The Springs – a band you need to know

 Let me introduce you to 

THE SPRINGS ! 

So if you aren’t new to this blog you know one of my favorite things to do is talk about music, especially artists that I think deserve more love. This past Summer I’ve spent some time discovering new artists and falling back in love with previous favorites. I plan to share some of that with you but today is about The Springs. A band I’ve talked about before … When they gave their fans some free music and if there is nothing I like more than free music. Even if it’s not good it’s FREE … and let me tell you what the Springs gave their fans was an amazing taste of what was to come. 

This post is going to do double duty, it’s going to tell you about their new EP and also serve as my launching pad for my campaign to get this band on XM radio, specially The Highway. I can totally see these two chatting with Storme Warren  or On the Horizon with Buzz Brainard. They have a very unique story to tell and the music to back it up. I have said it before but I’ll say it again I really wish there was a better way to tell them about a song or group that should be a #HighwayFind … I mean how does a #HighwayFind become found? I figure it’s word of mouth. If enough people start talking about an artist or a song then the powers that be at The Highway take notice and it just takes off …. At least that’s my hope for The Springs whom I’ve been following since 2011.

For those that don’t know … The Springs are a fabulous Country Music Duo from Hendersonville, Tennessee (originally from Alabama). This duo is made up of Stewart and Holly Halcomb who describe their sound as a mixture of Country, Southern Rock, Pop, and Traditional Country which describes this multi-award winning duo who also write their own songs with friends.

Their story : 

Stewart and Holly are both from Alabama, him from Enterprise her from New Market (Huntsville/Decatur area). They met at the Bluebird Café after they had both moved to Nashville to chase the Neon Rainbow. In 2013 the couple got engaged, also at the BlueBird (where they play every chance they get), and were married in 2015. Their wedding was streamed live via Periscope so their fans could attend. It’s that connection to their fans whom they call Frans (Friends + Fans = Frans) that’s going to help this couple thrive both on the stage and off. Heck earlier this year they shared a picture with a “Fran” whom they have started a fitness challenge with and now all three are more fit and more comfortable in their own skins. In my last post I talked about the 7 free Songs they released on Halloween (2015) via their website. Those tracks alone were great, I’m still devastated that Everybody Runs didn’t go viral cause it’s a fantastic song that paints a picture in my head every time I hear it and I love when music does that. That entire 7 song “EP” for lack of a better name made me hungry for more.

I love how this group compliments one another perfectly yet know their strengths and how to showcase each artist and blend together. It’s not uncommon for a track to feature both, or let one of them run with the track and you can totally picture the other standing outside of the booth with a huge grin on their face proud and encouraging the other.

In June 2018 they released “Old Fashioned” which is a dream for the ears with more poppy country and nods to the traditional country that Holly and Stewart grew up listening to. Let’s go track by track … cause you know me that’s how I do. As previously stated these are the thoughts that run through my head as I listen to each track. Enjoy. 

Pulse – In 2017, as they were working on this album they released a few tracks, and this was one of them. I really like this track, it’s not my favorite but I do like it. I like how their voices blend together so perfectly in the chorus and could listen to that harmony all day long.

Sweet Spot – I LOVE everything about this track. If someone asked me what my favorite track was it would be this one. I love the playfulness in Stewart’s voice. I also love the nod to old country as well as the “rap” aspect of the track. Plus, it’s a really cute song about how the right girl can change any guy, yet the guy slips back into those old habits when she’s not around. However the right girl can always bring him back to where he needs to be. Ha!   

American Made –  I could listen to this track EVERY SINGLE DAY and never get tired of it. It’s about life in general, and I love how it is mostly about taking what life throws at you and moving forward despite it. I like how it’s not all happy and wonderful but that they just make it work by not giving up. I can see this video in my head, as you know dear reader it makes me really happy when I can do that with a track. This song should gov viral it’s something everyone needs to hear. Especially in these times.

I want it to – It’s time for Holly to get her rap on in this track. I like this one, but it just feels like its missing something. Like it starts building to something then doesn’t quite get there. Once again, the harmony saves this track for me. I can see this one playing very well live even if it falls a little flat in my ear buds, at least to me.  

Cool – I know it seems that I like the tracks where Stewart takes the lead but it’s not my fault those tracks just … well speak to me. I’ve been that person at the bar afraid that everything I’m doing is going to putt off whomever I’m trying to get the attention of and I like the idea that it’s finally working cause he found the right one. I love the line “I don’t mind the game as long as I’m playing by your rules” or something to that effect.

God Made one of those – I’ll admit this is not my favorite track on the album. It’s very slow and while I get the message behind it I just don’t love it as much as the others. It’s not a track I skip entirely every time but there are times I’m not interested in it and skip it. I do like the nod to family that is included in this track cause let’s face it that’s how we all became who we are and a reminder of that is never a bad idea.

Right Kind of Love – I really like this track mostly cause it’s got a peppy beat behind it but it’s very different from the other tracks on the album. I’ll admit sometimes it comes on and I’m like who is this and pull up my player to see it’s The Springs. I like the message behind it, that they both have a past but that that past led them to where they are now and they finally see what they deserve in the other’s eyes.

Old Fashioned –  This is another that they released in 2017. I like the roll of this track, I love that this is the title track cause it speaks to a lot of what this band is about for me. They aren’t flashy, you won’t see Holly nearly naked on stage, you won’t see Stewart doing “bro country” they are a throw back to a time when Country Music was amazing. They would have destroyed the charts back in the 90s and I think Country Music fans want that kind of music back on the radio.

Ex on your Hand – The first time I heard “Too old to be going out with an ex on your hand” I literally stopped what I was doing and payed more attention. That was brilliant. The combination of the “X” that someone gets going to a club/bar as well as the “X” that someone has when they are obsessed with an ex that should stay that way. That parallel was brilliant and I don’t know who came up with it but I’m thrilled they did. I can think of about 10 friends who need to hear this track and even more around the Country that likely need to hear it too.

Stop - This is another that they released in 2017. Such a beautiful track that reminds you that while people fall in love very easily no one ever wrote a book about how to let go when one wants it to end and the other wasn’t ready. I can see Stewart at the bar with the Bartender “asking where you have been.” I can see him driving around town doing everything he can to keep from turning onto her road, I can see it and have lived it. Nothing is worse than being the one who didn’t want it to end but it ended anyway and all you can do is move forward cause moving backwards gets you no where.

We Got This House – This track is another one that speaks exactly to who I think Stewart and Holly are. It’s a song about rolling with what the universe throws at you and picking up and waking up the next day to do it all over again. This track is about how the “house” is the center of their universe that helped create the rest of the path. This track definitely has an “American Made” feel to it but on a different level. The downs make the ups way better as long as you don’t let the downs take it all away, sometimes you just have to leap and hope it all works out.

This 11 track CD was released, and self-promoted to a debut of #33 on Billboard, #33 in Country Album Sales and #40 in Independent Album sales that week. They have no label, no manager, no promotional team, no publisher they are strictly a word of mouth group that is traveling the South playing their music and building a fan base, the old-fashioned way. If you get Sweet Spot, American Made, and Cool I swear you will come back for the rest of the CD. I beg you to check out their new album, via the links below, and get this band on The Highway ASAP! 

This band deserves to be a #HighwayFind cause they are definitely #OnTheHorizon jump on the bandwagon now before there’s no room.  

The Springs at Blue Gill in 2017 

If you get the chance to see this band live do it you'll be a fan for life and become a FRAN before it's over! 

Links: 

Website:   http://www.thespringsband.com/

Itunes:     https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-springs/292315438

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thespringsband

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/thespringsband

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/thesprings/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thesprings/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Springs_(band)

Marcy (@beaslma)

Worst Friend EVER!

So today is usually the day I set aside to wake up kinda early…8:30ish, fart around with Golden in her house until we finally drag out of the house for Huddle House with her parents (both if I’m lucky) then start my 5 hour drive south ending the Monthlong celebration of Golden prior to her actual birthday cause of jobs and stuff. Typically that weekend was spent eating far too much, yakking way to much about the serious and the mundane, playing with her furbaby Mighty, maybe a movie or two or three, a zoo trip with the entire family, at least one trip to at Walmart, and laugher. So much laughter.

However ….. this year that didn’t happen. I can’t begin to tell you how sad that makes me. It should have happened. I am a little angry that I let life get in the way of this weekend, but alas ….. that’s what makes me a grown up. I HATE BEING A GROWN UP WITH RESPONSIBILITIES!!!!!!! I really felt awful after Golden informed me that her yearly Zoo trip had been cancelled. The weather up there was supposed to be really bad and typically when that happened her dad and brother are called into work. Golden has been having a lot of health issues of late so she really wasn’t “up for it” so they all just bailed on it. This makes me a sad Marcy and while the world does not revolve around me (tho it totes should) I feel like if I were up there everyone would have made the effort for the zoo trip. I mean guys Golden doesn’t ask for much just a yearly trip to the zoo to see some animals and hang with her nieces. It should be simple right?! I mean I bet Golden didn't even go to the trouble of making a cheese ball for goodness sakes. sad ... just oh so sad. 

This is Golden’s birthweek and while I haven't celebrated her this month like I normally do I hope to spend this week telling her how awesome she is, how brave she is, how she’s my hero, and how I’ll make it up to her one day. Not today mind you, today I have to go back to work but soon. It really us unfair that her "month long celebration" has deteriorated to a "week long" celebration. Then again some people don't even get a week long celebration, they get just their day. Of course those people aren't as awesome as Golden so they don't deserve it. She does and I completely dropped the ball. I suck as a friend, as a human, as a person. 

Love ya lady …. I hope you had a good relaxing weekend and that your Birthweek is awesome!!!

Lets start planning our DRAGON CON trip cause I really need something to look forward too.

Marcy

(@beaslma)

Breaking Up with my smartphone

DEAR

I love Microsoft, I want Bill Gates to be my friend so I can just give him a hug. I don’t want his money, I don’t want anything else … just a hug. If some of his money fell into my pocket I’d not be sad about it, and might think about returning it, but that’s not the point of this post. I love everything about Microsoft, it’s humble beginnings of two friends wanting to use their shared knowledge to create something, literally anything. I love that their first big break happened cause Bill (he’s my friend I can call him Bill) told them they had a thing but they didn’t have a thing and they then had to create said thing to finish the deal. Talk about fake it until you make it huh?! I use the office suite daily in both my work life and home life, I’m actually using it now. I can’t imagine my life without Microsoft. I think Indesign is a fancy publisher application. I have the original X-box in my room and still use it on occasion when I can’t sleep. I also have the X-box 360 but admit I haven’t spent my money on the X-box 1 yet. Mostly cause the adult in me thinks it’s silly to pay for a new system when I haven’t really turned on the old system in many many many months, stupid adult me. I have always had a PC never a MAC and that’s not just because my father might disown me if I did. I just love the user interface, I love the compatibility I love all of it. I even have … brace yourself friends… the Windows Phone. This is my second Windows Phone actually, after my beloved Blackberry bit the dust one late August day. Confession time … I really really really really really really really really really really …. really miss my Blackberry. Really. Frankly the Blackberry was great but the track ball kept breaking. I replaced it about 15 times then said screw this but I admit that the track ball was the only thing wrong with that phone. When it was time to leap to a new system I leaped to the Windows Phone via Lumina products. I loved it. I loved how all my devices were suddenly connected, I didn’t have to import anything just put in my username and password and boom a phone was born a short time later. It was so simple and fantastic. It literally did everything I needed it to do ….. I loved it. To tell you the truth I can’t remember why I got rid of that one for the current phone I have. Which is a newer version of the Windows Phone. I tell you all this in a preface to my letter to Microsoft explaining why I feel we need to finally part ways. It makes me sad, but as you will see below, I think it’s time. Please Bill don’t hate me, that would devastate me should we ever cross paths in the future.

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Dear Microsoft,

I hope this finds you doing well, I hope this finds you hard at work so that generations behind me won’t have to write a similar letter. I love my windows phone. I love how it connects to my office account, my one drive is great (tho I don’t use it the way others do), I kind of even like the e-mail program, but get super annoyed when you guys decide to update my ap and my settings go back to keeping my e-mail for 6 weeks then it will vanish off the face of the planet – not cool guys. Who the hell only needs 6 weeks worth of e-mails? Who is that person?  Or when you guys update A and it screws up B only to have another update fix both but screw up C. How about you just leave some stuff alone sometimes? Microsoft Edge has an issue with Pintress ? What? The only reason I know it’s Microsoft Edge is cause when you tell Edge to open the same page in Explorer it opens just fine. So what’s up with that !? I get an e-mail that you guys are changing the way you can make a screen shot or a snip. Really? That’s the priority of the hour at Microsoft. What you guys choose to prioritize drives me insane. For a few weeks there I couldn’t open a PDF without first downloading some 3^rd party AP that requires me to download the PDF to the phone then open the ap then see the PDF. Really!? Seriously!? I mean the ENTIRE WORLD IS USING PDF EVERYWHERE … and I’m over here trying to chisel something out of stone.

A few months ago, I was going to a show, got my tickets digitally sent to me and I had to use PDF to open the tickets up with. I sent them to my friend on another system so that if I couldn’t open them she’d be able to. That was seriously something I was concerned about. I’d have been very angry had I not been able to see this show cause my stupid phone couldn’t open a PDF. (Side note: I understand this has now been corrected but yeah for a week or so was super annoying). How about allowing me to choose not to do that update …is that something we can talk about ? No … ok that’s cool, I guess.

What I don’t love and this is not really a slight on you, tho I guess that it is, is the fact that the rest of the planet could care less about my Microsoft phone. In a world moving to Aps the fact that you guys are so behind in that aspect really screws up my day to day life.  My office has an employee interface where you can download the ap and log in and see vacation time, news, etc., but guess what …. Not available for Windows Phone. There’s also this really awesome thing at my bank where I can make deposits from my house (cause I’m kind a lazy about that) check your balances, freeze cards if you think it’s lost or stolen but guess what else … Not available on Windows Phone. I’m not even talking about fun stuff yet. Dragon Con has a yearly ap that they create for the convention where you can see the schedule, news and announcements, changes in the schedule etc., but guess what …. Not Available on Windows Phone. Disney World for instance has a similar ap that you can link to your bracelet and change your fast passes, make reservations, etc but guess what … Not available for Windows Phone.

Are you seeing a pattern here ?! If it's not IOS or Android ... who gives a shit? sigh ....  I can’t tell you the number of times someone says, hey what’s your Snap Chat or insert some really cool game that everyone is playing … looking at you Simpson’s game … pokemon go etc., … or a friend sends me some avatar thing and they are like make one of yourself it’s awesome and I have to say, oh my phone doesn’t have that. They say oh really what do you have then I tell them and they laugh and laugh and laugh. Me yelling but I can make changes to a powerpoint file in a snap makes them laugh harder. I guess my point is that well …. It’s real frustrating. I could name more but don’t want to harp ….you know what’s missing, and even some of the ones you have in beta form never leave the format. It’s like they created it to get you off their back then abandoned the thing all together, all too common in the Ap store btw abandoned aps.  

That is why Microsoft I think it’s time to part ways, I’ve held to this device for far longer than I should have. I have recently received some money I wasn’t expecting and have decided to spend some of it on a new phone. My only criteria for this new phone is that it not be a windows phone and that it must have the Type C connection cause I have a billion of those wires and I’m not replacing them all again. That’s it. Those are the two things I’m basing this very important decision on. I don’t really want to abandon my Windows phone, but I’m afraid that the decision is out of my hands. I don’t see this situation correcting itself in the future and I don’t see that you are very invested in correcting it for the world. I mean there are reports that you are thinking of abandoning aps all together for some web based system. Really?! It’s like you guys see the rest of the world going left and are like nope we are going to go in a zig zag patter towards the left instead. 

It’s funny though, I’ve thought several times that users of other devices wouldn’t put up with this. Iphone users would freak out if suddenly the Ap store was not “working” at random intervals or had major missing aps in it. They would put on their black turtle necks and storm the “Apple” store for answers. We just sit over here going, don’t worry they will fix it, let’s go read a book while we wait. So maybe it’s not your fault Microsoft, it’s our fault for not demanding a better product. For not demanding that the Dragon Cons, Disney and Banking institutions treat us all as equals, then again why should they cater to the few when the many are happy. It’s a supply and demand thing and frankly the supply isn’t worth the hassle anymore. All of the phones basically do the same thing it just depends on which devil you want to get into bed with. At the end of the day after a few weeks/months you’ll get used to whatever device you choose.

So which phone am I abandoning you for …. That I haven’t decided yet. Notice BTW when I searched for a picture showing many phones various types the one not shown. They are all basically the same now it just depends on the interface really. I guess if I broke the phone today … I’d go with Samsung, likely the 9+. I just don’t see myself going all insane and going with an Iphone mostly cause I’m not a fan of their interface, their clientele, and their inability to really connect with non MAC products. I think if I go that route then in less than say 5 years I’ll be in the same boat I’m in now. The Samsung I’m familiar with because I have friends that have it, so I like the interface and other than the “google” connection it seems to function very similar to my Windows phone. Plus if I buy it through Microsoft it comes with the Microsoft ap installed which makes it work very similar to the phone I used to have …. Giving me the best of both worlds, at least until the world decides to take the Microsoft phone seriously. Sigh ….. wish that were today.

Thanks,

Marcy (a good friend of Bill’s)

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So readers what phone do you have?! Do you have similar frustrations?! Everyone has an opinion on the phone they have or the one they think you should have … let’s hear it!

Marcy (@beaslma)

SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK – Miscellaneous Thoughts

First Off .... HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY! I hope your green kept you pinch free today and if not...well punch that asshat in the face and tell him you were mistaken you didn't think he had on green either. 

So, I have to admit something to you dear readers, this Social Media break has been hard but not for the reason you might think. See, last year I stepped away from Social Media cause I really really needed to then when I got back I made a point of using it to be more social and not just sharing, liking, or RT things and this year I find I really miss the people that I have connected with over the past year in my daily interactions.  Not necessarily the medium used, but the people. It’s been very odd, I have e-mailed a few of the people that I don’t get to see in my every day world and I missed that immediate connection that Social Media gives you. I also decided at the last minute to also give up Soda for Lent and let me tell you I miss that syrup filled goodness in my belly. My energy level is for crap, I have a constant headache and I just feel overall icky. They said most of that would go away after the first few weeks but so far that hasn’t happened for me ye. April Fool’s Day can’t get here fast enough. Ha!

That being said Lent has been filled with a ton of activities and thoughts that I’d like to share here …. So well enjoy, or go get a samache and come back later, the choice is yours.

Someone check on Golden… please

I asked in my initial Lent Post that someone take care of Golden while I was gone and I need to know who dropped the ball … was it you …. Or the guy next to you at the coffee shop reading over your shoulder ….. no it was you….. it could have been that guy, either way one of you needs to apologize. Not only did Golden get the sickest I think she has been in years, NO ONE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS SICK!? I finally reached out to her via text only to find out she was sick, come’on guys that’s not checking up on Golden at all. I need you guys to focus for the next week or so until I can get back online. My bestie has pneumonia and bronchitis and has very low oxygen, upon checking on her this week she’s also bruised a few ribs from the violent coughing. She is indeed a medical marvel and I pray no one ever has to put up the amount of crap she has to put up with on a daily basis. She’s my hero cause no matter how much live beats her down she gets back up, looks life in the eye and says “Is that all you have … please let’s do this!”

She’s the strongest person I know and I’m blessed to have her in my life. Feel better my amazing friend. HUGS

Funerals

A lady at our church recently passed away from a fight with cancer. This was a true case of the treatment was harder on the patient that the disease. They never found the right combination that would fight her disease without also destroying her. She was the first woman at our new church to welcome our family to the “fold” for lack of a better word. She was really great about being supportive and welcoming without being too overwhelming with it. She was really supportive of me when I taught Bible School last year and was kind of freaking out about it and she told me that I could do it and kept checking in on me. It was really sweet. She was quite lovely. I miss her more than I thought that I would. I’m not a funeral person, I don’t really care for them cause they seem like a celebration that is either insanely sad or that is filled with people trying to pretend that this person was perfect when they had their flaws. It’s almost like when a singer dies and for like 4 days on social media people are talking about what an influence said person was on their life or their Itunes bump is huge. It just seems like that would have been more beneficial when that person was still here to see the influence they have had on their industry. Tell those artists today how you feel about them so that I don’t’ know it will mean something. After the fact it just seems …. Like a waste cause the one who really needed to see it isn’t there to do so. I tell you this cause when I heard Miss. Yvonne passed away there was no hesitation on if I was going to the funeral or not. I not only felt I needed to be there but wanted to be there to celebrate her life.

There was more people at the Church than I have ever seen, standing room only which was really nice to see for such a wonderful lady. She was the woman who taught Sunday School for 37 years, helped with Bible School for just that long, and was always there for every function, it seems weird to think that she just won’t be anymore. It was the first funeral that I have ever attended at that church and to say I was kind of surprised by the service is an understatement. It was nice it was pleasant it just didn’t seem as personal as I thought it could be for someone who was such a part of that building. However during the service a semi-sick-funny thing happened to me. While the preacher was reading the obituary, in full, he got to the part where they list all the people that had gone before her and for a brief moment I had this vision of her walking through a gate seeing all of them standing there waiting on her and her saying,  “well why are we just standing around there’s so much to do and see … let’s go!” As this thought passed through my head I started to giggle. It was one of those giggles that once you start it’s really hard to stop. My mom nudged me and my dad looked over, others also turned and I just put my head down and pretended I was overcome with tears. It was exactly what I hoped happened for Miss Yvonne when she got to Heaven cause there’s no doubt in my mind that’s where she is now. She’s in a much better place than we are surrounded by loved ones and enjoying every second of the afterlife her Christian doctrine had told her she’d have. I’ve never thought of a “preceded in death by” list as a guest list to a party like that. I kind of like that thought tho. I think Miss Yvonne would have loved that idea tho and had she been there would have come up to me at the luncheon and said, “honey you laugh if you need to laugh, cry if you need to cry, God knows what’s in your heart and it’s all ok!” I’m gonna miss you Miss Yvonne …. RIP we’ll take care of Mr. Jim.

Work/SMPS 

I know this is a running theme on this blog but work had just been insane. Like crazy insane, like I tried to quit 4 times last week and my boss laughed at me and told me he didn’t have time for that right now and to get back to it. It’s ok I wasn’t really serious but I have thought several times if they fired me for whatever reason I’d not be too broken up about it. I’d have no idea what to do next but I’m young, smart, and untethered, I’d figure it out. Truth is and don’t tell them please I’d be devastated and heartbroken. That’s just our little secret. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a long tunnel and the light is very feint but I can see it starting to emerge from the blackness. The problem is that I know there’s another tunnel behind it and another one after that. On the plus side at the end of the week my boss walked in with a folder that said “confidential” and had my name on it. He handed it to me and said, “It’s long over due really.” They gave me a bonus. It was a nice pick me up at the end of a long few weeks that reminds me why I stay where I’m at and why I do what I do. The guys at the top, really appreciate the effort I put into my job. That’s why. When I need a reminder of that please dear reader send me to this blog post.

I am also working towards my own professional certification/registration through the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) of which I am a member. SMPS is a community of marketing and business development professionals working to secure profitable business relationships for their A/E/C companies. SMPS offers members professional development, leadership opportunities, and marketing resources to advance their careers. My boss is also a member. Last year he obtained his Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) designation and this year has challenged me to do the same. My test is in June which sounded really really far away but now feels really really close. He just got back from the annual SMPS conference in Atlanta and has stated he'd like for me to go next year. He would like ach of us (our team) to attend it at least once for the comradery of it. I'm excited but it will likely end up where I'm one of those in the various panels working on a proposal with both eyes while one ear is listening to the speaker. Something my boss joked about. I told him they should have had a Marcy back home, he said not everyone gets a Marcy. I told him I'm glad to see he realizes that. ha! 

Fun stuff

It hasn’t been all work and no play for Marcy however, tho I admit I have felt like it was.

A few weeks ago the head of our division bought tickets to a local Jags baseball game (University of South Alabama) in which they were playing my beloved Auburn Tigers. As an Auburn fan I got a few of the tickets. My father and I joined the group of office peeps for a night of fun watching some really great baseball. Team building they called it, I enjoyed it and hope we do that more often. It didn’t hurt that Auburn won. WAR EAGLE ! Speaking of WAR EAGLE how about them Tigers at the dance?! I won’t pretend to be a huge basketball fan but it has been kind of AUsome watching this team rise to the occasion. 

I've bought a few movies I wanted to see in the theater and didn't, but haven't watched them yet. I plan to, it's going to happen I'm just not entirely sure when. 

I've had a few meetings at church to talk about the upcoming Easter Egg hunt, Vacation Bible School and other activities. I've also got a few concerts with friends coming up. I hope to have some travel for this summer lined up soon cause I need something to look forward to, like for real.  

So that’s what I’ve been up to during Lent, how about you guys!?

Marcy

LENT - SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK – TIGER GIVING DAY

So, my social media break came at just the worst time. First my Auburn Gymnastics team beat Rutgers, very handily I might add, with some stuck landings and great performances (at least as far as I could tell on my phone since the Watch ESPN ap gave my lap top the middle finger) by my Tigers in pink for their 6^th win of the season. A little shout out to Drew Watson who picked up the All-Around Title. Auburn faces Alabama this Friday for Senior Night and I hope the momentum of the last few weeks carries them through. 

However, the awesomeness … or should I say AUsomeness ... of the Auburn Gymnastics team is not the focus of this post. This “social media break” also happens to fall in the middle of Auburn’s RISE campaign. Which is a 24-hour fundraising event known as “Tiger Giving Day” #TigerGivingDay

Basically, they choose 20+ worthy projects that deserve to be highlighted and supported and put them on the site for AU fans, family, alumni to throw their support behind. Some are very worthy causes, others are, in my opinion less worthy, but they all made the list. What I love most about this event is that you can do a LOT of good on campus with very little spent. Some organizations get more of my dollars while others get enough to help them get a percent closer to their goal.

After I donated to a few of these programs I was hit with the share with your friends and family to help support #TigerGivingDay and of course I can't do that but I can post about Tiger Giving Day which lasts until Feb. 21^st at Midnight and features tons of programs you can put your support behind, if you are interested.

Check out the site below …

https://rise.auburn.edu/

Questions about this event can be directed here : because@auburn.edu

WAR EAGLE!!!!

Marcy  

Lent - SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK

 

 LENT: Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14^th ) and ends 6 weeks later before Easter Sunday (March 31^st). The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sings, almsgiving, and self denial. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days. Many use that “extra time” to read daily devotionals, pray, and meditate in order to draw themselves closer to God.

So last year for lent I gave up social media. I was kind of sick of my timeline filled with BS that was stressing me out. I was pondering giving it up all together but decided instead of a lent break. I have to say …. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Since coming back from that break this thing that was supposed to be used to be social with people I’d never know without it has become that for me again. I’ve had conversations with people, I’ve done more than just share and RT everything in sight. I’ve read more articles instead of blindly sharing them. It was a nice reminder of what these sites, FB, Twitter, Instagram etc., were created for.

It’s funny to me cause last year I did it to alleviate some anxiety in my life to step away from the negativity that had taken over my social media timeline and this year … it’s more about just stepping away. When I logged back into all the sites last April I also did a cleanse of my timeline, followers, friends and now my social media is a place I enjoy going to. This is truly a sacrifice because I use Social Media to keep up with people, like Golden, my favorite musicians, sports figures, sporting events, my family etc., so it’s going to be harder this year than last year I think. I mean the Olympics are on, my Auburn Gymnastic team is poised to have a fantastic month, I’m going to see Eric Erdman play a show Wed.,  and I won’t be able to talk about it.  

However, I’m also reminded of the lessons I learned from my Social Media break last year, how I posted, what I shared, the positive energy and negativity that I put out there on my own TL for others to deal with that kind of thing. It made me a better person both in the digital world and in real life as this break also allowed me to be fully engaged in the everyday world I was living in. Let’s  not forget that it was on that Social Media break that by happenstance I found Ed Sheeran’s music and my ears have been happier for it. I wonder who will hit my radar when I’m allowed to really see that radar this year?! I also refocused my energy on this blog during my social media break which reawakened my creative side to an extent.

So my point to you all is this …. When I turned off all my notifications last year my phone immediately went silent to the point I thought it might have died. It was not uncommon for my phone to go off several times an hour, it was a distraction and those 40 days with no notifications made me not miss it or want to check my various feeds. When I relogged into everything after the break I was very selective on whose notifications were turned back on, and whom I decide I didn't miss enough to have those constant notifications. That has made my social media life way more enjoyable and far more social. 

 

I’ll see you guys in March … until then be safe, take care of yourselves, and if you don’t mind ….do me one favor … check in on Golden every once in a while for me :D She's planning to do another 40-acts this year and frankly that's what I'll miss the most about this break, she's the most giving person I know and  the world needs more people like her. 

 

Thanks,

Marcy (@beaslma)

Eric Erdman New Album Review

Eric Erdman is an artist I’ve mentioned in passing a few times on this blog, but it’s well past time for him to get his due on here. I met Eric I guess around 2013 when I was hanging out with Markus Fox. Did I mention Eric is Markus Cousin? I’ll give you a little background on the man. He used to play in a band called “The Ugli Stick” of which many of my friends were followers, but never really hit my radar. It wasn’t until I started hanging out with Markus that I learned about Eric. Sitting at the table with Markus’ mom and their grandmother it was clear she was insanely proud of the musical talents that “her boys” possessed.

Eric is a true singer/songwriter out there hustling to get his music and voice out there but he’s quite ok with local success that allows him to pay his bills, travel the world playing his guitar and just enjoying life. However he’s too good for just our local shelves. While it’s selfish on our part for him to remain a local artist every time I listen to the radio I think Eric does this so much better and deserves way more of the spotlight. What better time to do that than when he’s dropping a new album, “It’s Not Like You Don’t Know Me” so forgive me for a moment while I fan girl on a dude who gives fantastic hugs and play a guitar even better.

I have 4 of Eric’s albums :

·       It’s Not Like You Don’t Know Me – Released in Jan. 2018 which is the main focus of this post see review below …

·       Not Slowing Down – Released in 2015 (via a Kickstarter fund raising effort for which I happily put my money where my mouth was)

o   This album excited me cause it wasn’t anything like the last two albums (below) but it had an Eric feel to it. You heard the lyrics and knew that the amazing brain housed in the head of Eric Erdman created each and every track. Each song tells a story and as he’s telling it you are seeing it in your head and as you know dear reader I love it when tracks do this. 

§  Tracks you should listen to right now “Aint Ben Right”  “Garden or Gun” “Mistake of a Woman” and “Objects in the Mirror” – get those tracks and you’ll come back for the rest of album. 

·       Color the Silence – Released in 2013 (which introduced me to the Hussy Hicks from Australia (but more on them in another post) 

o   I love everything about this album. It’s my go to album when I’m stressed at work and need to calm down but stay productive. This album from track one to track 10 is filled with songs easy on the ear but that also play tricks on the head and when you get the little nods in each song they make you smile.

§  Funny story. . . Eric is a pretty family friendly guy. Not many NC-17 stickers covering his album covers. At the record release party for this album he sang a song that had a few “bad words” in it. Now throughout the night as he sang he’d have people get out on the dance floor often couples sometimes singles but when he started singing a “safe version” of “Lucky (el Paso) in which he modified the lyrics to not offend anyone the dance floor filled with a TON OF KIDS all dancing their hearts out which made me laugh. As he finished singing he also commented on how that was his favorite part of the night. 

§  Tracks you should listen to right now “Last Night’s Wine” “Burn the Bridges” “Color the Silence” and “Some People”  -- then come back for the rest of the album. 

·       My Brother’s Keeper – Released in 2012 (Which I bought at the record release party for Color the Silence)

o   This album is filled with classic Eric tracks, if you go to a show you are going to hear at least two of these if not more. It’s a fantastic album, and the word play throughout is candy for my brain as well as my ears. 

§  Funny story . . . . I had my younger nephew in the car with me I guess he was around 8 or 9 and we were listening to the album as I drove him from point A to B. well I was listening he was playing a game on my phone not really paying attention to anything. Well there’s a song on this album called “Amy it Aint” which is a song about a young lady who didn’t understand that a relationship had ended. Towards the end of the song out of no where Andrew said “Geeze Amy just doesn’t get it!” I busted out laughing and when we reached our destination I tweeted Eric to tell him that story and he wrote back … “no she did not! Tell him he’s not wrong” – or something to that effect. It was a cute moment that reminded me they are ALWAYS PAYING ATTENTION. 

§  Tracks you should listen to right now “If Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right”   “Too Close to Heaven”  “Saltwater” and “Peanut Butter and Jealousy” – then come back for the rest of the album it’s fantastic.

His new album, It’s Not Like You Don’t Know Me, has 11 tracks on it, 3 of which are remakes from a previous album but they are such great songs I’m not even annoyed by that.

Let’s go track by track … cause you know me that’s how I do. As previously stated these are the thoughts that run through my head as I listen to each track. Enjoy. 

The Pond – The imagery in this song grabbed me early before I even listened to the song. I also love that I can hear Eric’s fingers as they hit the strings, I love that in a song. I’m in love with the words in this song. Every time I listen to it I get a new gem for my ears to drive into.

Favorite from this song… 

              The pond before the pebble's cast

              Doves before they scatter

              The smooth sheet of perfect glass before it felt the shatter

              The marble before sculptor

              The page before the pen

              Or what I would ask you now if I could go back and ask you then

That’s What Love Does – When you get past the music and listen to the words, which is helped by a semi-acoustic version of this song on the album it hits all your feels at once. You can feel the love in this song from a woman who gave everything she had for her family. Even at the end. I can see her laying in the bed likely making sure everyone else was comfortable despite her own discomfort from her cancer fight. He could have been talking about any southern grandma and that’s what makes it special. To take something, a moment that’s so personal to him and make it universal is a gift. I’m not gonna lie this one … it made me cry.

It’s Not Like You Don’t Know Me – I think every artist wants to sing this song, that is if they lay it all on the line the way Eric and really great musicians do. Sadly, most don’t have the guts. I like this one I’d love to know who he’s singing to here is it the fans, is it a family member, is it himself. I almost see it as a wrestle match with himself in that he can talk to people through a song but it’s harder for him in person. Not sure why I’ve gone there with it but that’s what I think of when I listen to it. Every.single.time.

The Well –I’m going to have to spend more time with this one before I wrap my brain around it. I kept thinking of a coworker going through some things non-work related and would love for her to hear this song but not sure how she’d react to it. I think she’s at a crossroad where she’s likely asking herself these questions or at least feeling what this song outlines. It’s dangerous sometimes in our own heads.

You’re Still Dangerous –I need more time with this one too…right now all I think about when I listen to it is Bonnie and Clyde and wonder if this is how their conversations went as they were speeding around in their car away from the heist.

What Karma Wouldn’t Do – The ultimate revenge song I hope he felt it and that it hurt very much, good for her, good for him and GREAT for Eric for being able to put this story together and this video in my brain. Karma she’s a witch and sometimes … she needs help.

The Leader of the Exodus – I LOVE everything about this song and all artist, new and old should be forced to listen to it every morning when they step out of their beds. Eric has before talked in songs about the mediocrity of music lately and especially the Country side of the table which has recently been filled with more bro country than I’d like to hear. My favorite line …. “In this town where the best thing you can be is overplayed” cause that’s what it is all about isn’t it? Stations play what other stations play, over and over again no matter if it has substance or worth. That’s why artist like Eric are important. The guys who spend their weekend going from gig to gig cause they love to play, love to feel the instrument in their hands and love what they can do with that instrument when left to their own devices to just … play and create.

What’s Left of What Used To Be – A  remake of a classic Eric song. I could listen to this song every day all day long and never get tired of it. I love the idea of a bulletproof younger person who realizes that’s not the case. Reflection is the theme of this song, and in this remake of this song he’s slowed it down and made it a little more mournful and allows the audience to really focus on the words. I love that. Well done Eric.

The Drought Is Over – a true love song that starts with a drought and I love the journey it took to get there. If it’s the summer I think he’s talking about I remember it well. At the beginning of the song you get this sense of relief about everyone standing on their porch thinking finally then it flips everything and turns into a love song and it’s fantastic.

Favorite from this song… 

              May 1st , rain is falling

              It’s coming down

              No doubt this gully washer’s

              Drenchin’ the ground

              Those Sweet honeysuckles

              Yellow and pink

              Open, to the sky

              To get a drink

I mean the visual that pops into one’s head is just …. Lovely.

I Get Carried Away – Another remake of a classic Eric song. The first time I heard this I remember thinking I want to go give him a hug. I love the flow of this track and I love how it all comes full circle by the end of it.

Bird On A Powerline – Another remake of a classic Eric song. I love this song, love everything about it. The video that it makes play in my head, the playfulness in Eric’s voice as he sings it and just the overall vision that it took to create this song about this young man (stalker) watching his lady love going about her day only to know that she will never ever notice him but he’s watching every step she takes. It often makes me wonder how many people you may see throughout your day that you don’t even notice but that notice you.

You can get any of these albums mentioned at Eric’s website below, and you really should get them ASAP:

Website:   https://www.ericerdmanmusic.com/home

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EricErdmanMusic/ 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ericerdmanmusic 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ericerdmanmusic/

Enjoy an artist who has given me years of joy and whom I hope will give my ears many many more songs to digest and play with as I listen for all the cleaver nods that he builds into his music. I told him once that I wanted to walk around in his brain for like an hour and just marvel at it’s awesomeness. He warned me that it was a wild place ….. I still want to do it tho cause wild as it may be … it’s still a pretty awesome brain to come up with the lyrics he does.

Check out Eric and your ear holes will thank me !

Once again Eric … to be the pen to your paper must be quite an honor for the ink. Thank you for sharing your talents, time, and voice with us. 

Marcy (@beaslma)

AmWriting "My Fault"

So I started this story the other day, it buried itself into my brain and wouldn't let go until I got it out .... and since one of my goal is to write more ... I decided to post it here. Some of my issues with writing of late is that I write it, save it, then close the word file, moving on with my life thinking, well that was pointless. Without have an end game for the story a place to share it, a purpose for its existence it makes it seem silly. Like learning a musical instrument in your 40s. So I'm going to use this blog for some of that. Maybe you'll read it and enjoy it maybe you won't but at least it's no longer a file on my computer sitting useless. So ... here goes ...

My Fault

David sat in his chair, a drink in his hand, lights turned off, and remote in his other hand, when there was a knock on his door. He sat his drink down, “it's open” he yelled as he muted the TV with a sigh.

His cousin’s wife Ann walked in, slightly taken back by his appearance, and sat down across from him as she tried not to show it, “So….how’s it going?” he noticed her glance around the room.

He grinned, likely for the first time in days, “Really? That’s what you are going with… ‘how’s it going’ he paused, “You do realize how lame that is, right?!”

She, reached for his drink, leaned back in the chair, “yeah whatever …the point is still the same, how are you?” She took a sip of his drink, “Pepsi?”

“I’m not over here drinking myself into a stupor, I’m better than that.” She raised an eyebrow, “yeah, ok I’m not, but you caught me on a good night. I spent a full week completely toasted and it didn’t help so I’m trying the other spectrum.” Then he smirked again, “Yes, you may have some of my drink. Since you asked.”

“There he is, that’s who I’ve been looking for.” She handed him back his drink, “Look I know this isn’t easy, I guess the reason I’m here, is to ….” She paused, leaned forward, placed her hand on his knee “I’m here.”

“I know. I appreciate it, really I do.” He looked towards the TV as the show he was watching started to come back on, “Wanna watch with me?” He half hoped she’d decline and leave and the other part of him hoped she’d stay. He wasn’t sure which part he wanted to win, but it was kind of nice talking to someone, he had forgotten what his voice sounded like.

She didn’t answer, but got up and moved to sit in the chair closer to him and reached for his hand. He took it and squeezed it as they settled in to watch.

A few months ago, if she had come by, there would have been food in the kitchen, music playing from the stereo, or more likely his phone, and the TV would have been long forgotten. A few months ago, he was happy, he was engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world and had his entire life planned out ready for him to live it. A few months ago, she wouldn’t have come over alone, but would have brought his cousin, Chris, with her and they would have spent an evening in conversation, laughter, and fun games. A few months ago, everything was different.

He remembered the first time he brought Karen home to meet Chris and Ann. He wasn’t sure who was more nervous Ann or Karen. He laughed a little to himself when he remembered telling Karen afterwards that he would have won that title easily as they made their way home. They had been dating for nearly a year, but he didn’t want to introduce her until he knew he they were serious about each other. Why put her through the scrutiny if she wasn’t the one he reasoned. They walked in the house and Chris was outback grilling steaks. Ann handed Karen a glass of wine and sent David outside, “Go she’ll be fine… I don’t bite …hard!” He glanced at Karen who replied, “I have no problem biting back!” Both laughed, and he kissed her on the head as he went towards the back door. As she closed it behind him he yelled, “Best behavior Ann!”

“What’s that about?” Chris said looking up. 

“I think I was kicked out of your house so your wife could interrogate my date!”

He laughed, “You really should have seen that coming!” then turning to the mini fridge on the deck, “Have a beer.” “So…..”

David laughed, “So…..” They have always had very easy conversation often holding long conversations barely saying a word to one another. They were roughly the same age with Chris being 6 months older, but David was taller. They were as close as brothers and despite the fact they had different moms looked like brothers too. “She’s a great girl, you are going to like her. If you don’t … keep it to yourself”

He flipped the steaks, “Deal.” They both knew that Ann was the camel, if Karen didn’t win her over then it was an uphill battle no matter who else liked her. They talked football while waiting on the steaks to finish. David kept glancing through the window to see the two laughing with one another. 

It was a wonderful night, a little awkward at times, but everyone seemed to get along and that’s what was important to David. He didn’t need them to all be best friends out of the gate, but he needed them to all get along since they would spent a lot of time together down the road. At one point he saw Chris grinning at Karen as she told a story about her dog and he caught Amy grinning at him with a small nod of approval at what she was hearing. They would become fast friends and the four of them became very close in a short span of time. When David finally popped the question Amy was the first person Karen told, Chris having already known for weeks that it was coming.

They both watched in silence as the comedy on TV played out in front of them, he was starring at the box but not really taking it in and she kept stealing glances at him. She also noticed a pile of mail unopened, and a computer covered in a thin layer of dust. He was nesting and had cut himself off from everything even she and Chris. The cell phone, that she has been desperately trying to connect with him late laid discarded on the other side of the room, she couldn’t tell if it still had battery or not. He looked good, tired, but good. She glanced at him again and this time he caught her, “Chris said to say hi if I got to talk to you. So "HI!" He’s working tonight but … well he’s worried about you too. We’ve been trying to call but you aren’t answering.” Gesturing to the phone, “You can’t do that you know.”

“I do.” As he continued to stare at the TV. “I haven’t had much to say, and then my phone died. It was nothing personal, honest.”

She ignored that, “There’s this cool device they have now, I’ll see if I can get you one, you plug one end into the wall and the other end into your phone and like magic it keeps it charged for you so that the battery won’t die.” She smiled as the said it hoping he’d laugh.

“I’ve heard of those, there might be one around here somewhere, seemed easier to not though.” He didn’t laugh.

The show came back on and she was lost in thought. This had been going on for over a month and frankly it scared her.

No matter what has happened in their lives they’ve dealt with it together, Chris was his rock and she knew David was Chris’ rock. If they weren’t going to reach out to one another she’d be that bridge. She had the night free and decided she’d come over. Not really expecting to find this. She didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. She knew he was hurting, she knew he was pulling away she didn’t know what to do about it. She wished Chis was here, he told her to give him time. “He’ll come to us when he’s ready Amy, you have to respect that.”

She glanced around the room again only to realize that any remembrance of her was gone, no photographs, no books, no clothing. A shadow box that she made after their last vacation was gone from the wall. Then she noticed the boxes in the hallway. He had purged her from the house. She felt helpless to help him through this and felt as his friend it was her duty to see him to the other side of his heartbreak, somehow.

Shortly after college Amy and Chris broke up, they fought for weeks before deciding that it was just too much effort to be together. They boxed up their stuff and went their separate ways figuring they’d never see one another again.  She moved in with her best friend from College until she figured out what to do next. They were having dinner one night when a knock at the door scared them both since they weren’t expecting anyone.

She was shocked to see David behind the peep hole. He knew she was looking and waved. She opened the door but didn’t invite him in as it started to rain.

“Hey…” he said as he buried his hands in his jacket pockets. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d come by and see how you were doing.” She didn’t say anything so he just stood there as it started raining harder, “Um… can I come in ?”

“Oh yeah of course, please come in. We were just eating dinner, it’s just spaghetti but would you like a plate?!” As she moved out of the way to let him in.

“No, I’m good I’ve already eaten, I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner, please sit back down and eat while it’s hot.” He pulled her chair back out and gestured to her to sit down. She took her seat her friend still sitting in hers. No way in the world was she leaving this conversation if she could help it.

“So….how’s it going?” she grinned as she took a big bite.

“I’m good, work is good, life is good …… look … I’m not going to waste your time. Is it really over…. Cause … Chris is a mess. He’s angry with himself that you guys go to this point but he has no idea how to make this better cause you won’t talk to him. What can we do to fix this?”

“We?”

“Hey I’m part of this relationship too, I introduced you guys after all. If you don’t make it my relationship quota goes back down to none. I have a reputation I’m trying to build here.”

She smiled and put her fork down, “look David, I appreciate…”

He cut her off, “no …. No I won’t leave here without a solution for this. The two of you belong together, he’s an idiot and no one knows that better than me. He’s a better man when you are around, he thinks more about the world, he’s more focused and driven when you are around. He needs you. He can’t breathe when you aren’t around, he’s constantly at near panic attack mode. I’m not saying that’s a positive, but it’s the truth. I hate seeing him like this and I know the solution is you two getting back together. I know you guys have problems, but if you can’t work them out what’s the hope for the rest of us? He makes you better too by the way. He relaxes you, he shows you there is more to life than work and you need him too. Will you just talk to him and see if there’s anything there to salvage?!”

She was taken back by his bluntness, she glanced at her friend who shrugged, “He’s not wrong. You guys are great together and short of something catastrophic you should at least try to work it out.”

He walked over to her friend, “I like her, why don’t we hang out with her more.”

She didn’t know what to say. She still loved Chris and David was right she needed him as much as he needed her. When she didn’t reply he got down on his knee to be on her level, “what was the fight about?” she honestly couldn’t remember. “Please Ann just have coffee with him. Tomorrow 9am?”

She agreed, and they got back together around 9:05 and were married a few months later. David, the best man, gave a fantastic speech about how he made this night happen and was solely responsible for their happiness which made the room laugh and the two of them nod in agreement. She had looked forward to watching him on this journey finding the love of his life, marriage, kids, and felt cheated that he wasn’t going to have that at least for now. There had been other girlfriends but none that made his face light up the way Karen did. None who put that sparkle in his eye just by saying her name in his presence.

The show continued, neither really caring about the show, but it gave them a chance to talk during commercials and not have to deal with awkward pauses.  When the show ended she squeezed his hand again, “well I’m going to go, please charge your phone, and check in every once in a while.”

She walked over to his phone and plugged it in for him, then started out the door when he said quietly, “it’s all my fault.”

“I’m sorry what?”

“It was …. my fault.”

“Please do not be stupid, you can’t possibly think that is true.” As she made her way back over to him.

“She was due to come home two days later. I missed her. I asked her to come home early. Had I never called her on that stupid phone, she’d be sitting here with us now.” That was the first time he said out loud the words that had been bouncing around in his head for weeks. “I was bored and missed her and now I’ll never talk to her again.” She wrapped him in her arms, no words for him as he sobbed into her shoulder.

She had no idea how to react “Darlin, you can’t do that to yourself.” He lifted his head and looked her in the eyes, “how can I not?” tears streaming down his face.

Seeing that face she was reminded of the day he got the call, on the same phone she suddenly realized that she had just set to charge. He had joined them for lunch after church and was about to leave to go pick her up at the airport when his phone rang. She and Chris were arguing about something, she couldn’t remember what now, and when he answered they both sensed the room change. He turned white as a ghost, grabbed Chris’ shoulder, said he’d be right there. The two of them took off out the door without speaking, she ran to grab her shoes to join them. By the time she got to the door they were gone. Chris told her later how awful it was walking into the hospital looking for Karen only to be told she had just taken her last breath. They were told that the pilot over shot the runway and the plane crashed as it was trying to land, there were few survivors. They missed talking to her by less than 5 minutes.  A few months ago, everything was different now it may never be the same.

You know ... I'm not sure why most of my stories end with someone leaving or dying but there ya go.... What did you all think?

Marcy (@beaslma)