Category: Family

Last evening (and a good part of today) my daughter was vomiting. Naturally, this meant she stayed home from school and I went into full mother hen mode doing the nurturing thing. My daughter loves that she gets extra special hugs, kisses and pats when she’s sick. she gets them even when she isn’t, but it gets ramped up even more when she’s not feeling well. She loves the extra attention and I enjoy doing those extra special things for her.

This morning, she still could not keep anything down since  her stomach was still doing somersaults, I brewed a large pot of ginger root and soursop leaves. Both are loaded with nutrients that are very helpful (more about soursop in another post) and since each are soothing for stomach upsets, it was top on my tame menu for combating an upset stomach. Anyway, I gave her some of the tea to drink. She accepted it and tentatively took a sip, unsure how if her body would accept or reject the tea. I also had some of it.  She was able to keep it down for a few hours, before she vomited. When she did throw up, it wasn’t a lot. Her next cup she kept down successfully. I also rubbed her stomach with a few drops of lavender essential oil mixed with a bit of raw cocoa butter.

I’m thrilled to say that this afternoon, she started feeling better and so I was able to prepare something besides liquids. Spicy foods were out and so I settled for a tame homemade vegetable soup. It smelled great, more importantly she told me it tasted wonderful. She told me it warmed her stomach and also said it was the perfect way for her to reintroduced to solid foods once again.

This evening, I’m a bit exhausted. Which isn’t surprising.  I was up late last night/early morning cleaning up vomit and vomiting and hovering over  my nauseous ten year old princess. Bedsheets & clothes were washed, dried and folded. Additionally everything within the rooms she was in and whatever she touched was wiped with some of my homemade cleaning products and I went over the area with my  handheld steamer.

I think I will curl up and rest a bit until bedtime. I’m exhausted so as soon as she is sleeps, I will also.

Yesterday and today my daughter and I played music together. She on the piano, and I on my newest musical instrument, the Native American Flute.

Our jam/practice session was nothing fancy. I’m still learning this new instrument and I’m not doing anything elaborate yet. But even as a new flute player, I’m having fun familiarizing myself with the various sounds/effects this lovely instrument can make.

One of the first songs we played together was Amazing Grace. It is one of my favorite hymns. We repeated that song several times, until my daughters eyes started to glaze over. Taking the hint, I veered off and started playing scales. She followed. In addition to reading music, she can also play by ear (just like myself) As myself, and so she did not have any problem harmonizing on the piano. She’s so talented. I’m sorry to say that we did not record yesterday or today’s session but that will change soon…

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun

Well… I finally got around to ordering my Native American Flute, after a bit of research I settled on getting a flute in the key of G.

I was no older than eight when I started playing the piano. I still play. The Native American flute, is an instrument that I’ve always wanted to learn and recently I decided I would teach myself.

My 10 yo daughter (who also plays the piano) has promised me that she will do duets with me once I get the basics down. I did tell her she’ll have to take it easy on me until I’ve mastered the flute. Do you ever really master an instrument? It seems to me that with the piano I’m always learning something even though I’ve been playing for over 35 years.

There are a few songs that are on my must be able to play on the flute list. I’ve listed them below. I already play them on the piano and so does my daughter.

Until recently, I did not know the name of the song House of the Rising Sun but I was able to play it by ear. I read music and do play a lot of piano music by ear. I even create my own songs. I look forward to doing the same, eventually, with the flute.

Of course… I’m already planning on creating a beaded flute case for my new musical instrument.

Amazing Grace: Mark Akixa – Native American flute

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Native American flute

House of the Rising Sun – Native American flute

Nearer my God to Thee – Mattias Valletto

16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the [h]manger.

17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:16-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas!

I’ve been fascinated with the Native American Flute since my early twenties,

It wasn’t until this morning, while listening to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, that I realized I haven’t pursued one of my long term goals which is learning how to play the Native American Flute. Well, it’s time to do some research, find an appropriate flute, and start learning. I already play one musical instrument, the piano. I started playing at the age of eight. I still play today.

This made me smile… I did not have a lot of toys as a child, but the ones I did have were cherished and I took care of them. I have fond memories of the hours spent lost in my imaginary world with a favorite toy.

I still have my first teddy bear, it wasn’t new when I received it at the age of four. It belonged to one of my aunts, she was about 15 when she gave that to  me, and it was my favorite bear for many years. I think the fact that it was given to me by someone who loved it so much made it even more special. Fast forward to the present, despite the fact that it’s obviously ‘well-cared for’ My daughter has claimed it and has a special spot for the teddy bear in her room.

Today is a holiday in the United States, Thanksgiving day!

Besides spending the day with my daughter and relaxing, I won’t be doing too much.