Novels of Passion: A Family Musical

So, the princess was introduced to the long-running, Sci-Fi, British TV series "Doctor Who" by a friend, and the friend--a Doctor Who fanatic--loaned her the DVD set to watch. Guess who also has become a bit obsessed with the Doctor. Princess and her mom have spent several hours watching one series, and now have the next set checked out from the library. I have caught a few moments of a couple of them--maybe even watched most of one episode or so. It is a clever and compelling time-travel, save-the-world storyline, and some of the characters do endear themselves to you rather quickly. You might imagine, we've had quite a bit of British accent happening about our house of late. Fun times.

Do you know about the National Write a Novel in November idea? Seems it's been going on for a few years, and the challenge is for folks to write an entire novel--at least 50,000 words--during the month of November. Son told me about it when we visited in mid-October, and he was persuading me to give it a try. And, I guess he is doing it--even while keeping up with 18 credits of classes at University. He had figured out how many words per day he needed to write in order to meet his goal, and last I heard, he was keeping up with his plan. He said he knows a few other folks at college who are doing it too. Very cool to be so motivated and challenge yourself in this creative way. I have not reorganized my life to make the time for the endeavor, but maybe someday. . . I do look forward though to reading his finished product come December. The princess has been using the occasion to put extra time in on the novel she's been working on for months too. I don't know how close her book is to completion, but I know it is about 70 single-spaced pages long on the computer. I love it that my kids too have both discovered the powerful magic of the written word.

And music continues to emanate from the family. . . Our Wednesday evening service at church is Vespers, and it includes the "Magnificat" --Mary's Song-- toward the end of the liturgy. Our Pastor has chosen to have the piece sung by a cantor each week, and various young ladies in the church rotate through being the cantor. Last week was the second time it was the princess's turn to sing. It's a very moving "hymn" under any circumstances--powerful words and lovely melody--but it is especially beautiful and goose-bump-inducingly touching for a proud papa listening to the soulful notes flawlessly flow forth in joyful worship from the lips of a dear daughter. Many other kind folks from church thoughtfully complimented her on her "beautiful singing" as well. So, see, it's not all just parental prejudice! Both my lovely ladies are preparing for the Christmas cantata in church choir now too, so I get to partake of lovely previews of that music. Add to that the pieces that the princess is practicing for the high school choir Christmas concert, and consider that her choir director has decided to make it tradition that their "Winter Concert" always include the supremely powerful Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, and yes--our home these days fairly bursts with joyful choral music. And, here sits one musically-challenged middle-aged man who's NOT complaining one iota.

You heard of the upcoming production of Peter Pan, but hadn't learned of the casting decisions yet. I think the princess is pleased enough to act the role of Mrs. Darling, and also one of the (non-speaking) mermaids. She is certain her hairstyle is what sealed the mermaid part; and is excited that she's been given director's permission to play Mrs. Darling with a British accent. The performances are in mid-January, so she's got plenty of time to perfect it. She has such passion for this craft, so always has a marvelous time.

Well, all turned out well with the Frodo costume. She looked great, and had a super time trick-or-treating with her close cousin for maybe the one last time. He looked "cool" dressed as "Fonzie," and my sister drove them around to all the houses in their very rural neighborhood. We enjoyed dinner and a bit of bonding with the family too. When we got back to Mom and Dad's that night, we watched the Luther movie with my Mom. (Dad had already gone to bed.) Quite fun watching the gripping historical drama in sync with the historical dates. And good to share it with Mom too. Also on the family front, two of the nieces popped by at lunch when we were at the folks; we had dinner with my other sister, her husband and daughter one evening as they were passing through town, and another niece stopped by our house for a cup of tea one afternoon while waiting for her next ride somewhere. Got to visit for a bit with one brother and his friend at my school one afternoon when they came to meet with his son's teachers. Always such a blessing to connect--however briefly--with family. Certainly don't see any of them often enough.

We plan to drive to Bozeman for the weekend to spend a bit of time with the son again, and celebrate the lovely bride's birthday with a bit of family togetherness. May soak in a hot springs on the way--again. Guess they got quite a bit of a snowfall there yesterday, but the highway department's road condition map shows that they should be mostly okay for most of the way. Anyway, as we anticipate the adventures in our lives, we pray all your adventures are blessed and you have many joyful moments to look forward to also. Pray your Thanksgiving is a time of great joyfulness as you gather with family to celebrate and remember with grateful hearts ALL the blessings and providence of our loving Lord. Thanks for listening!