and period costumes transformed the riverfront to a different time as all that the city skyline represented seemed to move further and further into the background. The music and dancing celebrated the memory of a slower pace of life. I can still remember the relaxed and quiet atmosphere that made us want every Sunday afternoon to be such a peaceful escape. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I stopped by the store on the way home from Tall Stacks for a few things and picked up cans of Healthy Choice soup for my mom. Yes, ironically, Healthy Choice was the brand and nothing from that moment on had anything to do with healthy choices. She had been getting weaker and had a chronic cough. She told us that the doctor had been treating her for pneumonia. I thought hot soup would certainly help with fighting an infection. I went in her house with no idea what I was walking into. I gave her the soup and then she told me what she should have told me months ago. She was certain that she had breast cancer. I asked her how she knew and she said she had a lump that had changed. Changed? I would find out later that the lump had ulcerated clear through her skin. I asked, really begged her to take her to the hospital. My mother did things her way and so I had to wait three days to take her to a doctor's appointment that she had made. Three days. Three of the longest days of my life when all I could think of was my mother and deal with the anger because I could not get the help she needed any sooner. When I finally got her to the doctor she was in the room with him not more than five minutes when he came out and told me to get her to the hospital. In a way, I was relieved just to be able to get her to a place where she had less control which is exactly why she didn't want to go to the hospital. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">She survived three months because the cancer had metastasized from head to toe. Chemo slowed the killer down but couldn't stop it. She actually died from a heart attack because the chemo had damaged her heart. The only reason early detection works is because you don't need as much chemo and radiation to kill the cancer. Less chemo means less damage to the good cells. It's that simple. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My mother lived her life with the simple goal of making people laugh and found moments to make that happen even through her treatment. I admired her strength and courage in light of such a ruthless enemy. I will always be so proud of the way she lived out her last three months of life. She had a inner energy that few people have and yet she was still no match for cancer. She did it her way. She let us in on her secret battle when she was ready but her timing was off and the battle had already been lost. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Every year I am painfully aware that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I hate the word, "Awareness", because it is such a pitiful word and so far from the word or words that would give us hope. Pink is much too mild a color for all the grieving cancer has wrought. I'm sorry. I know full well that I'm wrong for feeling this way but all the pink ribbons, marathons, and Oprahesque talk show experts are about as effective as a pink toaster. The only hope I have is that I know my mother's spirit could not be conquered by cancer. She lives on in the hearts of many people and in another dimension that cancer cannot reach.</span></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-11089951916346992332008-10-03T17:39:00.009-04:002008-10-03T17:59:12.345-04:00Cruisin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72nuIxXp5NMUt8XL2ATIXBn7Fe0jsIhddHUU97EQxCcOi9pVrFPTmpbNDQY26nKZWtNmARvmpeTbGMjW2OVQwkurtnmjcUmj-6ydJSf9hje38ik4wNnSxglzaxQ9vPM0jDi09M_30iw/s1600-h/P1010454.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253047473463959602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72nuIxXp5NMUt8XL2ATIXBn7Fe0jsIhddHUU97EQxCcOi9pVrFPTmpbNDQY26nKZWtNmARvmpeTbGMjW2OVQwkurtnmjcUmj-6ydJSf9hje38ik4wNnSxglzaxQ9vPM0jDi09M_30iw/s320/P1010454.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04mcjxBlPmy4HtDUMeZYvBNdoGUnD7zjd31chJL-D2U3oQANUMSZlJnZW6vmk45jEGaJPNYVQ8XM-pW47zL5tm3qLT3y8Z250KMM_n-2P5HA4wYQjY9Hs4q-9dqvnwgP83a4PEeJY0nk/s1600-h/P1010456.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253047360943636370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04mcjxBlPmy4HtDUMeZYvBNdoGUnD7zjd31chJL-D2U3oQANUMSZlJnZW6vmk45jEGaJPNYVQ8XM-pW47zL5tm3qLT3y8Z250KMM_n-2P5HA4wYQjY9Hs4q-9dqvnwgP83a4PEeJY0nk/s320/P1010456.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253046950088358466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsUyzsfwddcfj-eyMAxFnshDJ4TjFGW-dbeWek9HgYlRhdTTVCYc05HzlTFsdUks0d4064sNpaljv6Hy67S3WJVSK6jmFB8vQMXObBXqIrbzv6jHyDi3uLc3GZXNDOLHLbEek_akBEQo/s320/P1010484.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrISB_awvfKcyu35FsRF4vWtE07rRF-c3_qcbxXZluvTV10yX0i0EUl4JfC6O1Xqiv43l0QywEE6lkaOG5AmBLZfWfkbe18s7hyphenhyphenbH6i_n7Kzt91QDi6o26QLbRlZop8T5fQ2OH1Zeaag/s1600-h/P1010487.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253046703867948034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrISB_awvfKcyu35FsRF4vWtE07rRF-c3_qcbxXZluvTV10yX0i0EUl4JfC6O1Xqiv43l0QywEE6lkaOG5AmBLZfWfkbe18s7hyphenhyphenbH6i_n7Kzt91QDi6o26QLbRlZop8T5fQ2OH1Zeaag/s320/P1010487.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Contrary to hurricane winds, we were invited to join our gracious friends, Yvan and Martine, on a riverboat cruise. The cruise was a thank you to musicians for playing at an event and we got to go along for the ride. As you can tell by the last two pictures, Yvan and Chuck were in their element. Yvan and a few of the other musicians who are in Lagniappe which Chuck was also in for awhile played great tunes while we coasted up and down the river. So peaceful and what seemed to be so far away from Fairfield. Our friend, Cortney, joined us and took the first two pics with my camera. Every Sunday afternoon should be so pleasant! </span></div></div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-10930859177308513132008-10-03T16:46:00.006-04:002008-10-03T17:32:32.245-04:00Ike Blew Through Sept. 14, 2008<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM5KdmbFf_yW-gIdE2RelTC6ztJjq7D0nlyxlvh_Va7CEvPLVj1GTnSY-m5doxSn3FJn3fORYellRhD0hM_l2FNTOJuh1AY1kAyL-50TEVXcObFDzc_kw3IWxcsEnAdSx9EuJ8oLSbI0/s1600-h/P1010442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253035848574460466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM5KdmbFf_yW-gIdE2RelTC6ztJjq7D0nlyxlvh_Va7CEvPLVj1GTnSY-m5doxSn3FJn3fORYellRhD0hM_l2FNTOJuh1AY1kAyL-50TEVXcObFDzc_kw3IWxcsEnAdSx9EuJ8oLSbI0/s320/P1010442.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tree on the house. </span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEmX0z2IL1GjHfZEeUcBE2IjwPxO8Z5Acw24TiXlSccCZNnM8EweoPy6JCM5mG0Q2af528-Apa-GgYNeRULSW_c_-_nwH3VvlFimKsHZHJb38WyePU8cgg3kCp9tntOmX2jJzOi-Mct4/s1600-h/P1010410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253035267287159090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEmX0z2IL1GjHfZEeUcBE2IjwPxO8Z5Acw24TiXlSccCZNnM8EweoPy6JCM5mG0Q2af528-Apa-GgYNeRULSW_c_-_nwH3VvlFimKsHZHJb38WyePU8cgg3kCp9tntOmX2jJzOi-Mct4/s320/P1010410.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tree in the pool.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cNvMgiwZ0E5pesAQcs_9hTcd_6MhDuCjc-Pf9Y10IU0L54oeOYunB6K4VS90btTi57GHgnI5ND4QxFsT0XJt6qSFBFEWZo7LLEoPdO4Y79rP4MdCvs6CZd3Yvne16wShwFAkTStlo78/s1600-h/P1010428.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253034602933775618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cNvMgiwZ0E5pesAQcs_9hTcd_6MhDuCjc-Pf9Y10IU0L54oeOYunB6K4VS90btTi57GHgnI5ND4QxFsT0XJt6qSFBFEWZo7LLEoPdO4Y79rP4MdCvs6CZd3Yvne16wShwFAkTStlo78/s320/P1010428.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tree in front of the garage - just missed it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chuck watched as the neighbor's tree fell into our pool while the dogs and I ran for the living room. I wasn't sure it was going to miss the house so I wanted to be in the part of the house that had two levels. When the tree fell it took down two utility poles so we were without electricity until Monday, September 22nd. The repairmen were actually from North Carolina and we were grateful for their work. We had cable but didn't have internet until Friday, Sept. 26th. Yes, twelve days without internet. Our neighbors, Jeff and Cyndi, helped us get our "fix" by using our computers at their house. Cyndi also made coffee for me on her camp stove when neither of us had electricity. Then she continued to make coffee for me when she had electricity and I didn't. Guess she didn't want to find out what would have happened if I didn't get my caffeine in the morning. It was great having morning coffee with her and spending time talking. I hope we can do our "coffee chat" again sometime minus the hurricane. </span></div><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It's been almost three weeks since Ike blew through town and I was out in the yard today picking up limbs so the yard could be mowed. We are still waiting to talk to the insurance adjuster for the damage to the pool, etc. Ike has been long gone but we'll be dealing with the aftermath for quite some time. I did enjoy playing Scrabble by candlelight with Chuck. He had to sleep at Jeff and Cyndi's because of his sleep apnea. I stayed here with the dogs at night. They had already been disturbed enough all day long by strange men outside with loud chainsaws. Micah, Jadon, Noah and Carolyn were over on the day they pulled the tree out of the pool. It was quite a feat. </span><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During all this I heard what Galveston was going through and realized this was nothing compared to their devastation. We certainly have no complaints - just fewer trees. </span></div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-530940816318473572008-09-09T12:30:00.007-04:002008-09-10T16:26:14.328-04:00Forgiveness is Not Optional<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The way I understand the Christ model (and others) for the healthiest way of being in this world is to receive and extend forgiveness. I've always had a tendency to embrace the spiritual meaning behind such ideology when I could intuitively sense the grounding in good psychology. We are wired to heal and thrive in the presence of grace. Anything less is toxic. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have learned that forgiveness often includes the need for boundaries. I have done much examination to come to the point of forgiveness for C. Church. No doubt they have had to do much work forgiving me. My relationship with them will be forever changed yet I can pray that ministry abounds there. I can pray that their love for one another and for God grows in such a way that community abounds. I can pray that they are that city sitting on a hill shining a bright light to those in darkness. I can hope that they are blessed and, at the same time, know that it is all for the best that I am outside of that circle. The act of forgiveness has allowed me to step back and see through a more realistic lense. Of course, I prefer my own lense which prefers my own point of view. I could hold onto that point of view and never move on but that only holds me prisoner while they have moved on a long time ago. Forgiveness is as much about setting myself free as it is setting the other free. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I can pray that N. Church thrives in this area because there is no other community like it. I know there is work to be done there that can't be done in most other churches. I pray it is a center of healing and wholeness. I can have high hopes for N. Church and love the people there while living on the outside. I could hold onto something that was not meant to be or find the grace to accept things as they are. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I struggle the most with the loss of finding that place where I would have served on the staff of a church leading spiritual formation. I have to extend the same forgivess to myself for not being able to have or do whatever it takes to fulfill that dream. It is difficult to forgive yourself because you're looking at yourself through a realistic lense and owning your own barriers that you put up. But it's the only way to move on and live into a different dream that could possibly be fulfilled. Forgiveness is the freedom we need to be fully alive. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">At times forgiveness may go against every fiber of our being. We don't have to smooth over what happened or say it was okay. Forgiveness doesn't even mean you have to forget. It just means that at some point you have to let go of the hope that something will happen that will release the pain for you and just pull that trigger yourself. Grace is a choice and all are better when we allow ourselves to hold out hope for everyone and our own hopes and dreams. </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-6751343663161214282008-08-24T14:11:00.004-04:002008-08-25T08:28:01.417-04:00Speaking of Community<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, my comments about the community at Toddstock are very idealistic. We were together for one week and then we parted ways. Knowing there was an end in sight put us more at ease with each other. Our highest goals were to enjoy being on this leveling ground with an extremely gifted artist and to enjoy each other's company. Goals that were not difficult to achieve. There was a sign up sheet for each day where people signed up to cook, clean, etc. No manipulation, no big recruiting talks, just here's what needs to be done, now do something. We don't care if it's in the realm of your gifts, talents, or passion just make this happen so everyone can have what they need. So simple that you automatically gravitated to the tasks that you knew you could do fairly well or with someone's help. It all got done. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It was so much more difficult in a church community. In C. Church the unspoken goals were to produce the best image, numbers, and performance possible. The One we had come to be on leveling ground with was difficult to find and it was just too difficult to enjoy each other's company when image was such a concern. I was an outsider wanting to name problems and find solutions rather than pretending everything was fine. I moved further from the center because my temperament has no or little concern for image. I did not belong in this community anymore because the simple had become far too complicated for me. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I had hope in N. Church because this was certainly an open and affirming church. I had hope to find community in a church that refused to marginalize anyone. Turns out I had a better chance of not being marginalized if I were gay than hoping the Sunday worship were not so painfully traditional. I was told that it was a good thing that I was leaving because of the impact that it would have on the church as it grew and that it was my pattern to leave. I believe that if you are truly in community with a group - there is never a good time to leave. I'm certain my pattern had something to do with me leaving N. Church but I am certain that there were also patterns of other people coming into play here who weren't willing to own up. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Our small group of believers met this past Tuesday. We simply shared where we were emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our relationships have been building for over a year now and this exercise opened us up to a deeper level. Strengths and weaknesses were shared. Goals met and goals yet to reach were shared. I shared with the group that my antidepressant had stopped working and that I appreciated their patience as I transitioned to a new one with the hope that it would lift this low level of depression. It was safe to be authentic with these people. I have received notes of encouragement and I will send them encouragement as well. Oh, the relief of not having to be someone else that I'm not. I can find Christ in the midst of that grace. Our goal is simple - to be a place of healing and encouragement to each other so we might bring some light to our families, friends, and coworkers. No performance, no numbers, no salaries, no building campaign, no one speaking for 45 minutes - just friends trying to follow Christ. We met Saturday morning at St. Raphael Social Services to do whatever needed to be done and again we enjoyed each other's company. I am done with church. If it works for you, that's wonderful but I am done with being marginalized by people who call themselves Christians. </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-82890939681190280072008-08-13T22:20:00.003-04:002008-08-13T22:54:50.890-04:00Toddstock: Monday 6.23.08<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Such a mixed feeling - looking forward to going home and having been part of a real community. One of the reasons the week was such a success was that people had stepped in and volunteered to make so much of it happen. It gave me hope that community can and does exist. Todd and Michele were courageous enough to open up their home to friends and strangers and took a great risk. I know it doesn't always work out but this risk paid off and people honored their courage. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I found this quote in a review of a concert by Chris Ska on trconnection: </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>Before “Man Up” Todd said something like, “You’re wondering who this is for... The men in power are crooked liars. For the past 7 years they having been lousy, corrupt, lying... been giving us a bad name.” The crowd cheered and he added, “Being a man is helping the weak” He said it twice, he meant it. The audience was attentive, and applauded and cheered, some guy yelled out “Real Man!”</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In light of the political atmosphere Todd's quote "Being a man (I'm going to add that woman is implied) is helping the weak" if actually applied would change the world. I'm sure Todd's spirituality is very pluralistic but I think this quote comes so close to what Christ was trying to say to all of us... help the weak. Of course, I'm not implying that Todd is Christlike at all. As we declared often during Toddstock, Todd is Godd! </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-42837844919852726512008-08-13T15:19:00.004-04:002008-08-16T09:19:28.039-04:00Toddstock: Sunday 6.22.08<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This was a day that will go down in history - Todd's 60th birthday, Todd and Michele's anniversary and the debut of Todd's new CD, Arena. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chuck had shared with some of the tech crew for the concert that he had camera experience so he was able to act a a runner for the camera guys. He had a great front row seat for the concert. Todd had men move the stage from the hillside to the koi pond (we didn't see any koi in the pond during the concert). It was the most amazing setting in the water directly in front of the open living room/kitchen. LED lights that lined all three walls eventually were used for a special lighting effects during the concert. That band was warming up and Todd appeared around 7 pm. The band consisted of the birthday guy, Jesse Gress on guitar, Prairie Prince on drums, Rachel Haden on bass and Matt Bolton on guitar and keyboards. It was inspiring to see a woman taking her stand among these great musicians. To up Rachel's coolness factor even more, she is the daughter of Charlie Haden, jazz bassist, and the sister-in-law of Jack Black.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The concert debuted the new CD, <a href="http://deaconlight.com/music/records/2008/todd-rundgren-arena-rock.html">Arena</a>, and was old school rock 'n roll. Some words were difficult to understand since the sound was difficult to control in Todd's backyard which faces a valley. We loved the words we could understand and Todd is such a great musician who gave us all hope that at 60 you could still continue to take whatever you're passionate about to a whole new level. There was such a great energy every minute of the concert and we truly felt priviledged because we were there for the debut. The tour info for this new CD can be found on <a href="http://trconnection.com/">trconnection.com</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chuck had been hoping that more musicians would have brought instruments out to jam during the week. He finally decided to bring out the red digital accordion (which is now autographed by Todd who had heard the story about the accordion riding in first class and asked, "How's your marriage?") People started gathering and we sang every Todd song that we could remember. Pippi led us through most of the songs with her strong energy. Sitting there with people from so many different places and countries singing the song, "One World", will forever be one of my most cherished memories from the week. We may have not been able to communicate with the Japanese women who were very loyal Todd fans but they knew every word to every Todd song so we were all on common ground in song. Just a glimpse of Utopia made us even sadder to think that we were leaving the next day. </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-73558254796821957072008-08-06T11:35:00.004-04:002008-08-13T15:19:14.449-04:00Toddstock: Saturday 6.21.08<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We had a fairly relaxing morning. Found a store where we could buy souvenirs for friends back home. Chuck found a Hawaiian shirt because he had left his at home. You have to be properly dressed for such an occasion!<br /><br />That evening there was a pig roast done by cooks on the island who truly knew what they were doing. The vegetarians took off to find a restaurant where there were no animal faces staring at them. Todd’s wife, Michele, was carried around on a surfboard as queen of the luau. She had a huge headdress fit only for a Hawaiian queen or Carmen Miranda. Todd, Michele and their son, Rebop, were gracious with those who wanted to take photos. Todd’s other sons were not able to make it. The Toddstockers had collected money for a sushi table for Todd's birthday and we also celebrated Todd and Michele's anniversary. Both events offically happen on Sunday, June 22nd but it was just the right time to present Todd with a gift. The food was tremendous and the conversation flowed. Prior to the dinner we had been treated with performance by Toddstockers who had learned a Hawaiian dance earlier in the week. They were good sports and gave it their best shot but should leave it to the locals.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That evening there was a Todd trivia game with extremely difficult questions. They knew these were hardcore Todd fans so easy questions would be a no brainer. These questions were so difficult that Todd may have not been able to answer some. The prize was an autographed can of Spam. Yes, Spam! Spam has been an island staple for a long time and popular among the locals. The vegetarians were not subjected to Spam as an award.<br /><br />The partying carried on into the night. Most of us were realizing by now that the end was in sight and we were already talking about whose backyard to camp in next. </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-89751767102992593042008-08-06T11:11:00.016-04:002008-08-13T22:53:58.233-04:00Toddstock: Friday 6.20.08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcftu1CsGiQt9DGczJ1QZAOTMlFpJvKnwoEGTpdpC4irTZF0PBhJmJDvr1K9l7CqXtguD8wR1PcXrXhKVR05Kp-LG1dlVIQM1-lpES_GQZSjJyAYVvj4iDgLnG52a1Q0Fr77-BxpKroI/s1600-h/Joanna+and+Biljac+on+Na+Pali+trip.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231430495830502674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcftu1CsGiQt9DGczJ1QZAOTMlFpJvKnwoEGTpdpC4irTZF0PBhJmJDvr1K9l7CqXtguD8wR1PcXrXhKVR05Kp-LG1dlVIQM1-lpES_GQZSjJyAYVvj4iDgLnG52a1Q0Fr77-BxpKroI/s320/Joanna+and+Biljac+on+Na+Pali+trip.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-t99oo59_n78ep2OpPNFwS3x2lEN_QAp_vPcVeZQGc6iqh9UJc0OMdNGisx4Pl6dBhxjoX9X1f8h6oXPELfXaGs4_q7PMtY-8iOIiKQNEuYLM7nCtGdyvOQ0eAve1eQV6wdvwhfWwMY/s1600-h/P1010190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231426291324289410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-t99oo59_n78ep2OpPNFwS3x2lEN_QAp_vPcVeZQGc6iqh9UJc0OMdNGisx4Pl6dBhxjoX9X1f8h6oXPELfXaGs4_q7PMtY-8iOIiKQNEuYLM7nCtGdyvOQ0eAve1eQV6wdvwhfWwMY/s320/P1010190.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfZkFJLt75585OU_1Fu9BtJX-CGosLUu42Lfy74ZoNhnmH9iP9Fu512ApPXiIV_xctJEXUiAsB0WMGmcouX3DrbA_O1CAChrtjvKJtDAJPb8nk_D_QjVQpo3XiF5d5xvGiwus3s5IMnM/s1600-h/P1010206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231425318877073186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfZkFJLt75585OU_1Fu9BtJX-CGosLUu42Lfy74ZoNhnmH9iP9Fu512ApPXiIV_xctJEXUiAsB0WMGmcouX3DrbA_O1CAChrtjvKJtDAJPb8nk_D_QjVQpo3XiF5d5xvGiwus3s5IMnM/s320/P1010206.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXMoeRM4Q552YeqlvxXgBK3LaJvtEUPI3mYyBc3tJaNVZGy5q9ONbw-mfKJP4Gk6fPZYAlfqGhO49fwOYTalCztgTiBQPVLaMGPU2gVYgPZHpNngwMlgt2d9xd6MIff9jiiBH0cpX1mg/s1600-h/Joanna+and+Biljac+on+Na+Pali+trip.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Some folks went tubing instead we took a boat trip to Napali coast with Joanna and Biljac Burnside. We saw several kayakers out in the ocean which made me grateful that our boat had a motor and someone else was driving. The coast has a surreal velvet cover. We could see hikers that were on the trail that Todd and the crew had taken on Wednesday.<br /><br />Our favorite part of this ride was when the captain took the boat back into a cave. It was dark and you looked down into clear water. Looking back and watching the light come through the opening to the cave is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.<br /><br />The boat was anchored in the calmest waters that the captain could find and we were able to snorkel. This spot was not nearly as calm as Annini beach, of course, but we were able to adjust to the waves and see some very colorful fish and turtles.<br /><br />This evening was an interesting Q&A time with Todd. Doug Ford of <a href="http://rundgrenradio.com/">Rundgren Radio</a> ran the Q&A with Todd at his side. The interview can be heard <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2008/06/22/Rundgren-Radio">here</a>. Todd told interesting stories about how Kauai came to be his home and how they acquired the property. If you want to know more about the Q&A time you have to consult Chuck. I camped out in the hotel room with the air conditioning. My apologies to Roger D. Linder - I orginally said that he ran the Q&A but Roger runs the <a href="http://trconnection.com/">TRConnection</a> which keeps all of us up on any news and tour info about Todd. I told ya Chuck knows alot more about this than I do! </span></div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-72233835191941926452008-08-06T10:53:00.004-04:002008-08-13T14:45:31.248-04:00Toddstock: Thursday 6.19.08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc44oguOeVTow40AJIpLt47TMnCG2Q9ZL-QTFGAl2UEa8Hzww8t43Fgd0SlqtIsM-A0ivynvZFvYlDVzT3KgIyE3eA9AzIoRgVvucC8YYqORqv7LQSJqY8qBxRsbgbQ4NwZA4unvieOA/s1600-h/Still+alive+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231421573674041746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc44oguOeVTow40AJIpLt47TMnCG2Q9ZL-QTFGAl2UEa8Hzww8t43Fgd0SlqtIsM-A0ivynvZFvYlDVzT3KgIyE3eA9AzIoRgVvucC8YYqORqv7LQSJqY8qBxRsbgbQ4NwZA4unvieOA/s320/Still+alive+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OYPFpg3Ue2d0hL8pgLpNlHitpTLMNjCr3jM_EKvPAYH6XP2SA3MBkA3yiNQ4PPciBmpamXzn1YOo4Z78w5a5mvkzzxMVPyr_-SaxKceaEMc8gIrW1B8mM9GOpFSfqKQki_0m0IgBIjc/s1600-h/hike+6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231420521356103298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OYPFpg3Ue2d0hL8pgLpNlHitpTLMNjCr3jM_EKvPAYH6XP2SA3MBkA3yiNQ4PPciBmpamXzn1YOo4Z78w5a5mvkzzxMVPyr_-SaxKceaEMc8gIrW1B8mM9GOpFSfqKQki_0m0IgBIjc/s320/hike+6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We woke up this morning in a real bed. There was no snoring from others in a nylon walled tent, no red dirt and a hot shower. Well, Chuck woke up. I still had more sleeping to do. That morning Todd led the group on a hike along Napali coast and Chuck was on his own for this event. No one could tell that it was Todd’s 60th birthday by the way he left others in the dust on the hike. The hike was up and downhill so when Chuck rolled in from the hike he looked like it would take him some time to recover. He was covered in red dirt from head to toe and I still can’t get the red dirt out of the socks he wore on the hike. He did say that the views were amazing and he was glad that he did it. I was glad I slept in.<br /><br />We were treated that evening with a concert by <a href="http://kenemerson.com/index.html">Ken Emerson</a>. He made it in for Todd’s birthday and Todd sat front and center taking in the music from Ken’s guitar. I would have loved to see what would happen if Ken and Todd had played a song together<br /><br />Then it was back to the martini bar and getting to know more people. Todd wandered through the crowd so if he was around people would gather and listen to his stories. If he wasn’t in the food tent or at Michele’s bar then he was at the Tiki bar making and serving martinis. Such a gracious host.</span> </div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-45579400278561096982008-08-06T10:20:00.008-04:002008-08-13T14:42:10.017-04:00Toddstock: Wednesday 6.18.08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwbROt31E6N1FRXF1_ejpDpfMm9ZsX4xc3GkQK4sl-dDM7Z_FwhiqcTS3DQ8WqZC0g19-WZtdphxq9gaT4wXwIUJGhWdCZ4ba1dnq7yobEMjc4-bRa6JRPoOu_XoRL-TQXAftmqDfdds/s1600-h/WaimeaCanyon6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231417494098744658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwbROt31E6N1FRXF1_ejpDpfMm9ZsX4xc3GkQK4sl-dDM7Z_FwhiqcTS3DQ8WqZC0g19-WZtdphxq9gaT4wXwIUJGhWdCZ4ba1dnq7yobEMjc4-bRa6JRPoOu_XoRL-TQXAftmqDfdds/s320/WaimeaCanyon6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRk6mbPduQt2yflIjsfEeUHw9TJCwnKiMtsFitdmblO-ccZ-UMFODYu2DSP3wQC8gIyVHM802BPTXvHwE-ag7-R-2Np9G1goJ8W8rjDKPq3Ypik5b4LWCCHg5aZcxWwsohzNfEvCNLQs/s1600-h/KarenDebChuckandAllenatWaimea.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231413539328930914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRk6mbPduQt2yflIjsfEeUHw9TJCwnKiMtsFitdmblO-ccZ-UMFODYu2DSP3wQC8gIyVHM802BPTXvHwE-ag7-R-2Np9G1goJ8W8rjDKPq3Ypik5b4LWCCHg5aZcxWwsohzNfEvCNLQs/s320/KarenDebChuckandAllenatWaimea.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIh_x6C_tPUu0SkBWdcclNIJ53-Jq8nqN8QKgY4HNLLNq1GkylXKz3k6rj2BvrvuoRWdp-ynwYcSjgLF3GEzgMoVm6hzGCz0MsWMmtEdDHXYRW_9JNKAnkLkMIXKYOKgS3TxVrtXrtIo/s1600-h/AllenKarenRonnieDebandChuck2.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We had been to <a href="http://www.hawaiiweb.com/Kauai/html/sites/waimea_canyon.html">Waimea Canyon</a> on a previous visit to Kauia and knew we wanted to return to this spectacular view. We made the trek with Ronnie, his son, Allen, and Karen. Karen lives in England and is originally from Australia. We loved her quick wit and her comments about being Jewish and looking for a synagogue on Kauia were hilarious. She is also a songwriter although we didn’t get to hear any of her tunes.<br /><br />Waimea is known as the small Grand Canyon. I’ve not seen the Grand Canyon but the clouds parted long enough for us to see the Napali coast and ocean and provide a view you won't find at the Grand Canyon, of course.<br /><br />We returned to the campground after buying leis to take part in the house blessing for Todd and Michele's house. It's been under construction for 3 years and when I asked the forman who happened to be sitting next to us one evening when it would be finished he looked at us and said, "Never." Truly a work of art in progress. The roof has curved lines and is covered with copper. The foreman told us that it was constructed on the ground and then attached to the house. Todd's ability to see a vision and then make it happen continued to amaze and inspire me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Of course, it was a Hawaiian house blessing. The spiritual leader explained as she moved through the blessing the purpose of each part of it and then she spoke in Hawaiian. A tea leaf was planted at each corner of the house to remind them of this day of blessing. We waited outside while the family went inside and spoke words of their intentions for each room of the house. When they were finished the rest of us were invited into the house. When the front door opened the view was breathtaking. We looked straight through the house (because there is no fourth wall on their living room/kitchen) to see the water of the koi pond at the edge of the living floor and look directly out into their valley view. Only an artist could know how to take advantage of such a view. Then each person was permitted to share their words of blessing for the house. Most of the words were beautiful and appropriate. My word was "martini" and it went downhill from there so Todd knew to put a halt and invite people to tour his home. When we are released to share our pics I'll post some of our better ones of the house here. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We had a great dinner that evening and continued to mingle and share in the beverages. </span></div></div></div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-13168584359964581132008-07-30T13:21:00.005-04:002008-08-13T13:52:14.316-04:00Toddstock: Tuesday 6.17.08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPtTY2dV6uz1vAeHGanW5y2f8kxiIgHkygzZ_Vn90Px1V2AJtP36m2EUiZKhhDW32OTeGMewFQgL37wYxIHAN0nJ8bI5FVRQcYsGP-4HNUAp4veKRvrg_8ZIS48LgQlyNoJyUGb6LHtM/s1600-h/taro2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228871421764169250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPtTY2dV6uz1vAeHGanW5y2f8kxiIgHkygzZ_Vn90Px1V2AJtP36m2EUiZKhhDW32OTeGMewFQgL37wYxIHAN0nJ8bI5FVRQcYsGP-4HNUAp4veKRvrg_8ZIS48LgQlyNoJyUGb6LHtM/s320/taro2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUe6obMQv9qcWWM3kZRCGDecfvgjTWfXCYLkeW_x0ax_-rC11cyFcCL_I1cfA_C8ewsoSK2ZjLKVzwAy5QRRHPRDx_BKvicz1-Vw8mHHwb9rr7s2_6eXQ_ozcIfjQ380w-nzFV7C5Q-M/s1600-h/taro1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228870813863833282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUe6obMQv9qcWWM3kZRCGDecfvgjTWfXCYLkeW_x0ax_-rC11cyFcCL_I1cfA_C8ewsoSK2ZjLKVzwAy5QRRHPRDx_BKvicz1-Vw8mHHwb9rr7s2_6eXQ_ozcIfjQ380w-nzFV7C5Q-M/s320/taro1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On Tuesday we went back to Anini Beach but this time we were led by Michele's brother and sister-in-law. They lived on Kauai so they knew where to find the best snorkeling. They led us to some great sites and it had been a long time since we had seen such colorful fish and turtles. Truly helped us remember how much Chuck and I love snorkeling. </span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chuck's accordion strap had broke the night before so we knew we were going into town after snorkeling to find a music store. Pippi, Ronnie and his son, Allen, went with us to get some lunch before we hit the music store. <a href="http://austinist.com/2008/07/17/courtesy_photo_todd_rundgren_sat.php">Pippi </a>hails from Texas and has a wicked sense of humor and an amazing singing voice. Ronnie is from England and is a true gentleman. We enjoyed getting to know these great people and they will always be a part of what made Toddstock such a once in a lifetime event.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We stopped for photo opps of these amazing taro fields as shown above. </span></div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-13650678774765128352008-07-30T13:00:00.003-04:002008-07-30T13:09:45.563-04:00Been Gone Too Long<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm back to finish the Toddstock blog. My friends and I had an open house here at my house and we did very well selling jewelry and purses (handmade - not knock-off brands). We had a great turnout and appreciated everyone showing up. Sales were good and so I went on a bead hunt with my friend, Cortney, who makes beautiful, contemporary jewelry. I have replenished my stock and am beading again. We will probably go to a bead show this weekend at Sharonville Convention Center but no more buying after that - only selling! Cortney and I have promised to not let each other spend any more on beads cause we're beadaholiques! Cyndi, who makes amazing fabric purses, Cortney and I will probably be at the September Days Arts and Crafts Market on September 13th at the Village Green in Fairfield. Hope to see you there! </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-46256153474567771892008-07-07T08:04:00.003-04:002008-08-13T13:47:05.396-04:00Toddstock: Monday 6.16.08<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We continued to meet some great people. Chuck and I both have an introverted side to our temperament and so it takes a great deal of energy for us to small talk. Not so here. Todd/music was the common denominator so any question such as, “How many times have you seen Todd in concert?” was an immediate conversation starter. We realized pretty quickly that we were amateurs compared to the people who had seen him 60 or 70 times. There was a noncompetitive spirit about the camp so we were still welcomed even with the handful of times that we had actually seen Todd. Chuck has played Todd’s music whenever possible in bands and even in worship in churches.<br /><br />We met a beautiful lady named Mary who came to camp by herself. Her husband has an aggressive form of MS and he was gracious enough to give her the gift of this week. She struck me as a devoted caregiver in much need of this time to recharge her spirit. She has physical problems herself (as most of us did since this wasn’t a Woodstock generation) and she was so filled with energy from other people and being near Todd and Michele. Her story touched our hearts and I continue to ask the source of love to be very kind to her.<br /><br />I met a lady, Mary Ann and her husband, Larry. He is 67 and I didn't catch her age. Mary Ann had only discovered Todd’s music six months ago and was consumed by it. She had printed off the words to songs and had compiled them in a notebook. It was one of the things she asked Todd to sign for her. She really resonated with his words. One of his songs, <em>The Last Ride</em>, came through the speakers and tears started rolling down her face. The words spoke to her at such a deep level that the only way to describe the connection is to call it spiritual. Even though our ages were not that far apart I still found that she was very inspiring to me because I hope I always look for those things that speak to my heart. The concert on Sunday was the first concert of Todd’s that she had actually seen live. She and her husband enjoyed it immensely. They were the ones who had brought Todd the walking stick which he carried during the hike. They also brought jewelry for Michele and I think it was the night of the Luau that she wore their gift.<br /><br />There were so many great people – I can only name a few as I blog about this event. I just kept saying during the week – of all the places to be on the earth at this time – this was the place to be. It was simultaneously surreal and, yet, very centered. Very difficult to explain but the people who were there know what I mean.<br /><br />Day 3 was the day we went looking for a different extension cord for Chuck’s sleep apnea machine that he was using in the tent. Most of us were of a mature age which required an electrical box in the tent that housed the camping tents because of the number of people using CPAP machines. Michele referred to us as a Papper colony - better than being a leper colony! Chuck discovered that the CPAP machine has a dual purpose – was great for blowing up air mattresses!</span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-28291794192569783442008-07-03T12:56:00.005-04:002008-08-13T13:45:44.065-04:00Toddstock: Sunday 6.15.08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjPRdVCqj6Pct4-J7TacrAY-qjFxySASnGCPkB-KGn02cvWHW5cksrgqxGbBx9AiwedGOFwK8tkMcei9fTMd2FoUi79Az8zg7sPVmzzDwnv_f5y54Mhe_ztCW4sMYcOVu_rZQxHFhL7A/s1600-h/annini+beach+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218833973390023842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjPRdVCqj6Pct4-J7TacrAY-qjFxySASnGCPkB-KGn02cvWHW5cksrgqxGbBx9AiwedGOFwK8tkMcei9fTMd2FoUi79Az8zg7sPVmzzDwnv_f5y54Mhe_ztCW4sMYcOVu_rZQxHFhL7A/s320/annini+beach+2.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Chuck and I took off on our own to check out the snorkeling at Annini Beach. Beautiful, clear water. We didn't find much in the way of snorkeling but when we went with the group on Tuesday we saw turtles and all kinds of fish. Michele Rundgren's brother and sister-in-law led the group and knew exactly where to direct us to the fish. </span><br /><div></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-60067213708361594322008-07-01T12:30:00.004-04:002008-07-01T12:57:27.031-04:00Camping<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbS0jYwI-EfVdhp8gJqOY-as27hiBSQ-BcLr9wy_hpeKWlyJszdNicI1JGWElNJ1uOT8BpkIt5H53fUKRUiYu6Z3txmiu5w0T6wujcWSIEO_m_3xOC5oKYdQv440Aa0HrB_I-jpB1Zjs/s1600-h/tent.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218084924742052370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="256" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbS0jYwI-EfVdhp8gJqOY-as27hiBSQ-BcLr9wy_hpeKWlyJszdNicI1JGWElNJ1uOT8BpkIt5H53fUKRUiYu6Z3txmiu5w0T6wujcWSIEO_m_3xOC5oKYdQv440Aa0HrB_I-jpB1Zjs/s320/tent.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We have not camped for at least 20 years so it was a test. With the air mattresses it really wasn't bad. What was bad was the snoring. I had wax earplugs and could still hear it. Of course, I'm sure they heard my snoring and coughing as well. The majority of the tents were under one huge tent like they use for events so we were really close together. So, at night, Toddstock turned into a snore fest. We lasted 5 days and 4 nights in the tent and then mutually decided if we were to have the best experience possible that we needed more rest. The hotel room was small but looked huge compared to the tent and the bed and shower looked even better. There were outdoor showers at the camp and you could look up and see the Hawaiian sky - when you looked up you hardly noticed the cold water. Trading hot water for cold still ended up feeling like a true luxury. </span></div><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Camping in Kauai is probably under some of the best circumstances possible. Lower humidity and cool breezes at night. We just got tired of the red dirt that permeated everything. Chuck did like the red hue of the dirt on his green khaki shorts but that was about all we could tolerate. I imagine we'll be finding red dirt for quite awhile. </span></p><div align="left"><br /></div>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-16826860044817545712008-06-27T16:15:00.005-04:002008-06-28T08:21:55.702-04:00The Burnsides<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVIdcqkNxPvbxdsrmS3ZFcuk77szV1oty0ilWAnMo_9lR0wwwuX8jkc2ohh_ro3DvScOtEyflpMrCxSy0ugbUrbKdo6_n5we4eZGVTx5grcFC-l1dXdl4_DxbgjrWfHaulyhIQu3PYtI/s1600-h/BiljacJoannaDeb2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216658228139724914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVIdcqkNxPvbxdsrmS3ZFcuk77szV1oty0ilWAnMo_9lR0wwwuX8jkc2ohh_ro3DvScOtEyflpMrCxSy0ugbUrbKdo6_n5we4eZGVTx5grcFC-l1dXdl4_DxbgjrWfHaulyhIQu3PYtI/s320/BiljacJoannaDeb2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We connected with a great couple, Biljac and Joanna Burnside, who were on the same flight from Denver to Kauai and needed a ride from the airport. We stopped by Sears to pick up their tent and get stuff that we still needed like chairs and beach towels. We had borrowed a tent and had three suitcases so by the time we got everything in the SUV we still had to tie some luggage on top (thanks to Biljac). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Biljac had cooked for a football team at Old Miss years ago and volunteered those cooking skills for breakfast and dinner times. He knew what he was doing in the kitchen and we were grateful for it. Joanna was usually at his side cleaning and organizing. They made a great team. Biljac owns two businesses - he teaches Karate and tunes pianos. Joanna teaches piano at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. They live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with their cat, Nudge. I'm so glad I didn't do anything to tick Joanna off during the week - I'm sure Biljac has earned numerous awards for his Karate skills but he also informed me that Joanna has been the state champion seven times for their particular style of Karate. Those southern women are velvet covered steel! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The cup in my hand was my cup for the week because the Rundgrens strive to be environmentally friendly. They also used biodegradable cups and utensils made out of corn. I kept watching my martini served to me by Todd himself that he had been poured into a "corn" cup and just waiting for the vodka to melt right through it! </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371195733288059262.post-51279343134220463862008-06-27T16:05:00.004-04:002008-06-28T23:08:32.558-04:00Part 2 of the Accordion Story<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Apparently, Todd heard about the accordion riding in first class because just before he autographed it he asked Chuck, "How's your marriage?" Chuck's reply, "We're probably looking into many years of intense therapy." </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I would show you the photo of Todd autographing the accordion but we signed an agreement that we would not post pictures or send them through the internet until Todd releases us to do so. I'm sure there is a dvd of the events around his 60th birthday that will be available for purchase and given the amount of money that was spent on that week (i.e. vodka for martinis and kegs of beer for Michele's bar), he deserves to earn every dime of it! </span>Deb Wigginshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00062002650411171292noreply@blogger.com0