I HAD a Dream

I've been camping out near a naval base in northern Florida for the last couple of weeks and the daily flyovers have reminded me of  a dream I relinquished long ago.

From my mid-teen years until well after college, I had a dream of becoming a fighter pilot.  Really.  I'm not sure exactly what initially sparked and held my interest, but I have a long-standing love affair with speed and adventure, an attraction to risk and a desire to surprise people by doing what is not expected of a girl.

Don't get me wrong.  I had no desire to shed my femininity (though I've always had a bit of the tree-climbing tomboy in me), I wanted people to be shocked that I was a daring fighter pilot because of my femininity.  Those of you who know me...feel free to laugh at that.

I wasn't fully free of this dream until my first child was born.  I admit, even now, when I hear that roar overhead, the adrenaline starts pumping.  The difference is, I no longer feel the urge to DO something about it...just smile and enjoy the rush...vicariously. 

I Have a Dream 6

It's been awhile since I shared one of my delusions of grandeur and I know ya'll are eager to analyze my psyche based on all my unfulfilled dreams. So here you go. Have at it.

I want to learn to play a musical instrument.

Yep. That's it.

I love music. I grew up in a musical household. My sisters and I sang together in church from the time I was 3 years old until I left for college. And we sang in the kitchen as we did dishes...we sang on the long car rides from Chicago to St. Louis (OK...it's a long ride when there are 8 of you crammed into a Hatchback VEGA!!!)...we sat around the house and sang. It was what we DID!

My eldest sister, Sherre, is quite an accomplished pianist, organist and vocalist who has spent years perfecting her technique and skills in all three.

My second sister, Pam, is naturally gifted and can pretty much play any instrument she puts her hands on. She hasn't "studied" at all, but in addition to possessing the highly coveted "perfect pitch," she can hear any song and duplicate it on the piano.

Though these two were the "star" musicians of the family, my younger three siblings were all musically inclined as well. Vicki sings, Richard plays guitar and trumpet, and Jeffrey was quite the drummer.

So...you ask...what happened to ME? Well. When Sherre, Pam and I were about 10, 9, and 8 (I was the 8-year-old), we took piano lessons from the same teacher who delighted in writing trios for us to perform at recitals. Trouble was, when we practiced, I was ALWAYS the one who goofed up. ALWAYS. That's not the figurative "always" which means regularly. It's a literal "always." Just ask the sisters. I wasn't really terrible...I just wasn't as good as THEY were. Given my current perfectionistic tendencies, I'm surprised I didn't work harder to overcome my deficit, but I really don't remember trying that hard. I DO remember getting tired of being the kill-joy and, as soon as I was allowed, I quit piano. I can't say that I regret it necessarily, but I do regret that I didn't take up something else in its place.

I love good music. I really love to sing, but I have this little problem called "nerves." Even when I'm performing with a full choir, I lack confidence and tend to become very nervous. When that happens, my voice cracks and my breathing is short and shallow. So you'll never catch me singing solo...and if I have to sing in a small group, I prefer my company to be strong, confident male voices who can carry the weight.

Over the years, I have considered taking up several instruments, because (as I was ridiculed for saying to my sister, Pam) "music is IN me...I need to get it out somehow." My nervous/breathing issue eliminates the possibility of all wind instruments...unless I only want to play in private. But music is inherently social, right? Right. Strings it is then.

The stringed instruments that fascinate me the most are the dobro, the banjo, and the mandolin. Mandolin would be my first choice. So, what is stopping me? I have this fear of failure...plus I wonder if I am driven enough at this point in my life to push myself to conquer the thing.

Chris Thile (pronounced "teeley") of Nickel Creek has been a profound influence on my love of mandolin music. Here's a brief clip of him performing "Ode to a Butterfly," one of his many original compositions. Doesn't hearing him make you wish YOU could play the mandolin too?

I Have a Dream 5

Is there no end to my dreaming? There is...I promise. Just not yet.

Can you envision this house as a luxurious bed and breakfast? I certainly can! The stone and brick facade is gorgeous and the structure appears to have good "bones" as well as beautiful floors and classic woodwork inside.

A few cans of paint and some well-appointed furniture...and wah-lah! Magical. (the rooms pictured above are tastefully painted and decorated, but not every room is!) The house sits on about 18 acres and includes a beautiful old barn and silo. I can see that barn transformed into a place where the B&B guests, as well as dozens of town-folk, could gather on Friday nights for a festival of food, drink, music and dancing.

For those guests fortunate enough to secure a night's stay in the B&B, here's a sample Spring/Summer menu:

Breakfast

Bacon, spinach and avacado omelet

Fresh Fruit Cup

Caramel Cinnamon Roll

Lunch

Spring Greens w/ Blackened Salmon

Mango-Lime-Cilantro Dressing

Sister Schubert's Roll w/ Honey Butter

Lemon Sorbet w/ Shortbread

Dinner

Starter: Anaheim Shrimp, Cold Asparagus, Gewurstraminer

Soup: Cream of Leek

Salad: Campari Tomatoes w/ Fresh Mozarella & Basil; Balsamic Viniagrette

Entree: Ginger-soy Kebabs - Filet, Red Peppers, Onion, Portabellos, Zucchini - and Saffron Rice, Red Zinfandel

Dessert: Fresh Blueberry Pie w/ Vanilla Ice, Lemon-drop Martini

Other desirable amenities would include heated towel racks, plush robes and slippers, jacuzzi tubs, large screen TV's, as well as a stash of good books, music and movies, and a hearty dose of warm hospitality.

Wanna come?

I Have a Dream 4

I love to cook. (And I love to eat, but that's beside the point!) I have dreamed for years of publishing a cookbook of my own recipes, complete with fabulous photos. I have participated heavily in the production of 2 cookbooks already (for church and school) and each one contained a disproportionate number of my recipes...not all unique to me, granted. But I am a perpetual experimenter in the kitchen, so I have a fairly large stockpile of original recipes that I could legitimately publish.

Several companies exist whose sole purpose is to publish private cookbooks, making this the least ambitious of my dreams. I simply haven't taken the time to make it happen. As an alternative, I've considered creating a website, which would be easier to do and could be built gradually over time rather than all at once. I facetiously desgined a logo for it a couple years ago when a "friend" at Bible Study made fun of me for bringing Carmelized Pear Butter to accompany the bread I was serving. She also receives credit for the name. I think it fits...what do you think?

You'd buy my cookbook, wouldn't you? Really? Or would you be more inclined to visit a website? Then again, I could just keep incorporating the recipes into my blog, now couldn't I? I think I'll take the easy road on this one...for now anyway.

The fine print:

Why settle for the mediocrity of "Good Things"?

For the "BEST Things" visit SnootyCook.com TODAY!

Graciously underwritten by the Horne Foundation (oops! Did I just "out" you, Jennifer? So sorry...)

I Have a Dream 3

Scarlet & Finery

That would be the name of my other dream. Has a nice little ring to it, don't you think? This storefront gift shop would sell one-of-a-kind handmade treasures. Like Tracy's jewelry, Becky's cards, Denise's calligraphy, Ami's costumes, Rachel's cakes, Hannah's knitting...and all other sorts of unique creations! Every item would be crafted by myself or someone I know personally...nothing ordered from abroad or produced for mass consumption.

The opening of the front door would activate an old-fashioned bell and each customer's senses would be instantly engaged. Soothing music, the smell of cinnamon & coffee, every wall, table, nook and cranny - full of color and texture - a feast for the eyes and imagination!

I can see it now: beaded wine bottle covers, wine glass markers, aprons, curtains, afghans, photographs, refinished furniture, paintings, tablecloths, Christmas ornaments, candles, pottery, stationery, purses, needlework, scarves, hats...you get the idea! Home decor and accessories that are the stuff of beauty and luxury! This is not a place that would attract many male customers...except those rare few who know how to gift their wives. But it would be a favorite stop for bridal or baby showers, for a friend's birthday, for that hard-to-buy-for Mother-in-law, or for that small personal indulgence.

Are you with me? Sorry guys. This one wasn't for you...

I Have a Dream 2

So here's my next dream, and probably one of my longest-standing:

This dream could happen in this house, or any old 1.5 to 2-story house with character and charm. This particular one appeals to me because of its location in downtown Kirkwood and because of its size. It also happens to be next door to my favorite steak joint: Citizen Kanes.

I would convert this house into a book store! Most of the books would be used and the shop would have that distinctive and glorious smell of musty old paper.

Wood floors...well-appointed furnishings...a cozy atmosphere...and a smiling face would be standard fare.

A children's reading room would be a necessity, as well as a weekly story-hour for the little ones. No pop culture books in here...only the timeless stories with which every child should be familiar.

A smoking room would also be required...you know, a place for the seminary students and old men to recline in leather chairs and light their cigars while feasting on some deep-dish theology or history. I envision this as a gathering room...for book discussions - maybe even some hearty debate - accompanied by dark beer, port or scotch.

A tea and coffee room for the ladies would be nice too. A light, airy, French country decor where a mom can get away for an hour and lose herself in Jane Eyre after a long day's work with the children.

Other than that, wall after wall after wall after wall of beautiful floor-to-ceiling shelving full of worthwhile literature, history, philosophy and theology. A veritable paradise...

Dream BIG...that's what they say!

I Have a Dream

Actually, I have a lot of dreams...grandiose visions of things I'd love to do in this life. Some would bring a sense of great accomplishment, some would leave behind a great benefit for Christ's church, while others would be for the sheer delight of doing them. Unfortunately, this little thing called "life" has a way of standing betweeen me and the fulfillment of these dreams. The Christian Reality of here and now requires that I live a life of service that tends to fill up my time. I'm gonna share those dreams anyway because I do hold out hope that an eternity in the new heavens and new earth, might allow me the opportunity to fulfill some of them!!

 

I regularly pass this building, which I have dreamt of buying and renovating! It's a mere $625,000...I mean really! That's a steal for property in Sunset Hills...and the building is marked as an Historical Landmark, which means there should be funds available for renovation...which I imagine would take a mere $2-3,000,000!! The bones of the building are awesome! And, looking in the broken windows, the entryway, at least, retains a great deal of character!

My imagination goes wild! I can see it fulfilling a number of purposes. My first choice (I think) would be to open a classical grammar school, even though that brings with it number of very difficult tasks and some serious long-term labor. Of course, my hope would be that it would also provide long-term benefits for Christendom!

I can also see it being transformed into a Christian Literary Institute. Imagine this place beautified inside and out (stone, marble, woodwork, English garden). People come to stay for a couple weeks at a time to complete studies in classic literature from a Christian worldview...Austen, Hugo, Tolkien, Lewis, Twain, etc.

Or what about a bed and breakfast with wine tastings and mystery dinners? The nature of this building lends itself to all sorts of possibilities. I can even see it as a home...a LARGE home whose occupants must extend hospitality to all sorts of people in need.

So there you have it...dream #1. Buy, renovate and share this glorious building!